Traditional leaders and stakeholders in the Navrongo Traditional Area of the Upper East Region are calling for urgent government intervention to prevent escalating chieftaincy tensions from threatening the peace and stability of the area.
At a joint press conference, the Navrongo Kingmakers, Council of Elders, and the Royal Navro-Pio family raised alarm over what they described as attempts by the current Paramount Chief to alter Navrongo’s time-honoured governance system without proper consultation or approval.
“Navrongo’s peaceful coexistence, which has lasted for centuries, is now under threat due to unapproved changes and manipulations of traditional procedures,” said Wepia Achana, head of the Kingmakers.
“We urge His Excellency the President, the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, and all relevant authorities to act immediately to halt these destabilising actions.
“Any further provocation could cause irreversible damage to our chieftaincy institution, cultural integrity, and social harmony.”
Central to the concerns is the reported introduction of an “Overlord” structure, described as alien to Navrongo’s traditional governance, and the proposed renaming of the Navrongo Traditional Council to the Kassena-Nankana Traditional Council.
The stakeholders argue that such changes are misleading and ignore longstanding customary boundaries.
“We have obtained a document titled Traditional Leadership Agreement, signed on August 20, 2024, which seeks to impose an Overlord system on Navrongo—something that has never been part of our tradition,” the leaders stated.
“The proposed renaming is equally problematic, as other paramountcies in the Kassena-Nankana area do not fall under the Navrongo Traditional Council.”
The statement also condemned the enskinment of sub-chiefs by the Navro-Pio without adherence to established procedures, including bypassing the Regional House of Chiefs.
Stakeholders accused the Paramount Chief of manipulating leadership records and including unauthorised clans and individuals in official submissions to the National House of Chiefs.
“The unprocedural elevation of divisional chiefs and enskinment of sub-chiefs in ways that trespass land boundaries have heightened tensions and risk igniting a full-fledged crisis,” the group warned.
“We call on the government to investigate these irregularities and ensure that traditional customs are respected.”
They further noted that several petitions dating back to 2021—covering land disputes and breaches of traditional protocols—remain unresolved, increasing the risk of the conflict spilling into neighbouring areas.
In their closing remarks, the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to peace and appealed to former President John Mahama to intervene.
“The Navrongo Traditional Area is already at a boiling point. Any further provocation could cause lasting damage to our social cohesion and cultural heritage,” the statement concluded.
When contacted for comment, a spokesperson for the Navro-Pio, Felix Kondayiri, said he had no comment at this time.
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