Dagbamba in the Diaspora Condemn Yendi Crisis, call for Prayers and Action

Atlanta, Georgia, USA-- April 8, 2002 -- Dagbon Net (DNet) and Dagbon Association of North America (DANA) are two progressive organizations of Dagbamba in the Diaspora and at home. Whilst DANA constitutes Dagbamba resident in the United States of America and Canada, DNet has members in Australia, Canada, Finland, Germany, Ghana, Norway, Turkey, United Kingdom, and United States of America. The primary objective of the two organizations is to bring about meaningful development to Dagbon in particular and Ghana in general.

We the members of DNet and DANA condemn in no equivocal terms the heinous and cowardly acts of murder that has cut short the glorious life of our great and beloved king, Ya Naa Yakubu Andani II, and brought Dagbon and the nation to the brink of anarchy.

We implore all religious bodies to engage the populace in prayers and supplications for a peaceful way out of this terrible crisis of horrific national implications. Prayers heal all wounds and in these times of human suffering and grief, we turn to God for Divine blessings, mercy, comfort and guidance.

We call on all Ghanaians, particularly all Dagbamba, not to fall prey to the demonic machinations of these beastly perpetrators, but to: forcefully denounce the heinous murder of Ya Naa Yakubu Andani II; and to assist the security forces to bring the perpetrators of these murders to justice.

We appreciate the efforts of the press in their reports of the events in Dagbon. We would, however, suggest that reporters knowledgeable in the history and tradition of the Dagbon state be assigned to report on these events. This will ensure complete and accurate coverage of the events without bias, prejudice, or inflammatory reports that accomplish nothing other than aggravate an already volatile situation.

We join with others in echoing the urgency with which the government must preserve the crime scenes, investigate and swiftly punish all culprits to the fullest rigors of the law. Anything short of full, thorough and impartial investigation would only inspire a culture of murder and mayhem in our beloved Dagbon. And justice delayed is justice denied.

We pray with all Ghanaians, to God almighty, to restore peace, unity, and development in a safe, secure and prosperous Dagbon and Ghana – Amen.

CONTACT: The Secretary
Dagbon Association of North America
Email: asumar1@juno.com Website: www.Dagbon.com