The Member of Parliament (MP) for the Damongo Constituency and the Sector Minister for Lands and Natural Resources Hon. Samuel Abu Jinapor has said that his beloved Damongo Constituency, is arguably the number one tourist destination in Northern Ghana.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament on 12th July 2023, he praised
President Akufo-Addo for commissioning the renovated and modernised Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, with a commitment to make Ghana the tourism hub of West Africa, and in that spirit he (Samuel Abu Jinapor) wants to make a statement on his beloved Constituency Damongo.
According to him, Damongo Constituency is made up of one hundred and four (104) towns, villages and communities, which is home to several sites of historical significance and cultural diversity which makes the Constituency an exceptional destination for tourists attraction.
Hon. Samuel Abu Jinapor said, the vibrant town of Damongo serves as the capital of the Constituency, of the Savannah Region, as well as the Gonja Kingdom, and hosts the famous Jakpa Palace.
On tourism in Damongo he said, some of the tourist attractions in the Constituency, includes the Larabanga Mosque, one of the oldest mosques in Africa, mostly referred to as “the Mecca of West Africa.” The over six hundred (600) year old Mosque is said to have been built by a man known as Ayuba, after Allah had revealed to him in a dream to build a mosque, which Allah himself had already laid the foundations. Inside the Mosque is an ancient Qur’an believed to have been delivered by Allah to the Imam of the Mosque in 1650.
Additionally the is the Mystic Stone, also located at Larabanga, which has a an interesting rich history surrounding it, narrating the story he said a road was suppose to be constructed
through Larabanga, the contractors tried to removed the stone but any time they came back the following day they find the stone had returned to its previous position, and when this persisted, they were compelled to divert the road, and leave the stone in its position, which has remained till date.
He mentioned other
tourist attractions centers such as the Mole National Park, the first, largest and most prestigious protected area in the country, adding” if any one wants to visit the most serene and beautiful park in West Africa the number one destination is the Mole National Park in Damongo”
According to Hon. Samuel Abu Jinapor the Park host
various plant and animal species, including elephants, buffalos, antelops, lions, monkeys, and other endangered species. For relaxation the is the Zaina Lodge, which provides top-notch hospitality services with a unique cultural touch to visitors of the Park and its catchment areas.
Also, another place o of interest in the Damongo Constituency is the
Mognori Eco Village, a community-based tourism project in Mognori, that provides a range of tourist activities such as guided nature walks, traditional and drumming and dancing and handicraft demonstrations etc
Hon. Jinapor called on all Ghanaians to patronize these sites for the rich experience they offer. He thanked President Akufo-Addo and the Minister for Tourism, Hon. Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Awal, for the special attention they have paid to tourism in the Damongo Constituency.
Hon Jinapor said the diversity of people and cultural in the Damongo Constituency makes the area very exceptional since in addition to Gonjas there are the Nchumurus, Nawuris, Basaris, Vaglas, Safalbas, Mos, Brifos, Lobis, Sissalas, Dagombas, Akans, Fulanis, Chokosis, Dagabas, Hausa Pantras, Mo, Kasenas, Vaglas, Tampulmas, Mmaras, Konkombas and others living peacefully and intermarrying to form families of mix ethnic groups.
Giving a historical account on the Gonja Kingdom
Hon. Jinapor explained that Gonjas having migrated from the Songhai Empire, Gonjas entered modern Ghana in 1546 under the leadership of Askia Mohammed who ruled for over 3 decades and who handed over to his son Musa Askia then to Lanbe Wam, Amoa and then Lanta Limu the father of Yagbonwura Ndewura Jakpa the founder of the modern day Gonja Kingdom.
He said Damongo host the famous Yagbon skins and since Yagbonwura Awusi Ewutomah Boyanso who ruled the Kingdom from 1942 to 1975 moved the seat of the Gonja Kingdom from Nyange in the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District to Damongo which at the time was said to be made up of less than 10 households communities.
He added all Yagbonwuras namely Yagbonwura Mahama Abudu Kurabaso 1975 to 1982 Yagbonwura J. A Braimah Timu 1983 to 1987,
Yagbonwura Kanyiti (1987 to 1990), Yagbonwura Bii-Awuribi (1990 to 1992), Yagbonwura Aliademu Tibri (1992 to 1993), Yagbonwura Amantana Boreyinche (1993 to 2000), Yagbonwura Bawa Abudu Doshi (2000 to 2010), Yagbonwura Sulemana Jakpa Tutumba Boresa (I) (2010 to 2023) and now Yagbonwura Bii-Kunuto Soale (I) have lived and sat on the Jakpa skin in Damongo.
Source: nkilgifmonline.com
