The Overlord of Gonja Kingdom, Yagbonwura Bii-kunuto Jewu Soale I has lifted the ban on Member of Parliament for the Damongo constituency, who doubles as the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel A. Jinapor.
This was after Mr. Jinapor, in the company of some government officials, called on the Yagbonwura on Thursday, 1st August 2024 to explain his side of the story to him.
The Yagbonwura banned the Member of Parliament from entering the Jakpa Palace and all other palaces within the Kingdom and had directed Chiefs in Gonjalnd not to grant audience to any group that included the Minister.
The decision of the Yagbonwura followed certain actions that were deemed reprehensible by the Chiefs and people of Gonjaland, by the Minister.
The Minister was, also, alleged to be interfering with matters relating to the Damongo Skin.
Following these reports, the Minister issued a statement affirming his high regard for the chieftaincy institution, the Yagbonwura and all other chiefs for that matter.
He, also, indicated that he had no interest in the Damongo chieftaincy affairs and that he was committed to serving the people of Damongo as their Member of Parliament, and the people of Ghana as a Minister.
Subsequently, President Akufo-Addo sent a delegation led by the Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Stephen Asamoah Boateng, to meet with the Yagbonwura to resolve the issue.
The President’s delegation included the Minister for Defence, Hon. Dominic Nitiwul, Savannah Region’s representative on the Council of State, Pkogriwura Adam Zakaria, the Savannah Regional Minister, Saeed Muhazu Jibril, and the Savannah Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, Alhaji Iddrisu Sulemana.
Following extensive engagement with the President’s delegation, Mr. Jinapor, in the company of some government officials, called on the Yagbonwura at his Palace on Thursday, 1st August 2024.
The Minister used the opportunity to explain his side of the story to the Yagbonwura and reaffirmed his high regard and respect for the Chieftaincy institution in general, and the Yagbonwura and other Chiefs of the Gonjaland in particularly, as a Prince of Gonjaland.
The Yagbonwura, according to reports from the Palace, after listening to the Minister, expressed satisfaction with his explanation.
He said he had always known the Minister to be a respectful person, who will never denigrate the Chieftaincy institution, nor disrespect the Yagbonwura as his grandfather.
The King said as a Prince of the land, he was certain that the Minister was well-versed in the customs and traditions of Gonja, and would not engage in acts that would be deemed disrespectful to the Chiefs and people of Gonja.
He added that, he was genuinely concerned about the reports he was hearing, which resulted in some of the pronouncements that were made, which was aimed at protecting the dignity of the Chiefs and people of Gonja.
The Yagbonwura thanked the Minister for his humility and for his commitment to getting the matters resolved.
He blessed him as his proud grandson, adding that he is always welcomed to the Jakpa Palace and all other palaces in Gonja for that matter.
Meanwhile, supporters of one of the claimants to the Damongo skin have called on the Savannah Regional House of Chiefs to deliver its judgment in the Damongo Chieftaincy dispute, which has been pending before the Judicial Committee of the House since 2016.
According to the group, although the hearing in the matter has concluded and both parties have filed their respective addresses, the Judicial Committee has failed to deliver its judgment, despite serving notices of judgment on 27th January, and 15th February 2023.
They said the judgment of the House of Chiefs is necessary to bring finality to the dispute and prevent the recurrent clashes that occur being the disputing parties and their supporters.