On Tuesday, January 14, President John Mahama held a closed-door meeting with the King of Mamprugu, Naa Bohaga Abdulai Mahami Sheriga II, at the overlord’s palace in Nalerigu.

The brief meeting, which lasted about 30 minutes, was private and restricted. However, a member of the President’s delegation shared some details with JoyNews’ regional correspondent.

“After the usual protocol, the President expressed his gratitude to the overlord for his electoral support and appealed for his assistance in bringing lasting peace to Bawku,” the source disclosed.

JoyNews also learned that President Mahama stressed the importance of peace and informed the Mamprugu King of his intention to invite him to Accra soon for further discussions on restoring law and order.

Before arriving in Nalerigu, the former President had visited Bawku, where he held similar meetings with traditional authorities. These visits were in response to escalating incidents of violence along key roads in the region.

Escalating Violence in the Region

President Mahama’s visits come amidst increasing tit-for-tat attacks by armed groups along the Nasia-Bolgatanga stretch of the Tamale-Bolga Highway (N10) and the Bolga-Bawku-Pulmakom Road.

According to regional conflict monitors, over 40 attacks have been recorded on these roads since August 2022.

These attacks, often targeting members of rival factions, have also resulted in harm to innocent drivers and passengers unconnected to the conflict.

The attackers’ modus operandi typically involves ambushing vehicles, opening fire, and setting them ablaze.

Three significant attacks have already been reported this year:

1. January 6, 2025: Gunmen opened fire on a bus travelling from Bolgatanga to Bawku. The attack caused the bus to crash into a gutter, killing the driver and injuring many passengers, most of whom were Mamprusis.

2. January 11, 2025: Armed assailants targeted a bus travelling from Garu to Kumasi along the Bolga-Bawku Road near Pusug-Namoo.

3. January 14, 2025: Unknown gunmen carried out an arson attack on a faulty truck carrying vegetables from Missiga to Kumasi in Walewale.

These incidents underscore the urgency of President Mahama’s efforts to engage traditional authorities in fostering peace and stability in the region.