Sep 7, 2017
The two Royal Gates involved in the Dagbon conflict; the Abudus and the Andanis have agreed to resume peace talks at the Manhyia Palace, Kumasi in the Ashanti Region.
The peace talks, which will be facilitated by the three eminent chiefs; Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Yagbonwura Tuntumba Bore Essa I, Overlord of the Gonja Traditional Area and the Nayiri, Naabohagu Mahami Abdulai Sheriga, Overlord of the Mamprugu Traditional Area seeks to find a lasting solution to the chieftaincy crisis.
The parties boycotted the mediation committee sittings following a misunderstanding over the implementation of the final phase of the Road Map to peace in the affected areas.
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 Committee comprises the Northern Regional Coordinating Council, the Regional Security Council, the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs and the National Security Ministry.
Northern Regional Minister, Salifu Saeed, chairman of the Regional Security Council (REGSEC), at a press beefing after visiting some of the chiefs in the region, said plans are far advanced to resolve the Dagbon chieftaincy impasse permanently.
He observed that the attainment of peace in the area could create an 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.
The Northern Regional Minister says he is convinced that the latest development would not hit a snag, saying, “Over the past seven months, the REGSEC has engaged in very intensive discussions with the various parties, stakeholders in the Yendi Skin Affairs and also the Committee of Eminent Chiefs headed by the Asantehene Otumfour Osei II.
“In all these engagements there is an overwhelming endorsement of 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,” the Minister said.
By: Francis Tandoh/adrdaily.com
