The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has reaffirmed the authority of the Supreme Court in resolving the long-standing Bawku chieftaincy dispute, insisting that lasting peace can only be achieved through strict adherence to Ghana’s Constitution and binding judicial decisions.
The Asantehene made this position clear on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, when he presented his mediation report on the Bawku conflict to President John Dramani Mahama at the Jubilee House. He said the mediation process was guided by a careful review of historical records, customary practices, military-era decrees and, most importantly, final court rulings that define the current legal position.
According to Otumfuo, the dispute has travelled a long and complex legal journey, involving colonial-era interventions, post-independence political decisions, military decrees and several court cases, culminating in definitive pronouncements by the Supreme Court. He stressed that these rulings, together with the 1992 Constitution, leave no room for parallel claims to authority in Bawku outside constitutionally recognised processes.
The Asantehene explained that successive governments, having recognised the limitations of repeated security deployments and litigation, jointly mandated him to mediate the conflict using traditional mechanisms. However, he cautioned that traditional mediation cannot succeed if it contradicts the law or undermines the authority of the courts.
Otumfuo emphasized that no chief, regardless of status or historical claims, stands above the Constitution of Ghana. He urged all parties involved in the Bawku dispute to respect the rule of law, warning that continued disregard for judicial decisions has been a major driver of recurring violence, loss of lives and destruction of property in the area.
He further disclosed that the mediation reaffirmed the current legal recognition of the Kusasi traditional leadership in Bawku, as upheld by the Supreme Court, while also acknowledging historical ties and grievances raised by the Mamprusi side. He praised the Naayiri for making concessions in the interest of peace and commended both sides for engaging constructively in the dialogue process.
President John Dramani Mahama received the report and assured that his administration would study the findings and recommendations thoroughly, acting in line with the Constitution and existing court decisions. He commended the Asantehene for his dedication to national peace and unity.
The mediation report is expected to guide government action as Ghana seeks a durable resolution to the decades-old Bawku conflict, which has long posed a serious threat to peace and security in the Upper East Region.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
