Yendi (N/R), Nov.
17, GNA – The forecourt of the Gbewaa Palace at Yendi, the traditional
headquarters of the Dagbon Kingdom, was a scene of joy and ecstasy when
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo joined the chiefs and people to celebrate
the Damba Festival on Saturday.
The chiefs wore
traditional smocks with hats and long boots to match, dancing to the rhythm of the drums, displaying the
typical traditional culture to the world, while the youth mounted horses,
amidst musketry, to celebrate the Festival.
Ya-Na Abukari Mahama
II, Overlord of Dagbon, was in state as the chiefs and dignitaries, including
former President John Dramani Mahama, members of the diplomatic corps, and
ministers of state paid homage.
The Ya-Na took the
opportunity to enskin President Akufo-Addo as the Dagbon Malti-Naa, laterally
meaning Dagban Reconciler or Unity Chief, in recognition of his role in
resolving the 17-year long Dagbon chieftaincy conflict.
This year’s Damba
Festival was symbolic as it was the first since the Ya-Na’s enskinment, held on
the theme: “A New Dagbon: Peace and Unity for Development”.
It is celebrated by
the Dagombas and some ethnic groups in the northern part of Ghana to mark the
birth and naming of Prophet Mohammed.
Ya-Na Abukari, whose
speech was read on his behalf, spoke about the lack of potable water within the
Kingdom, which he said affected the health and daily activities of the people.
He also drew
attention to the deplorable state of major roads within the area, especially
the Tamale-Karaga, Tamale-Salaga, Tamale-Saboba, Yendi-Chereponi and the
Yendi-Tatale roads, and said it was hampering the transportation of goods and
services.
He, therefore,
appealed to the President to help address those issues to improve on the living
conditions of the people and boost economic activities.
He urged the
President to help resolve the Nanton chieftaincy issue to bring lasting peace
to the Dagbon Kingdom.
President
Akufo-Addo, on his part, commended the chiefs and people for embracing peace
and assured them that the Yendi Water Project would soon start to ensure easy
access to improved water.
He said the roads
sector was important to the Government and that efforts would be made to
improve the situation.
He assured the Ya-Na
of his commitment to working to resolve the Nanton chieftaincy problem to
ensure lasting peace in the Kingdom.
GNA
