The National House of Chiefs has deferred the adoption of a revised constitution for the Dagbon kingdom over land boundary inconsistencies with the Gonja kingdom.
The decision by the house comes after the paramount chief of the Kpembe Traditional Area, Kpembewura Banbange Ndefeso IV opposed certain aspects of the revised constitution which was presented by a delegation from USAiD, Care International and the national peace council.
According to the Kpembewura, some land boundaries stated in the draft constitution were inconsistent and are lands in the Gonja Kingdom.
“Whiles commending the draft of the Dagbon Constitution, we wish to state that some of the enactments are inconsistently covering some lands and communities in the Gonja Kingdom in the drafted Dagbon constitution which appear inaccurate. This boundaries are inconsistent with available traditional and administrative boundaries that have existed between Gonja Kingdom and Dagbon kingdom over decades. It may be a recipe for conflict if allowed by this honorable house”, Kpembewura said.
Consultant for the revised constitution, Mohammed Mumuni appealed to the house to accept the constitution whiles the Dagbon and Gonja Kingdoms resolve the said land boundary inconsistencies.
But in an anonymous decision the house headed by the paramount chief of the Lawra Traditional Area who is Vice President of the house, Naa Puowele Karbo ||| disagreed.
“It is clear that the issue of territorial boundaries is going to be problematic and the Dagbon Constitution review has even acknowledged it. The National House of Chiefs is currently aware that a number of protest petitions have been received so it is the view of the house that yes Dagbon you have done a very good job and we think that we should support it but at the moment I know that some of these petitions have come to you so the national house has decided that you should go back and have some consultation with those involved and come back and the national house will approve it”, he declared.
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