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It’s direct, urgent, and draws attention to the key figure—Mahama—while highlighting the looming crisis. Traditional leaders and stakeholders in the Navrongo Traditional Area of the Upper East Region have raised concerns over escalating chieftaincy tensions in the area. The community is urging the government to intervene before these issues undermine the region’s peace and stability.
Concerns Over Governance Changes
The Navrongo Kingmakers, the Council of Elders, and the Royal Navro-Pio family have expressed deep concerns over what they view as attempts by the current Paramount Chief to alter Navrongo’s time-honoured governance system. These changes, they argue, have been made without proper consultation or approval, threatening the peaceful coexistence that has defined Navrongo for centuries.
Wepia Achana, the head of the Kingmakers, stressed that these unapproved changes could have far-reaching consequences. He warned that the modifications could damage the chieftaincy institution, cultural integrity, and social harmony, which have been in place for generations.
Introduction of the “Overlord” System in Navrongo
A central point of contention is the introduction of an “Overlord” structure. According to the leaders, this structure is foreign to Navrongo’s traditional governance. It is being imposed without any respect for the customs or traditions of the area. Additionally, plans are underway to rename the Navrongo Traditional Council to the Kassena-Nankana Traditional Council, a move that stakeholders argue disregards long-established customary boundaries. They insist that these changes mislead the public and ignore the deeply rooted traditions of the community.
The Traditional Leadership Agreement
The traditional leaders revealed that they had obtained a document titled the “Traditional Leadership Agreement,” signed on August 20, 2024. This agreement outlines the introduction of the Overlord system, which they argue is not in line with Navrongo’s historical governance. They further noted that the proposed renaming of the council could confuse, as other paramountcies in the Kassena-Nankana area are not part of the Navrongo Traditional Council.
Unapproved Leadership Changes
The stakeholders also raised concerns about the enskinment of sub-chiefs by the Navro-Pio, bypassing the established procedures. This includes not consulting the Regional House of Chiefs, which is a breach of traditional protocols. Additionally, the leaders accused the Paramount Chief of manipulating leadership records by including unauthorized clans and individuals in official submissions to the National House of Chiefs. These actions, according to the leaders, are causing unnecessary divisions and could ignite a larger crisis if not addressed promptly.
Call for Government Investigation
The leaders have called for an investigation into these irregularities, urging the government to ensure that traditional customs and protocols are respected. They also highlighted that several petitions, some dating back to 2021, remain unresolved, particularly those related to land disputes and breaches of tradition. This ongoing neglect has increased tensions, with the potential for the conflict to spill over into neighbouring areas.
A Plea for Peace
In their closing remarks, the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to peace. They appealed to former President John Mahama to intervene in the matter, fearing that further provocation could cause irreparable harm to their social cohesion and cultural heritage.
As of now, a spokesperson for the Navro-Pio, Felix Kondayiri, has declined to comment on the situation.
The escalating crisis calls for immediate action to preserve Navrongo’s cultural integrity and prevent further unrest.
