Three royal families in the Nandom Traditional Area have called on the Paramount Chief of the Nandom, Naa Professor Edmund N. Delle Chiir VIII, to stop imposing a chief on the people of Kokoligu, a skin under the Nandom Traditional Area.
The three families, namely, Debpuur Family, Zuwerah Family and Debzie Family, in a statement issued on October 22, 2024, assert that, the selection of Mr. Augustine Baanuo by the Nandom Naa as the chief-elect of the Kokoligu Divisional Area did not follow due process. They, thus, demanded that the intended coronation of Mr. Augustine Baanuo must not take place.
According to the statement, the Debpuur Family has already petitioned the Judicial Committee of the Regional House of Chiefs on the matter. As a result, the three families “urge Nandom Naa to respect tradition and customs” by waiting for the decision of the Regional House of Chiefs before going ahead to coronate Mr. Augustine Baanuo as Kokoligu Naa.
The statement by Joachim Sieningan, Debpuur Family Head; Fidelis K. Zuwerah, Zuwerah Family Head; and Basilide T. Debzie, Debzie Family Head, claimed that one Dr. Jonathan Wadeyir Abesig was initially selected as the chief-elect, only to be changed without any reason.
They contend that, Dr. Abesig remains the qualified candidate for the Kokoligu skin and should therefore be duly recognized as such instead of nominating and coronating another person.
The aggrieved families aver that the selection of Mr. Augustine Baanuo as the Chief-Elect did not follow due process, accusing the selection committee of conflict of interest.
They also alleged that an unnamed politician “influenced the decision” to change Dr. Abesig for Mr. Baanuo, accusing the said politician of “visiting committee members and chiefs, expressing dislike for Naa Dr, Abesig.”
The three families therefore called on the Regional House of Chiefs and relevant institutions to intervene to prevent Nandom Naa from coronating Mr. Baanuo as the chief of Kokoligu.
Read full statement below.
PRESS RELEASE: Clarification on the Kokoligu Chieftaincy Issue in Nandom Traditional Area
Ladies and gentlemen of the media, we would like to address the prolonged chieftaincy dispute in Kokoligu and shed light on its underlying factors.
The Kokoligu chieftaincy dispute is currently before the Judicial Committee of the Upper West Regional House of Chiefs for a final resolution. The petition was filed by the Debpuur family on 10/10/2024 and duly served on the key actors in this matter. Kindly disregard any exercise by any group of persons purporting to outdoor or coronate any individual as the new Chief of Kokoligu divisional area until the determination of the matter by the said Judicial Committee.
A recap of the main issues:
Following the demise of Kokoligu Naa Michael Kpantol Zuwera III, the Gyoder Royal family appointed Paul Aalier Baanuo as regent while searching for a suitable successor. Unfortunately, Paul Aalier Baanuo passed away after just three months.
The Gyoder Royal family was subsequently divided over who should become the next Chief of Kokoligu. The Debpuur family nominated Dr. (Med) Jonathan Wadeyir Abesig, while the Baanuo side nominated Augustine Baanuo.
As tensions escalated, the traditional council, led by Acting President Naa Domepeh Gyireh (Ko Naa), summoned both factions on August 28, 2020. The council adjourned the case to August 31, 2020, requesting each faction to present five representatives.
The Debpuur faction complied with the council’s directive, presenting their representatives on August 31, 2020. However, the Baanuo faction failed to appear, citing concerns about the council’s impartiality.
After Prof. Edmond N. Delle’s introduction as the new Nandom Naa (Paramount Chief of the Nandom Traditional Area), the Debpuur family continued to adhere to established customs. On November 7, 2021, Nandom Naa Naa Prof. E. N. Delle Chiir VIII accepted Dr. Jonathan Wadeyir Abesig’s “Kyeeb” (Chieftaincy items), officially recognizing him as Naa Dr. Jonathan Wadeyir Abesig Debpuur Gyoder IV, with a coronation date set for February 4, 2022.
The Royal family, sub-Chiefs, and community members of the Kokoligu divisional area facilitated our introduction. However, we were surprised to learn that some individuals petitioned against this. In response, the Nandom Naa established another committee to address the Kokoligu Skin Issue. This committee met with the Gyoder Royal family at Bekyedergang Naayir (Bekyedergang Chief Palace).
Upon submitting their report, the Baanuo factions petitioned against it, claiming bias towards the Debpuur family and Chief Elect, Dr. Jonathan Wadeyir Abesig. The Nandom Naa then formed a mediation committee, led by Puffien Naa. During mediation, we restarted the search for a new Chief, considering four candidates. The Debpuur family cooperated, and one candidate withdrew, supporting Dr. Abesig. He cited two reasons: Dr. Abesig had completed all traditional processes and, as his grandson, was considered his brother.
The committee abandoned their roadmap and submitted another report to Nandom Naa. On July 26, 2024, Nandom Naa selected Mr. Augustine Baanuo as Chief-Elect, sparking controversy among elders and the traditional council. The Debpuur family has petitioned the Judicial Committee of the Regional House of Chiefs.
We must note that the Puffien Naa-led committee showed conflict of interest, prompting a petition from the Debpuur family. Their report was also not shared with us. This is an anomaly.
A politician allegedly influenced this decision, visiting committee members and Chiefs, expressing dislike for Naa Dr. Abesig. We have compiled audiovisual evidence and will address this soon.
Despite the ongoing Judicial Committee hearing, the Baanuo faction distributed invitation cards for Augustine Baanuo’s coronation. We assert that neither Nandom Naa nor politicians can impose a second Chief. We urge Nandom Naa to respect tradition and customs, and politicians to focus on national issues rather than meddling in Chieftaincy affairs.
The Regional House of Chiefs and relevant institutions must intervene to prevent Nandom Naa from coronating a second Chief under politician influence. The Debpuur family will resist any such attempt.
Joachim Sieningan (Head Debpuur Family)
Fidelis K. Zuwerah (Head Zuwerah Family)
Basilide T. Debzie (Debzie Family Head)
Julius Abesig PRO – 0240120087
