UE/R: SOCO PROJECT FACILITATORS URGED TO WORK HARD FOR THE SUCCESS OF THE PROJECT – DCE NABDAM
The King and Overload of the Gonja Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Bi-Kutuno Jewu Soale I has said that there was the need for the establishment of an Annual Conference of Kings and Chiefs in Northern Ghana aimed at focusing on the collective development of the North.
The Yagbonwura whose speech was read on his behalf by the secretary to the Gonja Traditional Council was addressing thousands of attendees at the Nayiri Palace in Nalerigu on Sunday 28th July 2024 during his historic visit to the Mamprugu Kingdom.
According to the king of Gonjaland, the north has the potentials and the needed human resources coupled with the numerous natural resources which might be exploited for the benefit of our people as well as the growth and development of the north.
“It is with gratitude that I convey to you felicitations from the Great Gonja Kingdom to the King and Overlord of the Great Mamprugu Kingdom my brother His Royal Majesty Nayiri Naa Bohugu Mahami Abdulai Sheriga. I deeply extend my profound gratitude to the chiefs and people of Mamprugu for your outstanding dexterity of steering the affairs of Mamprugu to such an esteem pinnacle. It is with reverends and ecstasy to be in the Nayiri’s Palace today, with distinguished and high esteem delegation of Paramount Chiefs of the good people of the Gonja Kingdom, to extend my warmest greetings and to begin a historic dialogue between the two Kingdoms” He said.
He related that a similar historic visit was paid to the King and Overlord of Dagbon, Yaa Naa, in June this year adding the visit was very fruitful as they re-ignited their cultural bonds and peaceful co-existence.
“The Gonja Kingdom is delighted to have this interface of interaction to reinforce our customs and traditions, deliberate on matters of peace and tranquility, general development and peaceful co-existence and to overcome conflict between the two Great Kingdoms. The best solution to matters of conflict is DIALOGUE and therefore must be considered a prerequisite to bringing peace” said Yagbon.
“Gonja and Mamprugu are tired of the over decade fire engagements at LUKULA and its surroundings. I therefore extend a hand of invitation to my brother the Nayiri for a dialogue to end these hostilities. The two kingdoms have a rich history of peaceful coexistence. This dates back to the 17th Century when our founder Ndewura Jakpa on his expedition from Mande met one of the overloads of Mamprugu who was then aged but full of wisdom. Their relationship was that of peace, respect and friendliness. After exchanging pleasantries and good counselling from the overlord, Ndewura Jakpa continued his mission to the present day Gonjaland. It is our duty as leaders to strengthen these bonds and promote unity and cooperation for the benefit of our people both present and future generation” said Yagbonwura.
Yagbonwura also indicated that Gonja and Mamprugu have a lot of things in common which are enough to promote long standing peace between the two Kingdoms.
Yagbonwura stated that leaders of these two great Kingdoms with the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II as the Chairman of the Three Eminent Chiefs worked tirelessly with government and the good people of Dagbon to bring lasting peace to Dagbon.
He said the Kamara Clan among the Gonjas and Mamprusi are playmates, and this could form the basis of their peaceful co-existence and any patch-ups because we all know the value of playmateship.
Yagbonwura stated that the most interesting commonality, which is dubbed our commonality of the year is that, two energetic sons of the two Overlords are in a contest with others for the mantle of leadership to govern this country in the upcoming December 7th 2024 elections. Your Royal Highness, permit me to use this medium to advise our sons and daughters in all political parties contesting this year’s elections to do so in a manner that will not negatively affect the peace currently being enjoyed by this country. After all partisan politics is not about violence, it is simply to make a choice through the ballot box. It is equally our obligation to educate and encourage our people to exercise their democratic rights peacefully without electoral violence. Election 2024 is about Ghana and we have to prove to the whole world that Ghana is capable and can manage its own affairs.
He stated that as leaders they had the responsibility to ensure the rules and regulations of our electoral process as outlined by the Electoral Commission of Ghana were strongly adhered to.
The Yagbonwura intimated that history had repeated itself. for over a decade ago, his predecessor Yagbonwura Tuntumba Boresa of blessed memory on the same accord visited the Mamprugu Kingdom on the mission of strengthening the relationship between Gonja and Mamprugu.
“As leaders, we have a responsibility to influence and make positive impacts on our people. I believe this courtesy call will foster our commitment to peace, unity, and cooperation. Let us continue to commit ourselves to maintaining dialogue and effective communication to resolve conflicts peacefully, and promote an environment of tolerance, respect, and understanding among our people.”
He expressed his profound gratitude for the warm reception and hospitality accorded he and his delegation made up of 10 revered paramount chiefs of Gonjaland , his warriors, traditional dancers and Queen Mothers numbering over 500.
Yagbonwura again expressed his heartfelt appreciation to the Nayiri for sending a powerful delegation to his enskinment and coronation respectively saying that his Royal Majesty’s participation added dignity and value to his coronation as King of the Gonja Kingdom.
“I am looking forward to you, Your Majesty for a dialogue session on matters of Lukula and its environs” .said the Yagbonwura.
He prayed that the historic visit of his marked the beginning of a new dawn of friendship and cooperation between the two great kingdoms.
The Yagbonwura made a royal donation made up of cola nuts, a 3 in one smock known as ” Kutumbi” in the Gonja language, and an undisclosed amount of money to the Nayiri and his elders.
Source – gbcuraonline.com.
