The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has cautioned former Member of Parliament for Zebilla, Cletus Avoka, to exercise restraint in his public comments on the protracted Bawku conflict, warning that unguarded statements could undermine ongoing peace efforts.
Speaking on Tuesday, December 16, while presenting the Bawku Mediation Report to President John Dramani Mahama, Otumfuo stressed that the current stage of the mediation process demands careful and responsible communication from all stakeholders.
“…Cletus Avoka has to be very careful in the pronouncements he makes publicly. This is a very dicey situation, and we are all working towards reconciliation and peaceful coexistence. Some of the statements being made do not support the peace we seek,” the Asantehene stated.
He emphasised that while the authority of the Bawku Naba is firmly established under the law, commentary that stirs emotions or deepens divisions risks derailing the fragile reconciliation process.
“We have reached a point where peace is the collective desire. The Bawku Naba is the Bawku Naba; the law is on his side, and we acknowledge that. But one must not make pronouncements on the mediation that will incense the other side. What we are pursuing now is reconciliation,” he cautioned.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II appealed to political actors, traditional leaders, and opinion leaders to prioritise unity and dialogue, noting that peacebuilding requires patience, mutual respect, and adherence to the mediation framework.
With the formal submission of the mediation report to the President, the Asantehene expressed confidence that faithful implementation of its recommendations would help restore lasting peace and stability in Bawku.
