Efforts by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, to mediate the long-standing Bawku conflict have been temporarily postponed, with sources at the Manhyia Palace citing complexities surrounding the chieftaincy dispute as the reason for the delay.
The mediation sessions were originally scheduled to begin on Monday, April 28, and were expected to mark a significant step toward resolving the violent and protracted conflict in the Upper East town.
However, the high-stakes meetings have been pushed to next week, pending further arrangements.
Although the Manhyia Palace has yet to issue an official statement confirming the new dates, sources familiar with the peace process say consultations are ongoing to prepare the ground for the next round of dialogue.
Otumfuo’s intervention has been widely endorsed by traditional leaders, civil society, and political actors as a neutral and unifying force in the decades-old conflict.
The mediation effort was set to span from April 28 to May 1 and was seen as part of broader national efforts to bring sustainable peace to Bawku.
The chieftaincy dispute, which lies at the core of the Bawku conflict, has proven to be a particularly difficult barrier to reconciliation, with multiple factions asserting legitimacy over traditional leadership in the area.
Despite the setback, stakeholders remain hopeful that Otumfuo’s leadership can help bridge the divide and lay the foundation for lasting peace in one of Ghana’s most volatile regions.
