The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has officially announced that he will resume mediation efforts in the protracted Bawku conflict later this month, as part of renewed efforts to restore calm and stability to the troubled region.
In a statement issued by the Manhyia Palace on April 15, the revered monarch confirmed that the mediation sessions will take place from April 28 to May 1, 2025, at his residence in Kumasi. The announcement comes on the heels of an assurance by former President John Dramani Mahama that the peace process led by the Asantehene would be revived and supported as a national priority.
“His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, will resume mediation of the Bawku crisis as agreed with both parties from April 28 to May 1, 2025, at the Manhyia Palace, Kumasi,” the statement read.
Call for cooperation from all sides
The Manhyia Palace called on all factions and stakeholders involved in the conflict to fully cooperate with the upcoming process, stressing that the overarching goal is to attain lasting peace in Bawku.
“Asantehene requests all stakeholders to cooperate for us to find a lasting peace in Bawku,” the Palace urged.
Otumfuo’s re-engagement in the peace efforts signals a fresh chapter in the search for a resolution to the deep-seated ethnic tensions that have plagued the Bawku area for decades.
A renewed effort after fresh violence
The decision to resume talks follows a recent resurgence in violence in Bawku, which has tragically claimed the lives of at least two police officers and severely disrupted essential services, including healthcare delivery in the area.
The conflict, largely rooted in historical and chieftaincy disputes, has over the years evolved into a recurring security and humanitarian crisis, drawing national concern and repeated intervention attempts.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II was appointed by former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in 2024 to lead a mediation process aimed at reconciling the opposing factions and restoring peace in the region.
His stature as a neutral and widely respected traditional leader has been seen as crucial to building trust between the parties.
All eyes on Manhyia Palace
The mediation sessions in Kumasi are expected to bring together key leaders from the conflicting factions, as well as representatives from civil society, security services, and other national stakeholders.
The involvement of the Asantehene, who has a rich history of conflict resolution and traditional diplomacy, is seen as a critical opportunity to de-escalate the conflict and foster a path forward based on dialogue, compromise, and mutual respect.
As the nation watches, there is hope that this renewed mediation effort, under the leadership of the Asantehene, will succeed in finally bringing lasting peace to Bawku and its people.
