Damongo, (N/R), March 20, GNA - Vice-President John Dramani Mahama has commended the kingmakers and chiefs of Gonjaland for the successful selection and enskinment of Yagbonwura Sulemana Jakpa Tuntumba Bore Essa The First, the new Overlord of Gonjaland.

He observed that this had been made possible because they had followed laid down and long tested customary rules in the selection of their kings.

He, therefore, appealed to other ethnic groups such as the Dagbon Kingdom and the people of Bawku to emulate the example and let it be a turning point to ensure peace in their respective traditional areas. Vice-President Mahama said this at the enskinment and outdooring of the new overlord of Gonjaland at a colourful ceremony in Damongo on Thursday.

The new Yagbonwura, who is in his 70s and a carpenter by profession, succeeds the late Yagbonwura Bawa Doshie who passed away on January 1, this year.

Vice-President Mahama also used the occassion to appeal to the Otumfuo Osei-Tutu and the Techimanhene to exercise restraint in their exchange of words and let peace prevail in their areas. He assured the chiefs and people of Gonjaland that this time around government was committed to tarring the Damongo-Fufulso-Sawla road, saying "What campaign message will I be coming to give to you in 2012 if the road is not tarred?".

He also promised that the Damongo water expansion project would soon begin to bring a lasting solution to the perennial water shortage facing the township.

The enskinment of the new Yagbonwura was graced by leading members of some political parties, including Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo Addo, former presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and his running mate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.

Other ethnic groups including the Sissalas who are playing mates of the Gonja people, Dagombas and Wangara's performed their traditional dances to add colour to the ceremony.

Mr. Moses Bukari Mabengba, Northern Regional Minister, said government would extend and expand the block farming system introduced in Damongo to other districts to give employment to the youth and also ensure food security in the country.