New Yagbonwura assumes throne …exclusive shots from Gonjaland

Biikunu Jewu Soale I, the new Yagbonwura of the Gonja Traditional area was enskinned at a colourful traditional ceremony at Nyange on Monday, March 20, 2023 in Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District in the Savannah Region.

On Tuesday March, 21, 2023, he was officially outdoored at the forecourt of Jakpa Palace at Damongo and was witnessed by hundreds of citizens and dignitaries from far and near.

He succeeded the late Tuntumba Boressah as the 34th Yagbonwura. As customs demands, the new King stopped at Jentilpe where he was given water to drink before he continued to Damongo.

Guests at the colourful event included the Vice-President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia; former President John Dramani Mahama, President of the National House of Chiefs, Ogyeahohuo Yaw Gyebi II; and the Minister-designate of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs designate, Stephen Asamoah Boateng.

Also present were chiefs from other traditional areas, ministers of state, Members of Parliament, political party representatives, the clergy among others.

The King, in his inaugural address, paid tribute to his predecessors and urged all chiefs of the Gonja Traditional area to unite and protect the Gonja Kingdom.

He called for peaceful co-existence among citizens and advised the chiefs to collaborate with the government to speed up development of the area and the nation.

Dr Bawumia congratulated the new Yagbonwura, and pledged the government’s cooperation and support.

Former President John Dramani Mahama also congratulated the new Yagbonwura and wished him well in his reign.

On February 27, 2023, the kingmakers of the Gonja Kingdom announced the 60-year-old farmer as the new Overlord. Before his enskinment, he was the Paramount Chief of the Tuluwe Traditional Area.

The new Overlord was first enskinned as Jakpaseriwura, from where he moved to the Timanklan-wura skin to Kachinako-wura and finally got to the Bunda skin in 2011.

Here are some sights and scenes.

From: Geoffrey Buta, Damongo.