News circulating, shows that the Mamprugu Traditional Area has purportedly installed a new chief without the say so of government. They disregarded the caution of government to not involve themselves in chieftain issues and as such, government has gotten a whiff of their plans head on.
The Government of Ghana has condemned the installation of a new chief for Bawku by the King of the Mamprugu Traditional Area, Naa Bohugu Mahami Abdulai Sherigah II. In a statement issued by the Ministry for information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, on Wednesday, February 15, 2023, the government said that Naba Asigri Abugrago Azoka ll is still the Bawku Naba.
It added that the security apparatus in the Bawku Area have been instructed to arrest anybody who holds himself as Bawku Naba, other than Naba Abugrago Azoka ll.
“The Government condemns developments in Nalerigu, today, February 15, 2023, concerning the purported enskinment of a new Bawku Naba as illegal and a threat to National Security.”
Kojo Oppong Nkrumah
Government further re-iterates that Naba Asigri Abugrago AzokalI is the Bawku Naba, duly gazetted and a member of the National and Upper East Regional Houses of Chiefs.
“The Security agencies have therefore been directed to arrest and prosecute any other person who holds himself out as a Bawku Naba. Further, any developments that have the potential to undermine the peace of Bawku will also be dealt with swiftly and in accordance with law.”
Kojo Oppong Nkrumah
The King of the Mamprugu Traditional Area, Naa Bohugu Mahami Abdulai Sherigah Il, enskinned a new chief for Bawku in the early hours of the day and the news lifted up on the wings of an eagle. That is how come government found out and therefore drafted and released a letter, which announced that no one has the right to be enthroned or self-proclaim themselves as the Naba of the Bawku, without the say so of government. Government has been swift about this to prevent further bloodshed amongst the townspeople.
The New Chief
The new chief, who was enskinned at the Nayiri palace in Nalerigu, is called Alhaji Seidu Abagre, as confirmed. Jubilations were seen all over the forecourt of the Nayiri palace in Nalerigu, the North East Regional capital, as well as the traditional city of Mamprugu.
Meanwhile, soldiers were at the Nayiri’s Palace to ensure that there was peace and security while the residents jubilated. The new chief enskinned, Alhaji Seidu Abagre was expected to be accompanied by some elders from the Nayiri Palace to Bawku after they perform all the traditional activities in Nalerigu.
There has been heightened tension in Bawku as a result of renewed sporadic gunshots in the outskirts of the Bawku township. At least 6 people, were killed, and 10 injured in fresh shootings in Bawku on Wednesday, February 8, 2022. Thus, the reason why government would want to put things on hold to find a better time to bridge understanding between the townspeople to bring support to one person in the chieftain position or else lives would be lost.
The Overlord of the Mamprugu Traditional Area, Naa Bohagu Abdulai Mahama Sheriga II, in March 2022, pledged to find a lasting peace to the long-winded Bawku Chieftaincy dispute which has eliminated many lives following the disturbances in the area.
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