President Nana Akufo-Addo has described himself an an “Abu-Dani” in a series of tweets after the investiture of the new Yaa-Naa for the Dagbon people, Yaa-Naa Abubakari Mahama II.
According to the President, an ‘Abu-Dani’ is in reference to a person who stands for Unity, reconciliation and progress in Dagbon, although the term is widely believed to have been coined from the names of the two gates – Abudus and Adanis.
The President in a series of tweets congratulated the people of Dagbon for reaching a new milestone with regards to the investiture of the new Yaa-Naa.
The President, also assured the people of Dagbon of his fovernment’s commitment to ensure peace and tranquility prevails in Dagbon.
“Yaa-Naa, I make a commitment before you this day, that I shall do everything in my power, as President of the republic, to assist you to administer this state in an atmosphere of peace and tranquility. As I have said before, I am neither Abudu nor Andani, I am an “Abu-Dani” a person who stands for unity, reconciliation and progress in Dagbon.”
The President also promised a $30 million water system for Yendi and its environs, pending his approval and parliamentary scrutiny.
“Already, there are signs of good things coming to Dagbon. Just last week, Cabinet approved a $30 million water system that will replace the old dilapidated water system in Yendi and its catchment area. With my consent, the agreement for the project is now going to be submitted to Parliament for scrutiny and approval before it can begin”.
Background to the Dagbon conflicts
Though chieftaincy tensions in Dagbon existed since the 60s, the gruesome killing of Yaa-Naa Yakubu Andani II, in March 2002 in a coordinated attack on the palace, plunged Dagbon into years of intermittent violence.
Yaa-Naa Yakubu Andani II was dismembered and his head paraded on a spear after the killing with shocked the country.
The assailants also killed 39 of his elders.
Hundreds of lives have been lost, with properties destroyed in the age-long conflict in Dagbon, since the death of Ya Naa Yakubu Andani II.
In the wake of the escalating tensions, former President Kufuor set up the Otumfuo Committee of Eminent Chiefs to use all customary means available to settle the matter.
The Committee succeeded in greeting the Abudu and Andani royal gates to commit to the roadmap to peace despite several breakdowns of talks.
This led to the performance of the funeral rites of the two late Ya Naas; Naa Mahamadu Abdulai and Naa Yakubu Andani.
The funeral of the late Yaa Naa Yakubu Andani II, was held on Friday, January 18, 2019, with the then Yoo Naa, Alhaji Abubakari Mahama selected by the royal custodians of Dagbon to be enskinned as the new Yaa-Naa.
Abubakari Mahama was contesting with four others including the regent of Dagbon, Kampakoya Naa Abdulai Yakubu Andani, Bolin Lana Mahamadu Abdulai, and Tampion Lana.
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Source: Citinewsroom.com
