N/R: NAA-YAB TONG-LANA CALLS ON DAGOMBAS TO STRIVE TO RESTORE THE ANCIENT DIGNITY, INTEGRITY AND RESPECT THAT WAS ASSOCIATED WITH THE DAGBON KINGDOM
The Paramount Chief of Tong Traditional Area, Naa-Yab Tong-Lana Yakubu Andani has called on the people of Dagbon to strive to restore the ancient dignity, integrity and respect that was associated with the Dagbon Chiefdom.
He said protracted chieftaincy disputes and the bastardization of chieftaincy titles have badly eroded the traditional and cultural values of Dagbon. Naa-Yab Tong-Lana Yakubu Andani was speaking in an exclusive interview on Zaa Radio on the recently launched Dagbon Development Fund and the Gbewa Redevelopment Project.
The fund is aimed at strengthening the economic and social cohesion in Dagbon by correcting imbalances between Dagbon communities and imbalances between Dagbon and the rest of the country, whiles the Place project seeks to build a modern palace befitting of Ndan Ya-Naa status.
Naa-Yab Tong-Lana indicated the Dagbon Development Fund and the Gbewa Palace Redevelopment Project are part of steps to safeguard Dagbon chiefdom, traditional and cultural values
“We are poised now to bring back the dignity that was associated with Dagbon. We will respect our chiefs; protect our cultural and traditions symbols. The Dagbon Kingdom is one of the oldest, over seven hundred years. So I urge everyone and most especially the youth to please help us bring back the respect of the Dagbon kingdom” he said.
He appealed to the youth chiefs and other sub-chiefs to respect the Dagbon paramount chiefs by not trying to out dress them during traditional event. This, he noted will ensure the paramount chiefs and by extension Dagbon will be accorded the necessary respect.
“There is a problem we need to address with some of our sub-chiefs, particularly the youth chiefs. Under no circumstance should a youth chief out addresses his paramount chief because it doesn’t speak well of our cultural values. So I plead with the youth chiefs to always be moderate in their outings at public events where their paramount chiefs are present” Naa-Yab Tong-Lana noted.
