By Alhaji Salifu Hadara 

With the recent recurrence of Bawku Chieftaincy Crisis, some politicians and people in the Bawku Traditional Area, out of political propaganda and  shared ignorance, want the whole world to believe that H. E. Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia is behind this decades old conflict. The conflict is between some Kusasi and Mamprusi and because Dr. Bawumia is a Mamprusi, they must necessarily attribute him to the conflict without any basis. 

Ghanaians are discerning and wouldn't fall for this cheap and ignorant tag without asking questions. What Ghanaians should ponder on with regards to this malicious and delusional tag on Dr. Bawumia are that;

1. Was Dr. Bawumia a politician in the 1950s when this conflict started? 

2. In December 2021, the elders of The Nayiri, The Overlord of Mamprugu Kingdom performed the funeral of the late Bawku Naa Tampuri in Bawku and on their way to Nalerigu, they were arrested, sent to Accra and detained illegally for more than one week without being arraigned before court and without bail as well. Was Dr. Bawumia not a Mamprusi? 

3. We all know politicians are not supposed to meddle in Chieftaincy issues. When the Overlord of Mamprugu Kingdom, who is the enskinning authority to the Bawku skin since 17th Century, enskinned Bawku Naa Alhaji Seidu Abagre Sheriga, the government of Nana Akufo-Addo issued a press release describing the enskinment as illegal on the same day (15/02/2023).  Was Dr. Bawumia not a Mamprusi? 

4. The government of Nana Akufo-Addo through a High Court in Bolgatanga issued arrest warrant to arrest The Nayiri, his Elders and Bawku Naa Sheriga in February, 2023. Was Dr. Bawumia not a Mamprusi? 

5. The government of Ghana through the military invaded Nalerigu in the night, in their attempt to implement the High Court Order. It caused fear and panic in the whole of Mamprugu Kingdom. Was Dr. Bawumia not a Mamprusi? 

The Mamprusi fought their case in court. Firstly, they challenged the arrest warrant, that was subsequently varied to exclude The Nayiri and his elders, but the High Court in Bolgatanga rejected their plea to remove the arrest warrant on Bawku Naa Alhaji Seidu Abagre Sheriga. 

The Mamprusi didn't blame government or any politician for that ruling but proceeded to the Court of Appeal in Tamale. It took the Mamprusi about a year before the Court of Appeal delivered it's judgement on the arrest warrant. The Court of Appeal described the Arrest Warrant as ILLEGAL and quashed the High Court ruling. So, on what basis are the Kusasi asking government for the arrest of Bawku Naa Sheriga? 

Subsequently, Bawku Naa Alhaji Seidu Abagre Sheriga, who was cleared by the Court of Appeal went home to rule his people. The Mamprusi always abide by the laws of Ghana by using the established institutions mandated to handle chieftaincy issues.

So, instead of the Kusasi to go to Court or The National House of Chiefs for redress, they are blaming the innocent Dr. Bawumia. Is Dr. Bawumia a Court of Appeal Judge? Did the Mamprusi blame anyone when the High Court ordered the arrest of Bawku Naa Sheriga in 2023? 

Kindly take Dr. Bawumia's hands off the Bawku Chieftaincy issue and use the established institutions and stop the emotional sentiments. The media propaganda and the blame game would not solve the problem. The Kusasi know where chieftaincy issues are resolved.

The Mamprusi have always asked government to stop meddling in the Bawku Chieftaincy issue and allow the feuding factions to seek redress in the appropriate institution. There are many parallel chiefs doted across the country but government does not meddle in those like the Bawku issue. 

In my candid opinion, this government have over pampered the Kusasi to an extent that they behave like spoiled children. Small thing, government must come to their aide. This is the reason why if anything goes contrary to their wish they resort to blaming innocent souls like Dr. Bawumia. Dr. Bawumia is innocent. If the Kusasi are not happy about the Court of Appeal ruling on the arrest warrant of Bawku Naa Alhaji Seidu Abagre Sheriga, they should stop putting pressure on government and go to Court or National House of Chiefs. Is that difficult to do if they truly believe what they are fighting for belongs to them? 

Thank you

Alhaji Salifu Hadara

A Citizen of Mamprugu

 29/10/2024

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