The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has issued a final, non-negotiable recommendation to the government regarding the long-standing Bawku chieftaincy conflict. Speaking in his capacity as the Chairman of the Special Peace Committee, the Asantehene reaffirmed that Zugraan Naba Asigri Abugrago Azoka II is the only legally recognized Chief of Bawku.
The report was formally presented to President John Dramani Mahama at the Jubilee House, marking the conclusion of a high-level mediation process aimed at ending decades of violence between the Mamprusi and Kusasi groups.
The Legal Basis for Peace
The Asantehene emphasized that his conclusions are based on Ghanaian Law and Supreme Court rulings, rather than mere customary negotiation. He highlighted two key legal pillars:
- PNDC Law 75 (1983): The Restoration of Status of Chiefs Law.
- Supreme Court Ruling (2003): A final judicial decision that reinforced the legal status of the Bawku chieftaincy.
“We chiefs, no matter how exalted, do not live above the Constitution of Ghana and the laws duly enacted and affirmed by the courts,” the Asantehene stated.
Key Directives and Recommendations
The Asantehene’s report outlines a clear path forward for the Executive branch and traditional leaders:
| Category | Action Required |
| For the Government | Decisively enforce existing laws and protect the authority of Naba Azoka II to prevent further loss of life. |
| For the Nayiri | The Asantehene urged the Nayiri of Mamprugu to accept the settled legal position and cease attempts to install rival chiefs. |
| For the Judiciary | The law must stand unless it is officially changed via the 1992 Constitution or reviewed again by the Supreme Court. |
A Call to End the Cycle of Violence
The Asantehene warned that political hesitation and a failure to enforce the law have allowed the conflict to persist, claiming hundreds of lives since 2021. He noted that while the dispute has colonial roots, the 2003 Supreme Court judgment settled the matter conclusively.
He insisted that the government must move beyond mediation and prioritize law enforcement to restore stability and development to the Upper East Region.
