Bawku Chieftaincy Conflict: Otumfuo Meets Kusaug Traditional Council

• The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, is set to continue mediation talks with the feuding factions in the Bawku chieftaincy conflict on June 30, 2025
• The meeting, which includes the Kusaug Traditional Council and the IGP, is part of ongoing efforts to find peace in Bawku
• The Asantehene, known for his peace efforts in conflict-prone areas like Dagbon, has reaffirmed his commitment to resolving the Bawku dispute
• Yakub Alfa Suleiman, the founder of the JJournalists Network for Peace and Security (JNePS), shared his views on this in a discussion with YEN.com.gh

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, is reportedly set to continue his mediation talks with the feuding factions in the Bawku chieftaincy conflict.

According to reports, the Asantehene will meet with members of the Kusaug Traditional Council on Monday, June 30, 2025, at the Manhyia Palace, together with the Inspector General of Police, Christian Tetteh Yohuno.

A statement issued by the Chief of Staff of the Asantehene indicated that the meeting is a continuation of the mediation process that began several years ago to find a lasting solution to the age-old Bawku conflict.

"His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, will meet with the Kusang (Kusaug) Traditional Council on Monday, June 30, 2025. The Asantehene requests all stakeholders to cooperate with us in finding lasting peace in Bawku," the statement read.

The Bawku chieftaincy dispute, which involves the Kusasi and Mamprusi people, has raged on for many years, spanning decades.

The conflict has resulted in the loss of many lives and the destruction of several properties within the towns and villages affected in Bawku.

The Otumfuo began mediation efforts in 2023, through constant engagement with key stakeholders from both the Mamprusi and Kusasi communities.

The Asantehene, who is credited with restoring peace in Dagbon, one of the conflict-prone areas in Ghana, has consistently reiterated his unwavering commitment to ending the age-old chieftaincy dispute between the feuding factions in Bawku.

The latest engagement comes just a few months after the Otumfuo met with the Kusasi and Mamprusi factions at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi from April 28 to April 30, 2025.

Read the full statement below:

Reactions to Asantehene's meeting with Kusaug members

Ghanaians on social media have reacted to the announcement of the impending meeting between the Otumfuo and members of the Kusaug Traditional Council.

YEN.com.gh compiled a few of the comments below:

@Mizzter Kay said|:

"Even KOTOKOHENE’S mode of communication koraaa is unique.Wadaaama 3ny3 wo de3 no biaa,Wei y3 Asante de3 no biaa.Simple and short ,no long brofo hunu bebree biaa.'

@Abugri Hamza also said:

"Good, but the word is “Kusaug “ and not Kusang. The Overlord of the Kusaug Traditional Council."

@Odeneho Nana Boahen commented:

"The way is clear, His might and power are seen so peace can reign. The gods said so!"

@Richie Baffour also commented:

"May this meeting be fruitful in the Name of the God of Jesus Christ, Amen."

Speaking to YEN.com.gh, Yakub Alfa Suleiman, the founder of the Journalists Network for Peace and Security (JNePS), said this conflict had raged on for many years and that the time had come for peace to reign in Bawku. He further urged the security agencies in Ghana to get involved in resolving the dispute.

"Therefore, I would entreat security agencies, the government, and all stakeholders to get involved. We know that some of these conflicts have persisted. How do we go about resolving them? We need to find a solution to these problems before they arise again, because if we wait until they resurface, a lot of damage will have already been done," he said.

Suleman further explained that conflicts underdevelops people by preventing access to policies and programmes that could benefit the community. He mentioned that while philanthropists often wanted to carry out developmental projects in such communities, the lack of stability made it difficult for them to do so.

He also pointed out that this particular conflict had been ongoing for many years, and it didn’t start recently. He remarked that governments and political parties often exploited these conflicts for political interests.

Suleman emphasised that political parties should avoid politicising such conflicts for their own gain, as this would harm ordinary Ghanaians, particularly innocent people, women, and children.

"Conflicts underdevelop people. They prevent access to policies or programmes that international organisations or governments seek to implement in that community or for individuals. Sometimes, philanthropists want to go into such communities to carry out developmental projects and programmes that would benefit the people, but they are unable to because there is no stability," he further stated.

"This conflict has been ongoing for many years; it didn’t start today. As I said, governments and political parties often exploit these conflicts for their political interests. So the first thing is for political parties to stay away from such conflicts. Let’s not politicise conflicts for our own political gain. It’s an extremely harmful thing to do because when the damage begins, it affects ordinary Ghanaians—the innocent people, women, and children. Politicians need to stay away from conflicts; they shouldn’t exploit them for political interests," he added.

President Mahama calls for peace in Bawku

In a related development, YEN.com.gh reported that President John Mahama called for lasting peace in Bawku, a town in Ghana's Upper East Region plagued by recurring ethnic conflicts.

Speaking at Ghana's 68th Independence Day celebrations, Mahama emphasised the need for unity and dialogue to resolve the tension.

He lamented the devastating impact of the conflict on the younger generation, who needed a peaceful environment to pursue their dreams in life.

Proofreading by Samuel Gitonga, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.

Source: YEN.com.gh