‘Nawuris,Gonjas at peace’

…Argue Nawuri youth
The Nawuri Youth and Development Association (NYDA) has vehemently protested what it describes as attempts by some of their tribesmen to create tension between Nawuris and Gonjas.

The president of the NYDA, Johnny Kwame Saaka, was reacting to a lead story in the Today newspaper of Thursday, September 22nd, 2011 under the banner: Tribal War Looms… As Gonjas and Nawuris brace for showdown.

Johnny Saaka was particularly concerned about the persistent attempts by some Nawuris to scuttle attempts to find lasting peace between Nawuris and Gonjas that will ultimately help the two groups to co-exist peacefully.

After the unfortunate bloody conflict between Nawuris and Gonjas in 1991/1992, the paper gathered that the ethnic groups have lived in what many have described as ‘highly tensed shadow bouts’; but that fear, according to a letter sighted and gleaned by Today, offer a clear indication as to how the frosty tension between the two groups was likely to be thawed in the coming days.

The letter was offered to the paper by the president of NYDA. The intent of the letter, the paper gathered, was to inform the Northern Regional Minister, Moses Mabenga, that the two parties have agreed to reconcile all differences and pave the way for proper and peaceful co-existence.

Copies of the letter which was signed by such prominent Nawuri leaders like Nana Abugah Aba I, the Nawuriwura of Kpandai; Nana Obimpeh I, the Balaiwura, and; Johnny Kwame Saaka agreed on a scheduled date and venue for the reconciliation talks between the two groups.

The letter which was under the title: ‘Scheduled Reconciliation Ceremony between Nawuris and Gonjas At Kpembe and Damango’ is slated for Thursday, 29th September, 2011.

Today gathered that the said reconciliatory meeting was at the instance of Gonjas, who some Nawuris have wrongfully accused of fuelling tension between the two groups.

‘The opening paragraph of the letter reads: ‘Following a recent news report emanating from Gonjas concerning the above mentioned subject, we wish to confirm that such a meeting slated to take place at Kpembe and Damango at the end of September 2011, has indeed been agreed upon by both sides.’

The letter continues: ‘This is a result of years of patient negotiations that have gone on between Nawuris and Gonjas in search of lasting resolution for the cause of the unfortunate bloody clashes that occurred between them in 1991 and 92 in the Kpandai area…

‘It is the wish, and indeed that of all well-meaning Ghanaians that the two parties perform this important ceremony that will usher in lasting peace and also re-establish the long standing relationship that has existed between them for peace to prevail.

Today found out that the Gonjas have agreed to deal with the single most agitating issue bugging many Nawuris. And that is the decision by the Yagbonwura to on behalf of all Gonjas ‘graciously consented to recognise, elevate and help Nawuris to develop their traditional set-up, gazette it and be recognized by the Northern Region House of Chiefs.

The letter was copied to the Attorney-General, Minister of Chieftaincy Affairs, the Kpembewura, the National Security Coordinator, the Northern Police Command and the District Chief Executive for the Kpandai District.
Today’s findings confirmed the perennial dislike by some opinion leaders to always frustrate attempts by the two ethnic groups to live peacefully.

The stance taken by the antagonists is buoyed by their own selfish deeds and the fact that if peace was brokered, they or their surrogates will not be allotted any royal positions because by the Nawuri rotational system, such agitators do not have any immediate chance of ascending the highest royal position of the Nawuris.
The settlement or the village where the chief agitator hails from, Today established from findings had not too long ago produced a Nawuriwura.

“Some of these people have since the days after unfortunate war between Nawuris and Gonjas tried albeit unsuccessful to prevent peaceful co-existence because they know if there was peace, none of them, could be guaranteed their wish of being placed within the top echelon of the chieftaincy hierarchy,’ a concerned Nawuri told Today.

It is even argued that some of the people who are agitating are not from the Kpandai area but are indeed from the Northern Volta Nawuri ethnic groups who have proxy interest in all activities of their kinsmen across the river Volta at Kpandai and Kpembe areas.