Dr. John Kingsley Krugu, NPP Parliamentary Candidate for Zebilla Constituency and acting Executive Director of the Environmental ProtectionAgency (EPA), has suspended his campaign and all-party activities due to the escalating tensions in the Bawku Traditional Area (KTA). The crisis began with Alhaji Seidu Abagre’s return to Bawku, who was enskinned as a rival Bawku Naba by the Nayiri in February 2023. This move was swiftly condemned by the government as illegal and a threat to national security ¹.
The government recognized Zugraan Asigri Abugrago Azoka II as the legitimate Bawku Naba and directed security agencies to arrest and prosecute anyone claiming the title. A High Court in Bolgatanga issued an arrest warrant for Abagre, but the Appeals Court in Tamale overturned the decision. The Office of the Attorney General initially filed an appeal but later abandoned it.
Krugu views Abagre’s return as an act of provocation that could reignite the area’s crisis. He emphasized the people of Kusaug’s determination to protect their dignity and cultural heritage. Krugu is calling on the government to:
*Issue a statement* directing security agencies to arrest and prosecute Abagre if he claims the Bawku Naba title
– *Enforce the laws* of Ghana and protect the rights of the Kusaug people
– *Maintain peace* in the region and prevent further violence
Krugu urges the government to take decisive action, warning that he will take further steps to protect life and property in the KTA if necessary. He also calls on the people of Kusaug to remain calm despite the provocations.
Read the full statement below:
For Immediate Release – dated 25th October 2024
Concerning Developments on Bawku Crisis: Suspension of Campaigning
1. Since last night, I have been deeply concerned about recent developments that could
reignite the Bawku crisis and the entire Kusaug Traditional Area (KTA).
2. In February last year, the Nayiri purportedly enskinned Alhaji Seidu Abagre as a rival
Bawku Naba. This act, swiftly condemned by the government as illegible and a threat to
National Security, aggravated the volatile situation in Bawku and its environs. The
government’s immediate and unequivocal response was a testament to its commitment
to maintaining peace in the region, providing a sense of security to the people.
3. In a statement condemning the purported enskinment issued on February 15, 2023,
the government re-iterated that the current Bawku Naba, Zugraan Asigri Abugrago
Azoka II, was the duly recognised Chief of Bawku. This recognition, gazetted by both
the Upper East Regional House and the National House of Chiefs, serves as a pillar of
stability in the region, keeping the public well-informed.
4. In the same statement, the government directed the security agencies to arrest and
prosecute any other person who claimed to be Bawku Naba, adding that any further
developments that threaten the peace of the area will be swiftly dealt with.
5. Subsequently, a High Court in Bolgatanga issued an arrest warrant for Alhaji Seidu
Abagre, who remained in Nalerigu after his purported enskinment, ostensibly to seek
cover under the Nayiri to avoid being arrested. Attempts to affect the Court warrant
were resisted at the palace of the Nayiri.
6. Following the government’s decisions, including the issuance of a court arrest
warrant and other concerted efforts by the government and other stakeholders, peace
has gradually returned to the KTA. These efforts, which include the direction to security
agencies to arrest and prosecute any other person who claimed to be Bawku Naba,
demonstrate the government’s commitment to ensuring lasting peace in the area.
7. The arrest warrant issued by the High Court in Bolgatanga was challenged at the
Appeals Court in Tamale, but quite curiously, the Office of the Attorney General put in a
written defence. The Court of Appeals recently ruled to overturn the High Court’s
decision.
8. The Office of the Attorney General had filed an appeal against the decision of the
Court of Appeal. But in yet another twist, the Office of the Attorney General announced
that it had abandoned its intention to appeal to the decision of the Court of Appeal.
9. I have reliable information indicating that Alhaji Seidu Abagre has returned to Bawku.
Tensions are already building up, potentially reigniting the area’s crisis.
10. I view these recent series of curious coincidental developments as acts of
provocation that could have severe consequences for the peace of Bawku and the KTA.
11. I would like to emphasise that the right to self-determination would not be varied
under any circumstances and that the people of Kusaug are determined to ensure their
dignity and cultural heritage are always protected.
12. I am, by this release, calling on the Government to issue a statement directing the
security agencies to arrest and prosecute Alhaji Seidu Abagre should he and his assigns
act or insinuate in any way to suggest that he holds himself out as Bawku Naba.
13. Should the government fail to act on time, I will take further appropriate steps to
protect life and property in the KTA. I am calling on the government to give meaning to
its February 15, 2023 statement, when the acts of provocation started, and also ensure
that the laws of Ghana are enforced and complied with by all.
14. In the interim, I have suspended my campaign and all-party activities in the Zebilla
Constituency until the government takes decisive action on the ongoing acts and
potential threat to peace and security being instigated and perpetrated by Alhaji Seidu
Abagre and his accomplices.
15. While we take steps to demand and ensure respect for the rule of law and the
enforcement of the laws of our country by the government, I call on the good people of
Kusaug to remain calm despite the acts of provocations.
Signed
Dr. John Kingsley Krugu,
Parliamentary Candidate,
Zebilla Constituency.
