SUMMARY

The Kusasi people are an ethnic group that resides in the northern parts of Ghana. They number approximately 500 000 and are concentrated in and around the town of Bawku in the Upper East region. Both Christianity and Islam are represented within the Kusasi ethnic group, but the traditional beliefs are deeply rooted and are the most common religious expression amongst the Kusasi people. The Kusasi group is ruled by a traditional chief, a position that has been subject to intense politicization over the last few decades. At the core of the issue is the majority versus minority relation in northern Ghana in general and in Bawku in particular. Given the tumultuous political background in Ghana, with numerous coups and volatile domestic politics, the issue of regional power, and most importantly the ethnicity of the regional leaders, became an important political statement. These conflicts have been present for the better part of the 20th century, leading to violent encounters with other ethnic groups inhabiting the same area.

The Kusasi have been involved in the non-state category of UCDP organised violence.