Nayiri dismisses Otumfuo’s Bawku mediation report, says process was flawed

The Overlord of the Mamprugu Traditional Area, Nayiri Naa Bohugu Mahami Abdulai Sheriga, has outrightly rejected a mediation report on the Bawku chieftaincy dispute submitted by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, describing the process as defective and the outcome as imposed.

In a strongly worded three-page statement dated Wednesday, December 17, 2025, and issued by the Mamprugu Traditional Council, the Nayiri distanced himself and the Mamprugu people from the report, which was presented to President John Dramani Mahama a day earlier.

According to him, the document neither reflects his engagements with Otumfuo nor those of his officially constituted mediation team, accusing the process of drifting from mediation into adjudication.

“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,” the statement said.

The Nayiri cited several grounds for rejecting the report, noting in particular that the mediator, who had clearly indicated he was acting as a mediator and not an arbitrator, went ahead to make determinations and propose enforcement measures, which he said runs contrary to the principles of mediation.

He further disclosed that no formal Terms of Reference were ever provided for the mediation, despite repeated requests from his team. He also expressed disappointment that the parties were denied the opportunity to review or respond to the conclusions before they were presented as final recommendations.

“To say that I feel betrayed, disappointed, and deeply hurt would be a grave understatement,” he stated, alleging that the report contained numerous factual errors and showed a clear imbalance that favoured one party’s account while sidelining Mamprugu’s position.

The Nayiri also rejected claims in the report suggesting that he had agreed to the continued recognition of Aninchema as Bawku Naba, describing such assertions as completely false.

He raised concerns over reports that President Mahama intended to announce a firm government position within 24 hours based on the document, cautioning that such a move would not help resolve the conflict.

“Such an approach, respectfully, will not advance the peace we all seek,” he said, urging the President to engage all parties thoroughly before taking any action.

Reaffirming Mamprugu’s stance, the Nayiri declared that no portion of Mamprugu’s ancestral land would be surrendered through what he described as an unjust and orchestrated process.

He maintained that the mediation ended in a deadlock with no consensus and argued that, under the Alternative Dispute Resolution Act, 2010, the report should have reflected this reality instead of presenting binding conclusions.

The Bawku chieftaincy dispute, which largely involves the Kusasi and Mamprusi ethnic groups, has remained a source of tension and intermittent violence in the Upper East Region for decades.

The Nayiri concluded by restating his commitment to peace, dialogue and stability, stressing that any lasting solution must be rooted in justice, law and mutual consent rather than imposed decisions. He said he would continue engaging with Otumfuo and the government and issue a more detailed statement in due course.