Overlord of the Ashanti Kingdom, Otumfuo Osei Tutu, is set to give his judgment following months of mediation process of the long-standing Bawku conflict.

As part of the mediation process, Otumfuo heard arguments, reviewed history, and consulted stakeholders; he will give a definitive judgment today, Monday, December 1, at the Manhyia Palace.

Manhyia, on November 10, announced the verdict date in a statement. Ahead of a two-day mediation, work which formed a key part of his continuing work to bring the Kusasi and Mamprusi groups in Bawku together and resolve their long-running conflict.

In April this year, President John Mahama tasked the Asantehene to resume mediation of the Bawku conflict with sessions scheduled for April 28 – May 1, 2025.

Manhyia confirmed the resumption in a statement on April 15. The Asantehene began by meeting both representatives from both factions between April 28 and 30 to reopen dialogue and set the stage for meaningful engagement.

However, the sessions were postponed due to the complexity of the dispute in the locality. However, the mediation continued on May 13, where the Asantehene mentioned that the period had caused some relative peace in the area. In June, the Asantehene was expected to meet with the Kusaug as part of ongoing efforts to restore peace in Bawku.

After June 2025, the mediation process did not immediately conclude. Instead, it entered a slower phase with calls for more government support, and eventually, the Asantehene set a final mediation date for late November and early December 2025.

According to the Manhyia Palace, today’s session marks the culmination of extensive peace-building efforts.

Bawku, which had remained relatively peaceful for a period, saw conflict erupt once more in late 2024. The resurgence of violence was largely sparked by the return of Alhaji Seidu Abagre, a Mamprusi chief who had been enskinned in 2022, only to be exiled later when his enskinment was ruled illegal.

His return to Bawku followed the withdrawal of an arrest warrant against him by a Kumasi High Court in October 2024, reigniting tensions between the Kusasi and Mamprusi communities.

The renewed violence has resulted in deadly confrontations, including attacks on both civilians and security forces. Otumfuo Osei Tutu II’s involvement in the peace process has been met with widespread approval, with many hopeful that his leadership will play a critical role in restoring peace and stability to the troubled Bawku region.

Colonel Festus Aboagye (Retired), a distinguished security expert, has called for greater support for Otumfuo’s initiative, stressing the importance of embracing multi-track diplomacy to strengthen the peace process.

Colonel Aboagye urged a more inclusive approach to the mediation, calling for the involvement of various national stakeholders such as diaspora leaders, youth advocates, and women’s peacebuilding networks.

He believes that a broader, multi-dimensional strategy will result in a more sustainable and inclusive solution to the conflict.“Support Otumfuo Osei Tutu II’s mediation through multi-track diplomacy, incorporating diaspora leaders, youth influencers, and women’s peacebuilding networks,” he proposed.

He also cautioned that traditional diplomatic efforts alone might not be enough to resolve the deep divisions that have fueled the protracted conflict.

Meanwhile, the community of Binduri in the Upper East Region, along with surrounding districts, has recorded a series of murders in recent times, leaving residents in fear and panic.

The victims were killed by unknown armed men, prompting the police to launch investigations to arrest the perpetrators. In a recent update, the Ghana Police Service has offered a one-million Ghana Cedis reward for information leading to the arrest of Mark Agingre, a native of Binduri who has been labeled the prime suspect in the ongoing killings.

This announcement comes after a man, his wife, and their three children were murdered in Binduri, leaving another child in critical condition. The surviving child is currently receiving treatment at the Bolgatanga Government Hospital.

Earlier, on October 27, an elderly man and his two children were also killed by unknown assailants. Preliminary police investigations have linked these incidents to Mark Agingre.

The police have urged individuals with information on Mark Agingre’s whereabouts to contact 191, 18555, or report to the nearest police station.

Authorities have assured the public that the prime suspect and all others involved in the gruesome murders will be brought to justice. Taking to Facebook on Saturday, November 8, the police wrote, "Suspect Mark Agingre, a native of Binduri, is wanted by the Police for his involvement in a series of brutal murders in the Binduri District and nearby communities in the Upper East Region.

Suspect Agingre is wanted in connection with the murder of a man, his wife, and three children on 7th November 2025, which also left another child in critical condition at the Bolgatanga Government Hospital."

It added, "He is further suspected of the murder of an elderly man and his two children on 27th October 2025 at Binduri. Preliminary investigations indicate that he may be behind several other targeted killings.

"A reward of One Million Ghana Cedis GH₵1,000,000.00 has been earmarked for anyone who is able to share relevant and credible information that will lead to the arrest of the suspect.

The post concluded, "Anyone with credible information on his whereabouts is urged to contact the nearest police station or call 191, 18555 immediately. The Police assure the public that every effort is being made to track down the suspect and bring him to justice."

On Sunday, October 26, a shooting incident left three individuals dead and five others injured. Reports indicate that gunmen invaded the victims’ residence and shot them, including a five-year-old child who died instantly.

George Bukari, Manager of Binduri-based Maxx Empire Radio and TV, is reported to have sustained injuries. The incident has been linked to the long-running Bawku conflict, where ethnic tensions have periodically sparked violence, making the area one of the most heavily monitored in northern Ghana.

The government has, in several ways, sought to restore calm. In July, the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) deployed soldiers to conflict-prone areas, including Bawku, Binduri, Nalerigu, and Zebilla.

Four other individuals were killed in a daylight attack at the Garu District Office of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), which also left several others injured on Monday, October 20.

The deceased included a bystander, an NHIA staff member, a mentally unstable man, and Yahaya Bukari, headmaster of Garu D/A Junior High School.

Eyewitnesses reported that four armed men on two motorbikes fired shots wildly upon arriving at the office.

“Around 10 a.m., we heard gunshots. Initially, we thought it was coming from the rural bank area, but later we found out that the attackers had gone to the health insurance office,” a witness stated. Edward Ndebugri, former Presiding Member of the Garu District Assembly and current Assembly Member for Kugri, recounted that the gunmen targeted bystanders and fleeing residents.

“There is a public school close to the health insurance office, and when the shooting started, the teachers and pupils began running helter-skelter. The gunmen chased them, and when one of the teachers fell, they shot him dead,” he added.

The assailants reportedly left the NHIA office with nothing. In response, heavily armed police and military personnel patrolled key areas, including the District Health Insurance Office and the Presbyterian Hospital.

“The whole town is in shock. This is the first time we are witnessing such an incident. People are living in fear, and we are pleading with the security agencies to investigate and bring the perpetrators to justice,” the Assembly Member for Kugri appealed.

In April, the Ghana Police Service directed all regional commands to implement immediate protective measures for police officers and their families in the Upper East Region, particularly in Bawku, Pusiga, and Sindi.

The directive followed intelligence suggesting that unknown operatives, potentially linked to names such as “King Doormathin” and “Nectwart Ermonnel,” may be targeting police officers and their relatives.

“Recent developments suggest that police officers and their families, whether indigenous or non-indigenous, have become potential targets,” the internal message stated.

It instructed that all movements in these communities must be carried out under armoured escort and warned that strict compliance is non-negotiable.

Although the identities and motives of the suspected individuals remain unclear, security analysts are actively investigating potential links to escalating unrest. Residents have been advised to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity.

“We’re working to ensure safety in these communities, but cooperation from the public is vital,” a senior police official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the Independent Ghana.