Information reaching Bole based Nkilgi fm indicates that the embattled Registrar of the Savannah Regional House of Chiefs Mr Abutu Kapori is heading towards the Upper West Region as a staff of the Regional House of Chiefs.
It would be recalled that the King and Overlord of Gonja and President of the Savannah Regional House of Chiefs, Yagbonwura Bii-Kunuto Jewu Soale (I) on Friday 2nd August, 2024 appealed to the Minister for Chieftaincy nd Religious Affairs Hon Asamoah Boateng to immediately transfer the Registrar of the Savannah Regional House of Chiefs Mr Abutu Kapori to a different location since he can no longer work with him.
The Yagbonwura made the appeal when the Minister of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs was at his Palace to intercede on the ban placed on the MP for the Damongo constituency Hon. Samuel Abu Jinapor not to visit or lead any government delegation to any of the Palaces in the Gonja Kingdom.
Speaking through his Linguist the Yagbonwura gave three main reasons why Mr Abutu Kapori should leave the Savannah Region immediately. He indicated that cattle belonging to the Jakpa Palace was never disclosed to him ever since he ascended the Gonja throne until the animals destroyed someone’s farm that he was told by Mr Kapori. He also mentioned the issue of a motorbike that the Registrar of the Savannah Regional House of Chiefs kept in his custody until it was stolen before he was told.
It would also be recalled that after a demonstration by some Youth of Gonjaland against the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Damongo Constituency and Minister for Lands and Natural Resources on 21st July, 2024, the King and Overlord of the Gonja Kingdom, Yagbonwura Bii-Kunuto Soale Jewu Soale (I) issued a ban the Damongo MP from visiting any palace in Gonjaland describing him as a threat to the peace and unity in Gonjaland. One of the reasons for the Yagbonwura’s decision was that the Damongo MP is undermining the authority of the Yagbonwura on the transfer of the Registrar of the Gonja Traditional Council.
Yagbonwura, through his linguist on this day, said,
“It is not a secret that Abu Jinapor uses the powers of government to circumvent the traditional authority and orders of the Yagbonwura in an attempt to evade accountability and to counter the orders so given by the Yagbonwura. This is mostly done deliberately in order to get the Yagbonwura feel worthless, powerless and of no value in the eye of the public”.
The Youth who embarked on the demonstration also in a statement further mentioned some of some specific instances of display of insubordination from the MP for Damongo some of which they said were done covertly and others were demonstrated publicly without fear.
They stated that; “Immediately after the enskinment of Yagbonwura Bii-Kunuto Jewu Soale I, there were some concerns about gross misconduct of an officer at the Gonja Traditional Council and Savannah Regional House of Chiefs and after a careful review and consideration of these concerns by the counselors and elders at the Jakpa Palace, a recommendation for the transfer of the said officer was forwarded as a petition to the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Cultural Affairs for onward action”.
They added that; “Subsequent to this, our incontrovertible sources revealed that an MP from Gonjaland, who also doubles as a Minister, was consulted by the Minister of Chieftaincy about the petition. The said MP was said to have rubbished the Yagbonwura’s petition and asked the Minister for Chieftaincy to treat it with contempt. Up until this minute, nothing has been heard from the Ministry and the said officer is still at post and still engages in the worse form of disrespect to the authority of the King in different forms”.
The first time the Jakpa Palace requested that the Registrar of the Savannah Regional House of Chiefs be transfered was in a letter dated 22nd May, 2023.
According to sources the then Chief Director of the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs and a Queenmother of the Bole Traditional Area Kananpewurche Fati Diabor insisted on working on the wish of the King and Overlord of Gonja but finally rather got transferred to another Ministry through the powers of allegedly the MP for Damongo and Minister for Lands and Natural Resources.
A letter from the Jakpa Palace signed by the Secretary of the Yagbonwura Mr Mohammed Mudah Mohaqq to the Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs dated 22nd May, 2023 among many other issues stated that; “I have been directed by His Royal Majesty Yagbonwura Bii-Kunuto Jewu Soale (I), King and Overlord of Gonjaland and President of the Savannah Regional House of Chiefs to inform you normally and requesting the immediate transfer of the Registrar of the Savannah Regional House of Chiefs Mr Abutu Kapori due to gross insubordination and alleged corrupt related activities.His Royal Majesty will no longer be willing to work with him”.
The letter also said; “He (Abutu Kapori) was asked to provide a comprehensive report on the administration of the late Overlord of Gonja Yagbonwura Tutumba Boresa (I). He was informed that this is the required mandatory standard and acceptable practice anytime at transition from one administration to another.
“That he should furnish Jira Yagbonwura Bii-Kunuto Jewu Soale (I) with details of his traveling in writing and o his trip is official he should attach an official invitation from the official sponsor in.te United States of America.
“He was also asked to make the Overlord (who is the Chief Spending Officaer) a signatory to the Traditional Council in the house of chiefs accounts so that business can continue during his absence. He was also informed that Yagbonwura Bii-Kunuto Jewu Soale (I) will not approve the travel if any of these matters of concern are not met”.
The letter from the Jakpa Palace stated; “On the contrary, he (Abutu Kapori) disrespectfully refused to honour the request till date that came out with a doubtful part- leave granted to him by your office”.
The letter concluded that; “On Tuesday. 15th May, 2023 during a press conference organised by a youth group in the Savannah Region, it was revealed that he (Abutu Kapori) has been cited in an alleged embezzlement of funds amounting to GHc 169,350.00 from the Wasipe Traditional Area. The Registrar and some others are alleged to have diverted various sums of money belonging to the traditional council into their personnel mobile money accounts, contrary to the Chieftaincy Act, 2008 (Act 749) Article 69 sub- section 1. This is being thoroughly investigated”.
Earlier on 3rd June, 2023, a group in Gonjaland called “Dankare be Lambu” held a peaceful demonstration and presented a petition to the King and Overlord Gonja for the removal and prosecution of Mr Abutu Kapori, the registrar of the Gonja Traditional Council. The group locked up the office of the embattled Abutu Kapori.
Mr Alhassan Kodua, Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Dankare Be Lambu group, said in a written petition that; “we bring to attention the appalling malfeasances, misappropriation of public funds, and abuse of office by Mr. Abutu Kapori, the Registrar of the Gonja Traditional Council, and the Savannah Regional House of Chiefs.”
The ‘Dankare Be Lembu’ group accused Mr Abutu Kapori of “brazenly” seizing royalties from various sectors, including charcoal, cattle farmers, logging, mining communities, and businessmen, for his personal benefit, without any form of financial accountability.
According to the group; “One of the most alarming aspects of Abutu Kapori’s misconducts is the unauthorized and improper use of the letterhead belonging to the Savannah Regional House of Chiefs. These acts of manipulation and deception have allowed him to advance personal ventures under the guise of official business, causing irreparable harm to the reputation of the esteemed institution he represents. A glaring example of this abuse is his utilization of the letterhead to secure sponsorships and benefits for his KAGA Foundation”.
The group urged the Yagbonwura to ensure thorough investigations into the financial activities of the Registrar’s office during Abutu Kapori’s tenure, to be able to advise the government appropriately on the fate of Abutu Kapori. These investigations should encompass the collection and management of royalties from various sectors, including cattle farming, logging, and mining”.
The ‘Dankare Be Lembu’ group concluded that; “By conducting a comprehensive audit, you can uncover the extent of the financial misconduct and ensure that all ill-gotten gains are recovered and returned to the rightful beneficiaries”.
Source: nkilgifmonline.com
