Government Accepts, Nayiri Rejects Otumfuo Mediation Report

There appears to be no peace in sight in Bawku, regardless of the picture the sole mediator, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, painted in his mediation report.

The government has issued a definitive statement accepting the entire report and its recommendations, but the Nayiri has rejected it.

The new twist that has unfolded sends shivers down the spines of many who fear the situation is back to ground zero, just a day after the report was presented to President John Dramani Mahama.

The King of Mamprugu, Tidugma Nayiri, Naa Bohugu Mahami Abdulai Sheriga, has discredited the mediation report the Asantehene presented in its entirety.

He has further accused the Mediator of taking a position and giving recommendations, contrary to presenting the full case of both sides.

“I must state clearly and without reservation that the so-called report and recommendations do not reflect my engagements with Otumfuo nor those of my duly constituted mediation team. I, therefore, formally reject the report and recommendations in its entirety,” Nayiri stated.

REASONS

In the mid-morning of Wednesday, 17 December, 2025 less than 24 hours after the report was presented to the government, the Overlord of Mamprugu issued the statement registering his displeasure.

The Nayiri indicated that the parties were not invited to engage with or comment on the conclusions of the report before the presentation.

He also alleged that the report contains factual inaccuracies and manifestly favours one party’s narrative.

The Nayiri expressed his displeasure about the government issuing a definitive position based on the report without engaging the parties.

Though his statement urged the President to engage fully with all parties and with the mediator before taking any action, it did not last before the government made its position on the report known to the public.

RESTRAIN

It is the position of the King of Mamprugu that the mediation ended in a clear “deadlock,” with no consensus reached between the parties.

However, the Nayiri reaffirmed his commitment to peace, adding that he “shall continue to pursue that path,” and also entreated all within Mamprugu to “remain calm and law-abiding.”

“I remain fully committed to peace, dialogue and stability in Bawku and the wider Mamprugu area,” he said.
He pledged to engage further with Otumfuo and with the government over the matter and inform the public in due time.

ENDORSEMENT

Meanwhile, the government in a statement issued yesterday, endorsed the mediation report after what it called careful review and deliberation.

According to the government statement signed by the Spokesperson to the president, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the acceptance of the entire report was to uphold the government’s unwavering commitment to peace, constitutional order, rule of law and national cohesion.

The government opined that the report constituted a “comprehensive, fact-based, and forward-looking” roadmap aimed exclusively at achieving lasting peace, reconciliation and stability in Bawku and its surrounding areas.
The government also affirmed the position of the law, which it said was consistently upheld by the Supreme Court of Ghana, that Naba Asigri Abugrago Azoka II is the lawful Bawku Naba “and that no individual or group is permitted, under any circumstances, to contest his authority or legitimacy.

“Government accepts the recommendation that Alhaji Seidu Abagre, who was
installed as a rival claimant to the Bawku chieftaincy, be recalled to Nalerigu by the Overlord of Mamprugu, the Nayiri, to assume an alternative traditional role, with the necessary facilitation and support of the State,” the statement added.
FUND

Meanwhile, the government has announced the setting up of a one billion cedi (GH¢ 1,000,000,000) Bawku Revitalisation Fund, to be disbursed over three years between 2026 and 2028.

The fund is to respond to the grave human, social, and economic losses, significantly caused by the protracted conflict, which have undermined livelihoods and development prospects in Bawku and its environs.
The fund will be dedicated to the reconstruction and development of priority infrastructure, including roads, healthcare, education, dam and irrigation facilities, among others.

The Fund shall be managed by a high-level Committee chaired by the Minister for
Finance, Cassiel Ato Baah Forson; other members are the Upper East Regional Minister, Donaltus Akamuguri and the Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business, Mahama Ayariga, Member of Parliament for the Bawku Central Constituency, who will represent MPs from the area.

SUPPORT
The government called on all traditional authorities, political leaders, youth groups, civil
society organisations, religious bodies, development partners, and the broader citizenry to support the peace-building and reconciliation process in the spirit of unity, restraint and patriotism.

Emphasising that there were no winners and no losers in the mediation process, the release said President Mahama urged all parties “to accept and faithfully abide by the conclusions and recommendations of the Mediation Report in the supreme interest of peace and national stability.”

The statement ended by expressing the gratitude of the government to Otumfuo Osei Tutu II,
the Nayiri, Naa Bohagu Abdulai Mahama Sheriga II, the Bawku Naba, Naba Asigri Abugrago Azoka II and all individuals, institutions and stakeholders for their efforts.

 

 

 

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