On Tuesday, April 29, 2025, the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, convened a high-level mediation session at the Manhyia Palace, bringing together rival chiefs from the conflict-ridden Bawku area in the Upper East Region. The meeting marks a significant effort to resolve the long-standing chieftaincy dispute that has fueled violence and instability in the region.
The peace talks were held under heavy police and military protection, with enhanced security measures put in place to ensure the safety of all dignitaries, traditional leaders, and stakeholders in attendance.
Both factions arrived at the palace under tight armed escort, a visual reminder of the deep-seated tension surrounding the Bawku crisis.
According to EIB’s Ashanti Regional Correspondent, Isaac Justice Bediako, the Asantehene’s mediation team held separate closed-door meetings with each of the rival chiefs. While the specific details of the discussions remain undisclosed, sources say the sessions were part of a broader process aimed at fostering dialogue, reconciliation, and eventual consensus.
The Asantehene’s role in the process is being widely viewed as a pivotal move. His neutrality and revered status as a unifying traditional authority have sparked cautious optimism among observers who hope his involvement will bring new momentum to the peace effort.
Tensions in Bawku remain high, with sporadic violence and heightened security operations continuing to affect normal life in the area. Calls for peace have grown louder, particularly as national leaders and stakeholders express concern over the long-term consequences of the conflict on regional stability and development.
The Bawku mediation is expected to continue in stages, with the Asantehene’s palace serving as a neutral ground for sustained dialogue.
Source:Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/Isaac Justice Bediako
