The latest development if materialized will be a sigh of relief to all sons and daughters of Dagbon whose dignity has been in limbo overtime.

All peace loving Dagombas are sick and tired of the age long chieftaincy dispute which gained notoriety following the demise of the late overlord of Dagbon, Yaa-Naa Yakubu Andani II on March 27, 2002.

The previous government under the watch of former President John Dramani Mahama as part of efforts to solve the Dagbon chieftaincy problem set timelines for the performance of funerals of the late two Yaa-Naas in the old Gbewaa palace in Yendi.

The then, Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mohammed Muniru Limuna announced November 22, 2015 as the beginning of the funerals performance.

That agenda hit a snag on Monday, July 20, 2015 because the family of the late Yaa-Naa Yakubu Andani II kicked against the move and renewed calls for justice.

Similarly, the Abudu Royals on Friday, January 29, 2016 petitioned the Asantehene ledmediation committee.

In that petition, they reaffirmed their temporary boycott of proceedings at the Manhyia palace in Kumasi.

Nonetheless, they reiterated the urgent need for renovation of the old Gbewaa palace in Yendi, ceremonial ground for the final funeral rites of the late two Dagbon overlords.

Now, representatives of both sides of the chieftaincy divide in Dagbon have agreed to resume peace talks at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi.

This is to enable the three eminent Kings Mediation Committee led by the Otumfour Asantehene Osei Tutu II to accomplish its unfinished agenda having to do with implementation of the final  phase of the Roadmap to peace in Dagbon.

This latest move forms part of government’s commitment to bring finality to the Dagbon chieftaincy impasse as President Nana Akufo-Addo has on countless occasions promised his neutrality.

An inter-ministerial committee comprising the Northern Regional Coordinating Council, the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs and the National Security Ministry is handling the issue.

The inter-ministerial committee led by the Northern Regional Minister, Salifu Saeed has so far paid working visits to the palaces of the two Regents in Yendi and met with other major stakeholders mediating the Dagbon chieftaincy impasse.

The inter-Ministerial Committee is convinced that the problem will soon be a thing of the past.

Sagnarigu chief’s challenge

The Sagnarigu chief, Naa Yakubu Abdulai on May 20, 2017 charged government to resolve the Dagbon chieftaincy stalemate within the first year of President Nana Akufo Addo’s tenure of office.

The retired Diplomat raised this concern when Vice President, Dr. Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia paid a courtesy call on him.

He unequivocally said Dagbon’s peace and unity is nonnegotiable for which reason government should permanently solve the problem.

Sagnarigu Naa Yakubu Abdulai who is passionate about Dagbon’s peace, unity and reconciliation chastised past governments for paying lip service to the Dagbon chieftaincy impasse.

He insisted that government should ignore the machinations of chieftaincy contractors in Dagbon and liaise with the traditional authorities to solve the problem.

Following the latest development, concerned Dagombas are keenly monitoring the unfolding events with the anticipation that it would not hit another snag for political reasons.

Final implementation of the last phase of the Roadmap to peace which hinges on performance of funerals of the late two Dagbon overlords, Yaa-Naa Mahamudu Abdulai  IV and Yaa-Naa Yakubu  Andani  II will make Dagbon a safe haven for all.

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By: Abdul Karim Naatogmah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Dagbon peace talks renewal at a glance appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

There was a boycott of the mediation committee’s sittings following a misunderstanding over the implementation of the final phase of the Road Map to peace there.

[contextly_sidebar id=”mt1X6wXzoEaUd4dvgSnPivvjo2ouMaAW”]An Inter-Ministerial Committee set up by the government to permanently solve the problem has succeeded in convincing representatives of the Abudu and Andani Royals to resume the peace talks at Manhyia Palace.

The Inter-Ministerial Committee comprises the Northern Regional Coordinating Council, the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs and the National Security Ministry. The Northern Regional Minister, who doubles as Chairman of the Regional Security Council, Salifu Saeed, is the lead advocate.

He exclusively told Citi News that plans are far advanced to permanently resolve the age-long Dagbon chieftaincy stalemate.

This in his estimation could create a peaceful environment for government’s pro-poor flagship programmes including the planting for food and jobs, one-district-one-factory, and free Senior High School to flourish in the region.

“We have been working closely with the chiefs and people, traditional leaders, custodians of the culture, key stakeholders and youth groups just to get a sense of what people are saying and what it is that collaboratively can be done to sustain and deepen the peace in Dagbon in particular.”

“We have done a lot of interactions with them and I can tell you that the Abudus headed by the Boling-Lana and also the Dagbon Regent, the Kampakuya Naa and the Kuga Naa together with other traditional rulers.”

“Myself, the Minister for Culture and Religious Affairs and the National Security Minister, we have visited them and we have been working closely and earnestly with the chiefs and people in Northern Region and also the Committee of Eminent Chiefs headed by the Otumfour.”

Salifu Saeed is convinced that the latest development would not hit a snag saying, “Over the past seven months, the Regional Security Council has engaged in very intensive discussions with the various parties and stakeholders in the Yendi Skin Affairs and also the Committee of Eminent chiefs headed by the Asantehene Otumfour Osei II. The Regional Security Council has also been in close discussion with the National Peace Council as well as the Regional Peace Council on the matter.”

“In all these engagements there is an overwhelming endorsement on the need for the Dagbon Chieftaincy problem to be resolved as quickly as possible to pave way for the speedy socio-economic progress of Dagbon State and the entire Northern Region.”

Dagbon Peace and Progress Now task-force launch

Salifu Saeed disclosed the Inter-Ministerial Committee’s intention to implement series of lined-up activities including the official launch of a local Task-force to be named, “Dagbon Peace and Progress Now.”

It is expected to be launched on Sunday, September 10 at the Tamale Jubilee Park, which will bring together traditional rulers, youth and peace advocates to cement the renewed peace talks.

Salifu Saeed further disclosed that there would be public lectures at second cycle and tertiary institutions, peace marches, durbars and a vigil.

“REGSEC in collaboration with the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs will also launch a program dubbed, “Dagbon Peace and Progress Now,” soon. This program will seek to generate a renewed interest and commitment to resolving all the chieftaincy problems in Dagbon to pave way for absolute peace in Dagbon.”

“The determination of RECSEC to the resolution of the matter remains unshaken and the efforts and progress made so far gives the clearest indication of success ahead.”

“REGSEC will work in collaboration with Abudus and Andanis and all stakeholders to ensure that lasting peace is achieved in Dagbon and the entire Northern Region,” he reassured.

Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the then Presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party pledged his commitment to permanently resolve the age long Dagbon chieftaincy stalemate.

He recently at the FlagStaff House reassured the chiefs and people of Dagbon of his neutrality in handling the Dagbon chieftaincy stalemate and called for the support of Dagbon and wants the stakeholders to help him build a progressive and prosperous Dagbon State.

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By: Abdul Karim Naatogmah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Abudus and Andanis to resume Manhyia peace talks appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.