Re: National Peace Council Commends Otumfuo Led Committee

I read with joy a statement purported to have been issued and signed by the National Peace Council on the above subject on www.peacefmonline.com. I am excited just like all other people in the north who expressed hope of having Dagbon work again due to the work of the Eminent Chiefs. Kudos to the Committee.

Undoubtedly, Dagbon will not be complete if her sister kingdom (Nanung) continues to be on flames. And this is a fact because of the history of these kingdoms.

I write as a son of Gmantambo to tell the peace council and all other stakeholders that the late Naa Salifu Dawuni was law abiding and so are his family and sympathizers. It’s absurd that some people are out to paint the family of the late Naa Salifu Dawuni black particularly in the media.

The family and supporters of the late chief have always respected decisions by the courts. We have never shown any disregard for the court decisions even when we disagree with them.

The case in Bimbilla has become a struggle for liberation. There’s never been a precedence in the history of Nam (chiefdom) in Nanung where a sitting Nakpa Naa is deny the opportunity to ascent the Bimbilla paramountcy. The late Naa Salifu Dawuni spent his entire life moving from one skin to the other through to Nakpa which prepared and qualified him for Bimbilla. Both the Northern Region House of Chiefs and the National House of Chiefs confirmed him as Bimbilla Naa even before this time. Why the retreat?

It’s important for every Ghanaian to know that no prince ever ascent the Bimbilla Paramountcy without a skin title just as in Dagbon and other sister kingdoms. The court decision is an imposition and alien to chiefdom in Nanung. It’s time to let an over ambitious prince follow laid down practices. Shortcuts always result in chaos and anarchy like it is in Bimbilla today.

There is nothing permanent but change. Cultural practices could be modified if the change will achieve positive development. Any change to the chieftaincy institution in Nanung must be agreed upon by all gates and royals. People should not hide behind the court to deny the rightful people what they toiled for.

Yes, the court gave its ruling and supporters and family members of the late Naa Salifu Dawuni never disrespect the court. We can disagree with the court’s decision but we remain good citizens. We have always supported the RESEC to maintain the volatile peace in Bimbilla but we also have the responsibility to safeguard Nanung customs for posterity even at our peril.