The Overlord of the Mamprugu Traditional Area, the Nayiri, Naa Bohugu Mahami Abdulai Sheriga, has described a chieftaincy mediation report presented by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, as a “procedurally flawed” and “unilaterally imposed” document.

According to a statement dated Wednesday, December 17, and issued by the Mamprugu Traditional Council, the content of the document is contrary to the discussions held during the mediation.

The statement further contended that such actions by Otumfuo contradict the fundamental purpose of mediation. It added that, “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.”

“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.

In April this year, President John Mahama tasked the Asantehene to resume mediation of the Bawku conflict, with sessions scheduled for April 28 to May 1, 2025. On Wednesday, December 17, the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, presented the findings and recommendations following his mediation talks with representatives of the Mamprugu and Kusasi.

Otumfuo’s findings recognised Zugraan Asigri Abugrago Azoka as the legally rightful chief of Bawku and, therefore, the Paramount Chief of the Kusasi Traditional Area. The presentation ceremony, held at the Jubilee House in Accra yesterday, was attended by the Vice-President, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang; the President of the National House of Chiefs, Ogyeahohoo Yaw Gyebi II; the Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak; senior government officials; and members of the National Peace Council, among other dignitaries.

The Asantehene, in a 45-minute presentation, stated that “I’m here not to give a judgement of who was wrong and who was right. I’m here to present the facts as they are, so that we can have peace.”

The mediation talks began months ago and were spearheaded by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II. During the last gathering, he urged the factions involved in the Bawku chieftaincy dispute to cease power struggles and work towards lasting peace.

He made the call on Monday, December 1, at the Manhyia Palace Jubilee Hall in Kumasi while speaking to representatives of the Mamprugu and Kusasi.

“Whatever the outcome of the mediation, you will still have to live together as brothers and sisters,” he added.

Otumfuo’s engagement with the groups was aimed at finding lasting solutions to end the ongoing feud, which resurfaced in 2024 in Bawku in the Upper East Region.

Bawku, which had remained relatively peaceful for a period, witnessed renewed conflict 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 but was later exiled 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 area.

Colonel Festus Aboagye (Retired), a 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 national stakeholders such as diaspora leaders, youth advocates, and women’s peacebuilding networks.

He believes 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 may not be sufficient to resolve the deep divisions fuelling 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 offered a one-million Ghana cedi reward for information leading to the arrest of Mark Agingre, a native of Binduri, who has been labelled the prime suspect in the ongoing killings.

This announcement followed the murder of a man, his wife, and their three children in Binduri, which left 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 the incidents to Mark Agingre.

The police have urged individuals with information on his 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 indiscriminately 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.