Thirteen-year-old Hardi Mariam sits quietly in her Junior High School classroom in Tamale, notebook open, pen poised, finally able to focus on learning. A year ago, she lived in Bawku, an Upper East Region town wracked by persistent conflict that turned her everyday life into a battle for safety.
“I couldn’t even go to fetch water because the shooting was so close,” Mariam recalls softly. “I just wanted to be safe and to learn.” The violence forced thousands of children out of school.
What the numbers say
Between 2021 and 2023, the Bawku Municipal Director confirmed that 246 teachers fled, and many schools were abandoned due to safety concerns (gna.org.gh). More than 7,000 students were affected when over 30 schools were temporarily closed during the height of the clashes (news.ghheadlines.com).
Mariam was one of the few lucky ones who managed to leave. She now lives with Benedicta Azuma in Tamale, who supports her schooling in exchange for help at home. Although she had completed JHS 2 before leaving Bawku, her new school placed her in JHS 1 so she could catch up academically, something she embraces.
“Now I can learn without fear, and I don’t hear gunshots anymore,” Mariam says with a small smile. “My dream is to become a lawyer so I can speak for those who are afraid to speak for themselves.”
The situation at Bawku
But her heart is still heavy. Her younger sister, just 10 years old, and her older cousin, who once dreamed of becoming a nurse, remain in Bawku. Their schooling is on and off depending on the intensity of the fighting. Teachers often stay away, classes are canceled without notice, and the sound of gunfire sometimes replaces the morning school bell.
Many girls in her old neighborhood have dropped out entirely. Some have been forced into early marriages by families desperate to find them safety and stability, while others have taken up menial jobs to support their households. “Some of my friends can no longer read as well as they used to because they haven’t been to school for months,” Mariam says, her voice breaking. “It is like their dreams are dying every day.”
Her guardian, Benedicta Azuma, is proud of her resilience.
“Mariam is a very determined child. Even after all she has been through, she wakes up early, does her chores, and goes to school with excitement. I will do everything I can to make sure she continues her education,” she says.
From Mariam’s School Authorities
Her headmaster at Kpalsi Zion JHS, Mr. Samuel Akugri Dramani, has also been impressed.
“She is adjusting very well despite starting over from JHS 1. She is respectful, eager to learn, and I believe she has the potential to achieve her dream. All she needs is a peaceful environment and consistent support,” he says.
Mariam’s story reflects a broader crisis. According to UNICEF, more than 27 million children globally are out of school due to conflict. While Ghana remains relatively stable, localized conflicts like Bawku’s have severely disrupted education for thousands (unicef.org, gna.org.gh).
For Mariam, her new school is not just a place of learning, it is a safe space, a sign of hope, and a pathway to the future she is determined to build. Every lesson she attends is a step toward reclaiming her childhood and shaping the life she dreams of. But she hopes one day her siblings and friends in Bawku will also have the chance to learn without fear.
“I am happy here, but I think about them every day, I want them to have what I have now, a safe school, peace, and hope.” she says quietly to our reporter Prince Kwame Tamakloe.
The Bawku conflict
The Bawku conflict, in Ghana’s Upper East Region, is a long-standing dispute rooted in chieftaincy and ethnic tensions, primarily between the Kusasi and Mamprusi ethnic groups. The disagreement over who holds legitimate rights to the Bawku skin (chieftaincy title) dates back to the colonial era, when British authorities recognized the Mamprusi as the rulers of the area. However, the Kusasi majority have long contested this, citing their historical presence and control of the land.
The dispute has flared up repeatedly since the 1950s, with notable violent outbreaks in 2000, 2007–2008, 2010, and a renewed wave of violence since late 2021. These clashes have often resulted in loss of lives, destruction of property, displacement of residents, disruption of trade, and the closure of schools. The insecurity has deeply affected children’s education, forcing some families to send their wards to safer towns, while others have seen their children drop out entirely.
Links to related stories
By: Prince Kwame Tamale/Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
