Avoid using arms to solve chieftaincy problems- Nayiri

Nalerigu (N/R), Feb. 7, GNA- The newly outdoored King of the Mamprugu Traditional Area, Nayiri Na Mahami Abdulai Sheriga have appealed to all chiefs in the country particularly those in the north, to avoid the use of force and arms as a means of solving chieftaincy and other trivial issues.

He said they should rather commit themselves to mediation, which was the only legitimate and best method of solving such issues to ensure lasting peace in the country.

The Nayiri made the appeal on Friday on the occasion of his outdooring ceremony at Nalerigu in the East Mamprugu Traditional Area. Na Sheriga, 68, succeeded the late King of the Traditional Area, Na Gamni Mahamadu Abdulai who died last year.

He has six wives, 75 children and over 100 grand children and before his enskinment, he was a chief of Zarantinga, a village about 12 kilometres away from Nalerigu on the Bunkpurugu/Yunyoo road. The atmosphere at the ceremony was generally peaceful.

Na Sheriga said his chieftaincy name depicted peace saying, "I am a king who is out for peace" and that he would use every means possible to mediate with other chiefs in Dagbon to find a lasting solution to the long standing conflict.

He appealed to the Abudus and the Andanis to see reason with one another and allow peace to prevail so that development could take place in Dagbon.

Na Sheriga said the northern part of Ghana, by nature was very poor and was also engulfed in chieftaincy and land conflicts, which compelled government to divert funds originally meant for development to peacekeeping activities.

He described the situation as "unfortunate and disturbing". He called on the people including the opposing side who contested for the kingship to cooperate with him.

The new chief thanked the Kingmakers and the entire Mamprugu Traditional Area for their good sense of judgment in making him King of the area and assured them that he would not fail them.

On education, he said he would deal ruthlessly with any parent who removed the girl child from school for marriage and that his administration was going to assist the Ghana Education Service (GES) to ensure that all children of school going age were sent to school. Na Sheriga advised leaders of political parties and supporters to carry out this year's campaign without confrontation.