The Search For A New ?Buipewura? Must Be Peaceful

Dear Editor,

Kindly allow me some space in your paper to appeal to the people of Gonjaland to allow the time tested traditions of our people to prevail in the selection of a candidate to fill the vacant skin of Buipe.

On the 18th of October, a mighty tree fell in Northern Region. The number two man in the Gonjaland Traditional Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Buipewura Saaka Toti Chinchanko II, joined his ancestors in the great ?village? beyond, bringing to an end, 19 years of peaceful, progressive leadership and leaving the people a gaping vacancy to fill. Under his 19-year rule, which lasted from 1986 to 2005, the Buipe community witnessed tremendous progress; growing from a rural community into the vibrant District Capital of the newly created Central Gonja District.

His contribution to the development of the community includes the donation of his house to Ghana Education Service to start a Junior Secondary School for Buipe during the Educational Reforms in 1987. ?Buipewura houses J.S.S.? was the Daily Graphic?s caption of this magnanimous gesture at the time. Not to mention other school projects, which he personally led the people of Buipe to accomplish through local levies and communal labour.

Such is the extent of the loss that the good people of Buipe feel at this point in time. But while we mourn the loss of such a great leader, we owe it to ourselves and posterity to ensure that the selection of his replacement is peaceful. That, for me, is the greatest tribute we can pay to the departed Chief.

This places an enormous responsibility on the Kingmakers of Gonjaland. They must ensure that the selection process is transparent, just and legitimate, giving no incentive for mischief makers to wade into the process. Politicians of all sides must keep their hands off the process. They must not be seen to be trying to influence the selection process, either openly or surreptitiously. But at the same time, the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) of Northern Region and the Central Gonja District Security Committee (DISEC) must keep Buipe constantly under their radar, to identify any potential sources of threat to the peace and nib them in the bud.

Indeed it is even more imperative for the contending parties to allow the desire to serve the community be their paramount objective for seeking to leader it. If that is the case, there will be no need for any body to split heads because it is not his turn to serve his community in a particular capacity. There are many ways of serving one?s community any way.

I am absolutely confident that, the great tradition of our great grandfathers in the selection of chiefs, which has made the Gonjaland chieftaincy institution a respected tradition in Ghana will prevail; and let the chips fall where they may.

The loss of a great Chief is painful enough; let us not make it any worse than that by losing the peace.