Drama At Wuako Commission

A 36-year old farmer from the Andani Gate, who was giving evidence at yesterday's sitting of the Wuaku Commission probing into the Yendi crisis in Sunyani suddenly fell ill and was rushed to the Sunyani Police Clinic for treatment.

Zakari was the fourth witness of the Andani gate to testify before the Commission.

The Commission had drawn the attention of Zakari to certain inaccuracies in the statements he gave on March 30 and April 13 on one hand and the evidence he was giving.

It, therefore, reminded him that the main aim of the Commission was to establish the truth about what actually happened during the crisis and that witnesses had to tell exactly what they know about the incident.

The Commission noted that in his statement to the Police on March 30, Zakari said that a busload of people was despatched from Tamale to assist the Andanis to fight the Abudus.

But in his evidence, witness denied that statement, insisting that those who were sent to Yendi were to ascertain how the Ya-Na was faring.

He also denied ever saying in his statement to the Police that many people died from both gates when the fight intensified on Wednesday March 27.

It was at this point that Zakari started sweating profusely and began to feel uneasy in his seat.

He, therefore, bent down and complained to the interpreter that he was feeling dizzy and when the Commission was informed, the Chairman directed the police to send him to the clinic for treatment.

Earlier, Zakari told the Commission that the Ya-Na told the Abudu fighters to stop the shootings and burning of houses since he was prepared to vacate the palace.

When asked how the Ya-Na managed to speak to Abudus in the heat of events, witness replied that some of the Andanis in the palace risked their lives and stood on the wall to relay the chief's message.

Zakari stated that when the fight intensified on March 27, an explosion set ablaze the main hall of the palace, where the chief and his people had gathered.

The Ya-Na ordered his men to go out and said, "I am prepared to go out and face any consequences than to be left here to be burnt to death", he said.

Zakari said when the Ya-Na got out he was followed by some of his elders and one of them Mba Dogu, was immediately shot in the legs.

Zakari recounted that when the Ya-Na got out of the palace, he heard the Abudus shouting 'Nayiri na, Nayiri na', meaning "the chief has come out, the chief has come out".

Asked by the Commission if he could identify some of the men, who died in the fight, he mentioned Mba Abramani, Fusheni and 'old man', all from the Andani gate as those whose bodies he saw.

Responding to another question, Zakari stated that there were only seven people in the Ya-Na's palace who had guns.

When the Commission wanted to know why the Ya-Na could not seek the assistance of the military on Monday when the palace was attacked thrice, witness replied that they could not do so due to the intense tension around the palace.

Zakari also alleged that the Abudus only burnt houses around the Ya-Na's palace that belonged to the Andani's, adding that his own house was burnt in the heat of events.

In another development, the Upper West Regional Minister, Mr. Sahanun Mogtari has called on Dagombas living in other regions to live in harmony with each other.

Making the call at a meeting with the Dagomba community at Wa yesterday, he expressed the government's concern over recent ethnic and chieftaincy disputes in the

three northern regions, especially the clashes at Yendi, resulting in the death of Ya-Na Yakubu Andani and 29 others.

Mr Mogtari suggested the use of dialogue to resolve all such matters instead of resorting to violence, which he said, portrays the north in a negative light.

The minister expressed the hope that the Wuaku Commission enquiring into the Yendi clashes would come out with recommendations that would ensure harmony and cohesion in Dagbon.

He appealed to Dagombas outside Dagbon to use their influence to unite the people and bring harmony among them.

Alhaji Mumuni Wanzam, Chief of the Dagomba community in Wa, assured the Minister that, not withstanding the recent events at home Dagombas in the Upper West Region were living in unity and peace.

He prayed for God's guidance for the government to find enduring solution to the Dagbon crisis.