By: Abdul Shakur Omae
The peace and stability of the Tolon District hang in the balance as the Concerned Youth of Tolon Traditional Area has petitioned the Tolon District Security Committee (DISEC) over what they describe as an imminent threat to peace in the lead-up to the confirmation of the President’s nominee for District Chief Executive (DCE).
In a strongly worded petition addressed to the DISEC Chairman and copied to the District Coordinating Director, the youth group accused the Paramount Chief of Nyankpala and Dr. Osman Damba, a former NDC parliamentary candidate, of collaborating to impose a politically motivated ban on the Member of Parliament for Tolon, Hon. Alhaji Habib Iddrisu, and the immediate past DCE, Hon. Fuseini Issif Salifu Moshei.
According to the petition dated April 16, the group alleges that a directive was issued preventing the MP and the former DCE from entering Nyankpala. The directive, allegedly relayed through Dr. Damba to the DCE nominee, was purportedly enforced on April 13, when the two officials were scheduled to attend the final funeral rites of the late Tolon Constituency Assistant Secretary. Armed men suspected to be aligned with the opposition NDC were reportedly stationed at strategic points to enforce the ban, raising fears of a violent confrontation.
In response, an NPP delegation led by the Constituency Chairman met the Nyankpala Chief, who allegedly confirmed issuing the directive through Dr. Damba. The Concerned Youth condemned the move as an affront to the rule of law, emphasizing that no individual or traditional authority has the right to restrict the freedom of movement of any Ghanaian citizen. They also decried the move as a challenge to an ongoing presidential investigation into electoral violence in Nyankpala and a slight to the authority of the Tolon Naa, the Paramount Chief of the Tolon Traditional Area.
Further complicating matters, the Nyankpala Chief is said to have refused to meet a delegation of elders sent by the Tolon Naa to mediate the issue, a move the youth described as a “deep insult” and a threat to the harmony between the two traditional areas.
“The youth of Tolon are angry and ready to resist any attempt by the Nyankpala Chief and Dr. Damba to enter the Tolon Traditional Area if the ban is not lifted and an apology is not rendered,” the petition warned.
The group is calling on DISEC to:
1. Urgently intervene to reverse the alleged ban.
2. Caution the Nyankpala Chief and Dr. Damba against further inflaming political and communal tensions.
3. Initiate reconciliation efforts between the chiefs of Tolon and Nyankpala.
4. Suspend the DCE confirmation process in Tolon until peace and mutual respect are restored.
The Concerned Youth of Tolon concluded their petition with a stern warning that they will not be held responsible should unrest erupt, claiming they are acting in good faith to avert potential chaos.
As the region awaits DISEC’s response, the situation remains tense. Many residents are calling for calm and urging all parties to prioritize peace and dialogue.
READ FULL PETITION BELOW
Concerned Youth of Tolon
P. O. Box 11, Tolon
16th April 2025
To:
The Chairman
Tolon District Security Committee (DISEC)
Through:
The District Coordinating Director
Tolon District Assembly
Tolon, Northern Region
Dear Sir,
PETITION ON IMMINENT THREAT TO PEACE AND SECURITY IN THE TOLON DISTRICT
We, the undersigned members and leadership of the Concerned Youth of Tolon Traditional Area, write to formally bring to your urgent attention a matter of grave concern that, if not swiftly addressed, poses an imminent threat to the peace and security of the Tolon District, particularly regarding the upcoming confirmation of the President’s nominee for District Chief Executive (DCE).
It has come to our attention that the Paramount Chief of Nyankpala, acting in connivance with Dr. Osman Damba, the former parliamentary candidate of the NDC in the 2024 elections, has issued a directive banning the Hon. Member of Parliament for Tolon, Hon. Alhaji Habib Iddrisu, and the immediate past DCE, Hon. Fuseini Issif Salifu Moshei, from entering Nyankpala until a final determination is made concerning the unfortunate violent incident that occurred in Nyankpala on election day.
This decision was reportedly conveyed to the DCE nominee via Dr. Damba, and the nominee, in turn, communicated it to the Tolon Constituency Chairman on Sunday, 13th April 2025, when the MP and the former DCE were scheduled to attend the final funeral rites of the late Tolon Constituency Assistant Secretary. On that very day, armed NDC-aligned thugs were seen lying in ambush at a junction on the road leading to the funeral grounds in Nyankpala, prepared to execute the ban with violence.
In response, an NPP delegation led by the Constituency Chairman visited the Nyankpala Chief to clarify the situation. During that engagement, the chief confirmed that he indeed discussed the matter with Dr. Damba and authorized him (Dr Damba) to inform the DCE nominee to relay the directive to the MP and former DCE.
This act, which violates the principles of justice and the rule of law, is deeply concerning. As you know, the violent incident at Nyankpala is already under investigation by a committee commissioned by the President. Until such investigations are concluded, no individual or group has the moral or legal authority to restrict the movement of any Ghanaian citizen, including the Hon. MP and the former DCE. The Constitution guarantees freedom of movement as a fundamental human right.
Moreover, the conduct of the Nyankpala Chief and Dr. Damba in aligning with violent political actors and issuing a politically motivated ban is not only an affront to peace in the district but a direct disrespect to the president’s investigative committee.
The Nyankpala Chief also disrespected the Tolon Naa, the Paramount Chief of Tolon Traditional Area, by refusing to grant audience to a delegation of traditional elders sent to intervene and help resolve the issue to avoid conflict between the two traditional areas. This insult and disregard for tradition have deeply angered the youth of Tolon.
Consequently, we, the Concerned Youth of Tolon, are compelled to notify you that tensions are dangerously high. The youth of Tolon have resolved to prevent Nyankpala Chief and Dr. Damba from entering Tolon Traditional Area should the ban on the Hon MP and former DCE not be withdrawn and an unqualified apology rendered to the Tolon Naa. We have been reliably told that they will be attending the upcoming confirmation ceremony for the DCE nominee in Tolon.
We strongly advise that DISEC:
1. Intervene urgently to reverse the unlawful ban placed on the MP and former DCE.
2. Ensure that the Nyankpala Chief and Dr. Damba are officially cautioned against stoking further political and communal tensions.
3. Initiate reconciliation mechanisms between the traditional leaders of Tolon and Nyankpala to avert any lasting division and conflict.
4. We hereby reject any attempt to continue the confirmation of the newly appointed District Chief Executive in Tolon Town until the situation is normalized.
Please treat this matter with the utmost urgency. Should any breach of the peace occur in the district, we shall not accept responsibility, as we are sounding this early warning in good faith to avert possible chaos.
We remain loyal citizens committed to the peace, development, and dignity of the Tolon District.
Thank you.
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SULEMANA FUSEINI (JEBILA) DOKURUGU ZIBLIM
CHAIRMAN ORGANIZER
02452965440242078170
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YAKUBU ABDUL – JALIL
SECRETARY
0245124787
