Mohamed Ibn Chambas
The Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN) and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), Mohamed Ibn Chambas, has applauded President Akufo-Addo for bringing peace to Dagbon.
“Special thanks are reserved for President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for his personal investment in the efforts at bringing the protracted conflict to an end,” Dr. Chambas said during the 2019 Damba Festival Celebration Lecture in Tamale.
The programme was a rare gathering of traditional personalities from the previously divided Dagbon. In attendance were the Yoo Naa, Mion Lana, Dakpema Naa, Sagnarigu Naa, UN/UNDP representatives, northern politicians, sons and daughters of Dagon.
Dr. Chambas recalled the 15-year-old protracted and destructive dispute which occurred after the demise of Yaa Naa Yakubu Andani II.
Besides, he commended former Presidents John Agyekum Kufuor and John Dramani Mahama for their roles in the eventual success of the mediation efforts to address the Dagbon crisis.
He called on the Northern Regional Peace Advisory Committee to count upon His Royal Majesty Yaa Naa to be its Chief Patron in its quest to sustain the peace across the region.
According to him, the ability of the Dagbon Kingdom to sustain peace and achieve the envisaged development depends on strong collaboration with stakeholders, government and civil society, academia and development agencies.
He assured the people of Dagbon that the United Nations Organization was dedicated to offering the requisite technical assistance for the success of the economic development to which the people of Dagbon aspire.
President Akufo-Addo, who was the special guest during the lecture, said he was extremely excited because it was during his administration that Dagbon found the path to lasting peace.
Prof. Emmanuel Asante, Chairman National Peace Council, lauded Dagbon for sustaining the peace in the region.
He urged the people of Dagbon to say ‘no more to conflict’ and do all it takes to sustain the current peace the good people of Dagbon are enjoying.
“Let’s not allow ourselves to be divided, for in unity we stand, divided we fall,” he said.
The new Yaa Naa, Abukari Mahama II, is the 42nd in the long history of Dagbon Kings.
FROM Eric Kombat, Tamale