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.”
Meanwhile, Nayiri Naa Bohugu Mahami Abdulai Sheriga, the Overlord of the Mamprugu Traditional Area, has formally rejected the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II recommendation on the Bawku crisis.
In a strongly-worded three-page statement dated Wednesday, December 17, 2025, the Overlord of the Mamprugu Traditional Area labelled the mediation report as a “procedurally flawed” and “unilaterally imposed” document.
According to the statement, the report does not reflect his engagements with the mediator.
Parts of the statement read, “I must state clearly and without reservation that the so-called report and recommendations do not reflect my engagements with Otumfuo, nor those of my duly constituted mediation team,” the Nayiri declared.
The Overlord of the Mamprugu statement expressed profound disappointment that the parties were not allowed to comment before the final report was presented.
“To say that I feel betrayed, disappointed, and deeply hurt would be a grave understatement,” he wrote, alleging that the report was “replete with factual inaccuracies” and displayed a “manifest imbalance” favouring one side’s narrative while omitting Mamprugu’s case.
He also expressed alarm over President Mahama’s decision to issue a definitive government position within 24 hours based on the document.
“Such an approach, respectfully, will not advance the peace we all seek,” he stated.
“Not even an inch of Mamprugu’s ancestral heritage will be ceded to anyone, especially through an unjust and clearly orchestrated process.”
He highlighted that the mediation had ended in a “clear DEADLOCK” with no consensus.
“I remain fully committed to peace, dialogue, and stability in Bawku and the wider Mamprugu area. However, peace must be founded on law, history, fairness, and consent, not on imposed outcomes,” he said.
See the statement below:
