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Tamale, Ghana – The Depuur Royal Family of Nandom Kokoligu in the Upper West Region of Ghana, has served notice that they will not allow anyone to impose a second Chief on the people of the Kokoligu Traditional Area.
The Kokoligu Traditional Area has been without a substantive Chief following the demise of Kokoligu Naa Michael Kpantol Zuwera III in 2020.
There has since been a dispute between at least two factions, the Depuur Family and the Baanuo Family as to who should be the next Chief of Kokoligu leading to the filing of a petition at the Upper West Regional House of Chiefs by the former for an amicable resolution.
However, recent events purported to be orchestrated by a Nandom Naa committee led by Puffien Naa to resolve the Chieftaincy dispute in Kokoligu is causing tension.
In a statement issued to the media including SavannahNews, the Depuur Family alleged that Nandom Naa was being influenced by a politician to ignore Dr. Jonathan Wadeyir Abesig whom he initially accepted to be the new Chief of Kokoligu.
“We assert that neither Nandom Naa nor politicians can impose a second Chief. We urge Nandom Naa to respect tradition and customs, and politicians to focus on national issues rather than meddling in Chieftaincy affairs”, the statement said.
“The Regional House of Chiefs and relevant institutions must intervene to prevent Nandom Naa from coronating a second Chief under politician influence. The Debpuur family will resist any such attempt.”
Below is a statement issued by the Depuur Family on Thursday October 24, 2024 to the media.
PRESS RELEASE
Clarification on the Kokoligu Chieftaincy Issue in Nandom Traditional Area
Ladies and gentlemen of the media, we would like to address the prolonged chieftaincy dispute in Kokoligu and shed light on its underlying factors.
The Kokoligu chieftaincy dispute is currently before the Judicial Committee of the Upper West Regional House of Chiefs for a final resolution. The petition was filed by the Debpuur family on 10/10/2024 and duly served on the key actors in this matter. Kindly disregard any exercise by any group of persons purporting to outdoor or coronate any individual as the new Chief of Kokoligu divisional area until the determination of the matter by the said Judicial Committee.
A recap of the main issues:
Following the demise of Kokoligu Naa Michael Kpantol Zuwera III, the Gyoder Royal family appointed Paul Aalier Baanuo as regent while searching for a suitable successor. Unfortunately, Paul Aalier Baanuo passed away after just three months.
The Gyoder Royal family was subsequently divided over who should become the next Chief of Kokoligu. The Debpuur family nominated Dr. (Med) Jonathan Wadeyir Abesig, while the Baanuo side nominated Augustine Baanuo.
As tensions escalated, the traditional council, led by Acting President Naa Domepeh Gyireh (Ko Naa), summoned both factions on August 28, 2020. The council adjourned the case to August 31, 2020, requesting each faction to present five representatives.
The Debpuur faction complied with the council’s directive, presenting their representatives on August 31, 2020. However, the Baanuo faction failed to appear, citing concerns about the council’s impartiality.
After Prof. Edmond N. Delle’s introduction as the new Nandom Naa (Paramount Chief of the Nandom Traditional Area), the Debpuur family continued to adhere to established customs. On November 7, 2021, Nandom Naa Naa Prof. E. N. Delle Chiir VIII accepted Dr. Jonathan Wadeyir Abesig’s “Kyeeb” (Chieftaincy items), officially recognizing him as Naa Dr. Jonathan Wadeyir Abesig Debpuur Gyoder IV, with a coronation date set for February 4, 2022.
The Royal family, sub-Chiefs, and community members of the Kokoligu divisional area facilitated our introduction. However, we were surprised to learn that some individuals petitioned against this. In response, the Nandom Naa established another committee to address the Kokoligu Skin Issue. This committee met with the Gyoder Royal family at Bekyedergang Naayir (Bekyedergang Chief Palace).
Upon submitting their report, the Baanuo factions petitioned against it, claiming bias towards the Debpuur family and Chief Elect, Dr. Jonathan Wadeyir Abesig. The Nandom Naa then formed a mediation committee, led by Puffien Naa. During mediation, we restarted the search for a new Chief, considering four candidates. The Debpuur family cooperated, and one candidate withdrew, supporting Dr. Abesig. He cited two reasons: Dr. Abesig had completed all traditional processes and, as his grandson, was considered his brother.
The committee abandoned their roadmap and submitted another report to Nandom Naa. On July 26, 2024, Nandom Naa selected Mr. Augustine Baanuo as Chief-Elect, sparking controversy among elders and the traditional council. The Debpuur family has petitioned the Judicial Committee of the Regional House of Chiefs.
We must note that the Puffien Naa-led committee showed conflict of interest, prompting a petition from the Debpuur family. Their report was also not shared with us. This is an anomaly.
A politician allegedly influenced this decision, visiting committee members and Chiefs, expressing dislike for Naa Dr. Abesig. We have compiled audiovisual evidence and will address this soon.
Despite the ongoing Judicial Committee hearing, the Baanuo faction distributed invitation cards for Augustine Baanuo’s coronation. We assert that neither Nandom Naa nor politicians can impose a second Chief. We urge Nandom Naa to respect tradition and customs, and politicians to focus on national issues rather than meddling in Chieftaincy affairs.
The Regional House of Chiefs and relevant institutions must intervene to prevent Nandom Naa from coronating a second Chief under politician influence. The Debpuur family will resist any such attempt.
Joachim Sieningan (Head Debpuur Family)
Fidelis K. Zuwerah (Head Zuwerah Family)
Basilide T. Debzie (Debzie Family Head)
Julius Abesig PRO – 0240120087
By SavannahNewsOnline.Com/Philip Liebs
