“To forgive is the highest, most beautiful form of love. In return, you will receive untold peace and happiness” – Robert Muller.
Many did not believe this day will come to pass in their lifetime. Few days on, they still cannot believe that what their eyes saw and ears heard were real. Others too are outwardly happy but inwardly sad that the long awaited dream of the people of Dagbon has finally come true.
I am a son of the North, but not from Dagbon. I come from Gonjaland, but it will be an understatement to say I was elated at the investiture of the new king of Dagbon, Yaa Naa Mahama Abukari II. I’m even more ecstatic because he is my late father’s namesake. It will therefore not be out of place to refer to him as ‘father’.
I wanted to attend the coronation to see things with my ‘konkonsaic’ eyes. My friends from Tamale and Yendi were more than happy to hear that I was coming. They were eagerly awaiting my arrival but a family exigency made it difficult for me to leave Accra.
I was particularly disappointed because, aside wanting to witness the coronation, I would have used the opportunity to visit my mentor and the indefatigable Mayor of Tamale, Hon. Iddrisu Musah, aka Musah Superior. How I long to meet the charismatic mayor. Sir, keep the fire blazing hot in Tamale!
I was attending to the family exigency mentioned earlier, so I could not watch the full proceedings. But the little live proceedings I watched gladdened my heart so much. Nothing could have made me happier than seeing the two factions bury the hatchet and forge ahead in peace and harmony.
It was a beautiful programme by all standards. The atmosphere was electrifying as the people displayed the rich culture and tradition of the Dagbon people. I’ve since watched the recorded programme about three times. It was indeed a sight to behold!
The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, also did not disappoint. His traditional regalia, which was of Dagbon heritage, befitted the occasion. His entry was grand, to say the least. His arrival was greeted by a thunderous applause from the audience, who were visibly elated to have witnessed such a great occasion.
I was thus shocked to later learn that some Zu-za Members of Parliament (MPs) were lampooning the president’s regalia on social media. Ignorance is a curse, so a little education for the MPs and their ilk will not be a bad idea.
The yellow smock the president wore to the programme is usually worn by royals and people of high social status on special and festive occasions. The trouser is known as ‘kurugu’ and the leather boots known as ‘mugri’. The boots are handmade and the outfit hand-woven. The yellow colour is significant for the occasion because it signifies ‘peace’. So, to those advertising their ignorance, Nana ‘Show Boy’ knew what he was doing.
Other political figures, including those from the Umbrella stock, also graced the occasion. Of course, President Ogwanfunu, General Ntontom and the Umbrella Chairman wouldn’t allow such a great occasion to go without an appearance.
Looking at President Ogwanfunu during the coronation reminded me of the politicization of the Dagbon issue. I remembered how a so-called honest presidential candidate deluded the people of Dagbon into believing that he was their messiah.
As I looked carefully at President Ogwanfunu’s not-too-happy face, I could not help but wonder what was going through his mind. Though I could not tell what was in his mind, one thing I could tell for sure was that he would have wished the coronation had happened during his tenure as president. Now that the hunter’s gun has blown up, to whom will he take his basket for bush meat?
The story of the current Yaa Naa’s coronation cannot be told without mentioning the Committee of Eminent Chiefs (CEC) chaired by Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, with support from the overlord of Mamprugu, the Nayiri Naa Bohagu Abdulai Mahami Sheriga and Yagbonwura Tuntumba Boresa I. Their patience and wisdom helped to promulgate, guide and implement the road map to peace in Dagbon. Please join me in saluting the three wise men for the display of pure wisdom!
While we bask in the glory of the successes achieved so far, let’s not forget that peace is a process and not an end. The day we stop jaw-jawing is the beginning of the end of the peace we so crave. But for now, let’s hail the new king of Dagbon!
See you next week for another interesting konkonsa, Deo volente!