The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has been meeting with Ministers of Defense, Interior, Local Government, and Information, as well as security chiefs, to discuss the enskinment of the new Bawku Naba in Nalerigu.
The Mamprusi faction in the protracted Bawku conflict on February 15, 2023, enskinned Seidu Abagre Kulugu as the new Bawku Naba, despite the recognition of Naba Asigri Abugrago Azoka II as the legitimate Bawku Naba.
Many people have died in the recent Bawku crisis, and many more have fled the town.
The President stated that the government would deal with the problem appropriately.
“Unfortunately it’s a poor time for us, we have a big crisis on our hands in Bawku as we speak. Things are causing a lot of problems for the security there, and I was in a meeting with them,” President Akufo-Addo said.
The government condemned the enskinment in a press statement issued on February 15, 2023.
“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,” the government said in the press statement issued by the Ministry of Information.
The government also stated in the statement that Naba Asigri Abugrago Azoka II is the Bawku Naba, who has been duly gazetted and is a member of the National and Upper East Regional Houses of Chiefs.
As a result, security agencies have been directed to arrest and prosecute anyone else who poses as a Bawku Naba.
“Furthermore, any developments that have the potential to undermine Bawku’s peace will be dealt with swiftly and in accordance with the law,” the government warned in a statement.
Despite the government and the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs’ recognition of Naba Asigri Abugrago Azoka II as the legitimate ruler of the area, the Mamprusi faction in the protracted Bawku conflict was at the palace of the overlord of Mamprugu, Naa Bohugu Mahama Abdulai Sherigah II, on Wednesday for the enskinment of a new Bawku Naba.
