Yagbonwura Bikunuto Jewu Soale I has praised President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for the significant elevation Gonjaland has experienced under his leadership.
Speaking at a grand durbar held in Damongo on Monday, October 14, 2024, the Yagbonwura acknowledged the president’s immense contribution to the development of the Savannah Region and the peace-building efforts in Dagbon.
In his address, the Yagbonwura expressed deep gratitude on behalf of the chiefs and people of Gonjaland, noting that the creation of the Savannah Region and the resolution of longstanding chieftaincy disputes had transformed the area. “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, healthcare, agriculture, roads, and many more,” he said.
President Akufo-Addo, on a goodbye tour of the region, responded by thanking the people of Gonjaland for their unwavering support throughout his presidency. He highlighted two significant achievements in the area—the creation of the Savannah Region and the restoration of peace in Dagbon—as defining moments of his administration.
“There are two significant matters that I want to single out for mention: the cooperation and collaboration I received from your predecessor. First, for the great help he gave in being one of the three chiefs who helped me bring peace to Dagbon. He was one of the three eminent chiefs, alongside Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and Na-yiri, who helped bring peace to Yagbon,” Akufo-Addo stated.
The president also recounted how the people of Gonjaland petitioned for the creation of the Savannah Region. He credited the Yagbonwura and the people for their role in bringing that vision to reality. “By the grace of God, we worked together and brought the Savannah Region to life,” he noted.
Akufo-Addo emphasized that his administration’s legacy in Gonjaland extended beyond the peace process and regional creation, with developments in infrastructure, health, and education benefiting the area.
Samuel Jinapor, Member of Parliament for Damongo, described President Akufo-Addo’s works in the region as unparalleled, particularly noting the strides made in development across multiple sectors.
The durbar marked a fitting conclusion to President Akufo-Addo’s time in office, as he bid farewell to the people of Gonjaland while leaving a legacy of peace and progress in the Savannah Region.