Andani's Call for Independent Inquiry

The atmosphere was solemn at the Press Centre on Tuesday morning when Dr. Wayo Seini, a lecturer at the University of Ghana, Legon who was reading the statement on behalf of the Andani elders lost his composure and sparked off sobbing. His voice began to crack in the middle of the speech at which almost all the elders and sympathizers went for their handkerchiefs. Dr. Adam Naza tried to take over, but Dr. Seini regained his poise and continued.

He called on the government to institute an independent commission of inquiry composed of non-partisan personalities of high credibility and integrity to probe the assassination of the Ya Na, Yakubu Andani II and the over twenty-eight people confirmed dead.

Dr. Seini appealed to Dagombas to exercise restraint and await the investigation into the matter.

He declared that, "the patriotic sons and daughters of Dagbon will never let the matter die until the terrorist, their accomplices and sponsors are brought to justice, and we shall do everything in our power to ensure that they do not profit from this criminal act."

Pre-empting the investigation, he mentioned names of certain members of the government that he said should be "arrested because of their complicity in these heinous crimes against Dagbon State and the tragedy they have brought on the nation."

He said the police announcement calling on the public to provide information leading to the arrest of the perpetrators for a ?10 m financial reward is diversionary and insincere because abundant evidence points to those involved, which has already been told to the government.

On the directive by the Information Ministry that all media houses should clear all reports on the Yendi crisis, Dr. Wayo Seini said it is an attempt to muzzle the media and he described the act as illegal and sinister.

Dr. Yahuza Gomda, another of the leaders said they are not going to revenge but believe in civility and the rule of law.