President Akufo-Addo greeting the Ya-Na
The Overlord of Dagbon, Ya-Na Abukari II, has said the outstanding leadership qualities exhibited by President Akufo-Addo brought peace to Dagbon, and that has set the area on a path of accelerated development.
Ya-Na Abukari II stated that “the ability to facilitate the performance of the Kingdom’s landmark funerals, leading to his enskinment, is a singular achievement that has won you (President Akufo-Addo) great trust in the minds of Ghanaians and Dagombas to be precise.”
As a result, the Ya-Na assured President Akufo-Addo that, “the Gbewaa Palace will look forward to working with you in your second term to address the few remaining security threats to the Dagbon Traditional State. The Dagbon State, under my leadership, will continue to support your government to succeed and provide quality and principled leadership for our region and country, to make Ghana a better place.”
The Ya-Na gave the high marks on Friday when the President and his entourage called on him at the beginning of the President’s two-day tour of the Northern Region.
The Ya-Na said “despite the fact that certain individuals continue to undermine your efforts through spoiler behaviours and machinations,” the Dagbon Kingdom will continue to support every effort of the President to bring development to the country.
He told the President that the Dagbon Traditional Council has put together a development fund, highlighting key socio-economic development areas, to enable Dagbon to tap its economic potential for economic development.
Commending the President for his strong leadership during his first term in office, which culminated in the implementation of many flagship programmes, from Planting for Food and Jobs, Free SHS and One-District-One-Factory programmes, the Ya- Na indicated that “these people-centred policies and programmes have won you the admiration of many Ghanaians.”
The Ya Na said “the tremendous attention you gave to the birth of the Northern Development Authority, the subsequent sod cutting of Pwalugu Multi-Purpose Dam, and the Tamale Interchange are sufficient steps to leave a great legacy for the northern development.”
Whilst commending the government for the $30 million Yendi Water Supply Project, he appealed to President Akufo-Addo to urge the appropriate relevant water sector agencies and contractors working on the project to speed up the process to end the water crises in Yendi.
The Ya-Naa further applauded the efforts of Member of Parliament for Yendi Constituency, Farouk Aliu Mahama “for his great and timely intervention in the supply of potable drinking water through the construction of boreholes in some parts of the constituency.”
On the efforts to restore depleted forest cover, the Ya-Na said “I personally have an initiative on afforestation dubbed ‘Naa Bukali Green Dagbon Project’ which I intend to roll out. This project shall not only help in making Dagbon Kingdom green again but also help in greening Ghana in general.”
President Akufo-Addo thanked the Ya-Na for the warmth of his reception, saying “it is a matter of great delight for me to see you sitting on this ancient skin over a united Dagbon. It is something that we have dreamt about for years, but today it is a reality.”
From Eric Kombat, Yendi