Paramount Chief of the Wasipe Traditional Council, Wasipe-Wura Mumuni Anyanie Kabasagya II, has rejected the Tampulma ethnic group’s request for paramountcy in the Gonjaland Kingdom.
At a recent news conference, the Tampulmas served notice of seeking legal redress against the Gonjaland Traditional Council over its failure to recognize them as citizens of Gonjaland.
Their Spokesperson, Amadu Latif hinted of a street protest ahead of the court action to back their request.
He posited that the Tampulmas have been overly marginalized regarding the Yagbon-Wura’s failure to approve Kadicharitina Musah Mahamadu II as paramount chief representing the Tampulma communities at the Gonjaland Traditional Council.
But the Paramount Chief of the Wasipe Traditional Council, Wasipe-Wura Mumuni Anyanie Kabasagya II at a counter news conference in Daboya rubbished the request.
He explained that the Tampulmas who are under his jurisdiction were not qualified to attain a paramountcy status.
The Wasipe-Wura Mumuni Anyanie Kabasagya II accused the leader of one faction of the Tampulma ethnic group, Musah Mahamadu of priding himself as ‘Kadicharitina’ a title the Wasipe-Wura said was deleted from the chieftaincy titles in the area.
Secretary to the Wasipe Traditional Council, Haruna Mauza who addressed the media stated that “Musah Mahamadu is not and does not qualify to be the leader of the Tampulma ethnic group of the North Gonja District.”
He however disclosed that the Wasipe Traditional Council recognized Tampulim Naa Lawal as the leader of the Tampulma ethnic group.
“Tampulim Naa Lawal, resident in Gbasimpa who is enskinned by the Wasipe-Wura paramount chief of Wasipe Traditional Area is the Tampulmas leader.”
Musah Mauza narrated that Gonjas and Tampulmas have co-existed peacefully in Gonjaland and promised that the status quo would be maintained.
“Tampulmas by extension are Gonjas because of the role they play at the Wasipe-Wura’s palace and Gonjaland as a whole. They are warriors of Gonjas since time memorial.”
He insisted that the request by the Tampulmas for a paramountcy was premature.
“How can they go straight to have a paramount chief and also claim autonomousious right when they don’t have enough sub chiefs?” Before one can become a Paramount Chief, he must have a number of sub-chiefs and a recognized area under his jurisdiction.”
“In the case of the Tampulma who are requesting for recognition and hence a paramountcy, where is the land and how many gates or divisions ascend to this paramountcy that he is claiming?”
The Wasipe-Wura Mumuni Anyanie Kabasagya II however advised the Tampulma group paying allegiance to Musah Mahamadu, to reconsider their decision and rather sustain the peaceful co-existence there.
–
By: Abdul Karim Naatogmah/Citifmonline.com/Ghana