The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has concluded his final mediation session on the Bawku chieftaincy conflict on December 1, 2025, at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi, marking the end of a major diplomatic effort aimed at resolving decades of tension between the Kusasi and Mamprusi communities.
The sessions, held on November 30 and December 1, were described by both the Manhyia Palace and the National Peace Council (NPC) as the “concluding session” of the mediation process—signalling the most encouraging progress in years.
Otumfuo’s involvement, which intensified after a recent resurgence of violence that affected civilians and security personnel, has been widely praised as one of the most credible pathways toward durable peace.
The Bawku conflict—rooted in long-standing disputes over land, tradition, and the rightful occupant of the Bawku skin—has for decades disrupted life in the area.
The crisis has led to displacement, strained local institutions, and hindered social and economic activity, including businesses, schools, and judicial functions.
Throughout the mediation, the Asantehene engaged the factions in several closed-door meetings, alternating between separate and joint discussions.
A notable achievement was the reaffirmation of loyalty by six sub-chiefs to the Kusasi Traditional Council, seen as a step toward stabilising local traditional authority.
Both the NPC and the Manhyia Palace commended the cooperation demonstrated by the two sides and urged continued restraint to protect the gains made.
They noted that a peaceful settlement would not only bring relief to Bawku but also reinforce national unity and strengthen Ghana’s reputation for constructive conflict resolution.
This latest effort builds on the Asantehene’s established record in peacebuilding, particularly his contribution to the successful resolution of the Dagbon chieftaincy dispute—raising hopes for a similarly lasting outcome in Bawku.
The conflict, which dates back to the 1950s, revolves around competing historical claims. The Kusasi consider the Bawku skin traditionally theirs and currently hold government recognition of the Bawku Naba, while the Mamprusi maintain long-standing ancestral ties and continue to contest the legitimacy of Kusasi leadership.
Attempts over the years—including government-led peace accords and security interventions—have struggled to produce lasting stability.
More recent tensions have disrupted daily life, with curfews, movement restrictions, and heightened security becoming routine without resolving underlying grievances.
