Archives Latest news

Mahami Royal Family of Karaga threatens to defy the ruling of the Northern Regional House of Chiefs

The Mahami Royal Family of the Karaga Traditional Area have rejected the orders by the Judicial Committee of the Northern Regional House of Chiefs commanding the former regent of Karaga, Adam Mahama Sumani to vacate the Karaga Chief Palace within 48 hours.   

According to them, though they have respected the judgement pronounced by the Judicial Committee of the Northern Regional House of Chiefs, they are however saddened and astonished about some portions of the ruling asking the former regent of Kari-Naa Adam Mahama Sumani to leave the current palace.

The family at a press briefing on Sunday January 22, 2023 in response to the ruling of the Judicial Committee of the Northern Regional House of Chiefs, insisted that, the present Karaga Chief Palace was constructed and owned by the Mahami Royal family and has since been occupied exclusively by chiefs, regents and family members belonging to the Mahami Family. Therefore, it is a bona-fide property of the Mahami Royal family and not a designated Palace for every chief outside the family to occupy.

It would be recalled that, the Judicial Committee of the Northern Regional House of Chiefs, on January 10, 2023 after reaffirming the enskinment of Naa- Nantogma Abdulai as the legitimate chief of Karaga traditional area, also directed the former regent of Karaga, Adam Mahami Sumani to vacate the palace within 48 hours.

However, the Mahami Royal family while giving the historical background of the family, also stated, “The Mahami Royal Family is indeed a law-abiding family and respect the Judgement pronounced by the Judicial Committee of the Northern Regional House of Chiefs. However, the Mahami Family is saddened and astonished to note some portion of the ruling that are not in tune with the former regent of Kari-Naa Adam Mahama of blessed memory, Adam Mahami Sumani to vacate the Karaga Palace within 48 hours…”.

“We want to put on record that the current Karaga chief Palace was constructed and owned by the Mahami Royal family and has since been occupied exclusively by chiefs, regents and family members belonging to the Mahami Family. We think that for the former regent and family members to vacate the palace will be tantamount to the infringement of the fundamental human rights of the Mahami family”.

The family further indicated that, “any attempt to eject the Mahami Family from the Palace and to pave way for the newly appointed Kari-Naa to occupy is likely to meet fierce resistance from the Mahami family. This could lead to loss of lives and property”, they stated.

They have therefore asked the new chief of Karaga Naa Nantogma Abdulai to find his own palace and allow peace to prevail in the Karaga traditional area and its environs. “The Family/the respondent has appealed to the judgment of the Judicial Committee of the Northern Region House of Chiefs,” they added.

Read the full statement below:

PRESS STATEMENT BY THE MAHAMI ROYAL FAMILY IN RESPONSE TO THE RULING ON THE KARAGA CHIEFTAINCY AFFAIRS

Date: Sunday, 22nd January, 2023

Our distinguish ladies and gentlemen

We welcome you to this press meeting to present to you and the world our response to the judgement of the Judicial Committee of the Northern Regional House of Chiefs on the 10th January, 2023 sitting in Tamale.

1.2 We are saddened by the judgement, in view of this, we like to express our concerns and also state our status to the Karaga skin.

The Mahamiyili is a wider family in Dagbon and has its members occupying various skins lesser in status to Mion and Savelugu.

2.1 A recount to our current state of Dagbon in relationship to a single dynasty bequeathed to us from Ya Naa Yakubu 1 (Nantoo).

2.2 This current dynasty established its roots from 1899 after the battle of Sang-Dali la. Na Alhassan move from Karaga to establish himself as Ya Naa and subsequently enskined Kori-Naa Bukali as Kar-Naa Bukali.

2.3 Kar-Naa Bukali was son of Kori-Naa Mahami, the brother of Na Abdulai and Na Andani. Spinning over 124 years in Karaga, below are Mahamiyili chiefs, who ruled Karaga,

(1) Kari-Naa Bukari Mahami – 1899-1920

(2) Kari-Naa Ziblim Bukari – 1920-1947

(3) Kari-Naa Adam Bukari – 1947-1977

(4) Kari-Naa Adam Mahama – 1977-2018,

These show that the Karaga skin has been ruled by the Mahamis for these years, leaving Savelugu and Mion for the Abudus and Andani families.

3.0 Even though Mion, Karaga and Savelugu are gate skins to Yani Nam, Savelugu and Karaga has been occupied by grandsons for long.

3.1 In 1986, the Supreme Court ruled that only sons of Ya-Na qualify to occupy the skins of Mion, Karaga and Savelugu was not an expression of our custom and culture and could not make a rule for Dagbon hence the re-enskinment of Kar-Naa Mahama Adam and Yoo Naa Abdulai Yakubu (Nmbenkpang) gazette on the 16-10-1995.

3.2 The custom of a people is dynamic, it changes with existing circumstances of the people and their aspirations. In view of this we deem it necessary to recall the statement of our Over Lord Ya-Naa Abukari on the occasion of his investiture, we recall him said; “During my reign as Over Lord of Dagbon, I intend with the support of the chiefs and people of Dagbon to do away with the antiquated customs and remove the bottle necks in our constitution, this will ensure peace and rapid development of Dagbon. The antiquated customs were great assets to us yesterday. If they are stumbling blocks to our peace and development today, we must do away with them”

4.0 We humbly wish to enquire if indeed, this statement is genuine? As it is rather, violating our fundamental human rights to our existence as productive, peaceful prosperous family in Dagbon state.

4.1 We have written various petitions over the years and received no response from the Dagbon Traditional Council.

4.2 Ndan Ya-Naa has since excluded all our chiefs in attending all Traditional Council Meetings and has also turn down our quest to contest for other vacant skins. Again the Ya-Naa is forcing the Mahami family to perform the funeral of Sang-lana, one of our skins at Sang to pave way for his brother. Is this the antiquated customs that require change? Not only that, the Mahami Royal Family also presented inputs on the review on the constitution of state of Dagbon 1930, and was denied hearing. Clear violation of the fundamental human rights of the Mahami Royal Family, we can conclude.

5.0 Distinguish ladies and gentlemen of the press. The Mahami Royal Family is indeed a law-abiding family and respect the Judgement pronounced by the Judicial Committee of the Northern Regional House of Chiefs However the Mahami Family is saddened and astonished to note some portion of the ruling that is not in tune with the former regent of the Kari-Naa Adam Mahama of blessed memory, Adam Mahama Sumani to vacate the Karaga Palace within 48 hours… “end of quote.

5.1 Ladies and gentlemen of the press. We want to put on record that the current Karaga Palace was constructed and owned by the Mahami Royal family and has since been occupied exclusively by chiefs, Regents and family members belonging to Mahami Family. We think that for the former Regent and family members to vacate the Palace will tantamount to the infringement of the fundamental human right of the Mahami family.

5.2 Distinguish ladies and gentlemen of the press. Available records shows that other Chiefs who in the past were appointed lived in their own palaces other than the current Palace being occupied by the former Regent and other family members comprising women and children.

5.3 The undisputed fact is that the present Palace is the bonifid property of the Mahami Royal family. It is not a designated Palace for every chief outside the Mahami family to occupy.

5.4 Any attempt to eject the Mahami Family from the Palace and to pave way for the newly appointed Kari-Naa to occupy is likely to meet fierce resistance from the Mahami family. This could lead to loss of life and property.

6.0 Distinguish ladies and gentlemen of the press. We are currently battling with harsh economic situation we do not want to add problem of insecurity to exacerbate our woes. We recognized the significance and important role the Nana Akuffo Addo led government has played in bringing lasting peace to the people of Dagbon which has won the admiration of not only Dagombas but the entire Ghanaians and including those in the diaspora.

6.1 Accordingly any action or inaction likely to reverse or temper with the current peace prevailing in Dagbon shall NOT be accepted.

7.0 The new chief must be told to find his own accommodation and allow peace to prevail in the Karaga traditional area and its environs. The Family/the respondent has appeal to the judgment of the Judicial Committee of the Northern Region House of Chiefs.

7.1 Distinguish ladies and gentlemen of the press. Members of the Mahami Royal family have the strong feelings and conviction that there seems to be an attempt to annihilate the family in the Dagbon chiefdom which is absolutely impossible to attain. We have made our case known repeatedly to the appropriate authorities on how the family is gradually being pushed aside in relation to Dagbon chieftaincy matters. The Abudu and Andani Gates are mindful of the significant role the Mahami gate played in the establishment and consolidation of the Dagbon kingdom so for any rationale being to think they can close the Mahami gate that can only be recipe for perpetual chaos in Dagbon.

8.0 Thank you ladies and gentlemen of the press for your attention and may God bless you.

Story By: Alhassan Yakubu

Related posts

NPP Parliamentary Candidate clears refuse dump at Choggu Nmanaayili

Abdul-Gafaru Abdulai

Peace Council slams Mahama

Abdul-Gafaru Abdulai

KWESI NYANTAKYI BANNED FOR LIFE BY FIFA

Abdulai Majeed

Leave a Comment

%d bloggers like this: