President John Dramani Mahama has disclosed that 119 people lost their lives during the period of mediation in the protracted Bawku conflict between 2024 and 2025.
He said the deaths occurred while the mediation process, led by Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, was ongoing.
The President made the revelation when a delegation of the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs paid a courtesy call on him at the Presidency in Accra. The delegation was led by Pe Ditundini Adiali Ayagitam III, Paramount Chief of the Chiana Traditional Area and President of the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II was appointed by former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in 2024 to mediate in the longstanding Bawku conflict. The Asantehene presented his final report to President Mahama in December 2025.
President Mahama said although relative peace was gradually returning to Bawku, the area was not yet completely out of danger.
“And so, as his successor, I was duty-bound to allow that mediation to go on. And I want to thank Otumfuo again for the role that he played in mediating the conflict,” he said.
He noted that the mediation period was marked by violence and killings.
“It’s estimated that about 119 people lost their lives during the period of mediation. But thank God, ultimately, his report came out,” the President stated.
According to him, the mediation process sought to achieve a traditional resolution by bringing the parties together in a manner consistent with past conflict resolution approaches.
“Unfortunately, I think that didn’t happen. And once it didn’t happen, then the mediator had no option but to revert to what the law says. And so, his report basically stated what the lawful position was,” he said.
President Mahama stressed his constitutional obligation to uphold the law in addressing the matter.
“And I swore an oath to uphold the constitution and the laws of the Republic of Ghana. And so, I cannot be sentimental in terms of implementing the law. And everybody knows what the law states,” he said.
He affirmed that the legally gazetted Bawku Naba was Naba Abugrago Azoka.
“That is what the law says. He is gazetted. And so, I cannot have any sentiments in the matter and have somebody who is not gazetted come and say I am the Bawku Naba too. And so, I have to do what I have to do to ensure peace in Bawku. Which is what we’ve done. The law is the law,” the President declared.
Touching on other disputes, President Mahama referenced the Bolgatanga chieftaincy dispute, which has been adjudicated by the Judicial Committee of the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs. He said decisions taken by such bodies must be respected and implemented.
“It is not in anybody’s power to say, yes, it has taken a decision, but I don’t agree with the decision. And so, I am imposing myself as a rival chief. If we do that, we would have chaos all over,” he cautioned.
He added that chieftaincy and land disputes were not limited to the Upper East Region, citing recent tensions in Sampa and succession disputes in Sunyani following the death of a long-reigning chief.
“But in all this, we must recognise that violence does not solve the problem. Because we no longer live in the jungle where it’s survival of the fittest,” he said.
President Mahama reiterated the government’s recognition of the role of chiefs in governance and local development, noting that traditional authorities wield significant influence and play a critical role in conflict resolution.
Pe Ditundini Adiali Ayagitam III congratulated President Mahama on his decisive victory in the December 2024 general election and commended his administration for what he described as an economic turnaround that had reduced the cost of foodstuffs in the region.
He appealed to the President to prioritise the construction of the Bolgatanga-Navrongo-Sandema Road and the Bolgatanga-Bawku-Pulmakom Road to enhance trade with neighbouring countries.
The Paramount Chief also called for the construction of the Pawlugu Multi-purpose Dam Project and the revival of the Pawlugu Tomato Factory to boost development in the area.
Source: GNA
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