Dagbon nearing peace

Story: Enoch Darfah Frimpong, Kumasi
TWO days of deliberations between the two gates of Dagbon to find a solution to the contentious issues of regent for the Dagbon skin and the burial of the Late Ya Naa Yakubu Andani came to an end with both sides agreeing on a common ground as the Committee of Eminent Chiefs directed that the burial of late Ya Naa Yakubu should take place on Monday April 10, 2006.
They also directed that the burial should be done in consultation and active participation of a seven member Council of Elders and his regent to be appointed shortly in accordance with Dagbon customs and traditions.
They said the burial of the Ya Naa should be performed in the royal mausoleum at Yendi and that all other purposes connected to his burial should be performed at the temporary palace in Yendi.
A statement issued by the Committee of Eminent Chiefs at the Manhyia Palace after the deliberations, directed that after the burial of the Ya Naa Yakubu Andani, the Andani and Abudu gates should meet again with the Committee of Eminent Chiefs to work out a programme for the funeral rites of the Naa Mahamadu and Naa Yakubu Andani.
The Eminent Chiefs pointed out that they shall agree upon a time frame with all the parties within which the respective funerals of the late Yaa Nas shall be performed stressing that they would continue to engage with the parties on the way forward until a New Ya Naa was enskined.
They explained that since Naa Mahamadu died before Naa Yakubu, his funeral should be performed first and directed the Kuga Naa to act as the father of all the two gates and be impartial of his activities to ensure the full participation of the Abudu family in all matters relating to the burial of the Naa Yakubu Andani and the management of the Dagbon State.
They further directed that the installation of a regent of Ya-Naa Yakubu Andani should take precedence over the installation of the Naa Mahamadu Abudulai’s regent because Naa Yakubu died in office and added that Dagbon custom did not contemplate a situation where there would be two sitting Ya Nas or regents at the same time.
Hence, they directed that a seven member of Council of Elders, comprising three representatives each from the Andani and Abudu families should be constituted immediately to act in concert with the Kuga-Naa and the regent of Naa Yakubu Andani to handle all traditional arrangements from the date of burial of Naa Yakubu Andani, and the performance of funeral rites of both late Ya Nas to the installation of a new Ya Naa.
The Council of Elders is to be comprised of the Sung Lana Abdulai Mahama, Kunkon Lana Fuseini Ziblim and the Kpan Naa M. B. Bawah from the Andani side.
The Mion Lana is to be the leader of the Abudu family on the Council of Elders, and he is expected to consult with other members of the family to submit two additional names to the Kuga Naa on or before Saturday April 1, 2006 and notify the Eminent Chiefs as soon as possible.
The Eminent Chiefs said the powers of the regent should be limited because of the peculiar circumstances in Dagbon currently.
In that context, the regent should not have powers to appoint any chiefs or alienate any lands or other resources belonging to the Dagbon state, they said and added that the regent with the concurrence of the Kuga Naa and the Council of Elders should appoint chiefs to vacant skins whose role would be crucial to the performance of the funeral rites of the Naa Mahamadu and Naa Yakubu Andani.
They directed that there can only be one palace in Dagbon kingdom and that the temporary palace was constructed following the unfortunate incidents of 2002.
In this connection, the old Gbewaa palace should remain free of occupation or any activity until a date is set for the performance of the funeral rites of Naa Mahamadu.
The Chiefs pointed out that the agreements reached did not represent a victory to any side and therefore urged the parties to continue in the spirit of accommodation, compromise and oneness.
That, they said constituted the foundation for the agreement and to avoid any confusion in the state.
All the parties pledged to abide by the roadmap to peace and to encourage their supporters to continue to keep the peace.
The statement was signed by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Nayiri Mahami Abdulai Naa Bohugu, Yagbonwura Bawah Doshie and for the Andani Gate Tsung Lana Mahama, Kpan Bawah Mahamadu and for the Abudu Gate Kworli Gbanlana Mahama, Nyoligu Lana Mahami Adam for the Kuga Naa and Mr Boniface Abu-Bakar Sadiqque, Northern Regional Minister.