The Overlord of Dagbon, Ya-Na Abukari II, has strongly denounced the recent lynching of two individuals in Zakpalsi, Mion District of the Northern Region, on accusations of witchcraft.
He said. “No one has the right to take the life of another man,” adding that, “all the factions involved in the lynching incident at Zakpalsi are my children
Ya-Na Abukari II expressed his disapproval, stating that lynching individuals based on witchcraft allegations is unjustifiable and unacceptable within the Dagbon traditional area. He emphasized that no one has the authority to take another person’s life.
“If they had informed me earlier, we could have addressed these issues amicably without anyone losing his or her life,”
Furthermore, he acknowledged that all the parties involved in the lynching incident at Zakpalsi are under his authority as their leader.
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During a courtesy visit by a delegation from the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection (MoGCSP), led by Minister Hajia Lariba Zuweira Abudu, at the Gbewaa Palace in Yendi, Ya-Na Abukari II commended the ministry for their visit. He pledged to implement measures to enhance awareness and advocacy efforts aimed at safeguarding the rights of individuals accused of witchcraft in the region.
Hajia Abudu explained that her visit was part of a two-day working tour of the Northern and North East Regions, seeking the support of traditional authorities to address issues related to witchcraft accusations and the subsequent lynching of victims. She expressed concern over the recent lynching in Zakpalsi, highlighting the extensive efforts made by the government and other stakeholders to combat such acts in the country.
She said: “We cannot develop as a nation if a section of our population is continually subjected to abuse and discrimination. The perpetrators will be made to face the laws of our country.”
