'Don't drag Dagbon chieftaincy into partisan politics' – DAYA

The Dagbon Youth Association has urged politicians not to drag the Dagbon Chieftaincy into partisan politics saying such an endeavour would only result in chaos and disruption of socio-economic lives of the people and the destruction of the traditional area.

In a statement in Tamale signed by Mr. A. Baba Issifu, Secretary-general, DAYA said its attention has been drawn to an allegation that the NPP, if voted into power, would deskin Ya-Na Andani Yakubu II, overlord of the Dagbon traditional area.

The association said the NPP subsequently issued a statement refuting the allegation as a misinformation exercise by opponents of the party.

"To say the least, we are very unhappy about the circulation of the such an allegation and wish to express our legitimate concerns as such", DAYA said.

The statement said; "like any people proud of their beginnings, Dagbamba are very attached and passionate about the high office of the Ya-Na and the revered institution of chieftaincy."

The association recalled the bitter experience of Dagbon whose people came out of an all-consuming and protracted chieftaincy dispute about a decade and half ago.

"We were offered a hitherto rare opportunity to pursue the matter of our disagreement through legal court processes.

"This was done leading finally to the Supreme Court where the dispute was finally settled" it said.

The statement said; "Dagbamba remember vividly the repercussions of our dispute. The adverse effects Dagbon and Dagbamba, and even non-Dagbamba alike suffered, cannot be quantified."

"To subject Dagbon to a four-yearly trauma by aligning it to party political campaigns, would therefore, be disastrous and unpardonable."

The association said there are issues of national importance that party propagandists can fall upon in the campaigning for votes.

The statement said; "it would be unfair therefore for any of the propagandists to pick on the traditional office of reverence to Dagbamba, the outcome of which would be to our detriment."

It called on Dagbamba electorate not to fall prey to any divisive ideas that would make the Gbewaa skin a pawn in the party political game at this crucial time when DAYA, along with other well-meaning Dagbamba are preoccupied with efforts to enhance a more cohesive Dagbon.