It was a symbolic moment on Friday, March 18, when representatives of the two factions involved in the almost eight-year old conflict – Chief Alhassan Abuba Nasimong of the Jafok family and Elisha Thomas Naah of the Jamong family – embraced each other amidst cheers for the first time in eight years.
After what seemed like a hurdle impossible to jump, the cousins finally accepted each other, sat side by side and dialogued together to allow peace to reign.
Our correspondent Zubaida Ismail reports that the representatives will readily accept the verdict of the Northern Regional House of Chiefs as regards who the eligible occupant of the Bunkpurugu Paramountcy is.
The symbolic embrace that got everyone screaming for joy
It all began at the palace of the Overlord of Mamprugu Trasional Area Nayiri Naa Mahami Bohagu Sheriga, she reports, when leaders and elders of both the Jafoks and Jamongs of the Louk Clan were summoned by the Overlord to dialogue and live in harmony with each other.
They were provided the platform where they both poured out their grievances to the hearing of the remaining five gates of the Louk Clan, who were also present as witnesses.
The two reps were ready to smoke the peace pipe
Chief Alhassan Abuba Nasimong of Jafok cut short his speech to vacate his seat as the Paramount Chief of Bunkpurugu to Elisha Thomas Naah to restore the lost peace in Bunkpurugu.
Elisha, however, declined the offer saying “it is only the Northern Regional House of Chiefs that can rule that either the Chief vacates the skin or continue his rule as the Paramount Chief and not the Nayiri as the case is before them”.
There was committment on their part not to disrupt the pact
The two gates have been at each other’s throat for almost a decade, leading to loss of lives.
The Anti-Terrorist Unit of the Ghana Police Service from Accra led by Superintendent Nicholas Adofiem Wejong in collaboration with the District Security Council organized a seminar on Friday to get the two factions to commit to peace.
The seminar was attended by the rank and file of both families, the District Police Commander Della Port, District Chief Executive Sampoa Timothy Laari and well wishers.
The elders looked on in optimism
There has been jubilation in the town since the pact was reached.
Source: 3news.com|Ghana
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