At the climax of the 2025 Yagbon Damba Festival held, His Royal Majesty, Yagbonwura Bii-Kunuto Jewu Soale I, King and Overlord of the Gonja Kingdom and President of the Savannah Regional House of Chiefs, delivered a powerful and heartfelt address read on his behalf by Yapeiwura ABT Zakaria calling for unity, peace, cultural preservation, and greater investment in education across the Savannah Region.
The grand durbar, held at the forecourt of the Jakpa Palace in Damongo on Wednesday, 10th September, 2025 brought together a distinguished gathering, including former and current government officials, traditional rulers, queen mothers, and people from all walks of life.
While acknowledging the festive significance of Damba, Yagbonwura Bii-Kunuto emphasized that this year’s celebration was marked by deep reflection due to recent tragedies including the 6th August helicopter crash that claimed the lives of national heroes, and the recent conflict between Gonjas and Birifo which left several dead.
“Damba is not just for merriment,” the Yagbonwura stated.
“It is a time for renewal, healing, and rededication to the values that bind us together.”
A minute of silence was observed in honour of the departed, with prayers offered for peace to prevail in Gonjaland.
Reaffirming his role as the allodial title holder and custodian of all lands in the Gonja Kingdom, the Yagbonwura made a resolute declaration:
“The land in Gonja belongs to the Gonja Traditional Authority. This is not to divide us, but to preserve order and tradition.”
He expressed disappointment over recent disturbances, noting that despite decades of peaceful coexistence with the Birifo community, provocations and attempts to undermine Gonja sovereignty cannot be tolerated.
“We seek peace, not conflict,” he emphasized. “But peace must walk hand in hand with justice. Dialogue is welcome, but lawbreakers must face the law.”
The Yagbonwura highlighted chieftaincy succession disputes as a root cause of conflict in northern Ghana, urging government and the National House of Chiefs to expedite the codification of customary laws and succession practices.
“Many disputes arise from the lack of clarity. Codification will help resolve such issues and prevent needless bloodshed,” he said.
Central to his address was a passionate appeal for collective investment in education, describing it as the cornerstone of progress.
“Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change our world,” the King quoted Mandela.
“Yet our region faces a troubling decline in academic performance.”
This year’s theme, “Building a Brighter Future for the Savannah Region and Gonjaland through the Bii-Kunuto Educational Fund,” reflects the Kingdom’s strategic focus on supporting brilliant but needy students.
He appealed to stakeholders, government, teachers, parents, and community leaders to unite in uplifting the quality of education in the region and sustain the Bii-Kunuto Education Fund, launched in 2022.
The Yagbonwura made two key development appeals:
1. Damongo Nursing and Midwifery College:
He urged the government to facilitate the renewal of its expired accreditation and support critical infrastructure expansion to enable the institution to run degree programs and meet growing demands.
2. Nyange, the Sacred Cradle of Gonja Kingdom:
A heartfelt call was made to restore Nyange Palace and infrastructure as a legacy cultural preservation project, and to respectfully relocate settlers encroaching on this sacred land.
The Yagbonwura outlined a vision of holistic development, anchored in peace, agriculture, education, health, commerce, and cultural preservation.
He announced the enforcement of land-use bye-laws and warned that violations would attract legal action. Chiefs were urged to act as peacemakers, and political, traditional, and youth leaders were called upon to work hand-in-hand to preserve unity.
“We may have different languages, religions, or colours, but we all belong to one human race,” he quoted the late Kofi Annan.
The Yagbonwura extended sincere gratitude to President Mahama, the security services, traditional leaders, and citizens who supported the Kingdom through recent challenges.
“Let us move forward with renewed courage, deeper unity, and unwavering commitment to peace and development,” he concluded.
“Long live the Gonja Kingdom! Long live the Savannah Region! Long live Ghana!”
Source: Padfm.com.gh/Kumatey Gorden/0243531604
