Friday,
May 3, 2013
My good friends, I am overwhelmed
with mixed emotions following the news report that chiefs of the Abudu and Andani royal gates in the Dagbon
traditional area have indicated their resolve to amicably settle the protracted
Yendi skin dispute between them.
Both
sides have acknowledged the fact that many Dagomba localities in the Northern
region have remained underdeveloped largely because of the conflict.
They
made the pledge to coexist peacefully during a courtesy call on the Northern
Regional Minister, Bede Ziedeng on Thursday.
The
high-powered delegation was sent by the Regent of Dagbon, Kampakuya-Naa, to
welcome the new minister and also pledge the support of the people to his
administration, especially efforts towards ensuring lasting peace in Dagbon.
(Source:
http://edition.myjoyonline.com/pages/news/201305/105413.php)
I am highly touched by this realization,
the first bold public declaration by these feuding factions that acknowledges
the futility of the Yendi crisis. This realization really touches my heart.
The Andani-Abudu conflict is made
more disturbing by the fact that it is an internal family crisis that could
have been resolved without bloodshed and the kind of calamity that has torn the
members apart.
In fact, the problem may have its
origin rooted in a protracted chieftaincy dispute, but it wouldn’t have
festered to this alarming extent had the family not paved the way for the
enmity to be politicized. Indeed, the politicization has worsened the conflict
and pitted not only the family heads against each other but it has also
deepened the gulf between the individual rival family members.
Since the events in 1969 that
destabilized Dagbon at the behest of the politicians and saw the removal and
subsequent death of Ya Na Abdulahi Yakubu, the seed of enmity has blossomed
into the dangerous fruit harvested on March 26, 2002, as the Yendi Massacre in
which the Ya Na Andani Yakubu II and over 40 of his loyalists were murdered in
broad daylight.
We have heard of how the heavy
hand of the politicians manipulated the situation and the extent to which the
deplorable rivalry characterizing contemporary Ghanaian politics (the NDC
versus the NPP, particularly) has made it difficult for the matter to be
resolved either legally or through mediation.
The circumstances surrounding the
Yendi Massacre might be spawned by the bitter struggle for occupancy of the
Yendi skin but the manner in which it was heavily tainted by rival political
interests—and the dishonesty surrounding the handling of the aftermath—leads to
only one conclusion: that the two families have not been fair to each other.
The conflict can be resolved only
by the Andanis and Abudus themselves. And these two families are recognized as
well established with a long, rich history of accomplishments at several
levels. They are endowed with successful individuals whose renown in their
chosen fields is unquestionable. For many years, members of the Andani and
Abudu families have registered themselves on local and national politics and
caught public attention as such.
Many others are involved in
local, national, and international activities that redound to the image of
Dagbon and Ghana, generally. There is much to acknowledge about these two
families.
Much of their successful
accomplishments cannot be directly attributed to chieftaincy. It is their
individual initiatives that have established them in life.
Although it is undeniable that the
Yendi skin is a rallying point for them, there is no tangible evidence to
suggest that the accomplishments were spurred or enhanced by the “skin”. The
“skin” is only an intangible traditional icon that gives nothing but bragging
rights.
We acknowledge the overarching
influence of chieftaincy on our lives as Ghanaians but can’t attribute our
personal achievements to it. As an institution, chieftaincy has its merits and
demerits.
In the case of the Dagbon crisis,
the demerits of chieftaincy are obviously being felt, which is why it is
incumbent on the family heads to do all they can to resolve the crisis and turn
the institution into a productive venture to unite all the factions and restore
dignity to Dagbon.
Clearly, the problem can be
solved only by the feuding factions themselves. The government may want to take
official action because of the implications for national security but it can’t
resolve the conflict (because of how it has been heavily politicized up to this
stage).
The Committee of Eminent Chiefs
(headed by the Asantehene) can’t resolve it either. The permanent solution
doesn’t lie with a committee that is not rooted in the Abudu-Andani tradition.
It is only when the Abudus and
Andanis rediscover themselves as one people belonging to one family with a
common destiny that they can find a permanent solution to this crisis.
Within this context, the
realization that has dawned on them now, which was revealed at the meeting with
the Regional Minister, is heartwarming. It must not end in smoke but be
translated into practical action to bring these two families together for their
own good and that of Dagbon and Ghana, generally.
There is nothing to gain from
this long-drawn-out crisis nor can the Andani-Abudu families come together for
mutual benefits if they don’t eschew acrimony and other negative tendencies.
The future of these two families should be secured today by those who have the
knowledge and acumen to restore peace, harmony, and unity. After all, the
viability of the family heritage is at stake.
These chiefs have already been
bold enough to identify the cause of their disunity. What they have to do now
is to take practical action to bring the two families together without any
further hesitation or suspicion. Practical action must begin just after the
declaration of this realization. Here are some measures to take to actualize
that intention:
·
Convening
a conference of prominent Abudus and Andanis to smoke the peace pipe will be a
bold step to take immediately. Then, a unity rally can be held to celebrate the
restoration of peace and oneness. Thereafter, house visits can be encouraged
for the various constituents of the two family lineages to concretize the peace
efforts. Goodwill messages should be spread and shared.
·
Committees
made up of members of both families can be appointed to dig into other
pertinent issues for peace to be reinforced and any seed of discord nipped in
the bud to prevent a future resurgence of this bad-blood relationship. This
approach calls for honesty and a genuine desire for peace. Unless something
concrete is done to translate the words of the chiefs into action, nothing
profitable can be achieved.
·
Any
outstanding problem related to the celebration of the lives of the former Ya-Na
(Abdulai Yakubu) should be tackled and the funeral for the slain Ya Na Andani
Yakubu II be held. Thereafter, the two families should concertedly look for a
new candidate to enskin as the Dagbonwura (Overlord) to sustain the atmosphere
of peace and unity.
Now that the chiefs have realized
the harm that the conflict has caused Dagbon, it is important for them to put
behind them all that engendered the crisis and lay the foundation for a lasting
peace so that Dagbon can be developed to keep pace with the rest of the
country.
I am confident that a new chapter
has just been opened and the Abudus and Andanis should show much love for their
own kith and kin and respect the memory of their forebears. It is only when they come together that they
can plug all the loopholes that outsiders and politicians use to divide their
ranks.
This fratricidal feud will only
destroy the two families to the advantage of others. Will the Andanis and
Abudus seize this initiative to restore peace and unity for the sake of
posterity?
I shall return…
·
E-mail:
mjbokor@yahoo.com
·
Join
me on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/mjkbokor
No comments:
Post a Comment