Today, Dagbon celebrates. Dagombas are celebrating in a way never witnessed in several decades. Personally, I have avoided public comments on the Dagbon crisis. My reason? Because the woes of people requires empathy and not the exploitation of same for parochial interest. This conviction makes me emetic any time a read, hear and or see anyone trying to use the several decade old plague of the Dagbon kingdom to achieve gains in politics, and, ironically, in religion. For several year, this is my first public comment.
In this celeberation, let it rekindle a spirit of togetherness, a reinvigorating union of people of a piece. Let the tribes of the nation hear the cessation of animosity towards each other. Let it be that the next generation of Dagombas shall not recognise each other by the “AB” and “AD” tags. Let your heart bleeds for each other and let it be known, far and near, that the light has come and darkness has disappeared. Let it be an opportunity to examine the stock of trade of those who serve their dinning tables with the meat of Dagombas. Let the voice of God echoes in your heads than the voice of men. And let forgiveness flow like water, love like air, unity like the PRIDE OF THE LION.
Let us remember the fallen heroes and heroines who committed their lives to a genuine peaceful and united Dagbon. And let us also not forget the lies and treachery of men, the selfishness and cowardice of men whose action have denied Dagombas peace. Let us not forget the leadership, dedication and commitment that has brought us this far. The roadmap and eventual solution might not be universally popular. But do remember that the road ahead is PROGRESS, and behind, REGRESS.
In all this, a want to pay a glorying tribute to a young man whose leadership has brokered peace. Many have fallen on the path he took but he faced the turbulence. He sacrificed everything for this day. When his Excellence the President nominated him for the job, and he told me, I was skeptical. I openly told him, and to friends, it was too much a task to be given the Northern Regional Minister. Instead, I was comfortable that he takes the deputy position if he was much particular about serving his people. We discussed his plans for the region, I was relieved but still skeptical. My pessimism was not because of his capabilities, but the extremely special situation in the northern region. A situation that has collapsed the career of many fine politicians. Nay, I was wrong, he was more than capable. He has proved me wrong, like many skeptics. He has shown maturity, diplomacy, humility and his extraordinary negotiation skill. He must be of the gods!. I have recently made my confession to him. How wrong I was. The Northern Regional Minister, is my hero today as a watch with amusement the history that is taking place in Dagbon. Hon. Sa-eed Salifu, you deserve the Order of the Star and the Medal for Gallantry. You are just on the path to solving a problem that started way before you were birthed. There is still a task ahead, I am acutely aware, but even at this stage you are my youngest national achiever. Today, President Nana Akuffo Addo should be a happy man, that he chose you for the job.
LONG LIVE GHANA
KB Mahama, Ph.D
