An associate professor at the University of Ghana, Ransford Yaw Gyampo, has hailed President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for his instrumental role in leading the people of Dagbon to open a new peace chapter in their lives.
He observed that Mr Akufo-Addo’s tactfulness and boldness led to the full implementation of the roadmap for peace in Dagbon, where for 16 years of protracted chieftaincy conflict has caused many lives and maimed others.
The performance of the final funeral rites for the two late overlords of Dagbon, Yaa-Naa Mahamadu Abdulai IV and Yaa-Naa Yakubu Andani II, ended last week, paving the way for the selection and enskinment of the Savelugu chief, Yoo Naa Abubakar Mahama as the new Ya-Naa.
Many people including President Akufo-Addo, former President John Mahama and the Committee of Eminent Chiefs led by Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, whose efforts led to the peace roadmap, has lauded the Abudu and the Andani royal families for giving peace a chance after over a decade of conflict.
Commenting on the issue, Prof. Gyampo said President Akufo-Addo deserves commendation for successfully seeing through the peace process to its end.
“President Akufo Addo deserves some commendation. Under his presidency and through his instrumentalities, including boldness and tactfulness, the road map towards peace in Dagbon has fully been implemented and Dagbon has selected a new Overlord,” he said on Monday.
While he recognised the efforts and actions of former presidents John Kufuor, late John Mills and John Mahama in “creating some fertile ground” for the peace process, he indicated Akufo-Addo stood tall among them because he exhibited “intense commitment, audacious boldness, tampered with tactfulness”.
For that, he said: “Well done, Mr President”.
Professor Gyampo contended what the President has done “is a good legacy that cannot be glossed over by right-thinking people in society” and ought to be celebrated.
“A legacy that cannot be wiped away by any regime that succeeds you. A legacy that would outlive your name. A legacy that may be envied but cannot be destroyed by political opponents,” he emphasized.
Prof. Gyampo, who is the head of European Studies at the University, wants Akufo-Addo to let this legacy be the turning point in his administration this year.
“Mr. President, please let the year 2019 be full of such legacies that douses the divisive flames of winner-takes-all politics, creates national cohesion and resolves conflict through dialogue, tolerance, peace and political accommodation,” he suggested.
He has meanwhile congratulated the chiefs and people of Dagbon for the rich display of culture during the two royal funerals but also advised them against acts that could draw back the progress made.
The senior lecturer observed that some people may have reservations about the current state of affairs but pleaded that such people let go all animosities in the name of peace.
“Typical of any human society, I know some may have reservations about the current state of affairs but I respectfully urge all in the traditional area to let go, celebrate what has happened and move on for the sake of development in the area.
“For, in any meaningful conflict resolution, one cannot win all and must not also lose all,” he pointed out.
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