Bawku Conflict: Exiling a Native Chief Won't Resolve the Crisis, Says Nayiri Legal Team
Dauda Jawara Salifu, spokesperson for the Mamprusi community in Bawku and a member of the Nayiri Legal Team, has expressed opposition to calls for the removal of Abagre Seidu, a rival chief, as a solution to the ongoing conflict in Bawku. According to Salifu, forcing Seidu, a native and community leader, to leave his homeland is neither fair nor a viable way to restore peace.
In a recent interview on JoyNews’ *Newsfile*, Salifu emphasized that Seidu's deep-rooted connection to Bawku, as a father, grandfather, and clan leader, is essential to his community. Exiling him, Salifu argued, would only exacerbate tensions. “He plays a significant role in guiding his people spiritually and socially,” Salifu stated. “You cannot banish someone from his hometown, especially when his presence and leadership are so integral to his people.”
This position comes after comments from Stephen Asamoah Boateng, Ghana's Minister of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, who suggested that removing Seidu might help calm the conflict in Bawku, which has already claimed numerous lives. Boateng argued that if a leader’s presence fuels unrest, steps should be taken to remove them from the area. However, Salifu countered this view, advocating instead for a legal and procedural approach to addressing the conflict.
Salifu also questioned the legality of calling Seidu’s enskinment into question. He pointed out that Seidu’s position was confirmed by the Nayiri, the traditional kingmaker of Bawku, in line with customary protocols. Salifu added that Article 277 of the Ghanaian Constitution outlines how one becomes a chief and suggested that Seidu’s enskinment followed these constitutional and traditional guidelines.
The call to remove Seidu has raised questions about its effectiveness as a conflict resolution strategy. Salifu argues that such actions could escalate rather than defuse the situation, urging all parties involved to exercise restraint. He emphasized that any resolution should come through due legal processes and community consultations, rather than coercive measures that might deepen divisions.
The Bawku conflict, rooted in long-standing chieftaincy disputes, has witnessed multiple clashes and significant loss of life. Community leaders, including Salifu, advocate for a thoughtful approach that considers the region’s complex social fabric. This dispute, Salifu stressed, requires sensitive handling and a commitment to preserving the cultural and social ties of Bawku’s inhabitants.
In this light, he urged the government and local authorities to prioritize diplomatic efforts over actions that might disrupt community cohesion. As the conflict continues to draw national attention, calls for peaceful solutions grounded in law and tradition remain central to achieving a lasting peace in Bawku.
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