Personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) have removed Alhaji Seidu Abagre, the rival Mamprusi chief, from Bawku Township in the Upper East Region, in accordance with recommendations contained in the Otumfuo Asantehene Osei Tutu II mediation report on the long-standing Bawku conflict.
The action was confirmed by the Ministry of the Interior in a statement issued on Wednesday, December 24, indicating that the operation was carried out to enforce measures aimed at restoring calm and advancing a lasting resolution to the chieftaincy dispute.
“This afternoon, personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) removed Alhaji Seidu Abagre from Bawku, pursuant to the recommendations of the Otumfuo Asantehene Osei Tutu II mediation report regarding the Bawku affair. Alhaji Seidu Abagre is safe in the care of the security agencies,” the statement said.
Following the removal, unconfirmed reports suggested that sporadic gunshots were heard in parts of the township, with possible casualties. However, the Interior Ministry has not officially commented on these reports.
As part of efforts to bring a permanent end to the protracted Bawku chieftaincy dispute, the Otumfuo mediation committee recommended that Alhaji Seidu Abagre—who was recently installed by the Mamprusi faction as a rival chief—be recalled to Nalerigu by the Overlord of Mamprugu, the Nayiri.
According to the report, Mr Abagre is to be reassigned another traditional role at the Nayiri’s Palace in Nalerigu, rather than remain in Bawku as a chief. The report further provides that should he choose to remain in Bawku, he must do so strictly as a private citizen and not present himself as a chief.
“The final resolution of the Bawku matter requires that Mr Seidu Abagre be recalled to Nalerigu by the Nayiri to be reassigned to play another traditional role at the Palace of the Nayiri, assisted by the State. Alternatively, he may choose to stay in Bawku as an ordinary citizen of the community but not to pose as Bawku Naba,” Otumfuo Osei Tutu II stated while presenting the report.
The recommendations were formally presented to President John Dramani Mahama at the Jubilee House on Tuesday, December 16.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II further reaffirmed that the legal position on the matter is settled, noting that the Supreme Court of Ghana has upheld Asigri Abugrago Azoka II as the lawful Bawku Naba.
