The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has stressed that the mediation report on the long standing Bawku conflict must be accepted and respected by all parties involved if lasting peace is to be achieved. He made this position known during the formal presentation of the report to President John Dramani Mahama, describing the document as a critical roadmap toward stability in the troubled area.
According to the Asantehene, the mediation process was conducted in good faith, with extensive consultations involving key stakeholders, traditional leaders, and representatives of the factions in conflict. Although the process was not an arbitration exercise, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II explained that the recommendations contained in the report reflect consensus building efforts and should therefore be treated as binding in principle.
He emphasized that peace in Bawku cannot be sustained if parties selectively accept or reject aspects of the mediation outcomes. Instead, he called for collective responsibility, urging leaders and community members to demonstrate commitment to peace by adhering fully to the report’s findings and recommendations.
The Asantehene also expressed appreciation to the President for the confidence reposed in him to lead the mediation efforts, noting that traditional leadership continues to play a vital role in resolving complex national disputes. He reiterated that dialogue, mutual respect, and compromise remain the only viable path toward ending the cycles of violence associated with the conflict.
With the report now in the hands of the presidency, attention is expected to shift to implementation and enforcement measures. Many observers see this stage as crucial, as government action will determine how the mediation outcomes are translated into practical steps on the ground.
The Asantehene concluded by appealing to all parties to put the broader interest of peace and development above individual or factional positions, warning that failure to do so could undermine years of mediation efforts.
