Members of the Andani gate in Tamale, one of the factions in the Dagbon chieftaincy crisis are wearing red bands to commemorate the death of the late Ya-Na Yakubu Andani II, who was slain on March 27 last year.
Among those wearing the red bands are government workers, taxi drivers, market women, butchers and traders as well as other sympathisers. Traditional rulers loyal to the late overlord have called on his 40 widows to sympathise with them for the loss of their husband.
The late Ya-Na Andani was killed together with 30 others during a clash between the supporters of the Andani and the Abudu, the two feuding factions over the Dagbon skin. Following the clashes, government set up a Commission of enquiry into the affair.
Three prominent chiefs, comprising the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Yagbonwura, Doshie Bawa and the Nayiri Abdulai Naagamni are also working with other traditional rulers in Dagbon to find a lasting solution to the crisis. Government imposed a state of emergency on the Dagbon State in the aftermath of the death of the Ya-Na.
As a result of the state of emergency, most small businesses in the area have collapsed while the government is spending billions of cedis to maintain peace in the area.
