The Kusaug Traditional Council has raised fresh concerns over what it describes as “acts of impunity and provocation” by the Mamprusi community in Bawku, led by Seidu Abagre, warning that such actions threaten to derail ongoing peace efforts in the conflict-prone area.
At an emergency meeting on Friday, August 29, 2025, the Council alleged that Mr. Abagre—whom it insists was “illegally enskinned” was preparing to appoint new chiefs, including a Kpalore Naba and a Nakyi Naba, with indications of further enskinments to follow.
According to the Council, these moves are intended to consolidate his authority and bolster preparations for the planned celebration of the Damba Festival in Bawku.
The Kusaug leadership argued that such appointments directly undermine the mediation process currently being spearheaded by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, who has been engaging both factions to find a lasting solution.
“The current activities of the Mamprusis in Bawku have the potential of derailing the peace effort, which Otumfuo has promised to conclude soon,” the Council stated.
The statement also took aim at government, criticizing what it called a persistent “lack of political will” in addressing the crisis. The Council accused both past and present administrations of turning a blind eye to what it termed Mr. Abagre’s “illegal position,” arguing that his presence in Bawku contravenes established authority.
“Having identified the said Seidu Abagre’s position as illegal, we expected both the former and current government to do the needful: arrest him and prosecute him, or at least remove him from Bawku. This they have not done, for obvious reasons,” the statement noted.
The Kusaug Traditional Council outlined three key demands to restore confidence in the peace process:
- The immediate arrest, prosecution, and removal of Seidu Abagre from Bawku.
- An end to security escorts for Mamprusi individuals and their goods in and out of Bawku.
- A ban on the celebration of the Damba Festival in Bawku unless it is conducted under the auspices of the legitimate Bawku Paramount Chief.
In a strongly worded warning, the Council cautioned that its restraint should not be mistaken for weakness, urging government and security agencies to act decisively to forestall a relapse into violence.
“Our people cannot continue to endure impunity and lawlessness forever. Appropriate actions must be taken to avoid the looming danger of more bloodshed in Bawku,” the statement, signed by Gumbo Naba Alhaji Mohamudu Assibi Azonko II, concluded.
