Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, has warned the Member of Parliament for the Zebilla Constituency, Cletus Avoka, over his public comments on the Bawku conflict.
Reports suggest Cletus Avoka had claimed that the Mahama government and Otumfuo are being intimidated in the ongoing Bawku peace mediations.
He is quoted by Accra FM to have said, “The government of the day, led by President Mahama, and Otumfuo are being intimidated”.
Speaking during the presentation of the mediation report to President John Dramani Mahama at the Jubilee House on December 16, 2025, the Asantehene cautioned Cletus Avoka about his public statements.
He highlighted that the MPs’ public statements tend to heighten tensions and undermine the peace efforts currently underway.
The Asantehene stated, “My son Cletus Avorkah, if he is here, he has to be very careful about the pronouncements he makes publicly.
It is not right. It is a dicey situation, and we are all trying to make amends and bring people together as brothers and sisters”.
He added, “It seems he is making various pronouncements that will not lead to the peace we want. I will tell him that we want peace… we don’t make pronouncements on the radio that will incense the other side. I will invite him personally and tell him. We have reached the reconciliation stage”.
Also, the Asantehene clarified that his role in efforts to resolve the protracted Bawku conflict was strictly mediation and not arbitration.
He added, “I’m here not to give a judgment as to who was wrong and who was right. I’m here to present the facts as they are for us to have peace”.
“Almost a year ago, the people of Ghana handed the mandate of the governance of Ghana to your Excellency, and you wasted no time in reaffirming the mandate of the Bawku mediation. By the grace of God, we are able to assemble here for us to present to your excellency the report of the mission you entrusted to us,” he said.
“We present the report for your kind consideration, whatever action you and your government consider appropriate,” he added.
He further reiterated, “Like I said, it was a mediation. It wasn’t an arbitration, and I’m not here to say that this one was wrong or this one was right. I’ll present the facts as they are, and that’s what it should be, binding on all of us.”
Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, in his presentation of the final Bawku mediation report, recommended that his brother, the Overlord of Mamprugu, the Nayiri, accept Asigri Azoka as the Chief of Bawku and the head of the Kusasi Traditional Area.
The Otumfuo recommended that Seidu Abagre, who was recently installed by the Mamprusi side as a rival chief to the Bawku Naba, Asigri Abugrago Azoka II, should be recalled to Nalerigu.
Speaking during the presentation of the mediation report to President John Dramani Mahama at the Jubilee House on December 16, 2025 stated, “The final resolution of the Bawku Matters requires that Mr Seidu Abagre be recalled to Nalerigu by the Nayiri to be reassigned to play another traditional role at the Palace of the Nayiri, assisted by the State.
Alternatively, he may choose to stay in Bawku as an ordinary citizen of the community but not to pose as Bawku Naba”.
He added, “I recommend that my brother, the Nayiri, accept Asigri Abugrago Azoka as the Chief of Bawku and the head of the Kusasi Traditional Area”.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of the Interior has announced a renewed curfew for Bawku Municipality, effective Monday, December 15, before the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, submitted his report to President Mahama.
According to the Ministry of the Interior, the curfew will run from 8:00 pm to 5:00 am, as part of ongoing efforts to maintain peace and security in the area.
Authorities have urged chiefs, elders, opinion leaders, youth, and residents to exercise restraint and channel their energies through non-violent means to ensure stability.
Watch the video below:
Otumfuo’s message to Cletus Avoka on Bawku pic.twitter.com/8eIt7KezPG
— DailyGraphic GraphicOnline (@Graphicgh) December 16, 2025