DAGBON MUST SEE PERMANENT PEACE.

It refreshing that the Mediation Committee of the Eminent Kings, led by Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, yesterday presented a progress report on the Dagbon chieftaincy crisis to the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, with the assurance of continued efforts to ensure lasting peace in Dagbon.

Before the presentation of the report yesterday, news came through the Dagbon Forum that the feuding brothers, the Abudus and the Andanis, had agreed with the mediation committee to perform the funerals of Ya-Na Mahamudu Abdulai and Yakubu Andani, in December and January 2019, to pave the way for the long-awaited enskinment of the succeeding Ya-Na. Dagbon is currently under a regent.

However, just as we were about to celebrate the agreement reached by the parties to the skin to perform the funerals, which are very crucial for the return of peace and stability in the Dagbon state, the Andani family came out through a press conference that they had  not been part of the  agreement reached by the mediation committee.

According to them none of the traditional rites that have to be observed before the performance of the funerals and subsequent enskinment of new Ya-Na had been done.

We pray that the mediation committee would take the concerns on board in its efforts to continue to find lasting solution to the crisis that has lingered on for too long and drawn the clock of progress of Dagbon backward.

Certainly, the journey toward the resolution of the protracted dispute has been tough and time consuming. It is, therefore, time to consummate peace and let by-gones be by -gones. After all, they are the same people from a common ancestral heritage.

Dagbon has had bad press due to the protracted dispute. It is time to seize the opportunity to change the perception that Dagbon is a violent and hostile area. We entreat the feuding brothers to continue to cooperate with the mediation committee to arrive at a lasting solution that would satisfy both parties.

We want to hear good news from Dagbon in terms of peace and security to attract investors in the area to create the needed job opportunity for the teeming unemployed youth.

Indeed, Dagbon is abound with huge resources, both human and natural resources, which when fully exploited in the environment of peace and stability would enhance development  and  improve the lives and well-being of the people  in the area.

It is time for Dagbon to demonstrate that no one can take the peace of the area for granted by remaining vigilante against hostile and aggressive tendencies. Nobody can help bring about lasting peace in Dagbon state if the feuding brothers continue to take entrenched positions.

We know there is pain over the tragic event that occurred 16 years ago that we do not want to recount, but we still think that there should be a historic moment when we have to forgive and forget. And we think the time is now!

The Ghanaian Times commends the Asantehene-led mediation committee for the progress so far, and pray that the eminent Kings would continue to bring their wisdom and good sense of judgment on board to resolve the matter once and for all.

We also urge the feuding brothers to remain calm and trust that justice would be served at the end of the day.

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