Former President, John Dramani Mahama, has called on the Overloads of Mamprugu and Gonjaland to help restore calm to the area.
According to him, the ongoing dispute in the communities does not speak well of the people. He revealed that it is a regret and great disappointment the recent hostilities between sections of the Gonja and Mamprusi communities along a disputed border between the Soo and Wasipe traditional areas of the North East and Savanna Regions, respectively.
Mr Mahama stated that these hostilities, emanating from disputes over traditional jurisdictional issues, have led to the destruction of property and loss of lives.
“I call for the urgent intervention of the Overloads of Mamprugu and Gonjaland and the Paramount Chiefs of the Soo and Wasipe Traditional Areas to restore calm and deploy time-tested traditional and peaceful means to resolve the dispute.”
John Dramani Mahama
Describing the situation as unfortunate, the former President highlighted that Gonjas and Mamprusis have lived together peacefully for ages and have become family through intermarriage and other social relationships. As such, the two factions must endeavour to co-exist peacefully and deploy non-violent means to resolve disputes instead of resorting to arms at the slightest provocation.
“The issues that unite us must surpass those that divide us. I urge the people of Soo and Wasipe to channel their resources and energy into fighting poverty and deprivation, our common enemies.”
John Dramani Mahama
Government entreated to resolve conflict
In his bid to ensure the resolution of the fighting in the communities, the former President equally called on the Ministers for Chieftaincy, National Security, and Interior and the North East & Savanna Regional Security Councils to take urgent steps to resolve the conflict and restore calm to the area.
“Let me assure my brothers and sisters in Mamprugu and Gonjaland of my readiness to assist in any way possible to bring lasting peace to the area.”
John Dramani Mahama
Meanwhile, at least seven people have reportedly been killed and several others injured in an ongoing clash between members of the Gonja and Mamprusi tribes at Lukula in the North Gonja district.
The victims include the 70-year-old Mamprusi chief of the Kuwerigu Community, Naa Salifu Nachinaa, who was shot dead at his house by gunmen.
The violence erupted following two days of tension in the community over attempts to stop the arrival of a rival chief from Daboya.
Currently, over 50 houses, mostly belonging to members of the Mamprusi tribe have been destroyed, and more than 100 people have since fled the community.
On June 1, 2023, the Police, while on patrols within the communities, responded to a distress call of an attack by another gang on the Lukula community. The said suspects who were on a rampage, burning houses and shooting randomly, opened fire on the Police upon seeing them.
The Police immediately responded and succeeded in arresting three of the suspects, namely; Razak Sulemana, Musah Shanun and Karim Abdul Rafiuw.
The violence between the two tribes first erupted in 2019 immediately after the establishment of the Savanna and North East Regions.
Administratively in the North Gonja district of the Savannah Region, the communities are dominated by Tampulmas and Mamprusis.
During the creation of the regions, the two tribes accused the Gonja authorities of economic and social neglect and thus declared intention to join the North East Region.
This irritated the Gonja traditional authorities in Daboya leading to the first clash.
In April, the Gonjas attacked the Mempeasem community and razed it to the ground. With this, the government then instituted a committee to look into the dispute.
The North East Regional Minister announced in December last year that the committee report was ready but implementation has been a problem.
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