Overlord of the Ashanti Kingdom, Otumfuo Osei Tutu, has admonished the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Christian Yohunu Tetteh to teach and train his officers in the customs and traditions of members of the society.

Traditional rulers are custodians of land, tradition, and community discipline, while police enforce state laws.

On his part, before policing structures were formed, Ghanaian communities historically relied on strong cultural norms to maintain order, hence the need for police officers to understand these customs to make them not just enforcers of rules, but protectors of people’s way of life.

He made these remarks during a speech delivery at the guard of honour parade organised by the IGP, Christian Yohunu Tetteh, at the fore court Ghana Police Service Headquarters in Accra on Jan. 6, 2025.

“Therefore, I have come to urge deeper, institutionalised collaboration between traditional authorities and the Ghana Police Service. Let chiefs serve as allies in community policing. Let officers be trained to understand the customs of the people they protect. Let dialogue precede deployment and mediation precede confrontation. This is not softness; it is intelligence. The future of public order lies not in louder force but in stronger values supported by competent, disciplined law enforcement,” he stated.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, highlighted the need for tradition, culture and law to marry to ensure the sustainability of peace and serendipity in our societies.

According to him, a society’s greatest victory of law enforcement is prevention, and these preventions begin in the homes where the conduct of people is shaped.

Culture and tradition, he said, build the foundation of character and discourage wrongdoing before it becomes legally punishable.

“So it should be obvious, therefore, that the alignment of cultural values with the values of law should be the first step towards crime prevention. Our visit today sets us on a journey towards crystallising this alignment of values and sends a powerful national message: tradition and modern law enforcement are not rivals struggling for relevance; they are collaborators safeguarding the same future.

The greatest victory of law enforcement is prevention, and prevention begins long before police sirens sound. It begins in homes, where discipline is taught; in communities, where elders are respected; and in cultures where wrongdoing is socially discouraged before it becomes legally punishable. This is where culture performs its most important work,” highlighting the need for mutual respect between traditional and modern law enforcement agencies.

“When traditional authority respects legal authority, communities stabilise. When the police respect local customs, cooperation deepens. When both communicate openly, crime loses its hiding place,” Otumfuo noted.

Otumfuo continued to highlight the importance of values taught by culture and traditions, stressing that a society with shared values of responsibility and principles upholds and respects the Policeman, treats him as a partner and not an adversary.

“In a society where values are strong, the police officer is not viewed as an adversary but as a partner. The uniform commands respect not because it carries force but because it represents shared principles. Now imagine a society where values have collapsed. In such a place, the police officer becomes a symbol of oppression. The law becomes an external imposition, and crime becomes defiance masquerading as freedom. The difference between the two societies is not the number of laws on the books; it is the presence or absence of culture. If law alone could save society, then countries with the thickest law books would have no problems and no prisons at all. Yet even prisons have rules and still require values. The truth is simple, though uncomfortable: no society can outsource morality entirely to the state and expect peace. Together, we must raise citizens, not just enforce laws,” the Asantehene noted.

At the same event, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) eulogised the Asantehene as the modern-day embodiment of the biblical King Solomon, citing his wisdom and exceptional role in promoting peace and national cohesion.

His praises follows his role in leading the resolution of some long-standing disputes in the country, such as the Otumfuo’s mediation efforts in the Dagbon chieftaincy dispute, as well as interventions in Yendi and the long-standing Bawku conflict, noting that these initiatives have significantly supported police operations and strengthened public confidence in security efforts.

“Your exceptional mediation skills, which have restored peace in numerous conflicts across our nation, compel me to describe you as the King Solomon of our time,” the IGP stated.

According to Mr. Yohuno, Otumfuo’s calm disposition, moral authority and patience have been instrumental in resolving some of the country’s most protracted conflicts, bringing stability where tension once prevailed.

Otumfuo's mediation role in Bawku conflict resolution efforts

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II submitted his Bawku Peace Mediation Report to President John Dramani Mahama on Tuesday, December 16, 2025.

Following the submission of the report, the Mamprusi-installed rival chief, Alhaji Seidu Abagre, from Bawku in the Upper East Region, was removed, the Ministry of Interior confirmed the development in a statement in late December 2025.

According to a statement released by the Ministry, Alhaji Seidu Abagre was removed on on December 24.

"This afternoon, personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) removed Alhaji Seidu Abagre from Bawku, pursuant to the recommendations of the Otumfuo Asantehene Osei Tutu II mediation report regarding the Bawku affair," the statement read.

The Ministry has assured the public that "Alhaji Seidu Abagre is safe in the care of the security agencies."

Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has 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 to find lasting solutions to end the ongoing feud, which resurfaced in 2024 in Bawku, Upper East Region.

The mediation talks began months ago. 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.