The Business Development Minister, Dr Ibrahim Mohammed Awal has presented a 35-seater Toyota Coaster Bus to the Overlord of Dagbon, Ndan Ya Naa Abukari II to support the movement of the King.
The vehicle was handed over to the Chief personally at the Gbewa palace last Friday by the Northern Regional Minister together with the Programmes Manager at the Business Development Ministry, the NPP Regional Secretary and the Yendi Municipal Chief Executive on behalf of the Business Development Minister.
The Ya Naa after receiving the bus thanked President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Dr Awal for the continuous support given to the Chiefs and people of Dagbon and particularly the Gbewa Palace.
The Northern Regional Minister, Mr. Salifu Sa-eed told Journalists that the bus would support to convey elders at the Gbewa Palace anytime the Ya Naa embarks on a journey for his traditional duties out of his jurisdiction.
He stated that the donation forms part of the government’s determination to restore the dignity of Dagbon back to its enviable status and position as one of the ancient traditions in Africa.
He added that the Dagbon peace building process is not limited to the enskinment and coronation of the Ya Naa but also advancing the growth and development needed in the Dagbon traditional kingdom as it used to be in the past.
President Nana Akufo-Addo in 2018 implemented the blueprint of the Asantehene led committee of eminent kings after years of back and forth.
This roadmap witnessed the performance of the funeral rites of the late two Overlords of Dagbon, Ya Naa Mahamadu Abdulai and Ya Naa Yakubu Andani II and the subsequent selection and enskinment of Ya Naa Abukari II to stir the traditional affairs of kingdom.
Therefore, Mr. Sa-eed gave assurance that the Akufo-Addo-led New Patriotic Party administration will give the Ya Naa the necessary support to efficiently rule the kingdom without much logistical constraints.
Meanwhile, Public Relations Officer at the Gbewa Palace, Mr. Yakubu Musah on behalf of Ya Naa thanked the President who was enskinned as Dagbon Malti Naa and Dr Ibrahim Mohammed Awal for the gesture.
He said the bus has come at the right moment and will go a long way to address the transportation challenges at the palace.
He urged natives of Dagbon in good standing to emulate the examples of the Business Development Minister and not renege in their efforts to support in the development of the traditional kingdom.
He said, “If you have an old man it is important that you visit him once in a while and that will indicate to you the challenges he is confronting. It is because of the visit the Business Development Minister always make to the palace that has actually disclosed to him some of the problems at the palace and he has taken steps to address one of them, so today in terms of transportation, carrying our elders and subjects to functions across the country will be a thing of the past.”
He further prayed for God to conceal the shortcomings of Dr Awal and the government of President Akufo-Addo.
