"Yagbon-Wura is not above the constitution of Ghana" - Buipe Youth

Accra, Aug 18, GNA - Members of the Buipe Development Youth Association have accused Tuntunmba Bore Essa Sulemana Jakpa, Yagbonwura and King of the Gonja Traditional Council of double standards that could lead to blood bath in Buipe.

"We are therefore calling on government to act swiftly in the Buipe chieftaincy issues to avoid bloodbath and mayhem that the Yagbonwura is trying to create in the area."

"We also wish to sound a word of caution that we will no longer entertain and countenance agents who come to the environs of Buipe to forcibly confiscate cattle at gunpoint all in the name of Yagbonwura."

These were contained in a press statement signed by Abukar Kadjabi Chairman of the Association and 32 others and copied to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Accra.

According to the statement, Yagbonwura had written a letter to the Central Gonja District Assembly to lift the ban on the activities pertaining to the office of Buipe Wura which they claimed was unconstitutional since the court had placed an injunction on the case.

They stated that four months ago, Yagbonwura called for the deskinment of Buipe-Wura Jinapor II for allegedly pulling a gun in a meeting.

It said subsequently, the case was sent to the high court which placed an injunction on the matter and wondered why the Yagbonwura could turn round to call for the lifting of the ban when he knew the case was beyond the District Assembly.

The Youth claimed that the alleged enskinning of one Bawa Tampe-wura to take over from Jinapor never took place and wondered why the Yagbonwura should place recognition and premium on 'somebody who is not recognized among us.'

"The Yegbonwura must be told in black and white that he is not above the constitution of Ghana and should therefore respect human rights law just like any other Ghanaian and stop his double standards he is playing in our area."

On his part, Tuntunmba Jakpa Lemu II, Paramount Chief of the Damongo Traditional Area confirmed to the GNA in an interview that the letter was from the office of the Yegbonwura.

He said the prolonged chieftaincy cases were stalling development programmes in the area, hence the call for the lifting of the ban to continue with development in the area.

"I am not aware of any letter from the youth and therefore cannot react on it, but all I can say for now is the letter was written in good faith to enhance the development of the area and not meant to create any tension." The Damongo-wura told the GNA.

The letter which was also made available to the GNA partly read "I write requesting you to use your good offices to lift the ban on activities pertaining to the office of the Buipe-wura to enable the rightfully enskinned Buipe-wura Bawa Jewu Awusi Lobo II to perform his traditional roles and functions since since the ban is drawing back progress in the area."

Meanwhile, Mr Issifu Salisu Be-Awuribe, Gonja Central District Chief Executive, in an interview with the GNA also confirmed receiving the letter from the office of the Yegbonwura.

He said the Assembly had not yet taken any decision on the issue so no action had been taken because he as a DCE could not unilaterally take that decision. 'My brother, until the District Security Council (DISEC) takes a decision, there is nothing we can do."

Mr Be-Awuribe promised that the DISEC would do everything possible to bring calm to the people of the area.