Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, has announced that he will oversee the final phase of mediation in the longstanding Bawku chieftaincy conflict on November 30 and December 1, 2025.
The announcement, issued on November 10 by the Manhyia Palace and signed by Chief of Staff Kofi Badu, praised both Kusasi and Mamprusi factions for their constructive approach to dialogue. The statement appealed for restraint, urging all parties to avoid actions that could hinder progress toward a lasting resolution.
The mediation process, which began on April 29, was temporarily paused following the deaths of Daasebre Osei Bonsu II, Paramount Chief of Mampong, and Nana Konadu Yiadom III, the Asantehemaa, whose funeral rites required the Palace’s full observance.
The Bawku conflict, a decades-old dispute between the Kusasi and Mamprusi ethnic groups, centers on land, chieftaincy, and historical recognition. Past clashes—in the 1980s, 2000s, and 2022—have led to deaths, displacement, and social disruption.
A symbolic breakthrough before the pause saw six sub-chiefs reaffirm allegiance to the Kusasi Traditional Council, hailed by legal representative Maxwell Agbambilla as “a pivotal step toward reconciliation.” He urged Kusasi youth to remain calm and trust in the Asantehene’s guidance.
Otumfuo’s mediation was formalized earlier this year following discussions with government officials, including the late Defense Minister Dr Edward Omane Boamah and Interior Minister Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak. His leadership, likened to King Solomon’s wisdom, draws on prior experience resolving the Dagbon crisis, positioning him as a key figure in Ghanaian traditional diplomacy.
The upcoming mediation will take place amid increased security measures and civic engagement, with the government enforcing curfews and deploying personnel. Observers emphasize that the Asantehene’s moral authority and neutrality offer the best hope for sustainable peace.
The Palace statement concluded by calling on all parties to support the mediation process with goodwill and patience.
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