Stop painting Dagbon black...Media urged

THE SPECIAL Assistant to the Regent of Tamale, Saha-Naa Abubakar has described as untrue media reports that tension is mounting in Dagbon, ahead of the seventh anniversary of the death of Ya- Na Yakubu Andani II, the Paramount Chief of Dagbon Traditional Area.

He has, therefore, appealed to journalists to desist from reports that have the tendency of destabilizing the peace that Dagbon was currently enjoying.

It would be recalled that Ya-Na Yakubu Andani was murdered at his palace on March 27, 2002, during a clash between Andani's and the Abudu's.

Speaking to Shaft FM's Morning show host, Papa Nyameke Aquatic, yesterday, in reaction to reports of tension in the area, he stressed that “sometimes, some of these papers are sensational with their news and the way they are painting Dagbon is very unfortunate”.

Using the recent celebration of the Damba festival as a test case, Saha-Naa maintained that “We have just celebrated the Damba festival and it was very peaceful. Even in Yendi, some of our brothers from the Abudu side came to join us celebrate the festival, so it will be very bad for anyone to suggest that tension is mounting in Dagbon”.

He continued, “there is no tension, everybody is going about his or her normal business.

Teachers are going to school, school children are attending classes and workers are in their offices, so if anybody tells you that there is tension, then it's most unfortunate”.

Assuring Ghanaians of a peaceful celebration, the Special Assistant to the Regent of Tamale hoped the occasion would bring the two gates together to work for more development in the area. “Our intention is not to go to war or fight one another. We are putting those things behind us and to move forward in unity”.

He welcomed President John Evans Atta Mills' promise of launching fresh investigation into the death of the late King of Dagbon. Saha-Naa Abubakar said though it was better they move forward in unity, it was equally good for those behind the death to be brought to justice, to serve as a deterrent to others. “Just put yourself in our situation. If your father is attacked in broad day light for three consecutive days and murdered with some other people, and you want to say we should forget about it and move forward. As for moving forward we agree, but justice must be done”.