Congrats Dagbon, But Never Again!

Congratulations to the Yaa-Naa Mahama Bukari II and the people of Dagbon for allowing the interveners, Otumfuor Osei Tutu II and his group of eminent chiefs, to complete their work for the successful installation of this new overlord.

The sole Ghana nation is happy for the final resolution of this seventeen-year-old Dagbon chieftaincy problem. And we are all hoping and praying that this will never happen again. For a nation which is just coming out from the HIPC status, it is very unfortunate that what seems to be a simple issue could be prolonged for this long with its attendant cost to the whole nation. The regional minister in 2002, Hon E. A. Debrah (as published by GNA and shared by Modern Ghana), put the cost of managing the conflict in the first seven months at GHC6Bn (GHS600,000).

Read More: Dagbon Conflict Costs ¢6Bn

A simple issue in the sense that in other nations/civilizations, the next royal in the line of succession is known by all citizens at the time of birth because of their institutionalized reasonable and acceptable arrangements. Nothing should stop any of the cultures in Ghana from emulating this, even if it will only prevent the needless waste of life, property, and developmental opportunities of Ghanaians.

It is noteworthy and interesting that immediately after his installation and in the tour of his newly built palace with the nation's President, the Yaa Naa requested for a better and deserving palace, even as government is by the Constitution not allowed to meddle in chieftaincy matters, if it has not gotten out of control, and is also the provider of all social services and infrastructure in Dagbon and everywhere in Ghana!

So, congratulations again as I advise also that Dagbon and others in Northern Ghana consider and start opening their doors widely to outsiders to attract investments on their lands. It is these investments and people with entrepreneurial skills that develop any place. Rivalry over any land to keep it only for the other party to kill for it later and vice versa, cannot ensure serious investment.

Northern Ghana, the most arable part of Ghana has not been deployed optimally to date because of this incessant ethnic conflicts, and usually, their youth are expectedly found migrating south for better living conditions. Are these inter-tribal conflicts worthwhile? In this case of Dagbon, it was even an intra-tribal (two gates - Abudu and Andani - of the same tribe).

No, Dagbon or any ethnicity/tribe in Ghana cannot be proud of such non-progressive and wasteful exploits in this era of global development. Congratulations, Dagbon and the new Yaa Naa and let the more cordial environment prevail in Dagbon and everywhere in Ghana and beyond