Bawku Conflict: Government to facilitate movement of rival chief to Nalerigu

The government has announced that it will put measures in place to immediately move Seidu Abagare, the rival chief to the Bawku Naaba, enskinned by the overlord of Mamprugu, Nayiri Naa Bohagu Abdulai Mahami Sheriga, to Nalerigu.

The move was contained in a statement issued by the government endorsing a report submitted by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, on the mediation into the Bawku chieftaincy dispute, which affirmed Naba Asigri Abugrago Azoka II as the legitimate ruler of the Bawku Traditional Area.

It indicated that the relocation is in accordance with a recommendation in the report, which stated that Seidu Abagare be reinstated by the Nayiri to a different role.

The Asantehene’s mediation concluded that Zugraan Naba Asigri Abugrago Azoka II, the Kusasi enskinned Bawku Naaba, was the legitimate ruler of the area, as per the articles of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.

He, therefore, asked the state to enforce the laws of the country that recognise Naba Asigri Abugrago Azoka II as the overlord of Bawku and urged Nayiri Naa Bohagu Abdulai Mahami Sheriga, who enskinned a chief for Bawku, Seidu Abagare, to respect the law.

“I have impressed upon my brother Nayiri to accept that recognition by law in appreciation of the enduring brotherhood that has existed between our two kingdoms, to ensure lasting peace and eliminate the national and international security threats that my brother himself is so concerned about.

“I have been candid with my brother Nayiri that the purported enskinment of Seidu Abagare as Bawku Naba can’t stand. I believe my brother Nayiri has come to terms with the difficulties that we have posed to achieve the lasting peace he desires,” he said.

Key highlights of Asantehene’s Bawku report

He added, “I recommend my brother Nayiri accept the law as presently constituted, recognising Asigri Abugrago Azoka as the chief of Bawku and head chief of the Kusasi traditional area.

“We chiefs, no matter how exalted, do not live above the Constitution of Ghana and the law duly enacted and affirmed by the court; accordingly, the law which recognises Asigri Abugrago Azoka must be enforced by the government of Ghana until it is lawfully changed in accordance with the 1992 Constitution or reviewed by the Supreme Court of Ghana.”