The residence of Yagbonwura Bii-Kunutu Jewu Soale, the Overlord of Gonja, has come under siege from a group of Gonja youngsters, who are demanding his assistance in the ongoing dispute between the Wasipe Traditional Area and a Mamprusi Chief over some communities.

The youth demand that the Overlord call all Gonja warriors to Daboya to help settle the conflict.

The youth however accused the government of being complicit in the dispute, asserting that the presence of military and police officers in Daboya has led to the detention and harassment of Chiefs and youth, thereby turning the town into a ghost town.

At Lukula in the North Gonja region of the Savannah Region, fighting between members of the Gonja and Mamprusi tribes has reportedly resulted in one death and numerous injuries.

Tragically, one life has already been lost and other homes have been destroyed as a result of the battle. Naa Salifu Nachinaa, a 70-year-old Mamprusi chief from the Kuwerigu Community, is the deceased. He was allegedly shot dead by gunmen at his home.

Gonja chiefs from other Paramountcies have reacted by mobilizing their troops and moving toward Daboya to express support and perhaps help settle the conflict.

Saeed Jibril, the Regional Minister for Savannah explained, “The problem began in 2019, two traditional paramountcy are claiming ownership of land. One person is reportedly dead, and he was from Mamprusi.”

“Sadly, policemen deployed to the area were involved in an accident, but they are all alive now. The clashes have been on for two days now, people in Lukula, and other villages have fled the towns except the police.”
Saeed Jibril

Mahama Seeks Peace

John Dramani Mahama, the leader of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) expressed profound regret and disappointment over the recent clashes between the Gonja and Mamprusi communities.

Former President Mahama recognized the terribly impacted lives and the sad effects of these wars, including the extensive harm they caused.

The urgent necessity for a peaceful conclusion and the restoration of unity between the Gonja and Mamprusi populations was highlighted by Mr. Mahama in a Facebook post.

He urged the parties concerned to prioritize peaceful coexistence and the preservation of lives and property and made an appeal for communication, comprehension, and mutual respect among themselves.

“I have learnt with regret and great disappointment 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.
“These hostilities, emanating from disputes over traditional jurisdictional issues, have led to the destruction of property and loss of lives. This is unfortunate. Gonjas and Mamprusis have lived together peacefully for ages and have become family through intermarriage and other social relationships.”
John Dramani Mahama

According to John Dramani Mahama, instead of turning to violence at the first sign of hostility, people should try to live in peace and use nonviolent measures to settle disagreements. He asserted that the things that bring them together must outweigh the things that keep them apart.

Furthermore, he exhorted the residents of Soo and Wasipe to focus their efforts and resources on battling poverty and deprivation, which he described as two common foes.

“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.
“I also call on the Ministers for Chieftancy, 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