Security Council wants 6th March celebration cancelled in Bimbila

The Nanumba-North District Security Committee (DISEC) in the Northern Region is seeking permission to cancel the celebration of Ghana’s 60th Independence Anniversary in district capital, Bimbila.

This last minute decision comes on the back of alleged threats from two feuding factions – Dasana and Nakpa – who are caught up in a protracted chieftaincy dispute barely 12 hours to the marking of Ghana’s 60th independence across the country. Gunshots were heard on Thursday, February 9, 2017 after one faction in the longstanding chieftaincy dispute enskinned a warrior king. Two people died and several others injured in the bloody clash. The capital town of the Nanumba North District has seen chieftaincy clashes for years and, as a result, has been under curfew since 2014.

According to the DISEC, celebrating the event in the district on March 6 poses a threat to the lives of residents, especially pupils who would be taking part in a march pass parade as part of the celebration. Sources to the Northern Regional Coordinating Council told 3News of concerns by the District Security Council to boycott the celebration due to the current volatile situation in the district.

The Northern Regional Minister,Saeed Salifu, who doubles as the Chairman of the Regional Security Committee(REGSEC) is yet to decide whether to grant the request of the DISEC. Meanwhile the minister is expected to pay a courtesy call on the overlord of Gonja, Yagbon-Wura Tuntumba Bor-esa II at his palace in the West Gonja District.