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In what looked like a farewell gesture, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has paid glowing tribute to the Overlord of Gonjaland, Yagbonwura Bikunuto Jewu Soale I, and the chiefs and people of the Savannah Region for their support to his administration.
“I want to thank the people of Ghana for the honour of making me their President, not once but twice. I came to thank you all for your support and encouragement, and also to say goodbye,” he said.
The emotional speech at Damongo appeared as a “Thank You” tour as the President heads down the last 85 days of his two-term presidency.
The Savannah Region, indeed, would count as one of the legacies of President Akufo-Addo’s presidential tenure upon the creation of the area in 2018 in fulfilment of a party manifesto promise.
And here in Damongo, the regional capital, the President said the success story of the government he had led for almost eight years would not be complete without acknowledging the pivotal role of Gonjaland.
In particular, he said, the significant role that the previous Yagbonwura, Sulemana Tuntumba Bore-Essah Jakpa I, played alongside the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, and the Overlord (Nayiri) of Manprugu, Naa Bohagu Mahami Abdulai Sheriga, in the resolution of the chieftaincy dispute and restoration of lasting peace and unity in Dagbon would remain indelible.
He described the restoration of peace to Dagbon as one of the highest points of his reign as President of the country.
He singled out the cooperation and collaboration of the Yagbonwura and his predecessor as a gesture that he would be eternally grateful for, adding that the role of the two traditional rulers in resolving the protracted Dagbon dispute did not only restore peace to the Northern Region, but also helped to stabilise the country’s security.
The President further expressed gratitude to the Yagbonwura and the chiefs of the area for supporting him in all the processes leading to the creation of the Savannah Region.
“By the grace of God, we worked together and brought the Savannah Region to reality. I will always remember and be grateful to the Jakpa Stool for these two great achievements of my administration,” he said.
The President said although he was leaving office after serving his mandatory two terms, the achievements in the areas of health care, education, infrastructure and development in general would remain his lasting legacies.
Yagbonwura Soale commended President Akufo-Addo for “the unprecedented achievements of the government in the Savannah Region”.
He stated that by creating the Savannah Region and resolving the chieftaincy dispute that had plagued Dagbon for decades, President Akufo-Addo had etched his name in Gonja history as the President who granted Gonjaland its utmost desire.
He further observed that the development projects enjoyed by the people of the Savannah Region in the areas of education, health, agriculture and roads bore ample testimony to the positive impact of the government’s policies.
“We are profoundly grateful to you for your role and dedication in the creation of the Savannah Region. This vital decision has brought immense progress in key areas such as education, health care, agriculture, roads, and many more.
The people of Gonjaland have, indeed, experienced significant elevation as a result of this, and we remain eternally grateful to you,” Yagbonwura Soale said.
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Damongo, Samuel A. Jinapor, eulogised President Akufo-Addo, describing his works in the region as “unmatched”.
Mr Jinapor, who is also the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, said President Akufo-Addo had assumed the legendary status in the eyes of the Gonja people by granting their request for a region.
“The people of the Savannah Region and Gonjaland have been clamouring and fighting for a region since the 19th Century. The people of Gonjaland have petitioned all presidents under the Fourth Republic, and it is President Akufo-Addo who has created the Savannah Region. This is part of the Akufo-Addo legacy, today and forever.
Anybody who comes to this region, we welcome you to the Akufo-Addo region,” he said.
Mr Jinapor added that by that achievement, the President had “liberated the people of Gonjaland and granted us independence”.
“The Savannah Region and Gonjaland say thank you. In addition to creating this region, you have brought unparalleled development in all facets of human life. Your legacy in education, health care, agriculture, road infrastructure, and more is unmatched,” he added.
