Introduction
The call by the Overlord of Mamprugu, His Royal Majesty Nayiri Abdulai Mahami Bohagu Sheriga II, for intensified security in Bawku and its environs has attracted widespread media coverage. Yet beyond the headlines lies a profound truth about traditional wisdom, the state of national cohesion, and the urgent need for introspection on Ghana’s chieftaincy dynamics. This article seeks to critically analyse the Nayiri’s call and its significance for peacebuilding in Northern Ghana.
The Authority of Tradition and the Voice of Peace
The Nayiri, by virtue of history, custom, and constitutional recognition, is the enskinner of Bawku. His authority over the Bawku skin dates back centuries and is affirmed by oral tradition, colonial archives, and post-independence political acknowledgements. As Prof. Ladouceur noted in “Chiefs and Politicians: The Politics of Regionalism in Northern Ghana,” Mamprugu’s centralised chieftaincy structure places the Nayiri at the apex of governance, with the power to enskin all paramount chiefs in the area, including Bawku.
This press conference was not a reaction of weakness, but a demonstration of leadership. It was the kind of call that only a custodian of peace and a father of many can make — to demand order even amidst provocation. If the usurper of the Bawku skin were of true royal blood and understood the sacred nuances of traditional governance, there would be no justification for the sustained attacks on innocent citizens, no ethnic profiling, no torching of homes, and certainly no attacks on state security personnels including the Inspector General of Police’s (IGP) vehicle would been vandalised.
As the Akan proverb goes, “He who does not own it handles it carelessly.” This proverb aptly captures the reckless behaviour of those in Zotinga (the Bawku enclave) who claim what they cannot protect with dignity and restraint. The same cannot be said of Mamprugu in its mainland form — a kingdom that has exercised authority with maturity and preserved peace for generations.
A Warning Veiled in Wisdom
The Nayiri’s call is also a veiled warning — for me, it is a diplomatic signal to both the state and the factions within Bawku. He said, in essence, that a time may come when the youth of Mamprugu, loyal and increasingly frustrated, may no longer tolerate the abuse of their kinsmen. And when that day comes, the government may find itself confronting a crisis far more complex than it can manage. For now, the youth restrain themselves not out of fear, but out of deep respect for the Nayiri’s wisdom and commitment to peace. But the youth
are watching, and their patience is not infinite. As another Mampruli proverb warns: “A pot filled beyond its brim will break.”
If the government fails to heed this wise counsel, and continues to ignore the cries of Mamprugu’s youth and elders, Ghana risks losing a crucial thread in its social fabric. The
difference in behaviour between the youth of mainland Mamprugu and those in the conflict- ridden enclave is clear — one side respects tradition, order, and law; the other has, too
often, resorted to provocation and lawlessness.
Securing the State Through Justice
Chieftaincy in Ghana is not just ceremonial; it is the bedrock of local governance. For instance, traditional authority, when properly aligned with democratic governance, provides the moral compass and legitimacy that state institutions can leverage for good governance. Ignoring the authority of the Nayiri is not only a slight to Mamprugu but a destabilising act for the entire Northern Region and chieftaincy in general.
The Nayiri’s recommendations were not mere rhetoric. They were actionable, practical, and rooted in deep traditional wisdom: increase security deployment, establish police posts in volatile areas, create joint military checkpoints along major transport corridors, and protect key economic infrastructure. These proposals are necessary to secure not just Mamprugu interests, but national cohesion.
Conclusion
The situation in Bawku must not be viewed as an isolated incident. It carries the potential to either destabilise or safeguard the very foundations of our cherished traditional and
chieftaincy institutions depending on how it’s handled.
The era of usurping skins or lands through force is over. Such actions threaten not only the peace of one community but the unity and dignity of traditional authority across the nation. We must recognise that Bawku today could be your area tomorrow.
It is imperative that all traditional leaders and royals rise above partisanship and personal interest to collectively denounce any form of usurpation, false claims, and violence. Banditry and bloodshed have no place in our efforts to uphold culture and heritage.
Let us stand together to protect the sanctity of our traditional systems and to ensure peace, justice, and rightful succession in all our communities.
As a final thought, the Nayiri’s call reminds us of the timeless African proverb: “When elders are in the house, the goat should not die in the rope.” Ghana has elders — A king of an ancient kingdom, Mamprugu has spoken wisely. The onus is now on the government to act, before the rope tightens further and peace slips from our collective grasp.
By Salifu Hamza Iddrisu, Concerned Citizen of Mamprugu
