The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has cautioned former Zebilla Member of Parliament, Cletus Avoka, to exercise restraint in his public comments on the Bawku conflict, warning that reckless pronouncements could jeopardise the fragile peace process.
The Asantehene issued the warning on Tuesday, December 16, while presenting the Bawku Mediation Report to President John Dramani Mahama, stressing that measured and responsible communication is crucial to sustaining ongoing reconciliation efforts.
“Cletus Avoka has to be very careful in the pronouncements he makes publicly. This is a dicey situation, and we are all trying to make amends and get people to move as brothers and sisters. Some of the statements being made do not support the peace we are seeking,” Otumfuo said.
He acknowledged that the Bawku Naba’s authority is firmly grounded in law, but cautioned that public statements capable of inflaming tensions would be counterproductive to the mediation process.
“We have reached a point where everyone desires peace. The Bawku Naba is the Bawku Naba, and the law is on his side, but you do not make pronouncements on the mediation that will incense the other side. What we have reached is more of a reconciliation phase,” the Asantehene emphasised.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II appealed to all stakeholders to prioritise dialogue, unity, and restraint, noting that peacebuilding requires patience, understanding, and respect for the mediation framework.
With the submission of the mediation report to the President, the Asantehene expressed optimism that faithful implementation of its recommendations would help restore harmony and ensure lasting stability in the conflict-prone Bawku area
