We’ll sit in one room to solve Bawku dispute; Asantehene says as he initiates peace talks with factions

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has initiated peace talks with factions in the Bawku chieftaincy promising that they will sit in one room to bring the matter to a peaceful end.

“We cannot allow the gunshots to continue. I have asked them to lay down their weapons and we will all sit in one room to solve the matter peacefully,” he said.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II said this when the Minister of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Stephen Asamoah-Boateng paid a courtesy call on him at the Manhyia Palace on Wednesday, June 14, 2023.

Separate meetings
The Asantehene said he had met the factions separately following invitations he extended to them, and will be meeting them as a group in peace and truth.

“The leaders of the Mamprusis and Kusasis in Bawku have come separately to have discussions. I have also invited some of their intellectuals. “Both factions will be allowed to speak out what is on their minds so we address the issues. The Asantehene indicated that some of them have submitted documents to be studied.
“We will use humility and allow all of them to voice out their concerns. All of them will tell their side of the story for us to listen to,” Otumfuo stated.

Was confident that the matter will end peacefully.

Minister elated
Mr Asamoah Boateng was elated with Otumfuo’s move and expressed the hope that it would end successfully.
He said the money and other resources the government is pumping into the dispute are incredible. “We have had to send policemen to go and separate warring factions and bills that come out after they left are unbelievable. These are monies that we can use for the development of the area,” he stated.

Dagbon issue
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II led the Committee of Eminent Chiefs to resolve the protracted Bawku Chieftaincy dispute in 2016. As a result of the role he played in resolving the dispute, and other peace initiatives, His Majesty was awarded the ‘Pillar of Peace Award’ in 2019 at the Africa Premier Leadership Awards.

Also in 2021, the Otumfuo Commemorative Gold Coin was issued to celebrate the King for his peace initiatives, particularly how he succeed in the Dagbon peace process. The Bank of Ghana authorized the E ON 3 Group to mint the Otumfuo Commemorative Gold Coin.