Dr. Abu Sakara Foster Enskinned in Mankuma as Suhyen and Mfantseman Resolve Leadership and Legal Disputes

28th June•3 min read•6 sources

In a significant period for local governance across Ghana, traditional institutions have seen major transitions alongside state-led peace-building efforts. Former presidential candidate and prominent agriculturalist, Dr. Abu Sakara Foster, has been enskinned as the Kakulasewura of the Mankuma Traditional Area in the Savannah Region. This ceremony, which drew a large gathering of royals and politicians, signals the continued integration of modern political leaders into traditional roles. Simultaneously, in the Eastern Region, the New Juaben Traditional Area celebrated the enstoolment of 62-year-old Nana Kofi Owusu as Okogyeaman Owusu Basapon II, the new chief of Suhyen. Succeeding the late Okogyeaman Ankomah Basapon II after a five-year vacancy, the new chief has pledged to leverage his experience as a business leader to attract investment and foster development.

Parallel to these leadership changes, the National Peace Council (NPC) has intensified its grassroots interventions to ensure stability. In Kongo, located in the Tempane District, the NPC established a nine-member Local Peace Committee (LPC) and a team of eleven community monitors. This initiative, part of a broader governance project funded by Denmark, Norway, and South Korea in collaboration with the UNDP, is designed to identify early warning signs of conflict and prevent violent extremism. The committee's mandate includes mediating recurring disputes, particularly regarding farmland, through dialogue and transparent conflict resolution techniques, with a heavy emphasis on representing women, youth, and minority groups.

Further promoting social harmony, a high-profile legal dispute in the Central Region has been resolved through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). Ernest De-Graft Egyir, President of the Mfantseman Saltpond Development Alliance (MSDA), and Omanhen Nana Okesse Essandoh IX successfully settled a defamation suit stemming from statements made during the 2025 Odambea Festival. The amicable settlement, which awaits formal endorsement by the High Court, involved a formal apology and a mutual commitment to responsible public commentary. This resolution is seen as a vital step in reinforcing unity within the Nkusukum Traditional Area and demonstrates the power of mediation in resolving sensitive leadership conflicts.

These collective developments highlight a national trend toward strengthening local-level governance through both traditional and institutional frameworks. By filling long-vacant stools with development-oriented leaders and equipping local communities with the tools for conflict monitoring, Ghana is bolstering its internal security and social cohesion. The successful application of ADR in defamation cases further illustrates a growing preference for restorative justice over litigation, ensuring that community leaders can focus on progress rather than protracted legal battles.

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Dr. Abu Sakara Foster Enskinned in Mankuma as Suhyen and Mfantseman Resolve Leadership and Legal Disputes

More from politics

NCCE Refutes GH¢144m Budget Freeze as Infrastructure Milestones and Political Accountability Drive National Discourse

Government Launches Nationwide Enforcement Against Illegal Mining and Waterway Encroachments to Curb Flooding

Ghana Charts Path for Socio-Economic Transformation Through PEARL Initiative, Ho Declaration, and Youth Empowerment

Sudan Military Gains, Zimbabwe Term Extensions, and Burkina Faso's Diplomatic Shift Highlight Regional Volatility