The Greater Accra Gurma Council of Chiefs has been inaugurated with a call on its members to promote unity, preserve cultural heritage, and address challenges confronting the Gurma, Moba and Bimoba people in Ghana and abroad.
The ceremony, held last Sunday, brought together chiefs, elders, opinion leaders, and members of the Gurma, Moba, and Bimoba communities.
The Chairman of the Council, Sariki Amadu Sulemanu, said unity was necessary for the survival and progress of the Gurma, Moba, and Bimoba.
He noted that although these communities had a rich history and strong cultural identity, the people continued to face economic and social challenges, including limited access to resources, underrepresentation in decision-making, and the impact of migration.
Mr Sulemanu cautioned that failure to address these issues collectively could undermine the growth of the communities.
The Matriarch of the Chiefs Council, Ladd Ayana, described the formation of the Council as timely.
She explained that in today’s era, a traditional council must go beyond serving as a custodian of customs.
According to her, the Council should also act as a platform for mobilising resources, mediating disputes, advocating the welfare of the people, and safeguarding cultural values.
She added that the Council would give the Gurma, Moba, and Bimoba a stronger voice in national development while promoting peace and cooperation among communities.
The administration of the oath of allegiance was performed by Mr Evans Anabah of Freshfields Law Consult, who urged members to see the inauguration as a call to service.
He observed that the strength of a traditional council lay in its ability to blend cultural authority with modern governance practices, making customs relevant while contributing to socio-economic development.
Mr Anabah stressed that the Greater Accra Gurma Council of Chiefs had the potential to bridge the gap between traditional leadership and state institutions.
The Gurma, Moba, and Bimoba are present in several African countries, including Ghana, Burkina Faso, Togo, Benin, and Niger.
Membership of the Council is as follows:
Sariki Amadu Sulemanu (Chairman)
Sariki Sulemana Alhassan (President)
Sariki Abubakari Seidu (Secretary)
Sariki Ibrahim Yakubu (Vice Chairman)
Sariki Haruna Alhassan Yarim (Public Relations Officer)
Sariki Fuseini Gariba (Member)
Hajia Jumai Adamu Fadama
Magajia Hajia Zalia Osman Nula
Matriarch of the Chiefs Council, Ladd Ayana
Sarki Yussif Saed Laar
Mr Salifu Ali
The inauguration featured cultural performances, a reading of the history of the Gurma, Moba, and Bimoba, the unveiling of the Council, and the administration of the oath of allegiance.
