The Kusasi community in the Ashanti Region, and the entire traditional leadership of the Kusaug area are in a state of mourning following the assassination of Naa Abdul-Malik Azenbe, the Kusasi Chief in the Ashanti Region and the Kaadi Divisional Area Chief in the Binduri District of the Upper East Region, on Tuesday night, July 22.

He was murdered by some unknown assailants at Asawase, according to media reports. It is said that some gunmen on separate motorbikes approached the chief and fatally shot him at close range.

The attackers fled the scene, and reports indicate that the Police have begun a manhunt for the culprits to bring justice to the people of Kusasi.

“We therefore urge the public to remain calm and call on anyone with relevant information to contact the nearest police station or reach us through our emergency lines: 191, 18555, and 112,” a statement reported to have been shared by the Police admonished.

The Police shared details of where the Kusasi Chief passed on. Naa Abdul-Malik Azenbe, according to GraphicOnline, was “initially rushed to the Manhyia District Hospital and later referred to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.”

DCOP Mr Emmanuel Teye-Cudjoe, the Ashanti Regional Police Commander; ACP Mr Ebenezer Boyor, the Regional Crime Officer; and a team of officers are said to have visited the crime scene. At the scene, the police retrieved two empty shells believed to have been shot from an AK-47 assault rifle.

The murder of Naa Abdul-Malik Azenbe has sent shockwaves to many and left several personalities in sorrow. Member of Parliament for Asawase, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, who also doubles as the Minister for Interior, expressed his condolences to the bereaved family.

“As a Member of Parliament for Asawase and on behalf of the good people of the constituency, I extend my deepest condolences to the bereaved family, the Kusasi community in the Ashanti Region, and the entire traditional leadership of the Kusaug area,” he wrote.

The legislator noted that “this heinous act is not only an attack on a revered traditional authority but also a grievous wound to the peace and security we all cherish.” He further assured the family and the people of Ghana that the security agencies are fully committed to ensuring that the perpetrators of this crime are swiftly apprehended and made to face the full rigours of the law.

“We remain resolute in protecting every citizen and upholding the rule of law. I call on all residents, particularly within the Asawase constituency and its environs, to remain calm and cooperate with the security agencies by providing any information that may assist in the ongoing investigations,” he added.

He prayed for the eternal rest of the late Naa Abdul-Malik Azenbe and strength for his family and community during this difficult time.

“Let us all stand together to ensure that justice is served and that peace continues to prevail in our beloved constituency and nation,” Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak admonished.

According to reports, distant relatives, sympathisers, distinguished personalities, residents, and neighbours on Wednesday morning thronged the residence of the late chief to mourn with the bereaved family. Also, security at the residence of the late chief has been beefed up with personnel of the Ghana Police Service.

The Kusasi people are an ethnic group primarily located in the Bawku Traditional Area of Upper East Region.

Renewed Bawku conflict

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. On April 15, Otumfuo formally announced that the critical mediation sessions would take place from April 28 to May 1 at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi.

However, it was postponed due to the complexity of the dispute in the locality. 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.

The most recent altercation in Bawku has reportedly led to the deaths of five locals. On Tuesday, July 15, some Members of Parliament (MPs) in the Upper East region called for the prosecution of the soldiers involved and compensation for the victims.

Destruction and rebuilding of the Zugran statue

Government has revealed plans to put up the statue erected in honour of Bawku Naba, Naba Asigri Abugrago Azoka II, which was recently destroyed amid a recent confrontation between locals in Bawku and members of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).

President John Dramani Mahama, who is also the Commander in Chief of GAF has tasked the Minister of Defence, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, and other security agencies to oversee the process as well as restore calm in the area.

Dr Boamah made this information known during a durbar with all ranks of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) at the Burma Camp on Wednesday, July 17.

"To assure that His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama, the Commander in Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), remains committed to bringing an end to decades-old conflict. To address the recent happenings, the National Security Coordinator, myself, the Minister for the Interior, the Chief of the Defence Staff, and the IGP have all been tasked to play coordinated but differentiated roles to ensure that peace and calm are restored immediately, and this includes restoration of the statue of the Zugran of the Kusasis traditional area," he said.

The reconstruction of the statue is expected to begin in the coming days. The statue in question was erected in 2024 in honor of the Zugraan (Overlord) of the Kusaug Traditional Area, Asigri Abugrago Azoka II, a culturally revered figure in Bawku. It served as a strong emblem of tradition and communal pride.