The Overlord of Dagbon, Ndan Ya-Naa Abukari Mahama II, has immediately ordered the ban on using assault rifles and ammunition at various funerals and ceremonies in the Dagbon kingdom.

He tasked paramount chiefs and divisional chiefs in Dagbon to work with their elders and all relevant stakeholders within their traditional areas to immediately stop the use of firearms at all public gatherings.

“My elders have reliably informed me, some security personnel and other peace-loving citizens about the brazen impunity by some youths in carrying sophisticated weapons and live ammunitions at various traditional and cultural events, especially during the installation of regents and circumambulation of funeral homes,” he is reported to have said.

According to him, Dagbon is not at war and (he) therefore condemned the behavior of the chiefs involved in these practices and directed that all chiefs and the youth in Dagbon to henceforth stop the display and use of assault rifles during funerals.

The Ya Naa also disclosed that he would engage with the relevant security agencies to support the efforts in combating the menace and apprehend anybody found with firearms at any funeral and traditional events.

The Overlord of Dagbon made this known when he handed over eighteen (18) houses constructed for the affected families at the Gbewaa Palace Reconstruction site for relocation in Yendi.

The construction of the houses was necessitated by the inadequate space around the current palace which makes the reconstruction of the approved design of the New Gbewaa Palace impossible.

“I wish to use this opportunity to acknowledge and commend the affected families for their high level of patriotism demonstrated in this period of our history. Dagbon will forever be grateful to these patriotic families.

"Honorable Minister, I wish to state that the construction of the houses was mainly funded from the resources of the Dagbon Development Fund which was established to facilitate the implementation of the Dagbon Strategic Development Plan.

"I wish to use this opportunity to thank the chiefs and people of Dagbon (both home and abroad) and philanthropies (both local and international) for their support towards the realization of this dream.

"I further wish to commend the Government of Ghana for the support in making this dream of the Kingdom a reality,” he added.