Committee of Eminent Chiefs takes far-reaching decisions

Tamale, March 19, GNA - The Committee of Eminent Chiefs on Dagbon Chieftaincy Crisis has met with the Andani and Abudu Gates in Kumasi to take far-reaching decisions by consensus to facilitate the interment of Ya-Na, Yakubu Andani II.

A statement issued on March 17 and signed by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei-Tutu II, Chairman of the Committee, said it had been agreed that the Kuga-Na (Acting Ya-Na) should enskin regents for the traditional offices of Mba Dugu; Kpahigu; Male and Guli-Lana.

The statement, a copy of which was made available to the Ghana News Agency, directed that after the appointment of the regents, the family of Ya-Na Yakubu Andani should prepare a programme for his burial. The meeting agreed that the burnt down houses of Mba Dugu, Kpahigu, Male and Guli-Lana should be rehabilitated. A Sub-Committee should inspect the houses and give estimates for their repair to the Chairman for assistance.

The rehabilitation should be undertaken between now and end of April, this year.

The statement said the Committee had also agreed that roofing sheets should be provided for the big hall, two small halls and two living rooms earmarked for the Ya-Na in the temporary palace.

The statement said the meeting was unique because both the Andanis and Abudus sat together and shared ideas that would speed up the customary steps towards the interment of the Ya-Na.

It said members of the two gates expressed their appreciation for the tireless efforts of the Committee of Eminent Chiefs aimed at bringing peace to Dagbon.

The statement said the Gukpegu-Gbon-Lana, Alhaji Ziblim Abdulai; Zugu-Lana, Imoro Andani; Zogu-Lana, Abdulai Mahama; Woribogu-Lana, Alhaji Abdulai

Alhassan; Tampion-Lana Alhassan Andani; Kpan-Naa, M.B. Bawah and Sha-Naa, A.A. Latif represented the Andani Gate.

The Mion-Lana, A.A. Ziblim; Nanton-Na, Sulemana Alhassan; Tolon-Gbon-Lana, Major Sulemana Abubakar (rtd) and Kworli-Gbon-Lana, M.A. Mahama represented the Abudu Gate.

The two royal families of Dagbon have been engaged in a fratricidal conflict that boiled over on March 27 2002 and resulted in the assassination of Ya-Na Andani and the killing of 30 others.

The Government declared a State of Emergency and imposed a dusk to dawn curfew in the Dagbon Traditional Area. The curfew has since been lifted but the State of Emergency is still in force.

The Government also set up the Justice Wuako Commission to investigate the crisis and it has since submitted its report. The Government appointed the Committee of Eminent Chiefs, which had the Yagbon Wura, Paramount Chief of Gonja and the Nayire, Paramount Chief of Mamprugu as members to find a traditional way to resolving the conflict. 19 March 04