To solidify this newfound peace and camaraderie, the Chief Executive Officer of Dasuma Radio, Alhaji Osman Baba Daney, launched an inter-clan sports competition in 2018. This annual tournament brings together various Dagbon clans in a spirited contest for supremacy and bragging rights.

The event has grown into a cherished tradition, and this year marked its 6th anniversary with much celebration in Yendi.

Yendi has become a peaceful and vibrant place where love and unity thrive. Residents now share laughter and friendly banter wherever they go. Even during the recent elections, the town remained remarkably peaceful.

As the traditional capital of the Dagbon Kingdom, Yendi is home to the Yaa Naa, the Overlord of Dagbon. The Dagomba people are composed of various clans, including the Butchers (Nakohanima), Weavers (Labansi), Drummers (Lunsi), and Warriors (Sapashinima), among others. Historically, these clans have engaged in playful rivalry, a cultural norm that had been fading due to political and chieftaincy disputes.

In an effort to revive these traditions, Alhaji Osman Baba Daney initiated the inter-clan sports tournament, aimed at strengthening cultural ties and fostering unity. This tournament has successfully rekindled old friendships, bringing clans together to celebrate their shared heritage through competition.

The 6th-anniversary event featured a highly anticipated football match between the Labansi and Nakohanima clans. The Labansi emerged victorious, defeating the Nakohanima 2-0. The opening ceremony was filled with praise for Alhaji Osman Baba Daney’s initiative, which has become a unifying force in the community.

In an interview with Channel One News, the CEO emphasized the importance of promoting peace through sports, expressing confidence in the tournament’s ability to achieve its objectives.

“The initiative is purposely to strengthen the peace, unity, and development in Dagbon. It was as a result of the successful resolution of the Dagbon issue that we wanted to contribute our quota towards the development of the kingdom. Chiefs and people of Dagbon, especially in Yendi, have accommodated it nicely, and it has rekindled the love for each other.”

Participants and community members lauded the initiative, urging more support for such events. Representing the Dagbon Traditional Council, Kuga Naa Abdulai, who chaired the occasion, pledged the council’s full backing and encouraged others to do the same. He noted that events like this strengthen peace and unity within the kingdom.

“Since they started this game, I haven’t been able to come myself, today I am here, and it is a good idea. Someone has come with this and it is our prayer that it goes a long way and I will want to pledge to full support of the traditional council and also urge all to fully support it to succeed.”

However, Kuga Naa expressed concern over the increasing substance abuse among the youth and advised them to abandon harmful habits like excessive drinking and smoking.

“I want to urge the Youth to take serious interest in the game. However our biggest concern now is the youth. The Youth are now in ghettos, taking drugs and drinking, substance abuse is the order of the day and I will want to appeal to the youth to desist from such acts.”

The tournament also brought together contestants from the recent elections, highlighting its unifying impact. The MP-elect for Yendi, Abdul Fataw Alhassan Jofa, commended the initiative and pledged his continued support.

“This is a great initiative and I will want to applaud the CEO of Dasuma for this. It is a platform that brings us together especially just after the elections, this will definitely cement the peace. As a leader elect, I will also want to pledge my continuous support for the initiative and I call on all to fully participate.”

The New Patriotic Party constituency chairman for Yendi, Alhaji Gazali, praised the tournament’s role in consolidating peace in the town, while the independent candidate for Yendi also offered his full support.

“Games of this brings together people and Yendi, we are the same people. What we are seeking for is peace and with peace, there is development”

Residents of Yendi expressed their excitement, reflecting on how the tournament has positively transformed their community.

“If you look at the time past, Yendi used to be in the news for the bad reports but now, thank God we have gone past that. What we need now is peace, peace, peace and with peace, there is development.”

Events like this are vital in maintaining peace, love, and unity among the people. Dagbon’s unique culture, with its playful inter-clan relationships, remains a hallmark of its identity. This playful spirit even extends to solemn occasions such as funerals, where one clan’s humour eases the mourning of another.