At Long Last, Bawku Finds Peace

The Bawku conflict mediator, His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has concluded that the law favours the Bawku Naaba, Zugraan Asigri Aburgrago Azoka II. He has thus recommended that the Nayiri, King of Mamprugu, Naa Bohaga Mahami Abdulai Sheriga, accept the law that legitimises the authority of Asigri Aburgrago Azoka II as the chief of Bawku and head chief of the Kusasi Traditional Area.

Otumfuo has also urged the government to enforce the law “until changed in accordance with the 1992 constitution or reviewed by the Supreme Court of Ghana.”

Otumfuo said “The government must enforce the laws distinctly with any person challenging the lawful authority of the Aburgrago Azoka. This is critical to the restoration and maintenance of peace in the Kusasi traditional area.”

At Jubilee House on Tuesday, 16 December, 2025 the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, presented his report to President John Dramani Mahama, following the mediation process on the protracted issue and gave the chronology of events from the genesis of the conflict, including the various court decisions and government actions to date.

According to him, enforcing the current position of the laws of Ghana and the position of the Supreme Court on the Bawku conflict coincide with the path to lasting resolution.

“Asigri Aburgrago Azoka II is the lawful chief of Bawku and the paramount chief of the Kusasi traditional area. He has been a member of the National House of Chiefs for about 40 years. He has been duly gazetted,” Otumfuo said.

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, began his remarks by acknowledging that his report did not determine who was right or wrong, but rather, “present the facts as they are.”

While at it, he said “I have come to the conclusion that the path to a lasting resolution coincides with the enforcement of the current position of the law, by the laws of Ghana and by the constitution enacted in 1992 and by the position of the Supreme Court that the matter should never be litigated before it again.

“His right to rule should not be disturbed, save through a judicial and constitutionally recognised process and, whichas already indicated, appears to be, if any, a review of the pronouncement of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Ghana stated hearing.

“If the pronouncement of the Supreme Court appears not clear enough, a remedy may be sought, if available, for clarification of the same by the Supreme Court,” he added.

REALITY

Having heard both parties, Otumfuo read from his report that he had impressed upon the Nayiri that current realities make it more pragmatic that all accept Kusasi’s rule over the area.

He added that the PNDC Law 75, the 1992 Constitution and the ruling of the Supreme Court in Ibrahim Adam Zangbeo versus Nicheama Aburgrago and Attorney General rendered the argument that Abugrago Azoka was not the Bawku Naaba untenable, and he exercises jurisdiction over the entire Kusasi area.

RESPONSE NAYIRI

In his report, the Asantehene indicated that in spite of the clarity of the law on the matter, he continued to engage the Nayiri on the terms of concessions presented by the latter to him.

“Essentially, he asked for a number of towns in the Kusasi area to be transferred to him to enskin,” Otumfuo stated, adding that the terms created the impression that those towns would prefer to be under the Nayiri, essentially, including Bawku.

However, after meeting the various chiefs of the towns and communities affected, the Otumfuo said he came to the conclusion that there has been significant reconciliation among the various Kusasis and Mamprusis in all the other towns, but, unfortunately, he added that the law as it stands now makes it impossible.

GOVERNMENT

Following the mediation led by the Asantehene and the presentation of his report, the next step is to reconcile both factions.

The Asantehene yesterday urged the government and other stakeholders to do well to reconcile the people while advocating for peace.

Meanwhile, he indicated that people in these areas possess guns, and this situation needs to be addressed. He suggested that the government could mobilise support and convince the people to exchange the guns for some amount of money.

President Mahama, who commended his predecessor, former president Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the Asantehene, committed to taking action on the report.

He stated that the government would, in 24 hours from yesterday, issue its conclusive position on the matter.

He said he had impressed upon the Nayiri to accept that recognition by law in order to ensure lasting peace and eliminate the national and international scrutiny.

 

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