...And Call For Investigation

Dagbon Development Association Inc. (DDA) is a registered group of professionals, businessmen, students, friends and families residing in Australia who come from the Northern part of Ghana. The group is also open to anyone who has the development of Dagbon at heart. This group is a dynamic and progressive one and its sole objective is the education and development of Northern Ghana.

We have been following recent events in Ghana and have learnt with great sadness the unfortunate situation that has been brought to Dagbon, Ghana and it’s people. The murder of the Ya Naa in the 21st century is one of the saddest eras for Dagbon and the institution of Chieftaincy in modern day Ghana. It is an unpleasant precedent, which if left unpunished has wider national implications for the institution of chieftaincy. It will place the noble lives of traditional rulers dangerously in the hands of any group of people who disagree with them or their actions.

Due to the recent tragic events in Yendi, which ultimately claimed the life of Ya Naa Yakubu Andani II, our association unreservedly and unequivocally condemn the assassination of the King, his subjects and all precious lives lost. We call on all decent people and the Ghanaian community to come out and condemn the cowardly and barbaric act that has rocked the nearly 1000 year kingdom of Dagbon.

We therefore, appeal to the Government of Ghana to utilise all available means to bring the perpetrators to justice. We believe there can be no peace without justice and the good people of Dagbon and Ghana expect the authorities to help achieve this. We ask the Government to apply all relevant laws, regulations and decent standards to enable the arrest, trial and prosecution of the murderers of the King of Dagbon.

We also appeal to all Chiefs, Religious and Political leaders of Dagbon to unite and help the government with its investigation, bearing in mind that the exercise of restraint, understanding and tolerance is crucial in these very difficult times.

The impact of the events in Yendi is catastrophic in every aspect of life and activity including (but not limited to) economic, social, education and most of all peace within Dagbon and Ghana in general. We appeal to the Government and the security agencies to spare no time and accelerate their impartial investigation into the case for this has affected almost one in every hundred Ghanaians.

Finally, our deepest condolences to the families and friends of all those who lost their loved ones. We encourage both factions to think of a better future for Dagbon ahead of personal interests. We implore our political leaders to bury their differences and start working on their constituencies in the promotion of peace and tolerance and move forward despite the gruesome act. Long Live Dagbon, Long Live Ghana, 'forward ever backward never'

Signed

Secretary

Dagbon Development Association Inc.

To: The President of Republic of Ghana

J.A. Kuffour

CC: The Presidential Secretary

The Speaker of Parliament

The Majority leader of Parliament

The Minority leader of Parliament

All Political Parties

Ghana Consulate of Australia

The Ghanaian Times

Joy FM Radio Station

Savannah Radio Station

Religious Leaders

Chiefs