Prioritise devt, leave good legacy - Yagbonwura advises Mahama

Yagbonwura Bii-Kunuto Jewu Soale I has urged President-elect John Dramani Mahama to prioritise the country's development and strive for a good name and a lasting legacy. 

The call to action was conveyed through a delegation of chiefs from the Gonja Traditional Area who visited the President-elect at his office in Accra yesterday to congratulate him on his victory in the December 7 election.

The delegation included the Damongowura, Seidu Kelly Boresa I; Mankpanwura Anchorde, Kpembiwura Bismark Ndefiso Bambanya I; Yapeiwura Abi Zakaria, and the Chief Linguist of the Yagbonwura, Adam.

“We came to congratulate his (Yagbonwura’s) son on his victory in the election, and to also thank him for being present at the funeral of his (Yagbonwura’s) late mother,” the Damangowura Boresa said.

He said the Yagbonwura knew the President-elect to be a peace-loving person who would move the nation forward.

“He wants him to focus on development so that at the end of his tenure, he will make a good name for himself, which is what the people of Gonjaland stand for,” Damangowura Boresa said.

The delegation also thanked Mr Mahama on behalf of the Yagbonwura for constructing a new palace for the Yabongwura a few weeks ago. 

Hard work

The President-elect expressed his gratitude to the king for sending a delegation, saying "The victory is for him".

He recounted how the traditional ruler had received the news of his triumph in the internal presidential primary with joy when he visited the king after the flagbearer race.

"I know that since that day, he has been praying for me and travelling across the nation, visiting his colleague chiefs and speaking for me," the President-elect said.

"I wish to go home during the festivities to thank him and take the victory to him," he added.

Mr Mahama acknowledged that the real work had begun, saying, "The easy part is done, the difficult part is working to ensure that Ghana takes its place as the black star of Africa".

The President-elect also extended his condolences to the king on the passing of his mother.

"Because of the responsibility that was placed on me to lead the transition, I have not had the chance to condole with him so I sent a delegation. However, I want to extend a message that I will come to share my condolences and weep for the passing of my mother,” he said.