Alhaji Ibrahim Mahama, a lawyer and opinion leader in Dagbon, has hailed the newly invigorated peace talks between the two rival chieftaincy gates in Dagbon as promising.
“It looks promising and I hope it will continue that way,” he told Ghana News Agency in an interview in Accra.
The Committee of eminent chiefs renewed the stalled talks between Andanis and Abudus in Kumasi last Friday in pursuit of the road map to peace in Dagbon.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene is presiding over the mediation efforts with the assistance of Yagbonwura Tuntumba Bore Essa I, Overlord of Gonjaland as wells as Naa-Bahigu Mahami Abdulai Sheriga of Mamprusi Traditional area.
Alhaji Mahama said the parameters the mediators had taken are likely to bring peace if those involved in the protracted conflict remains committed to the process.
He said the regent of the Abudu’s and some prominent chiefs that cut across the divide would oversee the funeral plans of Ya-Na Mahamadu Abdulai IV, after which the funeral of Ya-na Yakubu Andani II would follow.
Alhaji Mahama said the funeral of Ya-na Andani would be preceded by the funerals of
Gushe-na and Tolon-na.
He explained that the two skins are expected to be occupied by substantive chiefs who have vital traditional roles to play in the final funeral rites of the slain Ya-na.
Alhaji Mahama said after that a new Ya-na is expected to be enskinned in line with Dagbon custom, and expressed the hope that it would pave the way for lasting peace in the traditional area in particular and Northern Region in general.
Ya-na Abdulai died in 1988 while Ya-na Andani was killed in 2002 in a clash between the two gates at the Gbewaa Palace in Yendi.