BBy: Abubakari Akilu
A heated exchange erupted during President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s recent visit to the Gonja Kingdom when he and his Savannah Region appointees publicly questioned statements made by Yagbonwura BiiKunuto Jewu Soale I, the King and Overlord of the Gonja Kingdom.
The Yagbonwura in his address raised concerns over recent actions by government representatives in the region, particularly the breach of a key tradition surrounding the Damba Festival.
According to Gonja customs, no chief or traditional area is allowed to celebrate the festival before the King.
However, Yagbonwura claimed that certain appointees had facilitated the early celebration of the festival in a traditional area, even providing military protection, which he described as a blatant disregard for Gonja traditions.
The Yagbonwura further expressed disappointment that government appointees in other regions had shown more respect for traditional authority, urging the president to address the issue to preserve peace in the Gonja Kingdom.
President Akufo-Addo in his speech, questioned the validity of the Yagbonwura's claims, stating that his appointees had informed him that no such violation had occurred.
This public refutation appeared to anger the Yagbonwura, who suddenly left the event while the president was still speaking, signalling the depth of the discord.
The incident has raised concerns about the relationship between the government and traditional authorities in the Savannah Region, with many observers anticipating further developments in what appears to be a growing rift.
More updates are expected as the story unfolds.
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