We won’t cede our lands to new regions - Dagbon Traditional Council warns

The Dagbon Traditional Council has explicitly stated that it is not prepared to cede any Dagbon land to a new region as government prepares to create additional regions in the country.

In a statement issued and signed by Mohammed Adam Gariba, Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Dagbon Traditional Council following a meeting held on December 23, 2017, it welcomes the idea of creating new regions but stated its position on the matter.

“The Council welcomed the Government policy of regional reorganization and pledged to support it.

It reflected deeply on the implications of the creation of new regions out of the current Northern Region and how the reorganization will affect the fortunes of Dagbon Traditional Area.

The Council resolved that it will not cede any part of Dagbon lands for the convenience of new regional formations. It will, however, continue to respect the legitimate demands of identified stakeholders for new regions to be carved out of the Northern Region”

Read full text of their release below

Dagb?? Traditional Council Meets on Regional Reorganization

Saturday, 23 December 2017

The Regent of Dagbon, and acting President of the Dagbon Traditional Council, Kampakuya-Naa, Andani Yakubu Abdulai called a special Expanded Council meeting to discuss the Government initiated Constitutional processes on Regional Reorganization.

The Special Meeting of the Dagbon Traditional Council (DTC) was held at the forecourt of the Gbewaa Palace in Yendi today. The meeting brought together Paramount Chiefs, Divisional Chiefs and prominent citizens of the Dagb?? Traditional Area. In all, chiefs from 13 Districts, (Metro and Municipalities included) that makeup the Dagb?? Traditional Areas in the Northern Region attended the special expanded meeting.

These 13 districts are: Tamale Metro, Cheriponi, Gushegu, Kariga, Kumbungu, Mion, Saboba, Sagnarigu, Savelugu/Nanton Municipal, Tatale/Sanguli, Tolon, Yendi Municipal, and Zabzugu. These 13 districts encapsulate the jurisdictions of the Traditional Area.

The Council welcomed the Government policy of regional reorganization and pledged to support it. It reflected deeply on the implications of the creation of new regions out of the current Northern Region and how the reorganization will affect the fortunes of Dagb?? Traditional Area.

The Council resolved that it will not cede any part of Dagb?? lands for the convenience of new regional formations. It will however continue to respect the legitimate demands of identified stakeholders for new regions to be carved out of the Northern Region.

In consultation with the Regent of Bimbilla, it has been decided that the Dagb?? Traditional Council and the Nanung Traditional Council will issue a joint Memorandum to the Presidential Commission of Inquiry on Regional Reorganization, spelling out our demands. The two Councils have the highest confidence in the Government of His Excellency President Nana Akufo-Addo and the policy on Regional Reorganization and will continue to cooperate in the implementation of the policy.

Thank you.

SIGNED

Registrar

Dagb?? Traditional Council