The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has expressed gratitude to the chiefs of Gonja for assuring him of a peaceful replacement of the late Yagbonwura.
A delegation of chiefs from the Savannah Region, led by the Deputy President of the Savannah Regional House of Chiefs, Buipewura Abdulai Jinapor, paid a courtesy call on President Akufo-Addo at Jubilee House yesterday.
The visit was to officially inform the President of the demise of the Overlord of Gonja, the Yagbonwura, Tutunba Boresa Sulemana Jakpa. The delegation intimated that the traditions and practices of the land would lead to a smooth transition.
President Akufo-Addo, in his remarks, noted the negative effects of chieftaincy disputes on the country, and was, therefore, happy that that the transition would be smooth.
“I’m very encouraged by the message by the Vice President of the Savannah Regional House of Chiefs that the traditions and practices of the Gonja people will ensure that we have a smooth transition and a smooth succession to the Yagbon skin.
“All of us know how costly chieftaincy disputes can be to our nation. And it is extremely encouraging to hear senior chiefs of particular traditional area assuring the president that in their case we should anticipate a smooth and peaceful transition. I’m grateful for those words. The people of Ghana are grateful for those words.”
PREVIOUS EVENTS
The assurance by the chiefs of Gonja and the expression of happiness by the President come at a time a neighboring town, Bawku, is on fire over chieftaincy disputes.
Developments from Bawku last week compelled the government to issue a statement to discredit any new Bawku Naba, while calling on the police to arrest anyone who held him/herself as such.
YAGBONWURA FUNERAL
The funeral of the King will take place on Sunday, February 26, 2023, at Damango.
Following the information and invitation from the Vice President of the Savannah Regional House of Chiefs, President Akufo-Addo gave his word that he would attend the funeral.
The king and Overlord of Gonja, Prof Tuntunba Boressah II, aged 90, died on February 5, this year.
The death of the king was announced by the Registrar of the Savannah Regional House of Chiefs, Abutu Kapori.
TRADITION
Since the demise, traditional funeral rites and mourning have commenced.
Per Gonja tradition and custom, the Chief of Sonyo has to move in to the Jakpa Palace at Damongo and act as Head of State and President of the traditional pending the enskinment of a new overlord.
The Sonyo chief will also spearhead the burial processes in accordance with Gonja custom and traditions till the overlord’s burial at the royal mausoleum for Gonja Kings at Mankuma, a town near Bole. Mankuma is the burial home for kings of the Gonja Kingdom.
BACKGROUND
The late Chief was enskinned as Yagbonwura in March 2010.
Before his enskinement as Yagbonwura, he was the Paramount Chief of the Kusawgu Traditional Area of Gonja under the skin name Kusawguwura Sulemana Jakpa.
He was the son of Yapeiwura Bakari, the son of Yagbonwura Mahama of Kusawgu and Mma Nyenbali Chiraba.
