Damongo: About 600 members of the Gimbe Family announce their resignation from NPP

About four hundred members of the Gimbe Family from the Dange's gate have announced their resignation from the ruling New Patriotic Party in protest of what they said are the partial roles being played by Savannah Regional Minister Saeed Muhazu Jebril in the Damongo Chieftaincy affairs.

The group whose families are holding the Party's portfolios from the branch to the Regional levels, stated their decision in a press conference in Damongo in the Savannah Region on Sunday, April 22nd, 2024.

The Spokesperson of the group, Dolopewura Darman Isaac publicly denounced their one-time Darling political party (NPP) citing alleged interferences and intimidations by the Savannah Regional Minister, Saeed Muhazu Jebril in their Chieftaincy affairs in the Municipality.

"We, the entire Family of Gimbe from the Dange Gate spearheaded by Dolipewura, Bakari, Sulemana, Damongo Wuriche, and Hajia Amina Bampe Wuriche, henceforth announce the withdrawal of our membership from the New Patriotic Party, NPP in Damongo in Savannah Region with immediate effect," the statement said.

They said their decision was well thought out by adding, "Our decision stems from the continued involvement of the Savannah Regional Minister, Saeed Muhazu Jebril in our Chieftaincy affairs in Damongo.

"This is because a young man in town by the name of Chief Sakare Jakpa from the Lemu gate was on Saturday, 20th April 2024 illegally enskinned himself as Kulasewura whose title is not for his gate but the Dange's gate," Mr. Dolopewura Dramani insisted.

According to the family, the said issue though illegal, allegedly received support from Mr. Saeed Muhazu because "the illegal exercise (enskinment) received a full backing of the Savannah Regional Minister Saeed Muhazu with the present of a combined police and military including both Savannah Regional and West Gonja Municipal Police Commanders."

They insisted that "we also have on records of a former Teacher of Damongo Senior High School by the name Chief Alancha who on 17th April 2024, sat at Mahama's Guest House here in Damongo and called the Savannah Regional Minister telling him to provide them with heavy security on Saturday and the Minister told him that he was on top of things and that he should not worry. All these are not just conjunction because we have impeccable evidence to back them," he alleged.

It will be recalled that on Saturday, April 20th, 2024, Mr. Sakara Jakpa was enskined a sub-chief with the skin name, Kulasewura by one of the two Chiefs of Damongo in the full presence of several police officers and some personnel from the 155 Ghana Armour Regiment who turned out with two of their Armour Regiment Patrolling the area.

They expressed worries and questioned the event because there was a ban on enskinment in Damongo, yet the Minister did not just stop there.

"He actually walked his talk and between Thursday and Friday this week, met and instructed the Savannah Regional and West Gonja Municipal Police Commanders to provide security for the said enskinment which goes contrary to the ban placed on all forms of enskinment by the West Gonja Municipal Security Council," Dolopewura indicated.

According to them, though regrettable, their withdrawal from the party doesn't stop the bad blood between Dangepe and Chief Sakare from trespassing with the aid of the Regional Minister.

"Is he still the Savannah Regional Security Council Chairman or a Chieftaincy contractor? Why are you using the Police who are members of MUSEC that banned all enskinment in Damongo, to continue to provide security for enskinment?"

The family, also called on the security to concentrate on their mandate and treat residents equally and fairly.

"As stated earlier, the above gate doesn't recognize the self and state-backed enskinment of Chief Sakare Jakpa. we once again, unequivocally state here, and on records that, the Gimbe Family from the Dange's gate withdraw our loyalty and support from the New Patriotic Party with immediate effect in Damongo."

But when contacted for his response, the Savannah Regional Minister Saeed Muhazu in a telephone interview, said he was innocent of all the allegations against him and his are, "are clean. I'm a father for all and my paramount objective among others, is to ensure the safety and peace of the Region."