Bole Chieftaincy Crisis: Beef up security – WANEP

The West African Network for Peace-building (WANEP) has called for an increased security presence in Bole in the Northern Region.

This follows a threat by one Issahaku Kant to enthrone himself as the chief of Bole if the paramount chief of Gonjaland, the Yagbonwura fails to perform that ceremony despite the Judicial Council of the Regional House of Chiefs having ruled in his (Kant’s) favour.

The Yagbonwura had declared a rival claimant, Abubakari Abutu as the rightful heir.

This has created some tension in the area, heightening fears of a possible conflict.

National Network Coordinator for WANEP, Albert Yelyang told Class News there should be a high police presence in the area while the two sides dialogue to find a compromise.

"The development in the area is unfortunate for the peace of Bole and the entire Gonja area. There is a lot that still goes on. In order that we have an enhanced relationship between the factions, dialogue needs to go on, we need to continually engage bilaterally using the regional houses of chiefs and district security council, regional security council and the judiciary committee.

“We need to increase the security presence in the area; actions and inactions, pronouncements and counter-pronouncements, what it tells is that there is tension, and, so, we need to increase vigilance and surveillance of the area so that signals that the security agencies are picking would be brought to the fore,” Mr Yelyang stated.

The Judicial Committee of the Northern Regional House of Chiefs in a landmark ruling declared chief Abudulai Issahaku Kant as the legitimate chief of Mandari, a farming community near Bole in the Bole District of the Northern Region.

But the Yagbonwura, who is the Supreme leader and president of the House of Chiefs, has refused to validate the victory of Abdulai Kant and further moved to appoint the defeated Mandariwura, Bukari Abudu, to ascend to the Bole skin.