Andani royals demand arrest of Ya-Na's killers

The wives and princesses of the Andani Royal Family in the Dagbon chieftaincy divide on Monday embarked on a peaceful demonstration in the Tamale metropolis to demand the apprehension of the perpetrators of the disturbances in Yendi that led to the death of Ya-Na Yakubu Andani II and 40 others.

The demonstrators wore red bands and carried placards, some of which read, "We need sustainable peace in Dagbon", "Eminent Kings, save us from another wahala" and "Do not reward wrongdoers".

They later converged on the premises of the Northern Regional Co-ordinating Council where they presented a petition to the Regional Co-ordinating Director, Mr Charles Abass.

The petition, duly signed by the Gundo Na and the Kuglogu Lana, Abibata Mahama and Fatimata Andani, respectively, appealed to the President to expedite action on the immediate arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators.

The petitioners contended that "as mothers, we have relied on your (President's) words in your address to the nation and meetings with our chiefs in which you promised to use the state security apparatus at your disposal to bring the perpetrators of this heinous crime to book".

They also said that "the magnitude and gravity of this crime do not make it possible for it to be swept under the carpet".

They described the final peace agreement document on the conflict as "bogus and fraudulent and at total variance with Dagbon cus¬toms and traditions bequeathed to us by our forebears".

Among the proposals contained in the document is the performance of the final funeral rites of the former Ya-Na Mahamadu Abdulai at the old Gbewaa Palace in Yendi later this month.

They expressed their displeasure at the performance of the funeral of Naa Mahamadu at the Gbewaa Palace, saying that "it is a sacrilege and an affront to our customs. If anybody thinks that it is the sine qua non for peace and reconciliation in Dag¬bon, the fellow should rethink".

"We are enjoying a peaceful environment in Dagbon and the north in general, do not stir the hornets' nest," they said.