President John Mahama has disclosed that an estimated 119 people lost their lives during the period of violence that erupted while efforts were underway to mediate the protracted Bawku chieftaincy conflict.

He made this known when the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs paid a courtesy call on him, during which he expressed deep concern about the destructive effects of chieftaincy disputes on peace, stability and national cohesion.

President Mahama stressed that failure to strictly observe established rules of succession often fuels tensions and violence, leading to needless loss of lives.

He said such conflicts continue to undermine efforts to maintain peace in affected communities.

Recounting the mediation process, the President explained that the Otumfuo Committee, chaired by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, was set up by his predecessor, former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, to help find a traditional resolution to the conflict.

“The Otumfuo Committee was established by my predecessor, Nana Akufo-Addo. In his handing-over notes, he mentioned to me that he had invited Otumfuo to mediate in the conflict.

"As his successor, I was duty-bound to allow that mediation to go on,” President Mahama said.

He noted that despite the ongoing mediation, violence escalated in the area, resulting in numerous deaths.

“While the mediation was ongoing, there was violence and killings. It’s estimated that about 119 people lost their lives during the period of the mediation. But thank God, ultimately, his report came out,” he stated.

According to the President, the mediation was intended to achieve a traditional settlement that would allow the parties to accommodate each other, as had been done in the past. However, he said the process failed to produce such an outcome.

“Once it didn’t happen, the mediator had no option but to revert to what the law says. His report basically stated what the lawful position was,” he explained.

President Mahama stated that, having sworn an oath to uphold the Constitution and the laws of Ghana, he could not allow personal feelings to influence the implementation of the law.

“I cannot be sentimental in terms of implementing the law. Everybody knows what the law says: the truly gazetted Chief of Bawku Naba is Naba Abugrago Azoka. That is what the law says. He is gazetted,” the President stated.

He added that no individual who is not legally recognised could lay claim to the title.

“I cannot have somebody who is not gazetted come and say, ‘I am the Bawku Naba too,’” he said.

President Mahama noted that enforcing the law was necessary to restore and sustain peace in Bawku.

“I have to do what I have to do to ensure peace in Bawku, which is what we have done. The law is the law,” he added.