Bimbilla Chieftaincy Dispute: Nakpa family defiant despite Supreme Court verdict

The family of the late Nakpa Naa Salifu Dawuni in Bimbila in the Northern Region says the ruling by the Supreme Court has no bearing on them.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with 3news.com ahead of the celebration of the Damba festival, a spokesperson for the family, Mohammed Aminu, insisted that as the right custodians of Bimbilla, they have the right to undertake all traditional activities including the celebration of the Damba festival.

“After the verdict we organized a press conference to announce to the whole world that we do not accept the Supreme Court verdict and do not regard the Andanis as the legitimate custodians of Bimbilla because they have failed to use Section 57 of the Chieftaincy Act 2008 which provides for names of chiefs to be captured in a bulletin.”

The family spokesperson also stated they will soon start enskinning chiefs to occupy various skins in the Nanung kingdom since they are the recognized chiefs by tradition.

Meanwhile, the regent of Bimbilla, Nyelinboligu-Naa Yakubu Andani Dasana, has accused government and the security of over-pampering the late Nakpa Naa’s family by allowing them to participate in the Damba despite the Supreme Court verdict and an order from the Municipal Security Committee barring the latter from celebrating this year’s Damba festival.

He said allowing the Nakpa Naa’s people to participate is an indication they want to compromise the peace in Bimbilla and the people of Bimbilla will not forgive them should anything happen.

“We have complied with the restrictions of the laws of Ghana as per the traditions of Nanung and for the fact that the verdict of the Supreme Court has been rendered null and void by the late Nakpa Naa’s people is a recipe for chaos in Nanung.”

By Zubaida Ismail| 3news.com|Ghana