The Gonja Kingdom Constitutional draft and review draft committee is calling on sons and daughters of the Kingdom to assist them with the needed information to help make its work better.
The draft and review of the 1930 Gonja State Constitution committee is chaired by Tingawura Abudu Seidu, a sub chief from the Bole traditional area, with Danyapewura Jingbele, a divisional chief from Buipe traditional area, Dr. Achanso Adams Sulemana, a lecturer at Dombo University – Wa, Professor Elliott Alhassan, Pro Vice Chancellor at UDS, Tamale, Lawyer Inua, Lawyer Salisu Beawuribi , among others, as committee members.
The leadership of the Gonjaland Youth Association (GLYA) together with traditional authorities and other relevant stakeholders in the Savannah region has advocated for the review of the about 94 year old Gonja Kingdom Constitution.
The Gonjaland Youth Association has received inputs and contributions from all stakeholders at the various consultative meetings with some individuals with diverse knowledge and experience on most of the issues that were identified during some sessions with Gonjalanders in the immediate past.
The main reason for such consultative sessions was to finalize the resolutions and submit the same to the Gonja Traditional Council and the Regional House of Chiefs on the current Constitution of the Gonja Kingdom which was formally adopted under the supervision of British colonial masters at the 1930 Gonja Traditional Council meeting at Yapei located in the current Central Gonja district, Savannah region.
In line with the provisions of articles 11 and 270 of the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana, it has become necessary to take a critical look at the 1930 Gonja Constitution and to bring it into conformity with the laws of Ghana.
The committee’s work is expected to cover the description of Gonja/Gbanye Kingdom, its extent, boundaries, history of Gonja and it’s ruling dynasty from Ndewura Jakpa, location and classification of the various ethnic groups, detail documentation of all necessary Gonja governance structure, among others.
The King of Gonja, Jira Yagbonwura BiiKunuto Jewu Soale (I) is excited at the attempts by the Gonjaland Youth Association’s supported Constitutional draft and review committee and called on all Gonjalanders to support the committee’s work.
Yagbonwura BiiKunuto Jewu Soale I, extended gratitude to the Gonjaland Youth Association, the committee, and urged all sons and daughters of Gonja Kingdom to give the needed support to the committee.
Jira Yagbonwura BiiKunuto Jewu Soale I assured the committee of total support by his Palace and the 20 paramountcies in the Gonja Kingdom. He said the Constitutional draft and review committee will surely succeed because this exercise is long overdue and urged members to not hesitate to report any challenges faced in the course of duty.
The King said this at his Palace when the Constitutional draft and review committee led by the Chairperson, Tingawura Seidu Abudu visited the Jakpa Palace in Damongo to inform officially on Tuesday, 20th February, 2024.
Dr. Achanso Adams Sulemana, a member of the committee appealed to Gonjalanders to assist the committee with every important detail information to help them produce the best Constitution for the Gonja State.
Dr. Achanso stressed that this is the first draft and review of the 1930 Gonja Constitution, so all should assist with right information to make it valuable and acceptable.
“This is the first of its kind in the Gonja Kingdom and we hope to receive all necessary information from sons and daughters of Gonja Kingdom. This draft and review is necessary because it will strengthen the peaceful coexistence amongst ethnic groups in the area, put an end to all traditional and land disputes, and promote the rich culture of the Gonja State”.
This draft and review committee has no powers to determine who becomes a chief, clan head or any other portfolio in the Gonja Kingdom hence the need for broader consultation by the committee to get all involved.
Lawyer Mohammed Amin, the President of the Gonjaland Youth Association (GLYA) argued that it is necessary to seek for the blessings and advice of Jira Yagbonwura BiiKunuto Jewu Soale I to assist them embark on a fruitful exercise because he’s the leader and King of the Gonja Kingdom.
He stated the committee after receiving the King’s blessing will kick start a consultative engagement with all paramount chiefs starting from Bole and Sonyo traditional areas.
Danyanpewura Jingbele advised the people of the area against using social media to propagate negative information against the leadership of the Gonja Kingdom. He said such acts are giving negative mileage to the Gonja Kingdom and the committee will not hesitate to report such acts to the Jakpa Palace for proper actions to be taken.
This exercise is a crucial one and the youth especially, must assist its work and refrain from spreading negative information out there, he added.
The committee is expected to visit all the paramountcies under the Gonja Kingdom to interact and receive vital information to aid its work.
Once their mandate is completed, another set of committee will review the document before it is presented to the right authorities.
Abdulai Zulkaninu/ padfm.com.gh / 0242381890
