The youth of Gonjaland have called out the Member of Parliament (MP) for Damongo and Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, for allegedly disrespecting and undermining the authority of the king of Gonjaland, the Yagbonwura, Bii-Kunuto Jewu Soale I. They have cited seven instances of disrespect and disregard for the authority of the King perpetrated by Samuel Abu Jinapor.
In a detailed statement, the youth recounted how Samuel Abu Jinapor has used his political power and influence to circumvent and undermine the authority of the King, such as countering the orders of the King; influencing officials at the Presidency to deny the King access to have an audience with the President; refusing to pick up or return the calls of the King; and failing to take action on issues the King sought his intervention on, among others.
The youth contended that politicians like Abu Jinapor have displayed disregard for the King to make him look powerless, worthless, and reduce his importance in the eyes of the public.
“Ladies and gentlemen, friends from the media, all youth gathered here today, it is not a secret that some politicians use the power of government to circumvent the traditional authority and orders of the Yagbonwura in an attempt to evade accountability and to counter the orders given by the Yagbonwura.
“This is being done primarily deliberately to make Yagbonwura appear worthless, powerless, and unworthy in the eyes of the public. Gentlemen, if we remain silent and allow the acts of such people to continue, it means that all of us assembled here are complicit and will have to bear the consequences of the disobedience of these politicians and some chiefs. Therefore, if you see us today, we would like to issue a strong warning to these people in political attire to stay away from chieftaincy issues and not come any closer to undermining the authority of Yagbonwura.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to now look at some concrete examples of disobedience. Some of these were done in secret and others were fearlessly exposed in public.
“Shortly after the flaying of Yagbonwura Bii-Kunuto Jewu Soale I, there have been some concerns about serious misconduct by officials of the Gonja Traditional Council/Savannah Area House of Chiefs.
“Following careful consideration of these concerns by the advisers and elders of the Jakpa Palace, a recommendation for the transfer of the said official was sent as a petition to the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Culture for further action. Our undisputed sources subsequently revealed that the Member of Parliament for Gonjaland State, who is also a Minister, was consulted by the Minister of Chieftaincy Affairs on the petition.
“The said Member of Parliament is said to have rejected the Yagbonwura petition and called on the Minister of Chieftaincy Affairs to treat him with contempt. So far, no communication has been heard from the Ministry and the said official is still in his post and continues to show the worst disrespect for the King’s authority in various ways.
“Last year, when Wasipe was raided by state security operatives, some youths were unjustly arrested, beaten, imprisoned and even put on trial.
“Daboya is at an impasse and the people have urged Yagbonwura to act like a father. Faced with this issue, Yagbonwura sought the cooperation of fellow politicians in government to resolve the issue amicably. In fact, his calls were not even answered.
“When Yagbonwura called Abu Jinapor, their response was slow. He did not pick up the phone,” it said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Samuel Abu Jinapor, himself a member of the Gonja royal family, has previously denied undermining the king’s authority or having any interest in the kingdom’s chieftaincy issues.
Read the full statement below:
