The Nayiri, Overlord of Mamprugu, Naa Bohagu Mahami Abdulai Sheriga, has formally rejected a mediation report presented by Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II on the protracted Bawku Chieftaincy Dispute, describing it as procedurally flawed, legally unsustainable and unacceptable to the Mamprugu people.
In a strongly worded statement issued on December 17, 2025, and released by the Mamprugu Traditional Council, the Nayiri distanced himself and the Mamprugu Kingdom from what he termed a “so-called mediation report and recommendations” presented to President John Dramani Mahama a day earlier.
According to the Nayiri, the document does not reflect his engagements with Otumfuo or those of his duly constituted mediation team and therefore cannot be described as a valid mediation outcome. He stressed that at no point were the parties invited to review, comment on, or consent to the conclusions said to have been reached.
“The so-called mediation ended in a clear deadlock, with no consensus reached between the parties,” the statement said, adding that Mamprugu nevertheless made concessions in good faith at the request of Otumfuo—concessions which were later acknowledged and praised by President Mahama but rejected outright by the Kusasi side.
The Nayiri argued that a mediator has no authority to substitute personal opinions or recommendations for negotiated positions of the parties, noting that such actions amount to assuming an adjudicative role without jurisdiction. He further contended that the recommendations contained in the report were imposed without due process, in violation of principles of natural justice and the Alternative Dispute Resolution Act, 2010 (Act 795).
Raising concerns about the content of the report, the Nayiri said it was riddled with factual inaccuracies, imbalanced in favour of one party’s narrative, and almost entirely omitted Mamprugu’s historical position. He also dismissed as “entirely false” suggestions that he had agreed to the continued recognition of Aninchema as Bawku Naba.
The Overlord expressed deep disappointment over what he described as a carefully orchestrated process designed to prejudice Mamprugu, and voiced alarm at reports suggesting government intended to adopt a definitive position within 24 hours based on the disputed document.
“Peace cannot and will not be built upon injustice,” the Nayiri stated, while reaffirming his commitment to peace, dialogue and stability in Bawku and the wider Mamprugu area. He called on all Mamprugu subjects to remain calm and law-abiding as efforts to resolve the dispute continue.
The Nayiri urged the media, the public and all stakeholders to exercise caution in characterising ongoing efforts and appealed for a transparent and impartial process that respects history, constitutional norms and the dignity of all traditional authorities.
He disclosed that he would further engage Otumfuo and the Government of Ghana and issue a more comprehensive statement in due course.
Leave a Reply