NPP Looked On Unconcerned Whiles Ya-Na Was Being Murdered – Ama Benyiwa Doe

Former National Women’s Organiser of the ruling National Democratic Congress, Ama Benyiwa Doe is still blaming the erstwhile Kufuor administration for the murder of the late Overlord of Dagbon, Ya Na Yakubu Andani II.

She strongly asserts that it was the irresponsibility on the NPP’s part, when they were in power, that resulted in the subsequent murder of the late Ya-Na, claiming that the NPP looked on “unconcerned and were largely lethargic thus leading to the Dagbon Overlord’s death.”

She accuses the NPP of taking forever to investigate the case and in the process evidence that could have helped unravel the murder was lost.

“…when the fight ensued between the Andanis and the Abudus, Kufuor’s administration should have acted quickly in resolving the differences between the two factions, but because nothing was done about it, it resulted in the death of the great chief,” she maintained.

An Accra Fast Track High Court presided over by Justice E K Ayebi on Tuesday acquitted and discharged 14 persons being tried for the killing of the Dagbon overlord. The trial Judge disposed of the matter for want of evidence

But speaking in an interview with Kwame Nkrumah (Etikese), sitting in for regular host Kwami Sefa Kayi on Peace FM’s flagship programme Kokrokoo, she was dismissive of suggestions that per the ruling the NDC has failed in fulfilling their manifesto promise of unraveling the circumstances and persons behind the Ya Na’s death.

The NDC, when it was in opposition, pooh-poohed and ridiculed the Wuaku Commission and put out that there was video evidence, on the killing of the Ya Na. The party even pledged in their 2008 manifesto to “set up a new and truly nonpartisan, professionally competent and independent Presidential Commission to reopen investigations into the murder of Ya Na Yakubu Andani II”.

But the outspoken NDC stalwart posited that the government took the issue to court and the rule of law has taken its course; “so it’s not as if the government has not done anything. If the government did not take the issue to court then we will be right in saying the government has failed, however, that’s not the issue. The President is a learned person especially in law and so I believe if there are other options for him to take, he will do it,” she said.

Now Central Regional Minister, Ama Benyiwa Doe pleaded with the Northerners to exercise restraint since issues like this needed ‘sober reflection’. She urged both the Andanis and Abudus to rise above the current differences, and forge for themselves a resolution of the current crisis that would set Dagbon on the way to peace and development.