Naba Alafia Abilba IV declared Paramount Chief of Bolgatanga

By Godfred Polkuu, GNA
Bolgatanga (U/E), Nov. 1, GNA - The Judicial Committee of the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs has declared Naba Raymond Alafia Abilba IV as the substantive chief of the Bolgatanga Traditional Area.

Naba Abilba IV succeeded his father, Naba Martin Adongo Abilba III, who died on September 26, 2013.

The installation of the chief was challenged by Joseph Apakre, a Sales officer of the Ghana Cement Company Limited (GHACEM) for the Upper East and Northern Regions who was also installed by the Paramount Chief of the Mamprugu Traditional Area; a day after the former was installed as chief of the area.

Counsel for the Bolga Naba, Mr John Ndebugri who briefed the press after the declaration, said Mr Apakre after being illegally installed as chief at Nalerigu, filed a case at the House of Chiefs seeking to be declared as the legitimate chief of the Bolgatanga Traditional Area.

Mr Ndebugre said a precedent judgement made in February 1988, by the same House of Chiefs which determined that the Paramount Chief of the Mamprugu Traditional Area did not have jurisdiction over the Bolgatanga skin and so could not enskin or cause to enskin or impose any body as chief on the Bolgatanga skin.

Mr Ndebugre said the committee reaffirmed its judgement and Mr Apakre was fined GH₵50, 000.00.

Naba Raymond Alafia Abilba is the first son of the late Naba Martin Adongo Abilba III. He is a lawyer by profession, and a business and mining consultant. He has a wife and four children. He was made a regent on September 9, 2014.

The Bolgatanga skin by tradition has six clans serving as Electoral College, with the Apaseyelum family being the royals. The skin so far has revolved around the same family with different compounds in the same house succeeding.

The chieftain has been chronicled in successive arrangements as Naba Apaseyelum Atuliba; father and founder of Atulibabisi; a community where the Palace is located. He was succeeded by Naba Apaseyelum Adongo, followed by Naba Adongo Adabase, Azaanam Adabase, Naba Adongo Awogeya, Naba Awogeya Abilba I, Naba Ayindenaba Abilba II, and Naba Martin Adongo Abilba III.

GNA