The first-anniversary celebration of Yagbonwura Bii-Kunuto Soale I, held in Damongo, took a distressing turn as clashes over protocol marred the event, ultimately leading to a display of disrespect towards traditional authority.
President Nana Akuffo-Addo was a notable guest at the anniversary, which coincides with the Annual Congress of the Gonjaland Youth Association and the Guan Congress. However, what was supposed to be a harmonious gathering turned tense as traditional protocols clashed with political expectations.
Attempts to coerce the Yagbonwura into an unconventional greeting with the President met defiance from the traditional ruler. Despite the President’s frustration, the Yagbonwura stood firm, refusing to compromise customary respect.
Amidst the turmoil, representatives of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) contemplated leaving the event in response to the disrespect shown. However, they opted to stay out of respect for the King and the people of Gonjaland.
Former President Mahama, in his speech, sought to redirect focus towards community needs, pledging development projects for the region if elected. His promises aimed to alleviate tensions and reaffirm commitment to the region’s welfare.
WHAT HAPPENED IN DAMONGO DURING THE DURBAR OF CHIEFS AT THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF YAGBONWURA BII-KUNUTO SOALE
- The President of the Republic, Nana Akuffo-Addo was invited to the first Anniversary of the Yagbonwura held in Damongo. This program coincided with the Annual Congress of the Gonjaland Youth Association and the Guan Congress.
- The program was planned to proceed along the protocols as the King and his council preferred all participants. As it were, the President of the Gonjaland Youth was to speak first, followed by the speech from the King, then Former President Mahama and then President Akuffo-Addo was billed to be the last speaker.
- When the President arrived, though late, he was ushered in and was taken around to exchange pleasantries with the chiefs.
- In an attempt to undermine the authority of the Yagbonwura and the collective pride of the people of the Gonja Kingdom, the Member of Parliament for Damongo Constituency, Abu Jinapor, reached out to the Yagbonwura and requested that he stand up and descend from his skin to exchange handshakes with the President. The Yagbonwura didn’t pay heed to this. Then, the NPP regional Chairman, Kalamonia followed up with the King and also placed the same request, which the Yagbonwura turned a deaf ear to.
- As usual, the President was angered by the refusal of the Yagbonwura to stand up and descend from his skin to exchange pleasantries with him. He was forced to swallow his pride and then move to the Yagbonwura to shake hands.
- The program proceeded according to plan; the President of the Gonjaland Youth Association presented his speech followed by a speech from the Yagbonwura.
- Abu Jinapor then, on the instructions of the President, stampeded the MC of the program and took the mic from him and then announced that, the President had his helicopter waiting so, he was going to present his speech and then leave. This came without recourse to the King, not any reasonable explanation to the audience present and not with any humility.
- The President proceeded to present his 5-minute speech and left with all his appointees and NPP functionaries at the program, leaving the Member of the Council of State alone on the high table. This was well orchestrated to disrespect the King, disrupt the program and take the shine off the entire program.
- The NDC functionaries angered by the gross disrespect, also requested President Mahama to leave the program. But the calm and humble President Mahama respectfully called for calm and indicated that he was at the program as a son of the land and not in any position to disrespect the King, his father, and the people of Gonjaland.
- President Mahama proceeded to give his speech after the King had presented his speech. In his speech, President Mahama made a solemn pledge to the King, that just as he delivered the Fufulso-Sawla road, he was going to the deliver the Damongo Water Project in his next government. He also pledged to build a regional hospital in Savannah as well as in all the newly created regions. He went further to promise that he was going to build a stadium for the region, among other pledges.
By Issifu Seidu Kudus Gbeadese, Youth Imam from Laribanga.
