A new Paramountcy cannot be created in Gonja Traditional Council -Say GLYA President

The National President of the Gonjaland Youth Association, (GLYA) Lawyer Mohammed Amin Osman has pointed out that the Gonja Traditional Council cannot create a Paramountcy under the shores of the Kingdom.

He indicated this in a press statement issued to give a vivid explanation of what the 1992 Constitution of Ghana laid for a chieftaincy institution.

The statement seeks to clarify a call made by Archbishop Philp Naamey, Catholic Church of Ghana, asking for paramountcies to be created for other tribes of the land by the Gonja Traditional Council.

Lawyer Amin further explains how the Customary of the kingdom accord respect to tribes in Gonja including Hanga, Tampluma, Safalba and Choriba amongst others forms part of the Gonja state.

The press statement was intercepted by Abdul Sammed Gurundari of Soireenews.com.

Please read more on the press statement issued by the president of the Gonjaland Youth Association, GLYA Lawyer Mohammed Amin Osman:

 A STATEMENT BY LAWYER MOHAMMED AMIN OSMAN, PRESIDENT OF GONJALAND YOUTH ASSOCIATION ON THE CREATION OF PARAMOUNCIES FOR OTHER TRIBES.

I  have followed keenly the comments on the statement attributed to Archbishop Philp Naamey calling for paramountcies to be created for other tribes of the land by the Gonja Traditional Council. 

I wish to put on record that, the institution of chieftaincy is governed by recognised customs and the laws of Ghana. 

The 1992 constitution of the Republic of Ghana under Article 11 recognises customary laws and indeed, Gonja customs are sacred and uncompromising. 

The call may be made in good faith but it must properly be placed in its right perspective. 

I find it inappropriate for such statements to be made without the appropriate recourse to our Traditional Authorities whose authority shall be required to ensure that such a call is placed in its proper perspective.

The 1992 Constitution of Ghana under Article 277 defines a chief and indeed, per the definition, it is trite that no one can ascend to a paramountcy without fulfilling all the requirements under the Constitution as well as the customs and traditions of Gonja.

The Gonja Traditional Council is governed by the customs of Gonja and there is no point where the traditional authorities will compromise on the rules of custom that have shaped the kingdom. 

It is important to note that, the Gonja Kingdom has the most inclusive traditions with unique roles by several other groups like Hanga, Tampluma, Safalba and Choriba and others as forming part of the Gonja state.

It is therefore important to recognize that, the roles of all the groups in the kingdom are defined and that must be upheld at all times.

All Paramount Chiefs under the Gonja Traditional Council have jurisdictions in terms of land and people and therefore not possible for a paramountcy to be created under the Gonja Kingdom without jurisdiction.

Let us be guided by the rules of tradition and the laws of the people and the country at large. 

We have confidence in the ability of the Overlord and King of Gonja and we also believe in the competence of the Vice President of the Gonja Traditional Council including all the Paramount Chiefs who have been working relentlessly to make the Kingdom great forever.

 As we strive for peace and development through effective collaborations,  let us not engage ourselves in traditional matters that have the tendency to compromise our long-standing coexistence.

May the efforts of our forefathers continue to live on. 

IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT, WE SHALL NOT TRADE OUR TRADITIONS AND CUSTOMS FOR ANYTHING WHATSOVER AS FAR AS THE GONJA KINGDOM IS CONCERNED.

Let us all have confidence in our traditional authorities and the various structures and continue to support them at all times.

Assan kushung

Mohammed Amin Osman Esq.
President, GLYA.

Abdul Sammed Gurundari