The Damba festival, celebrated annually by the Gonja people to commemorate the birth of Prophet Mohammed (S.A.W) and to promote unity, culture, and development in Northern Ghana, took on a special significance this year.
The King and Overlord of the Gonja Kingdom, Yagbonwura Bii Kunuto Jewu Soale I, dedicated the 2025 edition of the festival to the memory of national heroes who perished in the recent helicopter crash, as well as Gonja brothers and sisters who lost their lives in the Gbeniyiri conflict between Gonjas and Lobis.
Delivering a speech on behalf of the Yagbonwura at the Jakpa Palace, Yapeiwura A.B.T. Zakariah stressed the importance of peace and unity as the foundation of development. He urged government to support the codification of customs and succession practices to prevent avoidable conflicts.
He also highlighted the need to prioritize education in the Savannah Region, appealing for support for the Bii Kunuto Fund, which was launched in 2022 to assist brilliant but needy students across Gonjaland. This year’s festival was held under the theme, “Building a Brighter Future for the Savannah Region and Gonjaland Through the Bii Kunuto Educational Fund.”
The Yagbonwura expressed gratitude to the security services for their dedication in managing the Gbeniyiri conflict in the Sawla and Bole districts.
Representing Vice President Jane, Savannah Regional Minister Salisu Be-Awurbe reaffirmed government’s commitment to peace in the region. He revealed that a mediation committee had been formed to resolve the conflict, while reiterating that the Yagbonwura remains the allodial owner of land in Gonjaland.
Meanwhile, the National PRO of the Gonja Youth Association, Malik Mankir, speaking at the festival, appealed to Gonjas to cease fire, emphasizing that the Damba festival — held in remembrance of Prophet Mohammed (S.A.W) — is rooted in the Islamic principle of peace.
Source: Rebecca Natomah
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