Regional News of Wednesday, 16 January 2019

Source: Abdul Karim Naatogmah

Yaa-Naa's funeral: Media must act responsibly - Dagbon Forum

The group is calling for professionalism in the coverage of the funeral service of  late Yaa-Naa The group is calling for professionalism in the coverage of the funeral service of late Yaa-Naa

The Dagbon Forum (DF) has renewed calls on the main stream media to exhibit the highest level of professionalism in connection with coverage of the final funeral service of the late Yaa-Naa Yakubu Andani II underway in Yendi.

The DF is unhappy about a cross section of the media churning out uncensored reports regarding the succession to the Dagbang Namship.

The national President, Dr. Sulemana Abudulai in an interview today (Wednesday) said the succession plan should be the preserve of the Kingmakers in line with the roadmap to peace.

According to him, the Dagbang State has undiluted customs and traditions that must be duly followed in getting a new Yaa-Naa for the area.

He therefore appealed to the media to give total blackout to some purported statements coming from any individual or group over who becomes the next Yaa Naa.

Dr. Abudulai reaffirmed the Dagbon Forum's committment to help restore Dagbang's dignity in line with the final roadmap to peace restoration, unity and genuine reconciliation among Dagombas.

The Dagbon Forum is a civil Society organisation that works with key stakeholders including DAMAZ, the National Peace Council ((NPC), Regional Coordinating Council, REGSEC and MUSEC to secure lasting peace in Dagbon.

Since the announcement of the final roadmap for peace restoration in the Dagbang State, the DF has severally met with leaders of the Abudu and Andani families as well as all the major stakeholders and underscored the need to strictly abide by the dictates of the final roadmap.

The DF continues to hold news conferences at every stage of the roadmap's implementation emphasizing the importance of peaceful coexistence before, during and after the final funeral service of the late Yaa-Naa Yakubu Andani II.

Meanwhile, all is set for the final funeral service of the late Yaa-Naa Yakubu Andani II at the old Gbewaa Palace in Yendi.

Chiefs and all those who matter have arrived in Yendi Township for the climax on Friday January 18, 2019.

Following the skirmishes that nearly stalled the funeral, there is heavy security presence there.