The Mamprugu Overlord, Naa Bohagu Mahami Abdulai Sheriga, has formally rejected the mediation report presented by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, to President John Dramani Mahama on the longstanding Bawku Chieftaincy dispute.
In a strongly worded statement issued on 17th December 2025 and signed by the Nayiri, the Mamprugu Traditional Council said the document being circulated as a mediation report does not reflect the discussions held with Otumfuo nor the position of the Mamprugu delegation throughout the process.
According to the Nayiri, the report is “legally untenable” and “procedurally flawed” because it attempts to impose binding recommendations although no formal terms of reference were provided for the mediation. He argued that Otumfuo repeatedly described his role as a mediator not an arbitrator yet the document seeks to pass judgment and prescribe enforcement measures.
The statement lamented the exclusion of both parties from the presentation of the report to the President, describing it as deeply unfair and damaging to the integrity of the process. It further noted that no opportunity was granted for parties to comment on or respond to the supposed findings before submission.
The Nayiri insisted that the process ended in a deadlock and, therefore, should have been reported as such, in conformity with Ghana’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Act (Act 795). Any attempt to enforce the recommendations, the statement stressed, would breach natural justice and constitutional requirements.
He also rejected claims that he consented to the continued recognition of Naba Asigri Abugrago Azoka II, insisting that such assertions are false and misrepresentations of Mamprugu’s position.
The Overlord said the report portrays Mamprugu unfairly and appears to be influenced by external interests rather than genuine mediation. He questioned why duly mandated representatives of the parties were not present when the document was submitted, while other groups were selectively invited.
“Not even an inch of Mamprugu’s ancestral heritage will be ceded,” the statement noted, stressing that peace cannot be achieved on the foundation of what it calls “injustice and an orchestrated process.”
The Nayiri urged President Mahama to consult all parties before taking any action based on the report, warning that unilateral adoption could undermine efforts toward lasting peace.
Despite his disappointment, the Nayiri reaffirmed Mamprugu’s commitment to peace, dialogue, and stability in the Bawku area, saying any sustainable resolution must be rooted in history, fairness, law, and mutual consent.
He called on residents of Mamprugu to remain calm and law-abiding as the matter unfolds, promising further engagement with the government and the Asantehene in the coming days.
The Bawku Chieftaincy dispute remains one of Ghana’s most protracted traditional conflicts, and this latest development signals renewed tension over attempts at alternative dispute resolution.
