Dagbon dispute mediation to resume this month ; Prez Mahama announces at Damba festival
The Committee of Eminent Chiefs mediating the protracted Dagbon chieftaincy dispute is to resume sitting in Kumasi this month to explore avenues for the feuding factions to reach a final agreement on the traditional and customary aspects of the conflict.
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For nearly a year now, the committee, headed by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has not met because of entrenched positions taken by the two feuding royal families — Andani and Abudu — on the road map to peace.
But, last Saturday, President John Dramani Mahama told a large gathering at the Damba Festival in Yendi in the Northern Region that a day earlier, he had spoken with the Asantehene on the amicable resolution of the dispute.
According to the President, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II made his intentions clear to reconvene the peace talks this month to conclude the task of resolving the traditional and customary issues in the conflict.
The other eminent chiefs on the committee are the overlord of the Mamprugu Traditional Area, the Nayiri, Naa-Bahigu Mahami Abdulai Sheriga, and the overlord of Gonjaland, Yagbon-Wura Tuntumba Boresa II.
Peace
President Mahama urged the feuding families to let peace prevail when they go to Kumasi, saying, “I hope this would be the final meeting to bring peace to Dagbon.”
Although the chiefs and people at the function welcomed the President’s announcement with a loud applause, the Regent of Dagbon, Kampakuya-Naa Andani Yakubu Abdulai, who is the first son of the slain Dagbon overlord, indicated his people’s desire that the murder of Ya-Na Yakubu Andani II and 29 of his subjects in March 2002 must not be overlooked and that it was important that any settlement plan was linked with justice to the people.
According to him, because of the inability of the state to bring the perpetrators of the crime to book, the alleged criminals “continue to make noises,” and Dagbon finds it most unfair for anyone to benefit from the wilfully executed crime.
Reassurance
President Mahama reassured the chiefs and people that the government was committed to ensuring peace at Dagbon but a lot depended on the people to bury their differences and embrace peace.
It was in that respect that he welcomed the participation of both the Andanis and Abudus in the festival, saying it must serve as a sign of good things to come.
Damba
The Damba Festival, an Islamic festival, is celebrated by the people of Dagbon to commemorate the birth and the naming of the Prophet Mohammed.
It provides an opportunity for the people of Dagbon to pay homage to their leaders, reaffirm bonds of friendship and showcase their rich tradition and culture.
The theme for this year’s celebration was: “Taking inspiration from our common heritage and culture in the struggle for peace and development.”
Tainted image
Describing Dagbon as one of the prominent citadels of culture in Ghana, the President said unfortunately the rich image had been tainted by some unpleasant events.
“The tainted image has gone to affect all the peoples of the Northern Region,” he said.
President Mahama was, however, quick to add that, “But we know that the overwhelming majority of the people of the Northern Region and Dagbon cherish peace and so this perception of us is wrong.”
He indicated that the time to look forward was now, and the focus must be on compromises that would make Dagbon the most attractive area of the region.
Infrastructural development
Expressing his appreciation to the chiefs and people of Dagbon for the strong support offered him and his government, the President said the government would continue to pursue infrastructural development that would help improve the lives of the people.
He said the Northern Region was receiving its fair share of development, mentioning the ongoing upgrading of the Tamale Airport to international standard, the commencement of work on lots Five and Six of the Eastern Corridor road project from Otidakamko to Nakpanduri, Phase 2 of work on the Tamale Teaching Hospital, as some of the projects.
In Yendi, he mentioned the construction of a modern lorry park, a commercial centre, a new pharmacy block for the Yendi Hospital, and small town water systems in some of the communities as some of the ongoing and completed projects.
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Youth employment
President Mahama made reference to youth employment and said a few things happened at the Ghana Youth Employment and Entrepreneurial Development Agency (GYEEDA), which no one could be proud of, and that the government was taking action to correct those things.
Going forward, he said, a new legislation had been crafted for GYEEDA to be renamed Youth Entrepreneurial Agency. The bill was before parliament, and when passed the agency would provide the young people the skills to go into the life of work.
He spoke against bush fires and urged chiefs and the district assemblies to play their roles in the fight against the menace.
Kampakuya-Naa Andani, in a speech read on his behalf, assured the President that he and his people would support the initiatives by the government to bring lasting peace to Dagbon.
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He said the people of Ghana were aware of the efforts the government was making to address the challenges that the economy was facing.
He said despite the challenges, the government had deployed enormous efforts to support numerous development projects across the country, including the Northern Region.
For showing care and respect to the people of Dagbon, President Mahama was honoured by the Dagbon Traditional Council with the conferment of the chieftaincy title, Zoo Maligu-Naa. (A caring leader).