Government Delegation to Visit Ndewura Sumali Jakpa Palace to Intercede for Damongo MP

A seven-member government delegation is set to visit the Ndewura Sumali Jakpa Palace, the seat of the Gonja Kingdom, on Wednesday, to intercede on behalf of Damongo MP Samuel Abdulai Jinapor.

The delegation includes Defence Minister, Dominic Nitiwul; Interior Minister, Henry Quartey; and Chieftaincy and Culture Affairs Minister, Stephen Asamoah Boateng. Additionally, the President of the Council of State, the National Security Coordinator, the Savannah Regional Minister, Saeed Muhazu Jibril, leader of the delegation, and the Savannah Regional New Patriotic Party (NPP) Chairman, Iddrisu Sulemana, will be present.

A source at the Jakpa Palace disclosed that the delegation's mission is to plead with the overlord of the Gonja Kingdom, Yagbonwura Bii-Kunuto Jewu Soale I, to temper justice with mercy regarding his recent decision to ban the Damongo MP from all palaces in the kingdom.

"Yes, we received formal notification today from the Savannah Regional Minister and their Party Regional Chairman concerning five officials that will be visiting the palace tomorrow," the source revealed. "Though I can't disclose their mission, it's obvious that the public is aware of the current situation in Damongo. Yagbonwura has given his approval and is awaiting their arrival," the source added.

Yagbonwura Bii-Kunuto Jewu Soale I issued a ban on the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, preventing him from accessing all palaces in Gonja. This followed recent arrests and demonstrations by some youth in Damongo, which angered Yagbonwura, leading to his decision.

To resolve the matter amicably, an earlier delegation of Muslim Clerics (Imams) from Buipe, led by the Chief Imam of Central Gonja District, paid a courtesy call on Yagbonwura Bii-Kunuto Jewu Soale I. The clerics, representing Buipe Wura Abdulai Jinapor, prayed for mercy and forgiveness on behalf of the MP of Damongo, whom they described as the grandson of Yagbonwura.

The atmosphere in Damongo is currently filled with suspicion, mistrust, and anger among the chieftaincy and political circles.