Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) operating within the Northern Region have pledged their support towards the implementation of the final road map for the restoration of peace in the Dagbon Traditional Area.
The CSOs led by Northern Ghana Network for Development (NGND) and the Dagbon Forum (DF) are undertaking a series of activities on the need for the public to embrace peace before, during and after the performance of the funerals of the late kings of Dagbon.
Northern Ghana Network for Development (NGND) and Dagbon Forum after engaging with CSOs in Tamale issued a press statement and commended the three Eminent Kings and the Mediation Committee for bringing some measure of finality to the age-long chieftaincy impasse between the Abudus and the Andanis in Dagbon.
A statement copied to Diamond News, jointly signed by Mr. Theophilus Dokurugu Alhassan,Executive Director, Northern Ghana Network for Development (NGND) and Dr. Sulemana Abudulai, President, of Dagbon Forum (DF) promised to create a platform for monitoring, responding, designing and implementing early warning systems to prevent potential threats to the road map.
“We applaud the work of the Three Eminent Kings aimed at bringing normalcy back to Dagbon, and urge all well-meaning Dagombas to support the proposed road map.”
“All legal and administrative arrangements related to the road map should be completed and publicized without delay to avoid misinformation and misinterpretation.” the statement said.
The statement also called on international and local donor agencies to support the peace process to its logical conclusion.
“We call on the families and sympathizers on both sides to think of the wider and longer-term interest of Dagbon. All parties are encouraged to commit unconditionally to the road map.” It said.
The group also urged the general public to desist from politicizing the road map, but rather they should support and contribute to the restoration of peace and stability in Dagbon.
Civil society actors and religious leaders should come out with clear peace building and conflict prevention messages in the lead up to the performance of the funerals of the late two overlords (Yaa-Naas) of Dagbon. The group noted.
The statement emphasized the need for accurate and objective media reportage adding that, “all media houses should exercise maximum restraint in carrying stories about the road map and also discourage live phone-in discussions on the matter.” And it has also advocated that the peace process should go beyond the enskinment of a substantive Yaa-Naa in order to strengthen and sustain the required peace in Dagbon.
“All Dagombas should support and proudly participate in the performance of the funerals of the late two overlords, Yaa-Naa Mahamadu Abdulai IV and Yaa-Naa Yakubu Andani II and the enskinment of a substantive Yaa-Naa.”
The group further encouraged the general public to serve as peace ambassadors by exposing persons and groups and individuals whose actions are likely to thwart the implementation of the road map to peace restoration in Dagbon.
The road map stipulates that the Abudus are to begin with the funeral of the late Yaa-Naa Mahamadu Abdulai IV from December 14th to 28th, 2018 followed by the funeral of the late Yaa-Naa Yakubu Andani II from January 4th to 18th, 2019.
Story by: Alhassan Yakubu
