Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has initiated processes to help end the Bawku chieftaincy dispute.
The feuding factions in the area have already honored separate invitations by the Manhyia Palace.
The conflict which has persisted for decades has resulted in loss of lives and property, stifling development in the area.
The Asantehene spoke about the mediation efforts when the Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Stephen Asamoah Boateng paid a courtesy call on him.
“I am still on the Bawku issue, I have called all factions separately. In peace and truth, we will all sit and listen to the issues. Both factions will be allowed to speak out so we solve the issues”, Asantehene said.
He further explained, “Already, I have spoken to the leaders of the factions and other relevant persons. Some have submitted documents to be studied so we will look into all of that. We will all sit in one room and solve the issues. I have asked them to lay down their weapons”.
Research by the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding indicates twenty-three lives were lost in the Bawku conflict between January 31 and February 10, 2023.
Early this year, the installation of a new chief sparked violent disturbances in the area.
Though efforts have been made in the past, including the deployment of the military, to solve the conflict, there have been no positive results yet.
In 2019, Asantehene helped resolve the 16-year-old Dagnon Chieftaincy dispute.
Chieftaincy Minister, Stephen Asamoah Boateng, revealed about seventy percent of community disturbances are traced to Chieftaincy issues.
He has welcomed the Asantehene’s intervention in the Bawku conflict.
