ABUDUS ADVISED TO RETURN TO NEGOTIATION TABLE (PAGE 22, DEC 7, 2010)

THE Ghana Network for Peace Building (GHANEP), a civil society organisation, has appealed to members of the Abudu gate in the protracted Dagbon chieftaincy disagreement to rescind their decision and return to the negotiation table of Eminent Chiefs led by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
The organisation observed that it was always better to remain and help in addressing the challenges in peace processes than quitting when a contesting party’s concerns were not being addressed.
In a statement signed by Mr Melody Azinim, an officer of GHANEP in Tamale, the organisation also entreated members of the Andani gate not to take any action in the face of the present stand-off that had the potential of heightening the existing misunderstandings and uncertainties on the Dagbon crisis.
It described the decision by the Abudus to withdraw from participating in the media process as “a source of worry to all and has the potential to derail the peace process for Dagbon, especially when adjudication process is also ongoing.”
GHANEP explained that their concern was premised on their monitoring of the dynamics in the Dagbon communities in the midst of the ongoing court trials on issues of criminality and related matters.
“Understandably, mediation efforts take place within an environment of mutual dialogue, respect and understanding, where concerns around the interests and rights of the parties are mutually addressed, paving the way for a smoother forward process,” they indicated.
The statement further contended that such concerns must be addressed in an environment where there was openness and trust between both the parties and the facilitators.
They, however, acknowledged the immense contributions of the Otumfuo committee that had led to the interment of the remains of the late Dagbon King Yakubu Andani and the subsequent installation of the Kampakuya-Na as the regent of Dagbon.
GHANEP commended all the stakeholders involved in helping to find permanent peace to the Dagbon crisis.
“This means that the dignity of the parties involved in resolving the crisis must be maintained. Any action tended or purported to question the neutrality and reputation of the facilitators therefore calls for immediate intervention,” the statement said.
It called on the people of Dagbon to remain calm and steadfast in their desire for peace and not take any action that might further derail the process of finding a lasting solution to the chieftaincy crisis.