Succour Dagbon Peace – UN

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ghana and the United Nations Office for West Africa and Sahel (UNOWAS) has join hands to congratulate the people of Dagbon and Ghanaians at large, for the milestone achievement of restoring peace in Dagbon after decades of conflict.

The United Nations in a statement further urged all individuals to help in sustaining the peace currently blowing in the traditional area after years of conflict.

Yaa Naa Abubakari Mahama was outdoored as the Overlord of Dagbon on Friday, 25 January 2019.

“The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ghana and the United Nations Office for West Africa and Sahel (UNOWAS) join in congratulating the people of Dagbon and Ghanaians at large, for the milestone achievement of restoring peace in Dagbon after decades of conflict,” a statement said.

It added: “This achievement demonstrated Ghana’s capacity to resolve local level conflicts by government authorities and the acclaimed national peace architecture. It is also a clear indication that through dialogue and nonviolent means, Ghana’s well-regarded democracy in Africa can be further enhanced.

The UN also acknowledged and commended stakeholders such as President Akufo-Addo, the Asantehene and his committee of eminent chiefs who mediated in the peace process and past governments “for their commitment, perseverance, and tireless efforts in building peace and enhancing stability in Ghana.”

“Peacebuilding is a long-term undertaking. The restoration of peace in Dagbon removes a formidable obstacle to social cohesion and local stability and offers a unique opportunity to harness the full potentials of the kingdom for the benefit of the people of Dagbon and Ghana.

“As such we urge all stakeholders to continue the dialogue and consensus building to consolidate and sustain peace in Dagbon. We remain committed to facilitating continued efforts to further strengthen institutions for peace and conflict resolution and thus ensure the achievement of the SDGs.

“To the people of Dagbon, we offer our heartfelt congratulations and commend your dedication and yearnings for peace,” the statement noted.

Background to the Dagbon conflicts

Though chieftaincy tensions in Dagbon existed since the 60s, the gruesome killing of Yaa-Naa Yakubu Andani II, in March 2002 in a coordinated attack on the palace, plunged Dagbon into years of intermittent violence.

Yaa-Naa Yakubu Andani II was dismembered and his head paraded on a spear after the killing with shocked the country.

The assailants also killed 39 of his elders.

Hundreds of lives have been lost, with properties destroyed in the age-long conflict in Dagbon, since the death of Ya Naa Yakubu Andani II.

In the wake of the escalating tensions, former President Kufuor set up the Otumfuo Committee of Eminent Chiefs to use all customary means available to settle the matter.

The Committee succeeded in greeting the Abudu and Andani royal gates to commit to the roadmap to peace despite several breakdowns of talks.

This led to the performance of the funeral rites of the two late Ya Naas; Naa Mahamadu Abdulai and Naa Yakubu Andani.

The funeral of the late Yaa Naa Yakubu Andani II, was held on Friday, January 18, 2019, with the then Yoo Naa, Alhaji Abubakari Mahama selected by the royal custodians of Dagbon to be enskinned as the new Yaa-Naa.

Abubakari Mahama was contesting with four others including the regent of Dagbon, Kampakoya Naa Abdulai Yakubu Andani, Bolin Lana Mahamadu Abdulai, and Tampion Lana.