Bawku Naba urges Nayiri to enforce customary peace rites to end conflict

The Bawku Naba and President of the Kusaug Traditional Council, Zug‑Raan Asigri Abugrago Azoka II, has called on the Nayiri and Overlord of Mamprugu, Naa Bohagu Mahami Abdulai Sheriga, to prevail on the Mamprusi community in Bawku to perform long‑abandoned customary reconciliatory rites as part of efforts to secure lasting peace in the area.

He said traditional rituals — including blood‑cleansing ceremonies and the burial of the okro stalk — remain essential to healing, reconciliation and the reintegration of communities affected by the protracted conflict.

Addressing a press conference in Bawku last Thursday, the Bawku Naba responded to concerns raised by the Nayiri on May 19, 2026, in which the Mamprugu overlord accused the Asantehene‑led mediation process of bias. Zug‑Raan Azoka insisted that peace cannot be achieved through dialogue alone without the performance of the customary rites that historically marked the end of hostilities.

He explained that rituals such as blood‑cleansing purify the land from violence, symbolise forgiveness and formally reintegrate former factions — practices that have long restored trust and social cohesion in communities recovering from conflict.

“In the interest of peace, reconciliation and the future of our people, I call on the Nayiri to prevail upon the Bawku Mamprusis to revisit the performance of the abandoned customary rituals, including blood cleansing of the land and the burial of the okro stalk,” he said.

The Bawku Naba stressed that these rites are indispensable to sealing the long‑standing conflict and paving the way for genuine reintegration across Kusaug.

He emphasised that the successful implementation of the Asantehene’s peace roadmap requires full commitment from all stakeholders — traditional authorities, community leaders, residents, government institutions and security agencies.

Zug‑Raan Azoka noted that years of insecurity have brought loss of lives, displacement, economic hardship and disruption of education, trade and social life, making holistic reconciliation efforts urgent and unavoidable.

He underscored that the conflict has affected not only Kusasis and Mamprusis but also other ethnic groups in the area, reinforcing the need for collective responsibility.

“Violence against Kusasis must be condemned. Violence against Mamprusis must be condemned. Violence against any resident, regardless of identity, must be condemned,” he stressed.

The Bawku Naba urged all parties to exercise restraint, avoid inflammatory rhetoric and support peace‑building efforts. He also appealed to government and security agencies to enforce the law fairly and professionally to maintain trust between communities and state institutions.

He expressed hope that the performance of the customary rites — alongside continued dialogue and institutional engagement — would strengthen reconciliation and pave the way for lasting peace in Bawku.

“The ultimate goal must be to transform Bawku from a symbol of conflict into a model of coexistence, reconciliation and development,” he said.

— Graphic Online