What started bumpily with occasional press conferences about one side not interested in the roadmap has now given way to hope the first time in many years.
Even the commencement of the process with the funeral of the late Ya Na Mahamadu Abdulai, part of the roadmap crafted by the eminent chiefs in concert with representatives of the two gates triggered questions.
Such questions bordered on whether at the end of the process as contained in the roadmap, the Abudus would vacate the newly constructed palace. Such doubting Thomases can now heave a sigh of relieve because finally all has ended well with the Abudus playing their cards according to the roadmap.
Now, it is the turn of the Andanis to take their turn to perform the funeral of the late Ya Na Yakubu Andani traditional process, which should have commenced yesterday but for a necessary adjustment to the programme.
A delegation from the Andani gate had earlier called on the president to pay obeisance to him and to announce their readiness to commence their portion of the roadmap.
There has been a depletion of the security details needed to police the procedures because soldiers and police personnel deployed to Yendi have been ordered to go and quell the strife in Chereponi, where the Konkonbas and Chekosis locked horns and spilled blood.
The funeral now begins on January 11 next week and not the previously announced date.
The Voo Naa, the leader of the Andani, has led the charge to parry efforts by others who would have rather the roadmap did not materialize.
If there is a man of the roadmap, perhaps he could be considered for his singular effort in ensuring that the roadmap was not derailed as some would have rather it did.
Former 2I/C of the Recce Regiment in Accra and now the regent of Tolon Major Suleimana was also insistent that the roadmap was adhered to. To Yendi, he went alongside other chiefs for the performance of the first part of the funerals.
The kingmakers comprising Kuga Naa, Tuguri Nam, Gomle and Kpati Naa were due to select a new Ya-Naa on Friday night January19, 2019, the day the funeral rites of Naa Yakubu II ends. The latest development occasioning in the postponement of the funeral could affect this critical segment of the arrangement.
By the roadmap, the person who would be selected as a Ya Na would give traditional positions to the two regents from the two gates.
Following the successful completion of the funeral of the late Ya Na Mahamadu Abudulai, the Bolin Lana, Abdulai Mahamadu and a delegation of elders from Dagbon yesterday called on President Akufo-Addo to express gratitude to him for his bold vision for Dagbon and the exemplary leadership shown in helping to bring the Dagbon crisis to an end.
According to the Bolin Lana, the people of Dagbon have suffered from the age-old, debilitating Abudu-Andani conflict, and this has resulted in the under-development of the area.
“It turned brothers against brothers, sisters against sisters, fathers against children, and, indeed, converted friends into foes. Mr. President, this conflict, over the years, has damaged properties in all parts of Dagbon. It compromised our culture and eroded our dignity as a people. It has cost us lots of precious lives,” he said.
Bolin Lana Abdulai Mahamadu continued, “This conflict has outlived numerous presidents and governments. Mr. President, this afternoon, we are here to thank you. Your Excellency, we thank you for your courage. We thank you for your sense of fairness. We thank you for your bold vision for Dagbon and Ghana. We are truly grateful for your distinguished exemplary leadership.”
He indicated that the performance of the funeral of the late Na Mahamadu Abdulai has lifted the dark clouds that have been hanging over Dagbon and Dagombas everywhere.
The performance of the funeral, he added, will bring true, lasting and enduring peace to Dagbon, and remained confident that “unity and genuine reconciliation will follow.”
The Bolin Lana assured President Akufo-Addo that “we are committed to achieving this peace and we continue to offer a hand of brotherhood and friendship to our brothers the Andanis. This funeral marks a significant milestone in the effort towards finding lasting peace for the good people of Dagbon.”
He also expressed his gratitude to the Committee of Eminent Chiefs, led by the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Nayiri, Naa Bohagu Abdulai Mahami Sheriga, and the Yagbonwura, Tuntumba Boresa I, for their relentless efforts in helping in finding lasting peace to the Dagbonconflict.
He also expressed appreciation to all former Presidents of the 4th Republic, the Northern Regional Minister, Hon. Salifu Saeed, members of REGSEC, the Yendi Municipal Chief Executive, amongst others, for their resilience and unflinching commitment to the peace and reconciliation of Dagbon.
On his part, President Akufo-Addo was very happy about the visit, and thanked the Almighty “that the funeral of Na MahamaduAbdulai has been duly performed, with all the customary rights that are due to him as a Ya Na.”
President Akufo-Addo thanked the Committee of Eminent Chiefs for the work done, persistence and tenacity in bringing about this conclusion, and saluted the Bolin Lana for his sense of statesmanship, patriotism and commitment to the peace and welfare of Dagbon.
By A.R. Gomda