Otumfuo presents Bawku mediation report to Mahama today

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, will submit a detailed report on his mediation efforts in the long-running Bawku conflict to President John Dramani Mahama on Tuesday, December 16, 2025.

This comes as the government intensifies efforts to achieve lasting peace in the area.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II was appointed earlier this year by President Mahama to spearhead dialogue between the rival factions involved in the protracted chieftaincy dispute that has plagued Bawku for decades. The decision followed renewed tensions and calls from various stakeholders for a credible, neutral figure to lead peace negotiations.

The mediation process officially commenced in April 2025, with the Asantehene holding separate consultations with representatives of the feuding sides as a confidence-building measure. Although the talks experienced a brief pause, they resumed in May and have since helped to stabilise the situation, resulting in a relative reduction in violent incidents in the municipality.

Sources indicate that the report to be presented to the President will capture the outcomes of the engagements held so far, assess the level of cooperation from the parties involved, and propose recommendations to guide the next phase of the peace process. The document is expected to play a critical role in shaping government policy and interventions aimed at restoring long-term stability in the conflict-hit area.

As the mediation continues, security agencies have also intensified their presence in Bawku to prevent a resurgence of violence. The Ghana Armed Forces say they remain on high alert and are working closely with other security institutions to maintain calm and protect lives and property.

Speaking on Monday, December 15, the Commander of the 11th Battalion of the Ghana Armed Forces in the Upper East Region, Lieutenant Colonel Isaac Boako, expressed optimism that the combined approach of dialogue and security enforcement would yield positive results.

“We believe that with sustained monitoring, those behind the violence will eventually be brought to account. With the Otumfuo-led mediation and the recent meetings with the factions in Bawku, we are confident that the attacks will subside and the community can gradually return to normal life,” he said.

Bawku has for years been affected by sporadic violence linked to chieftaincy disagreements, leading to loss of lives, displacement, and economic disruption. The presentation of the Asantehene’s report is therefore seen as a significant step in Ghana’s broader efforts to resolve the conflict through dialogue, reconciliation, and enhanced security.