The North East Regional Minister, Yidana Zakaria, announced a government-backed initiative to resolve a longstanding land boundary dispute between the Nayiri and Yagbonwura kingdoms in Ghana’s North East and Savannah Regions.
During a historic visit of the Yagbonwura to the Nayiri Palace on Sunday (28 July 2024), Minister Zakaria pledged financial support through the North East and Savannah regional coordinating councils.
This support aims to facilitate an arbitration committee tasked with finding an amicable settlement to the conflict concerning the Lukula and Mempeasem communities.
Minister Zakaria emphasized the critical role of traditional authorities in resolving issues of chieftaincy and land, stating, “Anytime there are issues with chieftaincy or land, the government cannot address those issues alone. It is the traditional authority who can better do that.”
The dispute, rooted in conflicting claims over royalties and administrative jurisdiction following the creation of new regions in 2019, has led to significant unrest. Lives, livestock, and homes have been lost in repeated incidents of violence in Lukula and Mempeasem.
Zakaria underscored the need for lasting peace, asserting that the unity of the Nayiri and Yagbonwura in resolving the conflict would benefit all Northern extraction communities in the region.
“We, the two regions and our district assemblies, will give you the financial support to solve this issue,” Zakaria assured the two kings during his address.
The initiative marks a pivotal step towards stability in the affected communities, promising hope for a peaceful resolution under the leadership of traditional authorities.
