Media watchdog oppose imposition of media censorship
Northern conflicts displace five thousand
Asantehene others to mediate in Yendi
crisis
Jake to widen vetting committee
Government
says directive for media clearance is constitutional
President Kufuor airlifts warlords to Accra for peace talks
Presence of 444 troops at Yendi
Police
offer ˘10 million reward
Reconsider decision to vet Yendi reports - Minority
Exercise moderation on the Yendi issue – Media Commission
Ministerial team presents interim report on Yendi Mission
Twenty-eight people killed in Yendi conflict
buried
Clear all reports on Yendi with Information
Ministry first
Slow response contributed to violence in Yendi – Govt
PNC & CPP Condemn Attack On Ya-Na's Palace
Togbe Fiti extends condolence to chiefs and people of Dagbon
Savannah Caucus calls on media to be cautious in Dagbon crisis
Andani Gate confirms death of Ya-Na Andani
New tribal clashes over Chief's killing
President Kufuor appeals for calm in Yendi
Supporters of Ya Na attack NPP property
Two ministers resign over Yendi conflict
Govt says intervention to restore order has been costly
Interior Minister denies involvement in Yendi fighting
Presidential Peace Mission to Yendi wont take sides - Mensah
Accra (Greater Accra) 05 April 2002 - President John Agyekum Kufuor is participating in the preliminary discussions of the three-member Yendi Mediation Team, which began at the State House in Accra on Thursday.
The team, made up of three prominent traditional rulers, would then begin its deliberations and determine possible solutions to the crisis after which it would have separate meetings with the delegation from the Andani and Abudu gates. They would have another meeting with the Presidential Fact-Finding Team on the Dagbon crisis and finally present their report to government.
The President named the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Nayiri Gamni Muhammadu, paramount chief of the Mamprugu Traditional Area and the Yagbon-Wura, bawa dashie II, papamount Chief of the Gonja Traditional Area, to helpd find a lasting solution to the crisis in the Dagbon Traditional Area. The age-long crisis exploded once more last week leading to the killing of at least 28 people, including the Ya-Na.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 05 April 2002 - Parliament on Thursday unanimously approved the government's request for the extension of the state of emergency for the Dagbon Traditional area for another six weeks.
All 168 members present approved the resolution. The one-week State of Emergency the government imposed on Yendi, following clashes between the Andani and Abudu Gates that led to the death of Ya-Naa Yakubu Andani the Second and several of his followers, expired on April 3.
Before the approval, the Senior Minister, Mr J. H. Mensah said the Dagbon Traditional area remains calm but tense, hence the need to extend the State of Emergency.
Parliament was therefore, being requested to approve the declaration in pursuance's of article 31 (5) of the constitution for the state of emergency to continue for another six weeks, Mr Mensah said in a statement to Parliament to seek its approval for a re-declaration of the existence of a state of emergency in the said Dagbon Traditional area.
He said the President considered the facts and circumstances in the area giving rise to the said declaration on March 27 and which have not abated and still persist. A report indicated that there had been a heavy exchange of fire between the Andani and Abudu gates in Yendi, the Ya-Na's palace torched and heavy casualties resulting in 28 persons confirmed dead, he said.
Mr Mensah said there was a state of tension in Tamale with a very real fear that fighting and mob violence could erupt there with fears of further conflict across the Dagbon areas.
He said in the circumstance, the President consulted the Council of State and upon their advice proclaimed a State of Emergency in the Dagbon areas, which was duly Gazetted on March 27, 2002.
"Subsequent to this, the security services have continued their build- up in men and material to be able to patrol and present a believable deterrent to prevent any faction or person from attempting any violence".
The House unanimously approved the President's request and extended the state of emergency for another six weeks. The Majority leader, Papa Owusu-Ankoma expressed condolences to the people and appealed for tempers and passions to be calm so that the situation could be meaningfully dealt with.
He congratulated the Minority for their show of support, saying that the House would stand as one body in times of national crisis. Papa Owusu- Ankoma called on Ghanaians to pray for the leadership of the country to be imbued with the wisdom of Solomon to solve the crisis. The Minority commended the government for actions taken so far to resolve the crisis but called for an independent judicial inquiry into the crisis. It expressed its condolences to the bereaved families and called on them to remain calm and allow the due process of the law take its course.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 05 April 2002 - The Minority in Parliament on Thursday called for an independent judicial inquiry into the Yendi chieftaincy crises. "I reiterate the call on the government to set up a high powered independent judicial inquiry into the conflict to dig out the root causes and forestall an escalation of the situation," Alban Bagbin, the Minority Leader said.
Mr Bagbin said this during the emergency sitting of Parliament convened to approve the government's request for an extension of the state of emergency declared a week ago in the Dagbon Traditional Area.
He said the government's decision to involve three traditional leaders in the resolution of the conflict was laudable. However, he proposed that these chiefs should remain behind the curtains and away from the limelight and the heated passions of the warring groups. That, he said, would put them in a better position to offer counsel and employ diplomacy in complementing government's efforts.
The government earlier this week invited the Nayiri, Na Gamni Muhammdu Abdulai, Paramount Chief of Mamprugu Traditional Area, Yagbonwura, Bawa Doshie II, Paramount Chief of Gonja Traditional Area, both of the Northern Region and Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II to assist in finding an amicable solution to the Yendi crises.
Mr Bagbin further called on the government to address the other ethnic conflicts particularly in Bawku and Bumprugu adding, "these conflicts have become perennial and claimed several lives, properties and a drain on the national resources" (sic).
Mr Doe Ajaho, the Minority Chief Whip reiterated the call for an independent judicial inquiry adding that this would boost the confidence of the parties in the dispute and to help to resolve the crises.
He said nobody should be treated as being above the law and that the government should ensure that all those, who committed crimes against the state during the crisis, were arrested and prosecuted. Mr Adjaho called on Ghanaians to exercise the maximum restraint "so that nothing is done to disturb the peace and unity Ghana had enjoyed over the years".
Later, Parliament approved the government's request for an extension of the state of emergency in Yendi for another six weeks. All 168 members present approved the resolution. Ya-Na Yakubu Andani II and 28 others were reported killed in an attack on the Gbewaa Palace at Yendi last week.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 05 April 2002 --President John Agyekum Kufuor on Thursday said the government was hopeful to get the best customary and historical advice from the three-member Yendi Mediation Team.
It has become necessary for the government to approach the three prominent traditional rulers in the country to assist it find solution to the sad situation in the Dagbon State, President Kufuor said when he welcomed the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu the Second, the third member of the Mediation Team at the Castle, Osu.
The other two members are the Naayiiri Gamni Muhammadu, Paramount chief of the Mamprugu Traditional Area and the Yagbon-Wura Bawa Doshie the Second, Paramount Chief of Gonja Traditional Area.
President Kufuor expressed his appreciation to the Asantehene for honouring the invitation at a short notice. e said the other two members of the Team on Wednesday held separate meetings with him at the Castle.
President Kufuor said during separate meetings with the factions involved in the conflict at Yendi it was clear they both were desirous to have a peaceful resolution of the problem.
Okyeame Boakye Yam, Asantehene's linguist, said the Asantehene was privileged to be a party to finding a solution to the Dagbon crisis. The Asantehene later had separate consultations with the Nayiri and the Yagbon-Wura in their hotels in Accra.
The maiden meeting of the Mediation Team takes place in the afternoon at the State House after which it would have separate meetings with the delegations of the Andani Gate and the Abudu Gate. The team would later have a meeting with the Presidential Fact-Finding team on the Dagbon crisis after which it would present its report to the government.
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Bolgatanga (Upper East) 05 April 2002 - The Right Reverend Emmanuel Arongo, Anglican Bishop of the Tamale Diocese, on Thursday said only truth, honesty and accurate facts on chieftaincy matters could bring peace to the three Northern Regions. Bishop Arongo noted that chieftaincy in the Upper East, Upper West and Northern Regions was shrouded in falsehood making the area a "ticking time bomb."
He told a special synod of the diocese on the adoption of a drafted constitution of the Anglican Church in Ghana towards the attainment of provincial status by October 23, next year that most people found it difficult to speak the truth about the chieftaincy institution, adding, "a pint of it (truth), could resolve serious issues such as the one that happened in the Dagbon Traditional Area."
He said violent chieftaincy disputes would persist in the three Northern Regions inasmuch as perpetrators of these acts continue to peddle lies to achieve their aim. Bishop Arongo prayed for wisdom for members of the three-member committee, established by President John Agyekum Kufuor to mediate in the Dagbon dispute and advised them to insist on the truth in order to come up with a positive and lasting solution.
He noted, "we leave just the opposite life of Christ, because one of the gifts of life is truthfulness, which we hate, yet without it, there would always be chaos." Synod members from more than six parishes of the diocese, clergy of the Church and diocesan officials attended the event.
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By Samuel Osei-Frempong
Accra (Greater Accra) 05 April 2002 - Members of Parliament had hardly taken a rest from the energy sapping pre-Easter meeting when news of the murder of Yaa Naa, Yabuku Andani, made the rounds.
It was a tragedy that added its knot on the long sting of sordid events in the nation's life since the May 9 stadium disaster. Parliament had to convene to consider the request of government for an extension of a state of emergency to keep the Dagbon area under strict surveillance. Members strolled in from their various constituencies without the glamour and smiles exhibited on such occasions. It was time for serious business and pleasantries could wait.
Two hours of intensive negotiations brought members to the decision that members of the media could be present and that the wording of the resolution for government's request was all right. It had to start public business at 1210.
But amidst wrangling, spirituality crept steadily in the corridors of the legislature and members, for once in a long time, placed divine intervention on the same pedestal as physical and legal intervention. Two leaders of the House openly asked for prayers. Prayers and fasting to help calm nerves in the area.
Papa Owusu Ankoma, Majority and Mr Alban Bagbin, Minority Leader, with their choir-boy looks prayerfully asked for prayers and fasting. "Let's pray and fast in these trying times. Lets pray so that God will guide the ship of state to safer shores." Papa Owusu Ankoma said.
For Mr Bagbin,"Only Allah/God can restore lasting peace throughout the country. All Ghanaians must pray and fast for divine intervention in the present conflict." "And for the peace in our individual lives; peace within our families; peace in our communities and lasting peace throughout the nation.”
Ghana has lost count of the cocktail of tragedies she has tasted within a year and now as its leaders believe, only a return to prayer would take this religious people across the river where neither pain nor sorrow shall be their lot.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 04 April 2002 - Representatives of the Dagbon State and the family of the late Ya-Na Yakubu Andani II on Wednesday called for an independent commission of inquiry into circumstances leading to the assassinated murder of the King of Dagbon and several others at the Gbewaa Palace.
Dr Wayo Seini, a prominent member of the area, told journalists at a press conference in Accra that "the Andani family demands an independent commission of inquiry composed of non-partisan personalities of high credibility and integrity to probe these crimes."
He said: "We as well as all patriotic sons and daughters of Dagbon, will never be intimidated by open or veiled threats; we shall not let this matter die until we find out who killed our King, their accomplices and sponsors and ensure that they are brought to justice."
Dr Seini who is also a prominent member of the Andani Gate of the late Ya-Na, Yakubu Andani II, was briefing journalists on developments in the Yendi Traditional Area after the recent fighting.
The press conference, which was originally scheduled for 2nd April, was postponed at the eleventh hour to Wednesday, 03 April, to enable the family to meet President John Agyekum Kufuor at the Castle, Osu. The President had requested for an emergency meeting with the family members before they met the press.
Dr Seini was flanked by Dr Abdul Gamel Nasar a leading member of the CPP and a Prominent citizen of Dagbon, Dr Yahuza Gomda, Nephew of the late Ya-Na, Mr Andani Alhassan and Alhaji Fuseni Baba. He called for the immediate arrest of several members of the national security office and government.
They are: Lieutenant-General Joshua Hamidu, National Security Adviser; Alhaji Malik Al-Hassan Yakubu, former Minister of the Interior and Major Abubakar Sulemana, National Security Co-ordinator.
The others are, Prince Imoro Andani, former Northern Regional Minister and Mr Habib Tijani, District Chief Executive of Yendi, for their alleged "complicity in the crimes against the Dagbon State." He said their arrest would indicate government's sincerity to investigate the mass murder as stated in the President's address to the Nation on Thursday 28 March 2002.
The Dagbon State, according to Dr Seini, wanted the government to explain: Why it imposed a curfew in the Dagbon area? Why the Regional Security Council failed to intervene to avert the attack on the Ya-Na "even when request to do so had been made by the Regent of Gulkpegu in Tamale on several occasions"?
The Representatives questioned why there was break in telecommunications with Yendi from Monday, 25 March to Wednesday, 27 March? It also wanted to know why the military detachment at Yendi, which was equipped with armoured cars, refused to respond to the Ya-Na's request to evacuate him from the palace?
They also appealed to the government to disclose the source of its information on the death of the King and its subsequent announcement on Wednesday 27 March 2002, which is a flagrant violation of the customs and tradition of the African and, especially that of the Dagbon State.
"We demand from the government the body of our King." Who identified the body? When and where the identification took place? Why members of the Abudu Gate were provided with special security during the period while all others were abandoned to their fate when it was abundantly clear that it was the Abudu Gate, who were the aggressors."
Dr Seini said; "we are only cognisant of the fact that other tragedies had in the past been unleashed on the Dagbon State by these same local criminal elements in September 1969, during the transition from the government of the National Liberation Council to the Busia Administration."
He said 69 members of the Andani family were gunned down then by state security forces ostensibly sent to protect the palace, when the Ya-Na Yakubu Andani had then taken over from his father in 1968.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 04 April 2002 - Representatives of the Andani Gate of the Dagbon Traditional Area at Yendi on Wednesday asked the former Minister of the Interior, Alhaji Malik Al-Hassan Yakubu to resign as Member of Parliament for Yendi.
The representatives led by Dr. Wayo Seini alleged that "the magnitude of the crimes committed against the citizens of his (Yendi) constituency and the Dagbon state in general, is of such monstrous dimension that he is not fit to be in parliament."
Dr Seini, who is also a prominent member of the Andani Gate of the late Ya Naa, Yakubu Andani II, made the call at an emotional press conference in Accra to brief journalists on developments in the Yendi Traditional Area after the recent fighting in which the Ya-Naa and at least 28 others were killed.
The press conference, which was originally scheduled for Tuesday, 02 April 2002, was postponed at the eleventh hour to Wednesday 03 April. The postponement was to enable them to meet President John Agyekum Kufuor at the Castle, Osu, for an emergency meeting with the family members before they met the press.
Dr Seini, who broke down in tears twice during the press conference, was flanked by Dr Abdul Gamel Nasar, a leading member of the Convention People's Party (CPP) and a prominent citizen of Dagbon, Dr Yahuza Gomda, nephew of the late Ya-Na, Mr Andani Alhassan and Alhaji Fuseni Baba.
He accused the government of being insensitive to the plight of the Dagbon State and the family of the Andani Gate, alleging that in spite of several contacts, including telephone calls made on Monday, 25 March, to alert the government about the killings at Yendi, "the government through its numerous spokespersons maintained that the situation was normal and that there was no threat whatsoever to life and property in Yendi.
"Not even calls by the people who were lucky enough to have escaped from the terror to tell the tales of people being killed could change the attitude of officialdom, which still insisted that the situation was normal."
Dr Seini stated that the people of Dagbon demand from the government an explanation of "the bizarre circumstances leading to the cold-blooded murder of the king and about 40 others by the terrorists."
"We make this demand of government not only because it has the bounding duty to protect the lives and property of all Ghanaians but also because government had in the face of this development, indicated publicly that it was in control of the situation and that all was normal in Yendi."
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Accra (Greater Accra) 04 April 2002 - President John Agyekum Kufuor on Wednesday said the crisis in the Dagbon State emanated from the customs and traditions of the people. He, therefore, appealed to the three-member mediation team made up of prominent chiefs in the country to use their wisdom and influence to find lasting solution to the crisis.
President Kufuor at two separate meetings with the Nayiri Gamni Muhammadu, Paramount Chief of the Mamprugu Traditional Area and the Yagbon-Wura Bawa Doshie II, Paramount Chief of the Gonja Traditional Area, both of the Northern Region, at the Castle, Osu said; "it is necessary the crises in the Dagbon state are quickly arrested for peace and harmony to be restored.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, the third member of the team, is expected in Accra on Thursday, April 4. "The crisis is vested in the customs and traditions of the people, and to make a headway, we should invite the prominent chiefs to use their wisdom and influence to find a lasting solution to the crisis," he said.
He reiterated the government's commitment to peace and stability in all parts of the country. President Kufuor said although the government came into power through partisan politics, government's sense of responsibility would not make room for everything to be dealt with by partisan politics, but efforts would be made to instil stability in the country.
He said he was optimistic that the outcome of the Mediation Team deliberations would enhance the credibility of the government. Nayiri Gamni Muhammadu said despite his age, he felt he was duty bound to contribute to find a lasting solution to the Dagbon crisis.
The events that occurred at Yendi were unprecedented in the history of the area, he said, adding; "through oral history, there has not been any similar incident in the past, that is why my mission to Accra has become necessary."
The Nayiri thanked the government for the due recognition given to him to participate in the mediation of the Dagbon crisis. "As prominent chiefs in the country and custodians of our customs and traditions, I hope our decisions would make an impact to find a lasting solution to the Dagbon crisis."
The Yagbon-Wura recounted the Northern Region conflict between the Kokombas and the Nanumbas during which up to date the culprits or the perpetrators had not been found and prosecuted.
He said had the perpetrators been found and punished the Dagbon crisis could have been averted. The Yagbon-Wura, therefore, appealed to the government to ensure that the culprits in the Dagbon crisis were brought to book. He pledged to contribute to find a lasting solution to the crisis. The President also met the Andani and Abudu gates behind closed doors.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 04 April 2002 – The Government on Wednesday said it was working hard to bring the refugee situation in Tamale to normalcy, but noted that the situation at Yendi must be contained first.
To this end, a meeting is currently underway at the Castle between the Asantehene, Na-Yiri and the Yagbonwura on one hand and the Abudu and the Andani Gates. The meeting, which is at the instance of the President, is to examine the situation and seek to bring short to long-term peace to the Dagbon area.
Briefing the press in Accra, Mr Ferdinand O. Ayim, Special Assistant to the Minister of Information and Presidential Affairs, admitted that a large number of people from Yendi were streaming into Tamale for fear for their lives, besides those who were leaving or have left because their homes had been destroyed.
Tamale, the regional capital, has since the crisis broke out more than a week ago, received scores of people from Yendi for fear of being attacked or because their homes have been destroyed.
Mr Ayim said the refugee situation was very high on the agenda of the discussions since it was very paramount to the people returning to their usual places to continue with their normal economic and social activities.
Mr Ayim congratulated the high standard and responsible media reportage so far in the Yendi conflict and urged journalists to remain tactful in all that they write about the conflict. "We want to trust that Ghanaian journalists are committed to peace and security at Yendi as anyone else in the country."
He said a delegation from the Ministry had met the Ghana Journalists Association and the two sides have agreed to work towards a common and lasting document on the Yendi issue. "The two bodies are still talking and I hope that very soon an amicable solution or agreement will be reached," Mr Ayim said.
He said there seems to be calm at Yendi and expressed the hope that the calm could be translated into peace. "I hope that the good sense of courage and direction shown by their representatives at the meeting here in Accra will be reciprocated back home so that everybody can go back to their normal business."
Mr Ayim said the President has forwarded documents to Parliament, which is to reconvene for an emergency meeting on Thursday, to endorse the extension of the state of emergency for three months.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 04 April 2002 - Sheikh Umar Ibrahim, National Imam of the Ahlusunna Wal-Jama'a, on Wednesday urged Ghanaians to allow the judicial system to operate towards bringing the perpetrators of the Yendi tragedy to book as pledged by President John Agyekum Kufuor.
"I am urging all interested parties and the entire Ghanaian populace to exhibit the desired maturity in order to help preserve the peaceful socio-political climate we enjoy," he said in a statement in Accra.
Sheikh Ibrahim said: "It saddens me to recall the tragedy that shook the nation as a result of the recent disturbances at Yendi that resulted in the tragic death of Ya Na Yakubu Andani II, the Overload of the Dagbon State.
"Islam has in no uncertain terms condemned the taking away of life without tangible justification. As such this very act should be treated with the utmost disdain it deserves." Sheikh Ibrahim, on behalf of the membership of the Ahlusunna Wal Jama'a, extended condolences to the family of the late Ya Na and the Dagbon community.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 04 April 2002 - President John Agyekum Kufuor on Wednesday, said he was committed to a thorough investigation into the circumstances leading to the crisis in the Dagbon State of the Northern region, last month.
"I am also committed to a peaceful and sustainable settlement of the crisis," Mr Kwabena Agyepong, Deputy Government Spokesman, quoted him when he briefed newsmen at the Castle, Osu, after the President had held separate closed door meetings with delegations from the Andani and Abudu Gates, the two factions in the crisis.
President Kufuor said the State of Emergency was declared in the area to prevent further loss of lives and property and thanked the factions for their co-operation with the five-member Presidential fact-finding team and the Six-member Council of State team, which visited the area.
He also thanked the chiefs and people especially those from Yendi for their co-operation with the police and military personnel keeping the peace for the relative calm in the town.
Mr Agyepong said both factions in the crisis expressed their appreciation to the government for the swift manner it brought the situation under control and expressed their preparedness to have frank and objective discussions with the Mediation Team and others involved in discussing the issue.
He said the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, a member of the Mediation Team was expected in Accra in the morning of Thursday, for a closed door meeting with President Kufuor and the Nayiri Gamni Muhammadu and the Yagbon-Wura, Bawa Doshie II.
Mr Agyepong said the team would later hold separate meetings with the factions with the Presidential fact-finding team participating. The Kumbun-Na Yiri II led the Andani Gate while the Nanton-Na Sule led the Abudu gate.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 04 April 2002 - The Vice President, Alhaji Aliu Mahama has called on Ghanaians to bear with the government as it embarks on a mission to find an amicable solution to the Yendi crisis. He said "what we have on our hands is an ancient and a highly inflammable situation which requires the co-operation and support of all to resolve.
"In the process some may have to temporally give up their rights and privileges for the survival and good of the country, " the Vice President told a delegation of Muslim chiefs led by the Chief Imam Sheik Nuhu Sharubutu, who paid a courtesy call on him to express their condolences and sympathies to the government on the Yendi tragedy.
He said "as a son of the area I am deeply saddened and embarrassed by the tragedy and I believe that every true son of Dagbon is equally saddened and embarrassed by the turn of events in Yendi.
"I wish to call on the rest of Ghanaians not to make it any worse for us by allowing this calamity to divide the country any further. Let us minimise the spoils of this conflict; the Dagomba state has already lost heavily, but Ghana must stay united and strong to comfort us all," Alhaji Mahama said.
He said "in this moment of our distress we need the sympathies and prayers of all Ghanaians to enable Dagbon to come out of this calamity." The Vice President also appealed to all Dagombas, irrespective of their family lineage to exercise extreme restraint and co-operate with the various investigation teams in their search for a lasting solution to the problem.
He expressed his deepest condolences and sympathies to the bereaved families and prayed that Allah would support and comfort them in this moment of grief. The Vice President reiterated the government's determination to get to the bottom of the tragedy in Yendi and to bring to quick justice the perpetrators of this heinous crime.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 04 April 2002 - The National Media Commission (NMC) on Wednesday appealed to the government not to use Act 472 to impose censorship in the country but to use the powers conferred by law in the best interest of the nation.
A statement issued in Accra on Wednesday and signed by Mr Nutiffafa Kuenyehia, Chairman of NMC, said at the Commission's 18th General meeting it thoroughly discussed the statement of the Minister of Information and Presidential Affairs directing the media to seek clearance from his office before publishing any story from or about the Yendi conflict.
This, the statement said, was in view of the declaration of a state of emergency by the President in accordance with Article 31 of the 1992 Constitution and the Emergency Powers Act 1994.
It explained that under Article 31, the President was empowered to declare a state of emergency in a situation likely to deprive the community of the essentials of life or which render necessary the taking of measures, which were required for seeking public safety and the maintenance of public order among other things.
The statement said the Commission had noted the constitutionality of the Emergency Power Act but expressed regret about the circumstances leading to its invocation and described it as unfortunate.
The Commission, however, welcomed the willingness of the Minister to discuss with stakeholders, particularly the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) and NMC in implementing the provisions of the law and in resolving any differences between government and the media.
It further reminded the media of Article 21 (1) of the 1992 Constitution on the limitations on the rights of freedom including freedom of speech and expression, which shall include the freedom of the press and other media during a state of emergency.
The NMC accordingly renewed it appeal to the media to exercise circumspection and care in the reportage of the Yendi conflict and to avoid speculation and conjecture.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 04 April 2002 - Sheikh Umar Ibrahim, National Imam of the Ahlusunna Wal-Jama'a, on Wednesday urged Ghanaians to allow the judicial system to operate towards bringing the perpetrators of the Yendi tragedy to book as pledged by President John Agyekum Kufuor.
"I am urging all interested parties and the entire Ghanaian populace to exhibit the desired maturity in order to help preserve the peaceful socio-political climate we enjoy," he said in a statement in Accra.
Sheikh Ibrahim said, "It saddens me to recall the tragedy that shook the nation as a result of the recent disturbances at Yendi that resulted in the tragic death of Ya Na Yakubu Andani II, the overload of the Dagbon State.
"Islam has in no uncertain terms condemned the taking away of life without tangible justification. As such, this very act should be treated with the utmost disdain it deserves." Sheikh Ibrahim on behalf of the membership of the Ahlusunna Wal Jama'a, extended condolences to the family of the late Ya Na and the Dagbon community.
GRi../
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Yendi’s story-censorship – government to involve stakeholders
Accra
(Greater Accra) 04 April 2002 - Following mixed reactions from the media to the
government’s decision to vet reports relating to the Yendi conflict, the
Minister of Information and Presidential Affairs, Mr Jake Obetsebi Lamptey, has
indicated the government’s readiness to include the National Media Commission
(NMC), the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) and other stakeholders to make
the vetting decision more acceptable.
Mr Obetsebi-Lamptey
was reacting to a suggestion by the Editor-in-Chief of The Crusading Guide,
Kweku Baako Jnr., urging the government to change their format by adding media
stakeholders like the GJA, NMC and other media organisations to make their
decision to vet news items on Yendi more acceptable to media personnel.
“We have
taken the trouble to go on the web and do some research into the so-called
developed countries and how they do things and what we have got here in front
of me (indicating a document) is the notice of the UK and what they do is
basically what you are suggesting. We have no problems. We would invite the GJA
to let us have persons who can help us with how to do these things because we
need more people,” Jake said in reaction to Mr Baako’s suggestions.
Referring
to a precedent in the Ghanaian context (in the wake of the Konkomba/Nanumba
conflict in 1994), the Information Minister quoted the Emergency Powers Act.
1964 (Act 472) Declaration 1994 saying that “No person shall issue any report or
any publication on the conflict in the area of the State of Emergency unless
the report or publication has been cleared with the commander or officer
authorised by him. No person shall issue any radio or television report on the
conflict in the area under the State of Emergency unless the report has been
cleared with the Commander.” – The Crusading Guide.
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Accra
(Greater Accra) 04 April 2002 - The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has expressed
shock and dismay over the sudden death of Ya-Na Yakubu Andani, Paramount Chief
of Dagbon Traditional area. This was contained in a release issued and signed
by Mr Harona Esseku, National Chairman of the party.
He added
that, “The party’s sadness is even more deepened by the fact that the late
Ya-Na was involved in a number of peacekeeping efforts in the North. The NPP
National Chairman, on behalf of the party, expressed his deepest condolences to
the bereaved family and entire people of Dagbon traditional area.
The NPP
called on the people of Dabgon, opinion leaders and traditional authorities to
exercise maximum restraint whiles the government finds permanent solution to
the chieftaincy problem that has bedeviled the Dagbon State for years.
The party
commended the government for the steps so far taken to ensure peace in the
Dagbon area, especially the high-powered Ministerial delegation sent to the
Dagbon area by His Excellency President John Kufuor. The NPP urged the Security
Agencies involved in the investigation to do thorough work so as to bring the
perpetrators of the heinous crime to book. – The Crusading Guide.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 04 April 2002 - The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has noted that the directive from the Minister of Information that all media houses should submit news report on the Dagbon crisis for vetting is unworkable.
A statement issued in Accra on Tuesday and signed by the GJA President, Mrs Gifty Affenyi-Dadzie after a consultative meeting between the association’s executive and senior media practitioners said the GJA has met with the Minister, Mr Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, to seek clarification on the implementation of the directive.
It said while the GJA is making moves to resolve the matter amicably, it recognises the need for all media houses to be circumspect in their reporting of the Dagbon crisis and all other conflicts with a potential for national destabilisation. “In the meantime, the GJA insists that all journalists and media houses should abide by the provisions of the GJA Code of Ethics,” the statement said. – Daily Graphic.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 04 April 2002 - About 5,000 people are said to have been displaced as a result of various ethnic conflicts in the Northern Region. The conflicts had also resulted in the destruction of 190 compound houses.
Mr Akwasi Owusu Akyaw, the director of operations of the National Disaster Management organization (NADMO), disclosed this in Accra on Tuesday at a ceremony to thank Melcom Limited for donating 200 medium pieces of polymats worth ˘3 million to the organisation.
He explained that the religious clashes between the Al-Sunna and Tijaniya sects in the West Gonja District led to about 2000 people being displaced with 88 houses also burnt down, while the clash between the Taming and Poli in East Mamprusi, left about 3000 people displaced and 102 compound houses destroyed.
Mr Owusu Akyaw, who stressed the need for more relief items for the people, thanked the management of Melcom for the donation. For his part, the Managing Director of Melcom Limited, Mr Mensah A. Melwani, said, the donation was made at the request of NADMO. – The Ghanaian Times.
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Asantehene others to mediate in Yendi crisis
Accra (Greater Accra) 03 April 2002 - The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei-Tutu, the Paramount Chief of the Mamprusi Traditional Area, Na-Yiri and the Chief of Damongo, Yagbonwura are on their way to Accra to help in the mediation efforts in the Yendi crisis.
The team, which was put together by the government would help in finding a solution to the crisis to bring peace to the area. Mr Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, Minister of Information briefing newsmen in Accra on Tuesday, said the "three have been tasked by the President to meet with Dagbon leaders and their people to ensure that the current calm in the area produces peace".
It would also seek a lasting solution to the protracted problems facing the traditional area. He explained that the Asantehene was included in the team because "traditionally, they are brothers, all belonging to one of the five Kotokos".
GRi…/
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Andani Family Press conference postponed
Accra (Greater Accra) 03 April 2002- A scheduled press conference by the Andani Family of Dagbon Traditional Area in Accra on Tuesday was postponed at the eleventh hour to enable the family to meet President John Agyekum Kufuor at the Castle, Osu.
The Press Conference was for the family members to brief journalists on developments in the Yendi Traditional Area after the recent fighting in which the Ya-Na was killed.
Dr Gomda Yahuza, a nephew of the Late Chief of Dagbon, Ya Na Yakubu Andani told Journalists that President Kufuor had requested for an emergency meeting with the family members hence the postponement. The briefing has been rescheduled for April 3, at the same venue.
He said, "as a respect to the Office of the President we have the unpleasant duty to call this conference off at the eleventh hour." He, however, gave the assurance that the outcome of the meeting with the President would not affect the content of the Press Conference on Thursday.
GRi…/
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Accra (Greater Accra) 03 April 2002 - The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) said on Tuesday that after a consultative meeting with senior practitioners, it had noted that the directive from the Minister of Information that all media houses should submit their news reports on the Dagbon crisis for vetting "is unworkable".
It said the GJA was, therefore, arranging for a meeting with the Minister of Information, Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey to seek clarification on the implementation of the directive. A statement signed by the GJA President, Mrs Gifty Affenyi-Dadzie said: "While the GJA is making moves to resolve the matter amicably, it recognises the need for all media houses to be circumspect in their reporting of the Dagbon crisis and all other conflicts with a potential for national destabilisation."
The GJA said in the meantime; "the GJA insists that all journalists and media houses should abide by the provisions of the GJA Code of Ethics." The GJA said it remains committed to the ideals of free expression, peace and national cohesion as well as professional responsibility.
The Minister of Information and Presidential Affairs on Saturday directed media houses to clear all news items on the Dagbon affair with his Ministry before publication.
"I am with the authority of the President serving you notice that unless you are reporting an official release from my office you should clear any other news items on the Dagbon affair with the Ministry," the Minister said in a statement.
The statement explained that under the Emergency Powers Act of 1994, the President had powers to censor any news emanating from or about the area affected by the state of emergency.
GRi../
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Accra (Greater Accra) 03 April 2002- The Minister of Information on Tuesday offered to widen the vetting committee of stories on the Yendi conflict. The members would include at least two representatives each from the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), National Media Commission (NMC) and representatives of the National Security Council (NSC).
Mr Jake-Obetsebi-Lamptey who told journalists in Accra on Tuesday that it was yet to contact the GJA and other bodies on the matter, said the expansion of the committee was to ensure smooth and efficient vetting of the stories that would be submitted by journalists covering the conflict.
He said starting from today, there would be media briefings twice a day after the members of the Council of State currently in Yendi, returned to brief the President. "After this and a Parliamentary approval, the President would know whether to continue with the state of emergency or not." The GJA is scheduled to meet on Tuesday to deliberate on whether or not to submit stories for vetting.
GRi…/
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Student’s Union expresses regret over
Yendi conflict
Accra (Greater Accra) 03 April 2002 - The National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) on Tuesday expressed its regret at the current happenings in the Northern parts of Ghana, especially Yendi.
A statement issued in Accra and signed by Edward Bawa, National President of NUGS advised students on the various campuses to desist from making unguarded pronouncements on the issue since such statements would only aggravate the already volatile situation.
" We are therefore, taking this opportunity to entreat all students from the Northern parts of the country to serve as the focal point for finding solutions to these chieftaincy disputes", the statement said. It called on all parties involved in the conflict to "give peace a chance, since Ghana is the only place we can call home."
GRi…/
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Govt's directive is unconstitutional & illegal - Minority
Accra
(Greater Accra) 02 April 2002 - The NDC Minority in Parliament has described as
unconstitutional and illegal, a government directive asking media houses to
submit all news items on the Yendi crisis to the Information Ministry for
approval before publication or broadcasting.
It has
also called on the Ghana Journalists Association and National Media Commission
to take immediate steps to halt the gross encroachment on the freedoms and
independence of the media as enshrined in the constitution.
According
to the Minority Spokesperson for Communications, John Mahama, the Emergency
Powers Act of 1994 under which the directive was issued, confers no censorship
powers on the President.
The
minority described "the directive as an obvious attempt to present a
one-sided view of events in the Dagbon area and thereby cover-up the alleged
involvement of top government officials and the inept handling of the crisis by
intelligence and security operatives."
The
minority said although it has nothing against the imposition of a state of
emergency in the area, it will not support any attempt to circumvent or violate
constitutional procedures and the rule of law.
The
statement expressed confidence in the good sense and judgement of the media
adding, "so far, journalists covering the crisis have exercised maturity
and a sense of responsibility."
GRi../
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Accra
(Greater Accra) 02 April 2002 - The Office of the Minister of Information and Presidential
Affairs has described the declaration of the State of Emergency and the
directive to media houses to submit their news reports on the Dagbon crisis for
vetting as constitutional and legal.
It said the
President has complied with all constitutional and legal requirements,
including the advice of the Council of State and publication in the gazette for
the declaration of the State of Emergency. Mr Ferdinand O. Ayim, the Special
Assistant to the Minister of Information and Presidential Affairs, in reaction
to a statement from the NDC Minority in Parliament calling for the withdrawal
of the directive to the media, said the government’s actions are based on solid
and firm constitutional grounds.
He said the
government derives its powers from Article 31 and 64 of the Constitution and
Section (1) of the Emergency Powers Act 1994 (Act 472). He said the declaration
allows the President to take “measures which are required for securing public
safety and maintenance of public order in the specified areas.”
Mr Ayim
said the President is expected to place before Parliament seven days after
publication in the gazette the facts and circumstances leading to the
declaration of the State of Emergency. He said the seven days have not yet
elapsed and described the NDC Minority’s stance on the matter as a deliberate
distortion of the Constitutional provisions. He explained that the directive to
the media houses is part of measures to ensure law and order in the area.
Meanwhile,
the Gazette on the Executive Instrument 28 (E.I. 28) on the State of Emergency
(Specified Areas) Proclamation, 2002, has been published. According to the
Gazette published on March 27, 2002, the President, acting on the powers
conferred on him under Clause (1) of Article 31 of the Constitution and Section
1 of the Emergency Powers Act of 1994, has declared a State of Emergency in the
Dagbon Traditional Area, Tamale Municipality and the Yendi District.
The Gazette
notes that unless Parliament, by a resolution of the Majority members, rejects
the declaration, the proclamation shall continue in force for three months
beginning “with the date of its being approved by Parliament or until such
earlier date as may be specified in the resolution.”
The Gazette
noted that while the State of Emergency is in force, the President “shall cause
to be taken measures that are reasonably justifiable for dealing with the
situation that exists.” – Daily Graphic.
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President Kufuor airlifts warlords to Accra for peace talks
Accra
(Greater Accra) 02 April 2002 - President John Kufuor is sending a special
aircraft to the Northern Region on Tuesday to pick leaders of the warring
factions at Yendi to meet him in Accra. Also to be flown back to Accra on the
same plane is the Nayiri or King of the Mamprusis who, traditionally, is
recognised as a big brother to the Ya-Na of Yendi.
Mr
Ferdinand O. Ayim of the Ministry of Information, who disclosed this in an
interview on Monday night explained that the Nayiri will be expected to lend
his “weight and authority to the talks to be held between the President and the
two factions.” The aim of the talks is to calm tempers and get both sides to
the fight to agree to a peaceful resolution as a short-term measure, Ayim
added.
As a
measure to broker a long-lasting solution to the Dagbon chieftaincy dispute,
President Kufuor intends constituting a team of three very prominent kings
including the Asantehene, the Nayiri and the Yagbonwura who is king of the
Gonjas to deliberate on the age-long Yendi disputes, the Information Ministry
officials further disclosed.
He was
happy to note that the situation at Yendi, Tamale and other Dagbon settlements
have calmed since the dastardly deed was done last Wednesday. “We are told
there is no further breach. And as I talk now the Council of State has a
delegation in the area holding talks for peace.”
As would be
recalled the clashes between the Andani Gate and Abudu Gate of Yendi hit a
crescendo last Wednesday when 25 people, including the Yendi chief were
massacred, aside of billions of cedis worth of property that were destroyed.
The Ministers for the Interior and Northern Region resigned as the government
plunged into investigations to expose architects of the assassinations.
The moves
to restore peace and normalcy to Yendi as soon as possible are also considered to
be of prime necessity as planning season for the district, which is one of the
chiefs yam, rice and maize producers is just around the corner. – The
Chronicle.
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Presence of 444 troops at Yendi
Yendi
(Northern Region) 02 April 2002 - To ensure peace and stability in Yendi and
other parts of Dagbon, about 444 soldiers have been deployed in the area. They
are made up of 24 officers and 420 men.
This was
disclosed by the Army Commander, Major-General Clayton B. Yaache, at a news
briefing at the Kamina Barracks, Tamale, at the weekend. The Army Commander
also gave the assurance that adequate security measurers had been taken to
forestall a spillover of the Yendi chieftaincy disputes.
Maj-Gen
Yaache said the security forces were not taking any chances, and therefore
appealed to all the citizens in the area to remain calm while efforts were
being taken to arrive at a lasting solution to the problem. He commended the
leadership of the Andani and Abudu gates for cooperating with the security
forces to restore peace to the area. He also noted that he was satisfied with
the level of compliance by the inhabitants of Yendi and Tamale.
Maj-Gen
Yaache disclosed that 23 of the dead at Yendi, most of whom were supporters of
the late Ya-Na Andani II, were on Sunday, buried at Sambu, a village near
Yendi, while five sub-chiefs were buried at Yendi. In addition to the burnt
palace and a few traditional houses where the Ya-Na’s wives and relatives
resided, 37 round huts were also burnt.
Despite the
heavy military presence in the area, Maj Gen Yaache said the effort of the
ground troops would be complemented by daily air surveillance in the entire
Dagbon areas to ensure that any trouble that might arise was nibbed in the bud.
However,
the Easter celebration in the area, was dull particularly in the Tamale
Municipality where most night activities were cancelled due to the curfew,
including the popular annual Easter picnic at the premises of the Tamale
Training College. – The Ghanaian Times.
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Accra
(Greater Accra) 02 April 2002 - The police have offered a ˘10 million reward
for any accurate and reliable information leading to the arrest of the culprits
who carried out last week’s attack on the Ya-Na’s palace at Yendi, which
resulted in the death of the Ya-Na and a number of people at the palace.
This was
contained in a release issued in Accra on Monday, and signed by the
Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Ernest Owusu-Poku. The release assured
the public that an all-embracing impartial and thorough investigation had begun
into the circumstances leading to the attack on the Ya-Na’s palace.
It said
that in furtherance of the police effort, a Special Investigative Team (SIT) had
been set up to coordinate the investigation. It is made up of officers from the
CID headquarters and their colleagues from the Northern Police Command. The IGP
therefore, appealed to members of the public with any information on those who
executed the dastardly acts to contact the police in Accra, Yendi or Tamale. –
The Ghanaian Times.
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Reconsider decision to vet Yendi reports - Minority
Accra
(Greater Accra) 02 April 2002 - The NDC Minority in Parliament has called on
the Minister of Information to immediately withdraw the directive to media
houses to submit news reports on the Dagbon crisis to his office for vetting.
The Minority has described the minister’s directive as unconstitutional and
illegal.
A statement
issued in Accra on Monday and signed by the Minority spokesman on
Communications, Mr John Mahama, said the Emergency Powers Act of 1994, under
which the Minister claims to be acting, “confers no power of censorship on the
President, neither does any provision of the Constitution.” The statement made
it clear that: “The Minister of Information can, therefore, not claim to
exercise any such powers on behalf of the President to censor news reports on
the Dagbon crises.
The
Minority described the directive from the Minister of Information as an obvious
attempt to present a one-sided view of events on the Dagbon area and, thereby
cover up the alleged inept handling of the crises by the intelligence and
security operatives.
The
statement called on the Ghana Journalists Association and the National Media
Commission to take urgent and immediate action to halt this gross encroachment
on the freedoms and independence of the media as enshrined in Chapter 12 of the
1992 Constitution.
The
Minority reminded the government about the constitutional requirement for the
declaration of a State of Emergency and added that such a declaration should be
on the advice of the Council of State; should be published in the gazette and
placed before Parliament immediately. The statement said it does not appear
that theses constitutional procedures have been adhered to.
The
Minority re-echoed its call for the immediate convening of an emergency meeting
of Parliament to deliberate on the crises and the setting up of an independent
judicial inquiry to investigate the crises. The statement noted that while the
Minority believes that the situation in the Dagbon area warrants the imposition
of a State of Emergency, it will not condone any attempt to circumvent or
violate constitutional procedures and the rule of law.
It said the
Minority has confidence in the good sense and judgement of the media, and noted
that: “so far, journalists covering the crisis have exercised maturity and a
sense of responsibility.”
As a point
of reference, during the 1994 conflict, which occurred in parts of the Northern
Region, during which a State of Emergency was declared, news reports filed by
journalists, who were covering the unfolding events, were subjected to vetting
before they could be published. According to information available to the
Graphic, a special information desk was set up at the Kamina Barracks in Tamale
and all news reports had to be seen by military personnel, who manned the desk,
before publication.
Those
responsible for the vetting, the information said, did mark out portions of the
reports which they considered distasteful or circled words they thought could
inflame the situation, after which they passed them off, by putting the
censorship mark on the reports. The military, at that time, was involved in a
special operation to restore peace to the conflict area. – Daily Graphic.
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Exercise moderation on the Yendi issue – Media Commission
Accra
(Greater Accra) 02 April 2002 - The National Media Commission (NMC) has appealed
to the media to exercise moderation and circumspection in reporting on the
situation in Yendi.
Mr Yaw
Boadu Ayeboafoh, Executive Secretary of NMC said in an interview that,
"what is happening in Yendi has wider implications for the security of the
nation and we should not assume that Accra is detached from the conflict
area".
He said
there might be Dagombas all over the country that might be aligned to one side
or the other, and therefore if the media were not cautious, it could inflame
passions. Mr Ayeboafoh asked Journalists to desist from quoting eyewitnesses
since they might also be aligned to one side or the other thus causing one form
of problem or the other.
"They
must ensure that they talk rather to the security agencies on the ground. It is
unfortunate that earlier stories quoted eyewitnesses instead of the security
agencies. If you quote the security agencies, you are less liable. This will
reduce the incidence of publishing anything from any source."
Mr
Ayeboafoh said Journalists have their credibility at stake and should jealously
guard against it at all times. The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Code of
Ethics demanded respect for ethnic sensibility and respect for national ethics.
"We must exercise care in matters of this nature so that we do not stoke
the embers," he emphasised.Mr Ayeboafoh urged the security apparatus to
co-operate with the media and update them regularly with the objective
realities of issues on the ground.
GRi../
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Accra (Greater Accra) 02 April 2002 - The ministerial team led by Senior Minister Joseph Henry Mensah has presented an initial report to President John Agyekum Kufuor.
An official statement issued by Mr Jake Obetsebi-lamptey, Minister of Information and Presidential Affairs, said the team met with traditional and opinion leaders of both the Andani and Abudu Gates.
The team, which was in Tamale and Yendi on Good Friday, also met the government officials and members of the security services, including the army commander, the Northern Sector Commander, the Deputy Commander of Police (Operations) and delegations from the Nayiri in Tamale and Yendi.
Accompanying the Senior Minister were Mr Obetsebi-Lamptey, Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Major Courage Quashigah, Minister of Food and Agriculture and Madam Hawa Yakubu, Minister of
Tourism.
The statement said the team found that the security services, in the face of overwhelming firepower, had been able to contain the conflict within the immediate vicinity of the Ya-Na's Palace at Yendi thereby preventing the conflict from spreading to other areas.
The statement said they had subsequently established calm in Yendi and imposed a curfew. It said the team found that the traditional and opinion leaders in Tamale had been able to help the security forces to prevent the spread of the conflict to Tamale.
The statement added that every group that met with the team agreed that there was the need for peace in Dagbon and they all volunteered to work towards that objective. Furthermore, the leaders pointed out the need to avoid any provocative acts or inflammatory statements. It was also agreed to treat the wounded and bury the dead, 13 of who were yet to be identified.
A pathology team and forensic experts were sent to Yendi to help establish the causes of death and the identities of the dead and to commence investigations into the event, the statement said, adding that the ministerial team was, however, unable to confirm or deny if any of the bodies was that of the Ya-Na.
It said the team therefore pledged a full investigation into the events that occurred at Yendi and said due process of the law would be allowed to take its course without fear or favour. Traditional and opinion leaders pledged to work with the president to seek a long-term solution to the problems of Dagbon and bring about a lasting peaceful solution.
Twenty-eight people were reported dead and 21 others were injured after three days of clashes between the two factions involved in the Yendi Skin Affair. The Ya-Na Abdulai Andani, 66, Paramount Chief of the Dagbon Traditional Area, was also killed during the fighting. Nine of the injured are still on admission at the Yendi District Hospital.
GRi../
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Tamale (Northern Region) 01 April 2002 - The Army Commander, Major General Clayton Yaachie has said that all the 28 people, who were killed during the assault on the Ya-Na's Palace in Yendi, were buried on Sunday.
Three of the bodies were not identified and were buried in marked graves. Major General Yaachie, who was speaking to the Ghana News Agency, however, declined to say whether the Ya-Na's body was among those buried.
Major General Yaachie said the burial was in two phases, 23 were buried at Sambu, six miles West of Yendi and the rest, who were chiefs and bodyguards of the Ya-Na, were buried at Yendi.
He said the decision to bury them at separate locations was taken by all the stakeholders in the Yendi crisis. On the situation at Yendi, the Army Commander said uneasy calm that prevailed should not be taken for granted adding that the necessary mechanisms were in place to contain the situation.
These include the deployment of many more soldiers to Yendi and Tamale and their immediate environs. Major General Yaachie said the security personnel were guarding all vital installations, mounted roadblocks and going on patrols. The Army Commander commended the inhabitants of Tamale and Yendi for complying with the state of emergency and their resolve to remain calm.
GRi../
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Minority calls for change in leadership of Security Network
Accra
(Greater Accra) 01 April 2002 - THE Minority in Parliament on Friday urged
President John Agyekum Kufuor to "muster courage" to review the
leadership of the security apparatus to restore public confidence.
It also
called for the convening of an emergency session of Parliament in line with
Article 31 of the 1992 Constitution to deliberate on the Yendi situation, a
statement signed by Alban Bagbin, Minority Leader said. The group expressed
concern at the "seeming ineptitude in the handling of security matters in
recent times, resulting in serious bungling in sensitive security situations."
The
Minority expressed shock that "what began as a minor skirmish in the run
up to the annual Fire Festival has been allowed to degenerate into a massacre
of such tragic proportions," adding that no effective action was taken by
the authorities to ensure the safety and security of the late Ya Na Yakubu
Andani and his palace.
While
expressing its sincere condolences to the family of the late Ya Na, the
Minority urged them to continue to exercise restraint in the current crisis. It
also appealed to the people of Dagbon "not to take any action that would
further jeopardise the unity, stability and peace that had prevailed in the
traditional area over the last few decades."
GRi../
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Accra (Greater Accra) 01 April 2002 - The Ministry of Information and Presidential Affairs has directed media houses to submit all news reports emanating from or about the area affected by the state of emergency to the ministry for vetting.
A statement issued in Accra on Saturday and signed by the sector Minister, Mr Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, made it clear that “unless you are reporting an official release from my office, you should clear any other news on Dagbon affairs with this ministry.” It reminded the media about the declaration of a state of emergency in the Dagbon areas of the Northern Region.
The statement said under the Emergency Powers Act of 1994, the President has the powers to censor any and all news emanating from or about the area affected by the state of emergency. It said, “I am with the authority of the President serving you notice that unless you are reporting an official release from my office, you should clear any other news items on Dagbon affairs with this ministry.”
The statement expressed regret about the fact that news items being broadcast by various radio stations are proving to be highly inflammatory. It said, “Some are totally untrue, many more are ill-founded and/or ill-motivated speculation and even in some cases where the reports are correct they are reports that are calculated to inflame the situation.”
In an eight-point reminder to media practitioners, the statement said people’s lives are in danger while the calm in the north is fragile and needs to be nurtured into peace. According to the statement, “News is news, it is not opinion, it is not conjecture and it is not rumour mongering,” adding that “as always in this type of situation, there are forces at work that have a vested interest in promoting one side against the other or even in promoting violence.
“This is a time to show maturity and a sense of responsibility. Titillating scoops, especially when they are wrong, but even when they are right but endanger the security of the area and the people, will not help,” it said.
The statement also drew attention to the special appeal made by the President to the media to avoid destructive speculation, adding that, “in Rwanda, the media were used in an attempt to inflame one group against the other.
Last week Wednesday, the President declared a state of emergency in the Dagbon area and also imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew. An official statement said the declaration followed the chieftaincy disturbances at Yendi. – Daily Graphic
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Slow response contributed to violence in Yendi – Govt
Accra
(Greater Accra) 01 April 2002 – The Government has admitted that the slow
response of the security agencies contributed to the escalation of violence in
Yendi. Many Ghanaians have been blaming government for not taking the necessary
steps to avert the clashes that has claimed several lives in Yendi.
Minister
of State at the Presidency, Elizabeth Ohene says if the security agencies had
responded swiftly to reports at the start of the conflict, the loss of lives
and property could have been minimised. She said the security agencies lapsed
into a sense of complacency, resulting in the death of the Ya-Na Yakubu Andani.
Miss
Ohene declined to comment on the whereabouts of the Ya-Na saying that the
Dagomba authorities will be the best people to answer the question. On the
Interior Minister's resignation, Miss Ohene said government accepted it because
it believes the reasons given by the Minister were tenable.
The
Interior Minster who is also the Member of Parliament of Yendi indicated that
he was resigning to ensure smooth investigations into the clashes. Miss Ohene
noted that it was necessary for the Interior Minister "to step aside so
that he will not be linked with the investigations."
She
however noted that the President was reluctant to accept the resignation of the
Northern Regional Minister, who also comes from the area but had to do so to
ensure amicable settlement of the conflict. But the question that most people
are asking is - Were they forced to resign?
GRi../
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PNC & CPP Condemn Attack On Ya-Na's Palace
Accra (Greater
Accra) 01 April 2002 - The Convention People's Party (CPP) and People's
National Convention (PNC) have added their voices to the numerous calls on
Government to thoroughly investigate without prejudice, the events that led to
the death and maiming of innocent citizens in Yendi.
The CPP
condemned the attack on the palace of the Paramount Chief of the Dagbon
Traditional Area, which led to the gruesome murder of Ya-Na Yakubu Andani.
According to the CPP, government's investigations must be geared towards
establishing the root causes and identifying the culprits, who should be made
to face the full rigours of the law.
In a
statement signed by its General Secretary, Nii Noi Dowouna, the CPP says the
irreparable losses are bound to leave permanent scars in the royal dynasty of
Dagbon and in the minds of the bereaved families.
The
party however is gratified by the news that the elders of Dagbon have pledged
their total support to the government fact-finding team in their work to assist
in bringing peace and tranquillity to the area. The party extended its
heartfelt condolences to the people of Yendi and wishes the injured a speedy
recovery.
The
Leader of the PNC, Dr Edward Mahama for his part, expressed his deepest regret
at the conflict at Yendi, which led to the assassination of the Ya-Na Yakubu
Andani II. Speaking to the Ghana News Agency in Accra, Dr Mahama conveyed his
personal condolences and that of the PNC to the people of Dagbon, particularly,
the immediate family of those who lost their lives in the clashes. He called on
the people of Dagbon both at home and elsewhere to let reason control the urge
of revenge.
Dr.
Mahama urged government not to only investigate the remote causes of the
conflict, but also ensure that it backs its words with action to arrest and
prosecute all individuals involved in the conflict.
GRi../
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Aflao (Volta Region) 01 April 2002 - Togbe Amenya Fiti V, Paramount Chief of the Aflao Traditional Area, has expressed sadness and dismay at the murder of Ya-Na Yakubu Andani 11, the overlord of Dagbon. "I was torn apart on hearing of the unwarranted and unnecessary death of our colleague.
"His rich experience in chieftaincy matters, which have helped in propelling the institution all these years are lost unto us", he said in a statement issued at Aflao at the weekend. Togbe Fiti appealed to the government to strengthen its hold on security in the area and to do everything possible to uncover the perpetrators of the disgraceful act. He also appealed to all Ghanaians, especially those in the north and the factions in the conflict area to remain calm while government played its role to solve the problem.
Togbe Fiti said it was time for the government, the chieftaincy institution and the peace loving people of Ghana to take a stand toward finding lasting solutions to the bloody chieftaincy conflicts from deteriorating into large-scale conflicts.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 01 April 2002 - The National Savannah Caucus (NASAC) on Monday appealed to the media to exercise caution, understanding and good judgement in their reportage of the current crisis in the Dagbon Traditional Area.
It also called on the National Media Commission to educate media practitioners on the implications of a state of emergency, which they explained as "you cannot do the normal things because it will affect the attempt to bring back normalcy."
A statement signed by Mr Braimah Abubakr-Sadiq, National Secretary, said the call was based on the fact that the crisis affected the entire north. "We as the Northerners have suffered the loss of human lives and its attendant destruction; we have suffered the virtual collapse of traditional system and also the possible loss of development as a result of diversion of funds for peacekeeping," it noted.
The statement, further said since the farming season was just about to begin, they needed the peace, stability and all the resources to be able to cultivate their lands.
It expressed the hope that the media were aware of the fact that the north contributed greatly to the food security in the country, hence, the media had to appreciate these facts in their desire to make news. The statement said the situation in Dagbon called for respect for the feelings of the victims, the effect of news on the national body politic and national cohesion.
The NASAC therefore advised radio presenters and their phone-in programmes to desist from making comments that would further aggravate the situation adding that, "the chiefs and other opinion leaders in conjunction with the government have arisen to the occasion and sanity is prevailing now."
The statement also appealed to the people in Dagbon to let sanity and peace prevail saying, "like President Kufuor said, they should reflect on the consequences of their actions and reactions, how it affect their position in the national political system and how other groups think of them as Northerners in the aftermath of the crisis.
"Are there no other means by which we can solve these problems without much anger and destruction? It asked. The statement said NASAC was encouraged by the resignation of Alhaji Malik Al-Hassan Yakubu, Minister of the Interior and Prince Imoro Andani, the Northern Regional Minister saying; "meanwhile it is hoped that the Northern representation in government would not be lost."
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Accra (Greater Accra) 01 April 2002 - France has expressed its condolence to President John Agyekum Kufuor and the people of Ghana over the tragic incident that occurred in Yendi last week.
A release issued on Monday by the Ministry of Communications said France in a statement dated March 29, 2002, indicated: "We have learnt about the tragic event, which occurred in Yendi. We wish to assure President Kufuor of France's total solidarity."
It said the government of France was confident that the government of Ghana would find a peaceful and equitable solution in the interest of the socio-economic development of all groups involved in the tragedy.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 30 March 2002 - The Minister of Information, Mr Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey on Saturday directed media houses to clear all news items on the Dagbon crises with his Ministry before publication.
"I am with the authority of the President serving you notice that unless you are reporting an official release from my office you should clear any other news items on the Dagbon affair with the Ministry," the Minister said in a statement.
The statement explained that under the Emergency Powers Act of 1994, the President has powers to censor any news emanating from or about the area affected by the state of emergency.
There is currently a state of emergency in force in the Dagbon areas of the Northern Region. It said news items broadcast by various stations were proving to be highly inflammatory of the situation in Dagbon.
"Some are totally untrue, many more are ill founded and/or ill motivated speculation and even in some cases where the report is correct they are reports that are calculated to inflame the situation," the statement said.
The statement reminded all media practitioners that the calm in the North was fragile and needed to be nurtured into peace. "This is a time to show maturity and sense of responsibility, titillating scoops, especially when they are wrong but even when they are right but endanger the security of the area and the people will not help," the statement added.
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Tamale (Greater Accra) 30 March 2002 - The leadership of the Andani Gate in the Dagbon chieftaincy crisis has confirmed the death of the Ya-Na Yakubu Andani II. Kumbun-Nayiri II, a Spokesman of the Andani Gate, confirmed death at meeting with the fact-finding Presidential Peace Mission at Tamale on Friday.
He, however, pledged the willingness of the family to co-operate with the government to ensure that peace was restored in the Dagbon Traditional Area. They also lauded the government's decision to investigate the causes of the crisis and bring the perpetrators to justice. The chiefs called on the government to ensure that all property looted during the attack on the Ya-Na, including skin regalia, were recovered and returned to the family.
They accused the former Minister of the Interior Alhaji Al-Hassan Yakubu, National Security Adviser, Lieutenant-General Joshua Hamidu (rtd) and Major Abubakari Sulemana (rtd), Security Co-ordinator of inciting the youth against Ya-Na Andani during a series of meetings they held with the Abudu Gate, to which they all belonged.
"Because they are in power they provoked violence in Dagbon by providing security to one faction to rebel against the Ya-Na, imposed a curfew on him and had him assassinated," the Kumbun-Nayiri charged. The Kumbun-Nayiri said under the state of emergency in Dagbon, there were moves for further assassinations and intimidation of the family of the Ya-Na.
He, therefore, appealed to the government to institute measures to check such attacks for peace to prevail in the area, adding, "we are peace-loving people and what has happened is sad and bitter because it has been unprecedented for the people of Dagbon to rebel against the Ya-Na."
Mr Joseph Henry Mensah, Senior Minister, who led the five-member government delegation to Tamale on a peace-building and reconciliation mission in the aftermath of the fratricidal conflict, said no effort would be spared to ensure peace and tranquillity in the Dagbon state.
"As political leaders, we have begun the process of reconciling the people to live peacefully together on the same soil," he said. He said the security agencies had done their part and all would be done in the spirit of peace to re-unite the people. Mr Mensah commended the people of Tamale for remaining calm throughout the crisis, which have caused irreparable damage to the Dagbon state as a whole.
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New tribal clashes over Chief's killing
Accra
(Greater Accra) 30 March 2002 - Rival tribesmen clashed anew in northern Ghana
on Thursday over reports that a powerful chief had been slaughtered along with
about 25 of his bodyguards. The latest bloodshed in a long-running tribal power
struggle within the Dagomba people has escalated since Monday and the violence
has forced hundreds from their homes.
Private
radio station Joy FM quoted witnesses saying police had stepped in to end an
hour-long gun battle on Thursday between rival tribesmen in the town of Yendi,
which has been under a state of emergency since Wednesday.
The mainly
Muslim Dagomba people, who make up around eight percent of Ghana's population
of over 19 million, have been split by a power struggle ever since the West
African country's independence from Britain in 1957.
The
witnesses said the latest clashes stemmed from a dispute about whether the
traditional chief, or Ya-Na, of the Dagomba people of northern Ghana had indeed
been beheaded, as security sources said on Wednesday.
The
sources said the Ya-Na's body, together with those of around 25 bodyguards, had
been torched and his palace destroyed. But members of the Andani clan loyal to
the chief said their leader had escaped the slaughter and been spirited 50
miles to the northern provincial capital Tamale.
They
said it was one of the Ya-Na's warriors who had been beheaded and they fought
with rival tribesmen who insisted the chief had indeed been slain. Soldiers and
police reinforcements have been drafted into both towns since the violence
began on Monday. Residents said tension was mounting in Tamale over fears of
reprisals by the Andani if reports of the chief's death were confirmed.
The
entire area of Dagbon, the ancient kingdom of the Dagomba people, is under a
dusk-to-dawn curfew. The clashes began as Yendi's fire festival, known as the
Bugum festival, was due to start on Monday.
One of
Ghana's most picturesque festivals, involving a night-time display of drumming,
dancing and blazing torches, the Bugum is believed to commemorate the search
for the missing son of a previous Dagomba chief. – Reuters
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President Kufuor appeals for calm in Yendi
Accra
(Greater Accra) 30 March 2002 - President Kufuor has urged the people of Yendi
and surrounding areas who have been engaged in a week of violent clashes to
remain calm.
In a
televised address to the nation, the President announced that government has
initiated investigations into the matter and cautioned against any attempt to
exploit the situation.
He
assured the people of the Dagbon Traditional Area that government will assist
them to resolve the age old chieftaincy conflict which is believed to be the
cause of this week's violent clashes. The President announced that a Ministerial
team headed by Senior Minister, Joseph Henry Mensah will be in the area to meet
leaders of the communities and avert further clashes.
Meanwhile,
the Ministerial team has arrived in Tamale. The team, which is led by Senior
Minister, J. H. Mensah arrived at the Tamale Airport this morning and
immediately went into a meeting with the outgoing Northern Regional Minister,
Prince Imoro Andani and senior officers of the security agencies.
Other
members of the team are Minister of Agriculture, Major Courage Quashigah;
Information Minister, Jake Obetsebi Lamptey, Tourism Minister, Yawa Yakubu and
Local Government and Regional Development Minister, Kwadwo Baah Wiredu.
Before
the meeting, Senior Minister, J.H. Mensah told the press that the team is not in
the region to apportion blame but to find solutions to the clashes. He assured
the people that government would handle the situation dispassionately. –
Reuters
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Supporters of Ya Na attack NPP property
Tamale
(Northern Region) 30 March 2002 - Supporters of the assassinated Paramount
Chief of Dagbon Traditional Area, Ya Na Yakubu Andani II have gone on rampage
in Tamale, destroying property belonging to the ruling New Patriotic Party
(NPP). This follows alleged reports that some leading members of the NPP
spearheaded the clan conflict that led to the death of their clan head.
The
dusk to dawn curfew imposed in Tamale and Yendi is being defied by the people
of the area, who engage in violent clashes during the night. Calm has
reportedly been restored to Yendi but people are still fleeing the town due to
the tense situation. Some of the fleeing vehicles were involved in an accident,
which killed at least two people and injured several others. The casualties are
not yet known since some people are buried immediately they are killed
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Two ministers resign over Yendi conflict
Accra
(Greater Accra) 30 March 2002 - Two ministers have resigned over the feud for
power in Ghana's Northern Region where the paramount chief of the Dagomba
Traditional Area, the Ya-Na Yakubu Andani II, has been confirmed killed, the
Ghana News Agency (GNA) reported.
The
minister of information and presidential affairs, Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey,
announced on Friday that the Northern Region minister, Prince Imoru Andandi and
Interior Minister Malik Al-Hassan Yakubu had resigned. President John Kufuor
has accepted the resignations "with regret and without prejudice",
GNA reported.
Both
men denied involvement in the clashes in the region's capital, Yendi, which
pitted two royal families against each other. On Thursday, Yakubu denied that
he had marshaled forces to the Abudu against the Andani group in the dispute.
"I
want to state categorically that not only are these allegations totally unfounded
and defamatory, but malicious and truly wicked," Yakubu said. "It is
worth to note that I am a close relation to the Ya-Na and we grew up together
from childhood. I could never cherish the Ya-Na killed."
The
Andani group called on Wednesday for Yakubu's resignation, the dismissal of
Yendi District chief executive Mohammed Habibu Tijani, and for the detention of
Accra businessman Aminu Amadu, for their roles in the crisis.
It remains
unclear what dispute sparked the fighting on Monday in which the chief and
several other people were killed. There had been conflicting reports of the
chief's death with the counsel for the Adani faction in the Dagbon chieftaincy
crisis, Ibrahim Mahama, telling the GNA that chief Andani was still alive. He
said hired assassins had mistakenly beheaded the wrong man.
However,
the government said Friday that Chief Andani was dead. President John Kufuor
has imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew in the conflict area and ordered a full-scale
operation to arrest the perpetrators of the killings. He warned anyone or group
that might try to take advantage of the situation that they would be
"swiftly and decisively dealt with under the full rigours of the law".
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Security forces did nothing to avert clashes in Yendi – Chiefs
Accra (Greater
Accra) 30 March 2002 - It has now been established that fierce fighting which
started at the Ya Na's Palace last Monday persisted for three days contrary to
the denial by the outgoing Interior Minister, Alhaji Malik Yakubu Alhassan.
It is
now clear that despite the presence of security forces at Yendi, no attempt was
made to bring the situation under control. The security forces stayed away and
made no attempt to stop the clashes between the Andani and Abudu factions
because they were not ordered to do so.
Our
Northern Regional Correspondent, Sayibu Mahama who was with a Ministerial
delegation currently on a fact finding mission quoted the Zori Na, Mahmoud
Salifu as saying that the attacks started on Monday morning when the late Ya-Na
was performing rites for the Fire festival. He said the subsequent attacks and
death of the Ya-Na, came as a shock and unexpected.
Zori Na
Salifu who represented the Andani's conceded that the late Ya-Na impressed upon
the outgoing Northern Regional Minister, Prince Andani to suspend the curfew to
make way for the necessary rites for the Fire Festival. He told the government
delegation that tension was still high in the area adding that it is only
government who can intervene in the circumstance.
The
Abudu faction for their part blamed the late Ya Na for not co-operating with
them. They also blamed the outgoing Northern Regional Minister for suspending
the curfew, which led to the attacks. Senior Minister, J. H. Mensah told both
sides that there were no victors or losers in the attack and called on the
people to remain calm while government takes the necessary steps to ensure
peace.
The
District Chief Executive of the area, Ahmed Tijani who has been mentioned as
having contributed to the clashes was seen sobbing throughout the meeting.
Twenty-eight people have so far been confirmed dead. – My Joyonline.
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Tamale (Northern Region) 30 March 2002 -The Northern Regional House of Chiefs has expressed shock and dismay at the death of the Ya-Na Yakubu Andani II, Overlord of the Dagbon Traditional Area. The house said: "The demise of the Ya-Na, King of Dagbon State is an irreparable lost."
They said: "We, chiefs of the Northern Regional House of Chiefs condemn, in no uncertain terms the horrific and barbaric happenings and the acts of vandalism at Yendi."
The statement said these tragic events has come at the time that the House was spearheading a campaign to unite chiefs in the region to evolve mechanisms for conflict resolution and help promote the socio-economic development of the area.
The statement, issued in Tamale on Saturday, on behalf of the Yagbon Wura, Bawa Doshie, President of the House and the Paramount Chief of the Gonja Traditional Area commended the government for its swift move to bring sanity in Dagbon.
The House, however, urged the government to beef up security in Dagbon to prevent any further loss of life and property. He expressed the hope that the government would ensure that the culprits in the conflict would be prosecuted and appropriate punishment meted out to them.
The House expressed condolence to the chiefs and people of Dagbon, saying, "we entreat all the protagonists in particular, to remain calm and give peace a chance." "The people of Dagbon and indeed the north should let the events of the past weeks to strengthen our resolve to unite and say no, to carnage, mayhem, arson and all acts that retard progress and development."
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Accra (Greater Accra) 30 March 2002 - President John A. Kufuor has stressed the need for peace to ensure sustainable development. This was contained in a speech read on his behalf by Paapa Owusu-Ankomah, Majority Leader and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, at the 73rd National Annual Convention of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission at the Bustan-E-Ahmad Conference Centre, Ashongman in Accra.
The Convention, which was attended by over four thousand members with observers from the Christian Council, Seventh Day Adventist Church, The Catholic Secretariat, MPs and some members of the Diplomatic Corp was under the theme, "Promotion of World Peace: the Role of Religion".
President Kufuor noted that ethnic, religious and political conflicts had occasionally resulted in violence, which had claimed lives and property destroyed. "Consequently, national security has been endangered and Government intervention to restore law and order has been costly in terms of financial and material resources that could have been spent on areas of critical importance to national development," he said.
He said, in other parts of the world, greed, domination, discrimination, injustice and inequalities had created conflicts and expressed concern about the unjust world trading system, "that consign a lot of countries to a life of perpetual suffering".
"This is where religion can play a vital role in ensuring the facilitating peace," he said. President Kufuor said religion teaches oneness of humanity, love, justice and compassion, which are moral values shared by most secular laws. He said that for religion to determine the direction of mankind towards world peace, adherents of different faiths should commit themselves to the 'shared values".
There could be world peace if "we can accept the centrality of God in our actions and the fact of our accountability before Him so that when our personal interest clashes with our religious beliefs, we should readily sacrifice our personal beliefs for our religious belief," he said.
The President commended the Ahmadiyya Movement for its achievements and said the movement had since its introduction in the country in 1921 preached peace, tolerance and co-existence with all other religions and groups.
He said the movement had also been a partner of the Government in many social development projects like hospitals, clinics and schools that had turned out "some of the finest citizens of this country" and called on other religious groups to emulate it.
Maulvi A Wahab Adam, Head of the Mission in Ghana, called on Muslims, Christians and followers of other religions to co-operate, work hard and promote productive work ethics such as punctuality.
They should cherish and guard the country's freedom by ensuring good governance and fulfilling their responsibilities as good citizens. Maulvi Adam called on Ghanaians to pray for peace, harmony, morality and progress for the country.
He expressed concern about lawlessness in society and blamed the upsurge of violence and indiscipline in schools on the INTERNET, computer games, rap music, drugs and broken homes. "We cannot allow violence to destroy our society. If someone believes in anarchy and we let that anarchy control us, then he is in control of us".
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Accra (Greater Accra) 30 March 2002 - The Minister of the Interior, Alhaj Malik Al-Hassan Yakubu, on Thursday denied charges of involvement in the Yendi clashes describing the charges as wicked.
In a statement issued in Accra, the Minister, who is also MP for the area, said the fighting and the "consequent tragic loss of the Ya-Na and other people is indeed a great tragedy not only for the people of Dagbon but Ghana as a whole." There had been conflicting reports about the fate of the Ya-Na, who was reported by the government to have been killed in the fighting on Tuesday night.
Alhaj Yakubu said, "coming from the area I am deeply saddened by the turn of events", adding that statements, particularly from a press conference held by the regent of Gulkpegu, blaming him for marshalling forces for one of the factions and thus encouraging the fighting were not true. "I want to state categorically that not only are these allegations totally unfounded and defamatory, but malicious and truly wicked."
He said as the Minister of the Interior, " I got a request from the Northern Regional Security Council (Ref. SCR/NR/3/V.16) dated Friday 22nd March, 2002 asking for a curfew to be imposed on Yendi and a ban on the celebration of the Fire Festival to avert any possible clash between the two Gates - Andani and Abudu".
Alhaj Yakubu said in view of the cogent reasons that the REGSEC adduced, he, upon consultation with President John Agyekum Kufuor, directed the issuance of an Executive Instrument dated 22nd March 2002, giving legal backing to the curfew.
This, he said, was meant to avert any clash between the two factions. The Minister said on Saturday, March 23, he was taken ill and had been bed-ridden till March 27. "It should be clear that as the Minister of the Interior, in promptly taking action to impose a curfew on Yendi and the banning of the celebration of the festival, I acted in a manner any responsible government official would."
Alhaj Yakubu said attempts of the regent of Gulkpegu and others to blame him were most unfortunate and groundless adding that he would not divide his people, let alone instigate them to fight each other. "I, as a person, have made strenuous efforts over the years to forge unity and cordial relations between members of the two families in Yendi.
"Indeed, I enjoyed excellent relations with the Ya-Na and members of the Andani family just as I have with the Abudu family. "It is worthy to note that I am a close relation to the Ya-Na and we grew up together from childhood. The fact that we belong to different royal families did not sour relations between us. I could never cherish the Ya-Na killed."
Alhaj Yakubu said he had all along pursued and yearned for unity of the two families and had been doing all he could to achieve that unity in Dagbon. "It is, therefore, preposterous for anyone to accuse me of being responsible for the conflict in Yendi.
"From the foregoing, I have very clear conscience that as Member of Parliament forv Yendi and the Interior Minister, I have no hand whatsoever in the unfortunate events that have taken place in Yendi. "It is imperative for government to investigate events leading to these tragic events nd come out with the true facts so that Ghanaians and the world will know the truth."
The Andani Gate in the Dagbon chieftaincy dispute on Wednesday called for the resignation of the Minister of the Interior and the dismissal of the Yendi District Chief Executive, Mr Mohammud Habibu Tijani for their roles in the recent Dagbon chieftaincy crisis.
The Andani Gate also called for the arrest and detention of Alhaji Aminu Amadu, an Accra-based businessman. It alleged that the three were the brains behind the recent Dagbon chieftaincy conflict between the Andani and Abudu Gates, in which many people were killed.
Speaking at a press conference in Tamale the regent of Gulkpegu (Tamale), Alhaji Abdulai Ziblim, who is also the representative of the Ya-Na, said Alhaji Yakubu, Mr Tijani and Alhaji Amadu had an agenda "to eliminate the Ya-Na by all means possible."
He accused the Minister of complicity in severing all communication links to Yendi adding; "behind the facade of the so-called curfew, armed bandits from Bawku and Diare were being transported to Yendi to accomplish their diabolical agenda."
Alhaji Ziblim said the Abudu faction with the support of the armed bandits besieged the Ya-Na's palace armed with sophisticated weapons, shooting indiscriminately throughout the night. He said the casualty figures were much higher than the official figures and declared; "all official announcements on the situation in Yendi are lies".
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Yendi (Northern Region) 30 March 2002 - Mr Joseph Henry Mensah, Senior Minister, on Friday said the visit by a Presidential Peace Mission to Yendi was part of a peace process and not for the government to take sides in the Yendi Skin Affair.
Addressing separate meetings with the elders of the Andani and the Abudu Gates in Yendi, Mr Mensah, who led the five-member team said: "Government has not taken sides in the crisis but only sent a peace mission as part of the process to make peace among the people.
"We are not here to judge the case or arrest anybody, but to find out what has happened to enable the government come out with a mechanism to stop such future occurrence." He said the law would be enforced and no criminal activity would be allowed, adding that the necessary security would be re-enforced to protect life and property but not to hunt for anyone.
Accompanying the Senior Minister were Mr Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, Minister of Information and Presidential Affairs, Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Major Courage Quashigah, Minister of Food and Agriculture and Madam Hawa Yakubu, Minister of Tourism.
The Senior Minister said it was tragic and a great calamity that Yendi, the traditional capital of the Dagbon State, should experience such violence with so many casualties and conveyed President Kufuor's condolences to the bereaved families.
At least 28 people, by official count, were reported killed in three days of fighting. The Paramount Chief of the Dagbon State, the Ya-Na, was assassinated. Twenty-one people received injuries and nine of them were still on admission at the Yendi District Hospital.
The Zohe Na, Mahmmoudu Salifu, spokesman for the Andani Gate, said peace could only prevail when a third party listened to their version of the crisis, but the situation was still tense and they were confused because they did not envisage such crisis.
He said they were preparing to celebrate the Bugum Festival when the curfew was imposed without the knowledge of the late Ya-Na, who had to make enquiries with the former Northern Regional Minister, Prince Imoro Andani, then on a visit to Yendi adding that after negotiations the celebrations continued.
The Zohe Na said in the process of the Koran recitation and the slaughtering of a cow on Monday, March 25, for the celebrations to begin gunshots were heard. "We therefore stopped and remained indoors while the shooting continued. Then we had information that Ya-Na Andani had been killed."
Iddrissu Mba Dugu, Chief Linguist of the regent of the Abudu Gate, Abdulai Mahammadu, said for some time, his faction had not been allowed to celebrate any traditional festival although they all belonged to the Dagbon State.
He said with the assistance of the former Northern Regional Minister, Prince Andani, they celebrated the Muslim festival of Eid-Ul-Adha this year. Iddrissu Mba Dugu said they were also in the process of celebrating the Bugum Festival when they heard gunshots that continued for three days, a situation that had been unprecedented in the history of the Dagbon State.
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Tamale (Northern Region) 25 March 2002 - A dusk to dawn curfew has been imposed on Yendi in the Northern Region due to mounting tension between the Andani and Abudu chieftaincy gates to Ya-Na Skin of the Dagbon Traditional Area.
Two people sustain gunshot wounds when the two factions clashed on Monday morning forcing the Northern Regional Security Committee to deploy armed soldiers and police to the area to stop the violence.
The Regional Security Committee have also banned the celebration of this year's annual Bugum (Fire) Festival at Yendi that was expected to take place on Monday night. Tension has been mounting between the two gates since last January over the celebration of the Muslim Eid ul-Adha festival.
The Andani Gate that is currently occupying the Dagbon Skin was said not to have been happy when the rival Abudu Gate celebrated the festival in the traditional way at the house of its regent.
Since then, there had been rumours of an imminent attack and counter-attack by the rival chieftaincy gates, which boiled over into an exchange of gunfire on Monday morning.
The clash was precipitated when one of the factions allegedly attacked a young man from the rival camp and destroyed his bicycle. Soldiers deployed in the town managed to bring the situation under control.
It is to avert a possible clash during the fire festival that the District Security Committee and the Regional Security Committee cancelled the festival and imposed a dusk to dawn curfew. There had been a long-standing dispute over the succession to the Ya-Na Skin.
The District Chief Executive of Yendi, Mr Mohammed Habibu Tijani told the Ghana News Agency in a telephone interview that the two have been admitted to the Yendi Government Hospital. He said the two sides exchanged fire for about five minutes. Mr Tijani said he was going round the town to assess the situation adding that the Police had not made any arrest yet.
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