Asantehene Declares Naba Asigri Abugrago Azorka II as Lawful Bawku Naba
Asantehene says Ghana’s Constitution and Supreme Court rulings recognise Naba Asigri Abugrago Azorka II as the legitimate Bawku Naba
- Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has reaffirmed Naba Asigri Abugrago Azorka II as the lawful Bawku Naba
- He urged the state to strictly enforce settled legal decisions, warning that failure to do so continues to fuel insecurity in Bawku
- The declaration formed part of a mediation report presented to President John Dramani Mahama following extensive consultations with traditional leaders
The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has unequivocally affirmed that Naba Asigri Abugrago Azorka II remains the legitimate and lawful Bawku Naba, stressing that enforcing this reality is central to achieving lasting peace in the conflict-prone area.
Otumfuo made the declaration while presenting the Bawku Conflict Mediation Report to President John Dramani Mahama at the Jubilee House on Tuesday, December 16, 2025. He said Ghana’s legal framework and multiple court rulings clearly recognise Naba Asigri Abugrago Azorka II as the rightful occupant of the Bawku skin, and that these decisions must be upheld without exception.
According to the Asantehene, neither traditional authorities nor individuals stand above the Constitution. He emphasised that laws enacted by Parliament and affirmed by the Supreme Court remain binding unless lawfully amended.
He explained that the chieftaincy status of Bawku has long been settled under PNDC Law 75, the 1992 Constitution, and a series of Supreme Court judgments, all of which designate the Bawku Naba as the paramount chief with authority over the Kusasi traditional area.
Otumfuo noted that the courts have conclusively closed the door on any further legal challenges to this position, insisting that it should no longer serve as a basis for conflict.
He disclosed that his recommendations were informed by broad consultations with key stakeholders, including the Nayiri of Mamprugu, Naa Bohagu Mahami Abdulai Sheriga, the Bawku Naba, and other traditional leaders, as part of sustained efforts to end years of violence between the Kusasi and Mamprusi groups.
While recognising the historical ties of the Mamprugu Kingdom to parts of the Bawku area, the Asantehene said prevailing legal realities make it untenable to pursue claims that contradict established law, particularly regarding the Bawku skin.
He further revealed that the Nayiri has shown readiness to make difficult concessions in the interest of peace, but stressed that any such move must align strictly with the law and existing legal authority.
Otumfuo warned that the state’s failure to enforce the lawful status of the Bawku Naba continues to aggravate insecurity in the area, describing the situation as a serious and growing national security concern that demands firm, lawful, and decisive state action.
