"I have not resolved the Dagbon conflict for praise" – Nana Addo

General News on Thursday, February 21, 2019

Source: Citinewsroom.com

2019-02-21

President Nana Addo explained that the desire for praise or titles did not motivate her in her decision to end the protracted Dagbon conflict.

The President made it known by delivering his third speech on the state of the nation in Parliament on Thursday.

"I was not trying to get a title or a special distinction, and I certainly was not looking for praise. I wanted to do everything I could to make sure that this long-standing plague that hindered Dagbon and Ghana and slowed down the development process in our country can be resolved and that we can move forward, "said President.

We will celebrate the 62nd anniversary of independence in Tamale

The president also announced the government's decision to move the celebration of Ghana's Independence Day 2019 in the capital of the northern region, Tamale.

According to him, the measure aims to consolidate the peace and unity reached in Dagbon this year. [2019].

The President stressed that this was the first time in the country's history that this anniversary would be held outside Accra.

"In order to strengthen and support the process of reconciliation and peacemaking in Dagbon, I have decided that this year the celebration of the 62nd anniversary of Independence will be held in Tamale on March 6", did he declare.

Context of Dagbon conflicts

Although tensions between leaders in Dagbon have existed since the 1960s, the horrific murder of Yaa-Naa Yakubu Andani II in March 2002 in a coordinated attack on the palace has plunged Dagbon into years of intermittent violence.

Yaa-Naa Yakubu Andani II was dismembered and his head parade on a spear after the murder that shocked the country.

The attackers also killed 39 of his elders.

Since the death of Ya Naa Yakubu Andani II, hundreds of lives have been lost and properties destroyed during the secular conflict in Dagbon.

In the face of escalating tensions, former President Kufuor has set up the Otumfuo Committee of Eminent Leaders so that he uses all the usual means available to settle the matter.

The Committee has managed to hail the royal gates of Abudu and Andani to engage in the road map for peace despite several failures of the talks.

This led to the completion of the funeral rites of the two late Ya Naas; Naa Mahamadu Abdulai and Naa Yakubu Andani.

The funeral of the late Yaa-Naa Yakubu Andani II took place on Friday, January 18, 2019, when Yoo Naa, Alhaji Abukari Mahama, was chosen by the royal guardians of Dagbon to be elected new Yaa-Naa.

Abukari Mahama was competing with four others, including Dagbon Regent, Kampakoya Naa Abdulai Andani Yakubu, Bolin Lana Mahamadu Abdulai and Tampion Lana.