Ghana Interior Minister: Hamile Curfew Lifted After Security Improvement

• Interior Minister Mubarak Mohammed Muntaka has lifted the curfew on Hamile Township and its surrounding communities.
• The decision, effective immediately, was made on the advice of the National Security Council and through an Executive Instrument.
• The lifting follows an improvement in the security situation in the Lambussie District of the Upper West Region.
• A total ban on the possession of arms, ammunition, and other offensive weapons remains in effect in the area.
• The government urged local leaders and residents to exercise restraint and use non-violent means to address challenges.

The decision to remove these restrictions was made in response to a reported and verified improvement in the overall security situation within the affected areas, signaling a positive shift towards normalcy for the local populace.

The curfew that had been in effect across Hamile Township and its surrounding communities, located within the Lambussie District of Ghana's Upper West Region, has been officially lifted. This significant development, announced by Interior Minister Mubarak Mohammed Muntaka, took immediate effect, providing residents with renewed freedom of movement. The decision to remove these restrictions was made in response to a reported and verified improvement in the overall security situation within the affected areas, signaling a positive shift towards normalcy for the local populace.

The directive to terminate the curfew was formally issued on Monday, November 9, following a thorough review and subsequent advice from the National Security Council. This action, which was implemented through the issuance of an Executive Instrument, marks a pivotal moment for the region, which had previously been subject to time-based limitations on activity designed to mitigate earlier security threats. The government's proactive move underscores its assessment that the immediate and pressing dangers that necessitated the imposition of the curfew have now sufficiently receded.

The formal process for lifting the curfew involved the issuance of an Executive Instrument, a specific legal mechanism in Ghana that empowers the government to enact and revoke such public order measures. This instrument was deployed after careful deliberation and upon the expert advice provided by the National Security Council, thereby ensuring that the decision was firmly grounded in a comprehensive and up-to-date security assessment. While the previous time-based restrictions on civilian movement have been successfully removed, a crucial and stringent prohibition remains actively enforced across the region.

Authorities have unequivocally maintained a total ban on the possession of arms, ammunition, and any other offensive weapons throughout Hamile Township and its adjacent localities. The Ministry of the Interior issued a stern and unambiguous warning, stating that any individual discovered to be in violation of this continuing prohibition would face immediate arrest and subsequent prosecution under the full extent of the law. This sustained stricture, often referred to as the Ghana ban on arms in Hamile, underscores a persistent governmental focus on preventing any potential for violence and on diligently upholding public order, even as the broader curfew is rescinded.

Concurrent with the lifting of the curfew, the government has extended a significant appeal to various community leaders and residents, urging them to actively contribute to the sustained peace and stability of the area. Chiefs, respected local opinion leaders, the youth, and all inhabitants of Hamile and its environs have been specifically called upon to exercise considerable restraint when addressing any local challenges or disputes that may arise. This comprehensive call emphasizes the paramount importance of collective responsibility and collaborative effort in maintaining the hard-won stability.

Furthermore, all stakeholders within the community have been strongly encouraged to adopt and utilize non-violent approaches for expressing any grievances or concerns they may possess. This proactive engagement strategy aims to effectively prevent any potential resurgence of unrest and to ensure that the improved security situation in Hamile Township, which ultimately led to the curfew's removal, is not only sustained but also further solidified for the long term. The lifting of the Executive Instrument Ghana curfew, driven by tangible Hamile Township security improvement, represents a significant step towards the full restoration of civil liberties, a step that is inherently contingent on the community's unwavering commitment to peaceful resolution and strict adherence to the remaining prohibition on weapons.

For lawyers advising individuals or businesses operating in Hamile, the lifting of the curfew means normal operations and movement can resume without time-based restrictions. However, it is crucial to note that the total ban on arms, ammunition, and offensive weapons remains in effect, and clients must be advised to strictly adhere to this prohibition to avoid arrest and prosecution.

Source: Original reporting via Emmanuel Tetteh