UDS Mabilgu contributes GH¢130,000 towards Gbewaa Palace Redevelopment project

Correspondent from Northern Region

A group of staff of the University for Development Studies (UDS) who are Dagombas, Dagbon Development Fund UDS Mabilgu, has presented GH¢130,000 to the Gbewaa Palace in Yendi as its support towards the reconstruction of the Gbewaa Palace.

The group says this is to demonstrate the strong commitment of UDS Mabilgu to preserving Dagbon’s heritage and development.

Speaking at the Gbewaa Palace, where the Vice Chancellor of the University of Development Studies (UDS), Prof Seidu Alhassan, presented the amount to the King of Dagbon, Ndan Yaa Naa Abukari II, Dr Abdul-Basit Tampuli Abukari, a representative of the group, said the contribution is part of the group’s readiness to support the development of the Dagbon State.

Describing the Dagbon Overlord as a beacon of peace and development, Dr Tampuli said UDS and Dagbon have witnessed tremendous success and development, hence the need for all sons and daughters to contribute their quota towards sustaining initiatives of the Ndan Yaa Naa.

“Under your reign, UDS recently won a World Cup, and we have also been named as the best university in the country this year,” he said.

“All staff, from the Vice Chancellor to the security staff who are Dagbamba, contributed to raising this amount we are presenting today. We, your children in the university, are united for the collective interest of Dagbon and are ready to heed to any call from you, anytime you need us,” Dr Tampuli added.

Ndan Yaa Naa commended the UDS staff for supporting the initiative to “build a befitting palace for the people of Dagbon.”

He said the project was slightly delayed because the Gbewaa Palace Redevelopment Committee had to make sure all affected residents of the palace project were well and properly relocated and compensated before the actual start of the project.

He said the first phase will be completed soon.

“The project is progressing steadily because of the contributions of Dagbamba. Every contribution goes directly into the project, and very soon, the first phase will be completed. I commend you for coming together to contribute to the development of Dagbon. This is something that must continue,” Ndan Yaa Naa noted.

The first phase of the project involves the reconstruction of the main palace building, which will house the King and his immediate family, and the construction of a two-storey office complex for the King, including conference halls.