Chiefs call for peace, unity in Dagbon
Some influential Chiefs in Dagbon have called for peace and unity in the area to attract more investors for development and employment of the youth.
They observed that Dagbon was one family with one common destiny, and that, the Abudu and Andani were from one father but different mothers and saw no reason why as brothers, they could not understand one another and embrace peace as a tenet of cohabitation.
They said some people, who were not related or linked to the Dagbon Skin in anyway, were those contributing to the numerous conflicts between the Abudu and the Andani Families and advised such people to distance themselves from Dagbon issues for lasting peace to prevail.
The chiefs made the call in their respective palaces when the Group Chairman of Discovery Group of Companies, Mr Assibit Philip Akpeena paid a courtesy call on them to share his vision of developing the north and to introduce to them Discovery TV, the first ever TV station to operate from the north.
The chiefs, Mr Akpeena visited include the Regent of Dagbon, Kampakuya-Na Abdulai Yakubu Andani, Bonli-Lana Abdulai Mahama, Alhaji Abukari Alhassan, the Gulkpe Naa and the Dekpema Naa, Dawuni Alhassan Mohammed.
The regent of Dagbon, Kampakuya-Na Abdulai Yakubu Andani said, “We have always preached peace and I think there is a cure for peace, which we are yet to find. That cure to bring peace to Dagbon is employment.”
He said even though some of the conflicts originate from politics and chieftaincy, if the people were gainfully employed, politicians would scarcely get them to use for their agenda.
He said one other factor that contributed to the continuous breakdown of authority in Dagbon was the way traditional values were being abandoned for Western culture and called on opinion leaders in the Region to come together and seek lasting peace for Dagbon.
The Bolin Lana, Abdulai Mahama, Regent of the Abudu gate said for peace to prevail in Dagbon, it was important for its Skin Makers to go by the laid down rules of Dagbon, as outlined by its elders, saying, “We need nothing more than peace in this Region.”
He said, “Those who are not related to the Dagbon chieftaincy should stop involving themselves in the Dagbon chieftaincy matter. It is a family matter and those who are not our family members should stop talking about us for peace to prevail”.
Dekpema Naa Dawuni Alhassan Mohammed, said, “We must identify the bad people among us who are responsible for partitioning Dagbon. If we avoid such people I think peace will return to Dagbon and development and employment for our youth will thrive”.
He said those fomenting trouble should note that if the conflicts does not affect them directly, it would indirectly impact negatively on them and posterity would judge every individual either for good or bad deeds.
He blamed some radio FM stations in the Region for allowing their networks to be used to discuss issues that further aggravate the problems of Dagbon and stressed the need for media personnel to remain professional.
All the chiefs commended the Group Chairman of Discovery Group for investing in the Northern Region, noting that, Discovery TV would showcase the culture of the north and its investment potentials and assured their support to all investors who would come to the Region.
The Discovery TV is currently showing the peace messages of the chiefs on its service on daily basis in an attempt to let the people of the area embrace peace.
Mr Akpeena observed that peace in Dagbon was long overdue, because everyone needs peace and development to be able to operate.
He said the Northern Region was a safe haven for investments, hence the reason for investing 30 per cent of his investments in the Region and appealed to the youth of Dagbon to give peace a chance to attract more investors.
Source: GNA