Apologise for disrespecting our King – Mamprugu Traditional Council to Govt

The Mamprugu Traditional Council has asked the government to render an unqualified apology for an attempt to arrest the Overlord of Mamprugu, Naa Bohagu Mahami Abdulai Sheriga.

The Council said it has observed with concern the attempt of some military personnel to carry out the directive in a warrant issued by the Bolgatanga High Court for the arrest of the Nayiri on Sunday, February 19, 2023.

This followed a statement from the government declaring the enskinment of a new Bawku Naba in Nalerigu illegal.

According to reports, the military men deployed to arrest Naa Sheriga and his kingmakers retreated after they were stopped by some angry youth of Nalerigu.

Addressing the statement signed by the Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, the Traditional Council said, “The authority of the Nayiri to select and enskin chiefs for the Bawku skin predates the colonial era and the founding of modern Ghana.”

“This authority of HRM, the Nayiri, to select and enskin a chief for the good people of Bawku is not shared with any government or group of individuals,” a statement from Mamprugu said.

In the statement, the Chiefs expressed utter dismay at the government’s approach to the issues.

“It is unbelievable that such a Rambo-style activity could be initiated against no mean a person than the King of the Mamprugu Kingdom. We take exception to this and want this to be the last time this government ever disrespects our king in this manner.

“We further call for an unconditional apology and a public withdrawal of the statement issued by the Minister of Information”, it added.

The statement further added that the doors of the Overload are open to the government and any institution interested in working to ensure lasting peace returns to Bawku.

The Bolgatanga High Court had earlier issued an arrest warrant requested by one Lieutenant Colonel Ajibadeck Benjamin Baba (Rtd), who had asked the court for the arrest of the Overlord following the enskinment.

The arrest warrant has however been revoked by the court.

Below is the full statement from the Mamprugu Traditional Council