The chiefs and people of Gonja land have thanked President Akufo-Addo for the massive development he has brought to the area, since he assumed the reins of power in 2017.
Led by the overlord, Yagbonwura Bikunuto Jewu Soale I, the people said apart from development, President Akufo-Addo had also ensured peace by helping to resolve most of the chieftaincy disputes in the area.
President Akufo-Addo put the icing on the cake after he supervised the creation of the Savannah Region.
Speaking at a grand durbar held in honour of the outgoing president at Damongo, the traditional capital yesterday, Yagbonwura Bikunuto Jewu expressed the heartfelt gratitude of his people to President Akufo-Addo for all that he has done for them.
He observed that the massive developments enjoyed by the area are palpable in all facets of their lives, including education, health, agriculture and roads, among others.
“We are profoundly grateful to you for your role and dedication in the creation of the Savannah Region. This vital decision has brought immense progress in key areas such as education, healthcare, agriculture, roads, and many more. The people of Gonjaland have indeed experienced significant elevation as a result of this, and we remain eternally grateful to you,” he said.
President Akufo-Addo for his part expressed thanked the people of Gonjaland and Ghanaians as a whole for the honor done him and the unflinching support he enjoyed during his presidency.
On the specific case of Dagbon, President Akufo-Addo outlined the things that made his administration stand out as the best in the history of the Dagbon people.
He acknowledged the role of the Yagbonwura, Bikunuto Jewu, the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, and the Nayiri, Naa Bohagu Mahami Abdulai Sheriga, the Overlord of the Manprugu Kingdom, in the journey towards the installation of lasting peace in Dagbon.
President Akufo-Addo also touted the credentials of his government in areas such as health, education, and infrastructure, explaining that he honored his promise of becoming an agent of development for the Dagbon people.
“I want to thank the people of Ghana for the honor of making me their president not once but twice. I came to thank you all for your support and encouragement and also to say goodbye. There are two significant matters that I want to single out for mention: the cooperation and collaboration I received from your predecessor.
“First of all, for the great help he gave in being one of the three chiefs who helped me bring peace to Dagbon, he was also one of the three eminent chiefs, alongside Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and Na-yiri, who helped bring peace to Dagbon. I will never forget this collaboration and will continue to be eternally grateful.
“The second is the cooperation I received from him for the creation of the Savannah Region. When I came into office, I received a petition from Gonja land that they want their own region and they had been demanding it for many years.
“I told him that with the way the constitution is written, it is the people of the area who must determine whether they want a region. I told him I was ready if he was ready, then we could work together.
“By the grace of God, we worked together and brought the Savannah Region to reality. I will always remember him and be grateful to the Jakpa stool for these two great achievements of my administration,” he said.
Mr Samuel Abu Jinapor, the Member of Parliament for Damongo, eulogised President Akufo-Addo, describing his works in the region as ‘unmatched.’
According to him, President Akufo-Addo assumed legendary status in the eyes of the Gonja people by granting their request for a region, which they had been making even before Ghana attained independence.
“The people of the Savannah Region and Gonja land have been clamouring and fighting for a region since the 19th century. The people of Gonja land have petitioned all presidents under the Fourth Republic, and it was President Nana Dankwa Akufo-Addo who has created the Savannah Region. This is part of the Akufo-Addo legacy, today and forever. Anybody who comes to this region, we welcome you to the Akufo-Addo region.
“Mr President, that achievement is unmatched. You have liberated the people of Gonja land and granted us independence. The Savannah Region and Gonja land say “Thank You”.
In addition to creating this region, you have brought unparalleled development in all facets of human life. Your legacy in education, healthcare, agriculture, road infrastructure and more is unmatched,” he said.
