Former Special Prosecutor, Martin Amidu, has said the One Billion Ghana Cedi (GHS 1,000,000,000) Bawku Revitalisation Fund smells of pure crony capitalism dressed as conflict resolution.
According to him, the revitalisation fund raised concerns about the use of state funds for conflict management, adding that it could become a tool for corruption, which may not be used effectively for its purpose.
In his criticism of the government, Martin Amidu wrote, “The composition of the management of the ‘One Billion Ghana Cedis (GHS1,000,000,000) Bawku Revitalisation Fund’ and the high-level Committee Chaired by The Minister for Finance, …, who also serves as the Acting Minister for Defence;… with the Upper East Regional Minister, and the Majority Leader who is the Member of Parliament for Bawku Central demonstrates how ineffective the utilization of the funds will be as it will be informed more by electoral politics than a reconciling and united national endeavour. It also smells of pure crony capitalism dressed as conflict resolution,” he noted.
He warned that “sycophancy and stomach politics will destroy and not help the legacy of President John Dramani Mahama and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) during this tenure of his government. The 1992 Constitution demands at all times a government of laws, and not of men.”
He further described the presentation of the Asantehene’s Mediation Report at Jubilee House as a gargantuan political scam by the government on the Bawku Conflict to justify the needless deaths between 7 January 2025 and 16 December 2025.
Mr Amidu wrote, “… In the absence of the government stating the legal basis of the Asantehene’s Mediation Report, I dare say that the concluding circus enacted and performed at the Jubilee House on 16 December 2025 and the Government of Ghana Statement on the Bawku Conflict Mediation Report of 17 October 2025 which have no constitutional or legal basis appears as a gargantuan political scam by the government on the Bawku Conflict to justify the needless deaths between 7 January 2025 and 16 December 2025 which in my estimation exceeds those of the past eight years under the previous regime”.
“The Asantehene’s mediation whether pursuant to Nana Akufo-Addo’s request or President Mahama’s request is not a customary mediation under Asante tradition and customary law because the Bawku-Naba and the Nayiri are not subjects of the Asante Stool or residents of Asante to bring them under its customs.
“The Bawku-Naba and the Nayiri are Supreme Customary Rulers of their respective exclusive traditional areas in their own right for which reason the 1992 Constitution and the Chieftaincy Act provides for how disputes between them may be resolved and appealed against,” he argued.
Meanwhile, the government of Ghana, led by President John Dramani Mahama, has approved the Bawku mediation report by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
In an official statement released by Spokesperson to the President, Felix Kwakye Ofosu stated that the government has accepted all recommendations in the report.
According to the statement, the report provides a comprehensive, fact-based, and forward-looking roadmap.
President Mahama has also directed the establishment of a One Billion Ghana Cedi (GHS 1,000,000,000) Bawku Revitalisation Fund.
The fund is expected to be disbursed from 2026 to 2028 and aims to rebuild critical infrastructure to restore Bawku as an economic hub in Northern Ghana.
Parts of the statement read, “The report constitutes a comprehensive, fact-based, and forward-looking roadmap aimed exclusively at achieving lasting peace, reconciliation, and stability in Bawku and its surrounding areas. It is not intended to apportion blame or confer victory on any party.
“In particular, the government affirms the unequivocal position of the law, as consistently upheld by the Supreme Court of Ghana, that Naba Asigri Abugrago Azoka II is the lawful Bawku Naaba, and that no individual or group is permitted, under any circumstances, to contest his authority or legitimacy”.
“Government accepts the recommendation that Alhaj Seidu Abagare, who was installed as a rival claimant to the Bawku chieftaincy, be recalled to Nalerigu by the Overlord of Mamprugu, the Nayiri, to assume an alternative traditional role, with the necessary facilitation and support of the State.
“Pursuant to this recommendation by His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the government will immediately facilitate the safe movement of Alhaj Seidu Abagare to Nalerigu, where he shall remain available to receive the directives of the Nayiri.”