The Overlord of the Mamprugu Traditional Area, Nayiri Naa Bohugu Mahami Abdulai Sheriga, has formally and emphatically dismissed the chieftaincy mediation report submitted by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, describing it as procedurally flawed and imposed without proper consultation.
In a detailed three-page statement dated Wednesday, December 17, 2025, released by the Mamprugu Traditional Council, the Nayiri distanced himself and his people from the report, which was presented to President John Dramani Mahama the previous day and contained recommendations on resolving the long-standing Bawku chieftaincy dispute.
The Nayiri stated that the report does not reflect his discussions with the mediator and accused the process of overstepping the bounds of mediation, effectively turning into an adjudication.
“I must state unequivocally that the report and its recommendations do not reflect my engagements with Otumfuo, nor those of my mediation team,” the Nayiri said.
Among the reasons cited for rejecting the report, the Nayiri emphasized that the mediator, who had explicitly described his role as one of facilitation rather than judgment, appeared to have “passed judgment and prescribed enforceable measures,” a move inconsistent with the principles of mediation.
He also revealed that no formal Terms of Reference were provided despite repeated requests from his team. Additionally, the Nayiri expressed dismay that the parties were not given the opportunity to review or comment on the report before it was presented as a final document.
“To say I feel betrayed, disappointed, and deeply hurt is an understatement,” he wrote, accusing the report of being “replete with factual inaccuracies” and showing a “manifest imbalance” that favored one side while ignoring Mamprugu’s position. He specifically refuted claims that he had agreed to continue recognizing Aninchema as Bawku Naba, calling such assertions “entirely false.”
The Nayiri also voiced concern over reports suggesting that President Mahama might issue a final government position within 24 hours based on the document.
“Such an approach will, respectfully, not advance the peace we all seek,” he stated, urging the government to engage all stakeholders thoroughly before taking action.
Emphasizing the importance of ancestral rights, the Nayiri declared:
“Not an inch of Mamprugu’s heritage will be ceded to anyone, particularly through an unjust and orchestrated process.”
He underscored that the mediation concluded in a deadlock, with no consensus reached, and insisted that any report should have reflected this outcome under the Alternative Dispute Resolution Act, 2010, rather than presenting unilateral conclusions.
The Bawku chieftaincy dispute, a decades-old conflict primarily between the Kusasi and Mamprusi ethnic groups over traditional authority, has been a persistent source of tension and sporadic violence in the Upper East Region.
In closing, the Nayiri reaffirmed his commitment to dialogue and stability, stressing that lasting peace must be grounded in justice, law, history, and consent, not imposed settlements.
“I remain dedicated to peace and constructive engagement in Bawku and the wider Mamprugu area. However, peace must be founded on fairness and legitimate processes, not enforced outcomes,” he said, promising further consultations with Otumfuo and the government and a more comprehensive statement in the future.
