The Chief of the Choru Area of Gonja and the longest serving Counselo at the Jakpa Palace, Choruwura Dramani Kabasagya, has expressed his unwavering support for upholding the time-tested traditions and customs of the Gonja people in order to protect the importance and preservation of the cherished Gonja heritage while embracing progress and development.
In a letter to the King and Overlord of the Gonja Kingdom Yagbonwura Bii-Kunuto Jewu Soale (I) dated 12th June, 2023, Choruwura made some suggestions to the Gonja Kingdom, outlinimg a number of key recommendations “to ensure the preservation and continuity of Gonja’s rich cultural heritage”.
Choruwura Kabasagya first proposed the abolition of the Vice- President position as far as Gonja Traditional affairs are concerned.
Citing his over 43 years of experience at the Jakpa Palace, Choruwura emphasised that traditionally, the Paramount Chief of the Sonyo Traditional Area has always held the position as next in line to the King ans Overlord of Gonja.
According to him, this long-established hierarchy should be maintained, as it has been widely acknowledged and recognised throughout Gonjaland.
Furthermore, Choruwura advocated for the elimination of the standing committee of eminent Chiefs responsible for resolving chieftaincy disputes in the Gonja Kingdom.
He said, when such disputes arise, the council forms a committee to address them, disbanding it once the matter is resolved.
Giving emphasisis t this issue, Choruwura referenced two past disputes in Gonja, the Kafaba Chieftaincy dispute chaired by himself and a Wasipe Chieftaincy dispute chaired by the late Bupeiwura Chinchanku during the reign of Yagbonwura Aliandenge Tikpiri.
According to Choruwura, the Council should reconsider this approach and find alternative methods for handling future disputes.
Choruwura’s letter also addressed the Gonja youth, commending them for their dedication, commitment, and forward-thinking in their efforts to elevate Gonjaland.
He encouraged them to maintain their momentum and continuously engage with the King and Overlord of Gonja Yagbonwura Bii-Kunuto Jewu Soale (I), seeking regular meetings and consultations on matters that would bring glory and prosperity to the Gonja Kingdom.
Choruwura Kabasagya expressed his unwavering support for the youth, urging them to fearlessly and lawfully pursue the advancement of Gonja.
Additionally, Choruwura raised a concern regarding the recent Outdooring of Yagbonwura Bii-Kunuto Jewu Soale (I), stating that the absence of the traditional order of sitting within the Jakpa Palace during the ceremony was worrying.
Emphasising the significance of this order, Choruwura explained that it symbolises the hierarchy within the Gonja Kingdom, while also providing an educational opportunity for younger generations and those unfamiliar with the traditional customs.
To rectify this, Choruwura provided a detailed description of the correct seating arrangement which he said is “the Yagbonwura, Sonyowura, Damongowura, Debrewura, Choriwura, Mankpanwura, Kaulawura, Kpansheguwura, to the end” as well as the divisional chiefs from the order of “Wasipewura, Kpembewura, Bolewura, Tuluwewura, Kusawguwura to the end”.
Snipets of information received by Nkilgi Fm says the Gonja Traditional Council acted on some of the suggestions of Choruwura Dramani Kabasagaya in his letter after thoroughly discussing the issues raised at an extra ordinary meeting of the Gonja Traditional Council at Damongo on 12th of June, 2023.
Source: nkilgifmonline.com
