Dagbon Crisis: Andanis reject peace deal

The Andani Royal Family has announced its withdrawal from the mediation process being undertaken by the Committee of Eminent Chiefs headed by the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.

The Andani Family has accused the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II of parading a group of imposters as representatives of the Andani Royal Family, creating the false impression that a settlement has been reached between the two royal families.

“We state emphatically that those individuals the Asantehene paraded at the Flagstaff House as representatives of the Andani Royal Family have never been authorized by the Andani Royal Family to represent the family in any capacity whatsoever. Indeed, Kampakuya Naa had earlier in the mediation process sent a letter to the Asantehene, stating clearly the names of the authorized representatives of the Andani Family. The list did not include any of those who were presented at the Flagstaff House as representing the Andani Royal Family. By choosing to deal with individuals who lack the requisite legitimacy in matters of such critical importance, the Asantehene and the Committee of Eminent Chiefs have demonstrated clearly that their agenda is not an honourable one”.

The Andani Family said by not spelling out clearly in writing the conditions of the enskinment of an eventual regent of Mahamadu Abudulai and the status of such a regent, the Asantehene and his Committee are preparing the grounds for a crisis far more complex and dangerous than the one they have been fumbling with for the past 16 years, and that they will hold the Asantehene, the Nayiri and the Yagbunwura individually and collectively responsible for the consequences.

The Bolin-Lana Mahamadu Abdulai, regent of the Abudu Family, was installed as the regent of Dagbon in accordance with Dagbon tradition as far as the funeral of the late overlord of Dagbon, Mahamadu Abdulai IV, is concerned.

The Bolin-Lana was installed regent of Dagbon by the leaders of the Abudu Royal Family at Yendi.

According to the Andani Family, the reference to former Yaa-Naa Mahamadu Abdulai’s regent as regent of Dagbon is not only factually incorrect but an attempt to denigrate the authority of the Kampakuya Naa who is statutorily known and recognized as regent of Dagbon.

Kpan Naa Abubakari Andani who read the statement on behalf of the Andani Family said “the Asantehene and his Committee are aware that the matter of Mahamadu Abdulai being a former Yaa Naa or not is a subject of litigation pending before the Court of Appeal.

According to him, the High Court of Tamale ordered the Kampakuya Naa to perform the funeral of the late Boling Lana Mahamadu Abdulai adding that the Asantehene and his Committee should be made to answer whether they are seeking to undermine the order of the Tamale High Court by constituting a different group of people to perform the funeral of the late Boling Lana Mahamadu Abdulai.

Per the peace deal, the Abudus will be given access to the Gbewaa Palace to perform the final funeral rites of the late Yaa-Naa Mahamadu Abdulai, according to their customs and traditions from December 14 and end on December 28, 2018, after which the Abudus will leave the Gbewaa Palace peacefully.

The Andanis will also take their turn at the Gbewaa Palace to organize the funeral rites of the late Yaa-Naa Yakubu Andani from 4-18 January 2019.

It is, however, not clear if the Bolin-Lana who was installed regent of Dagbon will continue to be the regent of Dagbon should the Andani Family insist on their withdrawal from the mediation process being undertaken by the Committee of Eminent Chiefs headed by the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.