The Paramount Chief of Voggu in the Tolon district of the Northern Region, H.E Alhaji M.B. Bawah has downplayed the Kampakuya- Naa Abdulai Yakubu Andani's assertion that his late father's funeral will not performed as scheduled for January 4 to 18, 2019.

The Dagbon Regent in an earlier interview implied that the immediate family have been sidelined in the implementation of the final roadmap to peace restoration in Dagbon.

But the former Northern Regional representative of the Council of State, Vo- Naa Alhaji M.B Bawa in an exclusive interview today (Wednesday) December 12 said performing the late Yaa-Naa Yakubu Andani II funeral is the Andani Royals major concern.

He said the head of the Andani family, Yoo-Naa Bukari in consultation with the relevant stakeholders are far advanced with plans to perform the late Yaa-Naa Yakubu Andani II funeral.

"The Regent is not responsible for performing the funeral of his late father, it is the head of the family who is responsible together with other members in consultation with the children."

"The widows their role is when the decision is taken it will be communicated to them that the funeral of their husband is about to be performed and their families will prepare them for the necessary customary rights."

According to him, performing funerals of the late two Yaa-Naa's will reunite Dagombas who have been divided since the demise of the late Yaa-Naa Yakubu Andani II on March, 27, 2002.

The Vo- Naa said a large delegation of chiefs from the Andani family including himself will participate in the late Yaa-Naa Mahamadu Abdulai IV funeral.

He said the Abudu family officially invited him and other chiefs from the Andani family to help them perform the funeral.

He advised the youth of Dagbon to listen to elders and stop making divisive comments.

"They should come down and they should listen to elders. All that we are doing we are trying to support and build a future for them. They should not be those who will turn round and destroy their own future."

"They should learn from the experience we hold and they should comport themselves, learn the culture and go by that because every tradition has its own norms and we must go by our norms to create a harmonious society."

My father's funeral will not be performed - Dagbon

It would be recalled that the first son of the late Dagbon Overlord, Kampakuya Naa Abdulai Yakubu Andani on Monday December 10, 2018 at the temporary Gbewaa Palace in Yendi emphatically stated that his late father's funeral will not be performed as enshrined in the final roadmap to peace restoration in Dagbon.

He posited that the immediate family has been sidelined in the implementation of the final roadmap.

He said government and the Asantehene-led Mediation Committee have been misled by some "Opportunists" in the Andani family who claimed to have represented them at the Jubilee House where the final roadmap was submitted to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo.

The livid Dagbon Regent nonetheless gave the assurance that the immediate family will reconsider their entrenched opposition to the final roadmap's implementation if the three Eminent Kings Mediation Committee and government take the right steps.

He advised that the final roadmap should be consistent with the traditions and customs of Dagbon.



Nana Addo endorses final roadmap to peace in Dagbon

On November 21, 2018, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo issued an Executive Order on the final road-map.

This paved way for the performance of the funerals of the late two Overlords of Dagbon, Yaa-Naa Mahamudu Abdulai IV, and Yaa-Naa Yakubu Andani II in the old Gbewaa Palace in Yendi.

Chairman of the three Eminent Kings Mediation Committee handling the Dagbon chieftaincy dispute officially handed over the report to the Ghanaian Leader at the Jubilee House, Accra.

The Otumfour Osei Tutu II in his remarks said the committee’s duty was to ensure the restoration of the customs and traditions of Dagbon.

He further explained that the report among other considerations was to give credence to the Supreme Court ruling that the late Yaa-Naa Mahamudu Abdulai IV died as a legitimate Yaa-Naa for which reason his funeral should be performed as such.

The Asantehene recounted the challenges encountered by the committee during the mediation processes which started as far back as the era of former President John Agyekum Kufuor.

He prayed that Dagbon should have a new Yaa-Naa after the funeral of the late Yaa-Naa Yakubu Andani II from January 4 to 18, 2019.

The Asantehene stated that at no point was the Committee influenced by any Head of State.

He told the world that the Committee’s work continues until a new Yaa-Naa is enskinned.

Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo described the final road-map as a memorable occasion in his lifetime as President.

He commended former President John Agyekun Kufour for establishing the Committee whose work according to Nana Addo has been vindicated.

He also praised the three eminent Kings for their tenacity and resilience even when the process appeared hopeless at some point.

President Nana Addo insisted the late two Yaa-Naas’ funerals should be performed in accordance with the customs and traditions of the Dagbon traditional area.

He pleaded that the enskinment of a new Yaa-Naa should be devoid of bloodshed.

He asked the sons and daughters of the late two Overlords of Dagbon to rise above the tensions, and support efforts to ensure a lasting peace in Dagbon.

He reiterated government's commitment to permanently tackle the problem.

At the historic meeting, the Andanis were represented by HE. Vo-Naa Alhaji M. B Bawah, Warvi-Naa Andani Mahama, Lamashegu Naa, Alhaji Ziblim Abdulai, Zangbaling Regent, Yakubu Mahama, Tibung Regent, Abdulai Abukari, Gbermanda, Mahama Yakubu and Saha-Naa Abdul Latif Abubakari.

The Abudus were equally represented by the Regent of Tolon, Retired Major Sulemana Abubakari, Nantong, Saaka Sulemana, Diare Regent, Abubakari Abdulai, Mba Dugu, Iddrisu Iddi, Bo-Naa Alhassan Bukari, Kunkon-Lana Abdulai Yakubu, Banvim-Lana Mahama Abdulai and Korli Regent, Mahama Mahama.

Lawyer Ibrahim Mahama, Professor Alhassan Wayo Seini and Alhaji Amadu Kaleem Business and other distinguished personalities from Dagbon were there.