Andani chief’s arrest unacceptable – Yaa Naa’s nephew

A nephew of the late Yaa Naa Yakubu II and Founder and Secretary of the Yaa Naa Memorial Lecture Secretariat, Mahama Sayibu, has expressed worry over recent happenings in Dagbon in the Northern Region.

According to him, the act brings back gruesome memories and also indicates the government’s aversion to divergent views in the matter.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Mr Sayibu wants the President, Nana Addo Dankwa-Akufo Addo, to ensure the safety of all Dagombas ahead of the planned funeral.

He also appealed to the security forces to desist from acts that amount to the curtailment of the people’s rights to free movement and speech, noting “Dagbon is not under State of Emergency”.

While commending the Dagbon forum for its contribution to the peace process, he cautioned the Andani youth to be circumspect in their criticisms of some of its leaders.

Mr. Sayibu further called on the government to publicly assure the nation that it will not accord Mahamadu Abdulai’s regent the status of a parallel Dagbon regent after his father’s funeral, predicting that could derail the peace that government is trying to court.

The Regent of Nakua near Gushegu was Sunday reportedly arrested by a heavily armed soldier at Yendi.

The incident, which was said to have sparked a fear of protests by the Andani chieftaincy faction, followed the decisions of the Committee of Eminent Chiefs to have the funeral of the late Yaa Naa done.

But London-based Sayibu described the incident as “harassment and intimidation of members of the Andani family ahead of the funeral of late former Yaa Naa Mahamadu Abdulai”.