Make Wa Chieftaincy Verdict Public

THE FUNSI Naa Gate, one of the contending parties in the protracted Wa Chieftaincy dispute, is appealing to the National House of Chiefs in Kumasi to make known its verdict on the issue pending before it.

Leaders of the gate, exactly a year ago, dragged the Pelpuo Gate to the National House of Chiefs in Kumasi, questioning the legitimacy of the current occupants of the Wa skins.

The National House of Chiefs, after several deliberations, was supposed to make its verdict known on the matter; but went on the quiet thereafter only to be adjourning sittings.

The Funsi Naa Gate, a leading member of the Yijiihi family, therefore demanded that the judgment on the matter be immediately passed to allow sleeping dogs to lie, since the delay was further creating tension in the area.

Alhaji Mahama Bukari, leader of the gate, who spoke to DAILY GUIDE, blamed politicians for the current development.

According to him, some persons, for their parochial political interests, were scheming to ensure that persons who were not rightful heirs to the skins, were occupying those skins.

He noted that the matter could only be resolved if politicians stayed away from the Wa chieftaincy matter, indicating that chiefs in the area had their own lineage of succession before the inception of politics.

Meanwhile, stakeholders continue to appeal to the Yijiihi, Najari, Jonyuohi and Nakpaaha gates, as well as the Tendambas (landlords), religious heads and other opinion leaders to find amicable ways and means of resolving the Wa Chieftaincy issue and all other disputes out of court to promote peace in the area.

Princes and kingmakers in the Wa Paramouncy had also been urged to sacrifice their positions and come together to settle the Wa Chieftaincy dispute out of court and enskin the rightful persons to enhance peace and development.

But Alhaji Mahama Bukari maintained that peace would only prevail in the Wa Chieftaincy dispute among contenders if the right channels for enskinment were followed.

He expressed dismay at their inability to find an amicable solution to the dispute rather than allow it to protract in court but said the National House of Chiefs was also not helping matters by failing to make public its judgment on the matter. He disclosed that the verdict of the National House of Chiefs could douse the tension currently raging in the area, with regard to the youth who were beginning to become impatient with the undue delay.

Alhaji Mahama Bukari said peace had eluded many communities due to chieftaincy, land and religious conflicts which, he noted, had contributed immensely to the underdevelopment and poverty among the people in Wa.

He concluded by stressing the resolve of the Funsi Naa Gate to fighting poverty, disease, hunger and starvation.

While warning that their good intentions could not be achieved if politicians in the area continued to meddle in chieftaincy issues, he directed them to steer clear of chieftaincy issues.