Yagbonwura lifts ban on Abu Jinapor
The Overlord of Gonjaland, Yagbonwura, Bil-Kunuto Jewu Soale, has lifted the ban on the Member of Parliament (MP) for Damongo, Samuel A. Jinapor.
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The Yagbonwura reportedly lifted the ban on Friday after the resolution of outstanding issues between the Palace and the MP.
The lifting of the ban has paved the way for Mr Jinapor, who doubles as the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, to continue his political activities in the Savannah Region.
Context
Last month, the Yagbonwura banned the Damongo MP from entering the Jakpa Palace and all other palaces within the Gonjaland.
The Gonjaland overlord directed all chiefs in Gonjalnd not to grant audience to any group that included the minister.
The decision of the Yagbonwura, officials from his office said, followed certain actions by the minister that were deemed reprehensible by the chiefs and people of Gonjaland, including the MP allegedly interfering with matters relating to the Damongo skin.
Government delegation
Following those reports, the minister issued a statement affirming his high regard for the chieftaincy institution, the Yagbonwura and all other chiefs for that matter.
He also indicated that he had no interest in the Damongo chieftaincy affairs and that he was committed to serving the people of Damongo as their MP, and the people of Ghana as a minister.
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Subsequently, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo sent a delegation led by the Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Stephen Asamoah Boateng, to meet with the Yagbonwura to resolve the issue.
The delegation included the Minister of Defence, Dominic Nitiwul; the Savannah Region’s representative on the Council of State, Pkogriwura Adam Zakaria, the Savannah Regional Minister, Saeed Muhazu Jibril, and the Savannah Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, Alhaji Iddrisu Sulemana.
Lifting of ban
A source at the Jakpa Palace said following extensive engagement with the President’s delegation, Mr Jinapor, in the company of some government officials, called on the Yagbonwura at his Palace on Thursday, August 1, culminating in the lifting of the ban.
The source told Graphic Online that the minister used the opportunity to explain his side of the story to the Yagbonwura and reaffirmed his high regard and respect for the chieftaincy institution in general, and the Yagbonwura and other chiefs of the Gonjaland in particular.
“The Yagbonwura blessed theDamongo MP, noting that he is his worthy grandson,” the source said.
The source added that after listening to the minister, the Gonjaland overlord expressed satisfaction with the explanation he gave.
“Yagbonwura said he had always known the minister to be a respectful person who would never denigrate the chieftaincy institution nor disrespect him as his grandfather,” the source added.
Minister’s assurance
When Graphic Online contacted Mr Jinapor for a confirmation of the story, he said what the source put out was a true reflection of what transpired at the Jakpa Palace.
The minister did not give further details of the discussions at the Jakpa Palace.
However, he reiterated his commitment to work closely with the chiefs and people of Damango and Gonjaland at large to open the area to development.
Mr Jinapor urged all residents of Damongo in particular to remain united to consolidate the peace in the area.