The 2025 Yagbon Damba Festival was celebrated with great durbar at the historic Jakpa Palace in Damongo, bringing together distinguished guests, paramount chiefs, queen mothers, and invited guests.
Yagbonwura Bii-Kunuto Jewu Soale I, the King and Overlord of the Gonja Kingdom, delivered a powerful address emphasizing the importance of peace, unity, and development in the Savannah Region.
The speech read by Yapeiwura Dr. A.B.T Zakariah on behalf of the Yagbonwura Bii-Kunuto Jewu Soale (I) acknowledged the recent disturbances that have affected the kingdom, testing its unity. He emphasized that festivals like Damba are not just for merriment but also for renewal, healing, and rededication to the values that bind the people together. The Yagbonwura observed a minute silence in honor of national heroes who lost their lives in a helicopter crash and Gonjaland brothers and sisters who perished in the conflict between Gonjas and Birifuos.
The Yagbonwura stressed that peace is the foundation of progress and unity is the greatest shield for development. He urged the government to support the codification of customs and practices regarding succession to prevent avoidable conflicts, citing Article 270 of the 1992 Constitution that entrusts the National and Regional Houses of Chiefs with addressing these matters.
Yagbonwura Bii-Kunuto Jewu Soale (I) highlighted the significance of education in shaping the future of the Savannah Region. He appealed for support for the Bii-Kunuto Educational Fund, launched in 2022 to aid brilliant but needy students across Gonjaland. The theme of the 2025 Damba festival, “Building a Brighter Future for the Savannah Region and Gonjaland through the Bii-Kunuto Educational Fund,” underscores the importance of education in the region’s development.
On Infrastructure Development, the Yagbonwura appealed for government intervention to rehabilitate Nyange, the sacred cradle of the Gonja Kingdom, and to support the Damongo Nursing and Midwery College, which requires renewal of accreditation and critical infrastructure.
Yagbonwura Bii-Kunuto Jewu Soale I reaffirmed that land in Gonja belongs to the Gonja Traditional Authority, emphasizing the need to preserve order and respect for tradition. He urged settlers on Nyange land to relocate to preserve the sanctity and cultural heritage of the area.
The Yagbonwura called on political leaders, chiefs, youth, civil society, and all stakeholders to join hands in strengthening peace and protecting cherished Gonja customs. He emphasized the importance of unity across political, traditional, and social lines, citing the late Kofi Annan’s words, “We may have different religions, different languages, different colors, but we all belong to one human race.”
Yagbonwura Bii-Kunuto Jewu Soale I extended his heartfelt gratitude to the President of the Republic of Ghana, the Government, revered Chiefs, illustrious sons and daughters, and cherished partners for their continuous support. He also appreciated the security agencies for their unwavering commitment and dedication during the recent conflict.
The Savannah Regional Minister, Hon. Salisu Issifu Be-Awuribe, also delivered a speech on behalf of the Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, reaffirming the government’s commitment to peace in the Savannah Region. He stated that the government has formed a mediation committee to address conflicts in the region and reaffirmed that the Yagbonwura is the allodial owner of the land in Gonjaland.
As the festival comes to a close, the people of Gonjaland look forward to a brighter future built on the foundations of peace, unity, and development. “Long live the Gonja Kingdom! Long live the Savannah Region! Long live Ghana”.
