The Overlord of Mamprugu, Nayiri Tidugma Naa Bohugu Mahami Abdulai Sheriga, has rejected the recommendations arising from the Bawku chieftaincy mediation led by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II. In a statement dated December 17, 2025, the Nayiri challenged the conclusions of the report, stating that the process ended in a deadlock and produced no agreement between the parties.
The report suggested both sides had declared they were one people with no reason to continue hostilities and proposed measures for government action. However, the Nayiri disputed this, stating that the mediation “ended in a clear deadlock, with no consensus reached between the parties.” He specifically objected to a claim that the report proposed the recall of Seidu Abagre, installed by the Mamprusi side as Bawku Naba, to Nalerigu for reassignment or to remain in Bawku as a private citizen.
Procedural Concerns Raised
The Mamprugu Traditional Council raised procedural concerns, citing the lack of Terms of Reference despite repeated requests and the absence of opportunity for parties to engage with or respond to conclusions. The Nayiri questioned whether mediation permits a mediator to reach determinations alone and call for their enforcement without giving parties a chance to be heard.
Nayiri’s Reaction
The Nayiri described the recommendations as procedurally flawed, legally unsustainable, and unacceptable to him and the Mamprugu people. He accused the mediator of abandoning mediation and assuming an adjudicative role without jurisdiction. The Nayiri expressed concern that the government might issue a position within 24 hours based on the report, urging President Mahama to engage fully with all parties and the mediator before acting.
Call for Caution
The Nayiri warned that no part of Mamprugu’s ancestral heritage would be ceded through an unjust process and called on the media, the public, and other stakeholders to exercise caution in describing ongoing efforts. He restated his desire for peace, emphasizing that it must be founded on law, history, fairness, and consent rather than imposed outcomes or defective processes.
Background to the Dispute
The Bawku chieftaincy dispute, mainly between the Kusasis and Mamprusis over the right to occupy the Bawku skin, has led to recurring violence, loss of lives, and security challenges in the Upper East Region. The rejection of the mediation report points to continued difficulties in resolving the long-running dispute, with the Nayiri’s statement raising questions about the process and the conclusions drawn from it.
