Personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) have removed Alhaji Seidu Abagre, the rival Mamprusi chief, from Bawku Township in the Upper East Region, acting on recommendations contained in the Otumfuo Asantehene Osei Tutu II mediation report on the protracted conflict.
The Ministry of the Interior confirmed the development in a brief statement issued on Wednesday, December 24.
“This afternoon, personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) removed Alhaji Seidu Abagre from Bawku, pursuant to the recommendations of the Otumfuo Asantehene Osei Tutu II mediation report regarding the Bawku affair. Alhaji Seidu Abagre is safe in the care of the security agencies,” the statement said.
Following his removal, reports suggested that sporadic gunshots were heard in parts of the township, with possible casualties. However, the Ministry of the Interior has not commented on these reports.
The action forms part of broader efforts to resolve the protracted Bawku chieftaincy dispute.
The Otumfuo mediation committee had recommended that Alhaji Seidu Abagre, who was recently installed by the Mamprusi side as a rival chief, be recalled to Nalerigu by the Overlord of Mamprugu, the Nayiri.
The committee proposed that he be reassigned to perform another traditional role at the Nayiri’s Palace rather than remain in Bawku as a chief.
The report further indicated that if Mr Abagre opted to stay in Bawku, he must do so strictly as a private citizen and not present himself as a chief.
“The final resolution of the Bawku Matters requires that Mr Seidu Abagre be recalled to Nalerigu by the Nayiri to be reassigned to play another traditional role at the Palace of the Nayiri, assisted by the State. Alternatively, he may choose to stay in Bawku as an ordinary citizen of the community but not to pose as Bawku Naba,” Otumfuo Osei Tutu II stated while presenting the report.
The mediation committee’s recommendations were formally submitted to President John Dramani Mahama at the Jubilee House on Tuesday, December 16. Otumfuo Osei Tutu II also reaffirmed that the legal position on the matter has been conclusively determined, noting that the Supreme Court of Ghana has upheld Asigri Abugrago Azoka II as the lawful Bawku Naba.
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