The Nayiri, King and Overlord of the Mamprugu Kingdom, Naa Bohugu Mahami Abdulai Sheriga, has formally rejected the mediation report on the Bawku chieftaincy dispute presented by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, to President John Dramani Mahama.
This follows the presentation of the Asantehene’s report to the President on December 16, 2025, which recommended that the Nayiri recognise Asigri Abugrago Azoka II as the rightful Bawku Naba and proposed that rival chief Mr. Seidu Abagre remain in Bawku strictly as a private citizen.
In a lengthy statement issued on December 17, the Nayiri distanced himself and the Mamprugu people from what he described as a flawed and unacceptable mediation outcome.
“I, the Nayiri, Overlord of Mamprugu, wish to formally and unequivocally distance the office of the Nayiri and the people of Mamprugu from the so-called mediation report presented by Otumfuo Osei Tutu II in respect of the Bawku Chieftaincy Dispute,” he stated.
“I have taken note, with profound disappointment and grave concern, the presentation described as a ‘report and recommendations’ by Otumfuo to His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama, on 16th December 2025,” the statement said.
“I must state clearly and without reservation that the so-called report and recommendations does not reflect my engagements with Otumfuo, nor those of my duly constituted mediation team. I therefore formally reject the report and recommendations in its entirety.”
The Nayiri argued that the document does not constitute a valid mediation outcome and cannot be enforced by the state.
He stated, “The purported report and recommendations in question do not constitute a valid mediation, and any attempt to present it as binding or to seek government enforcement is legally untenable, procedurally flawed, and constitutionally impermissible.”
He further faulted the process, insisting that Otumfuo Osei Tutu II had expressly stated his role was that of a mediator and not an arbitrator.
“Otumfuo expressly described his role as that of a mediator and not an arbitrator. Notwithstanding this, the document purports to pass judgment and to prescribe measures for enforcement—acts wholly inconsistent with the nature, limits, and essence of mediation,” he said.
The Nayiri also raised concerns over the absence of agreed terms of reference for the mediation.
“Despite repeated and formal requests by my mediation team, no Terms of Reference were ever provided to govern the mediation process,” he noted.
He questioned the fairness of the process, asking, “What manner of mediation permits a mediator to unilaterally reach determinations and call for their enforcement without first affording the parties an opportunity to be heard on the reasoning, views, or proposals underpinning such determinations?”
According to the Nayiri, Mamprugu was never invited to engage with or respond to the conclusions said to have been reached.
“At no point were the parties invited to engage with, comment on, or respond to the conclusions said to have been reached. If any deliberations occurred, they were conducted entirely without the knowledge, participation, or consent of Mamprugu,” he said.
“The report is replete with factual inaccuracies, personal assertions attributed to the mediator, and a manifest imbalance in favour of one party’s narrative, while almost entirely omitting Mamprugu’s case,” he stated.
He also rejected claims that he had ever agreed to the recognition of Asigri Abugrago Azoka II as Bawku Naba.
“For the avoidance of doubt, it is entirely false to suggest that I ever agreed to the continued recognition of Aninchema as Bawku Naba,” the statement said.
The Mamprugu overlord expressed disappointment with the process.
“To say that I feel betrayed, disappointed, and deeply hurt would be a grave understatement,” he said.
He further expressed concern over comments attributed to President Mahama suggesting that government may issue a definitive position within 24 hours based on the report.
“Such an approach, respectfully, will not advance the peace we all seek,” he said.
The Nayiri stressed that the mediation process ended in deadlock, not consensus.
“I stress that this so-called mediation ended in a clear DEADLOCK, with no consensus reached between the parties,”
He called on the Mamprugu people to remain calm and and assured that further engagement with the Asantehene and the government of Ghana would happen.
