Vice President of the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs and Paramount Chief of the Mirigu Traditional Area, Naaba Anonsona Abisa Anthony Atasige III, together with the Navro Pio, Pe Ayiakwo Balinia Asagipare III, have enskined a new Kassena-Nankana Chief in the Greater Accra Region. The ceremony, held at the El Wak Stadium, saw the installation of Joseph Babi Achindiba as the new leader for the Kassena-Nankana people residing in Accra.
This momentous event marked the third time the Kassena-Nankana people have installed a chief to serve their community in the nation’s capital.
In his address to the gathering, which included a grand durbar of chiefs and people from various Kassena-Nankana communities, Naaba Atasige III and Pe Asagipare III performed the traditional rituals required for the enskinment. Naaba Atasige III emphasized the divine nature of chieftaincy, stating that no chief could assume their position without God’s appointment. He reminded the new chief that his role was to serve his people with love, fairness, and inclusivity, advising him to lead with an open heart that accommodates everyone, regardless of their background.
According to Naaba Atasige III, the essence of chieftaincy lies in the chief’s commitment to his people, and it is crucial that the newly enskinned chief strives to fulfill this sacred responsibility.
The Navro-Pio, Pe Asigpare III who performed the rites with Mirigu Naba at the ceremony, added his voice of counsel to the new chief, Joseph Babi Achindiba.
He urged him to avoid ruling based on hearsay and gossip, which could lead to unfair judgments and a divided community.
The Navro-Pio highlighted the destructive potential of biased decision-making and warned that a chief must remain neutral, particularly when navigating the complex terrain of partisan politics. His advice was clear: by staying above political influence, Chief Achindiba would be better positioned to serve all his people equally, fostering unity and development within his community.
The Chairman of the occasion, Justice William Anaam Atuguba, a former Supreme Court judge, gave a keynote address, focusing on the spiritual responsibilities of leadership. Justice Atuguba urged all chiefs to cultivate a strong relationship with God, asserting that all actions on earth are ultimately guided by divine forces.
He encouraged the new chief to seek divine guidance in all matters, as the fear of God would provide him with the wisdom to be a fair and just leader.
Justice Atuguba drew attention to the ongoing Doba-Kandiga land conflict, for which he chairs a committee working toward a peaceful resolution. He suggested that the root cause of such conflicts often lies in the absence of justice and fairness, stressing that truth and rightful ownership are often known to the people, even in contentious land disputes.
His remarks underscored the importance of justice as a foundational principle for peaceful coexistence and harmony within and among communities.
Justice Atuguba also praised the organizers of the enskinment ceremony, noting that such events play a vital role in promoting unity among the Kassena-Nankana people, particularly those living in the diaspora. He expressed hope that the installation of Chief Achindiba would further strengthen the bonds between Kassena-Nankana communities in Accra and beyond, fostering collaboration and understanding across different regions.
The enskinment ceremony attracted a host of notable chiefs and dignitaries from across the Kassena-Nankana areas. Among those in attendance were Naaba Orlando Ayamga Awuni III, Paramount Chief of Naaga; Naaba Clifford Tandagrenwregikugre Asobayire III, Paramount Chief of Kolgo; representatives of the Paramount Chief of Paga, Pe Charles Awampaga III; and Naaba Roland Azukodaana Akwara III, Paramount Chief of Sirigu. Other prominent figures included Pe Prof. Peter A. Atupare Manchi III, Chief of Manyoro; Naaba Ambrose Ayamga III, Natugu Naba; and several other chiefs from Kassena-Nankana communities across the regions, who came to witness and support the significant occasion.
The successful enskinment of Chief Achindiba Joseph Babi reflects the enduring importance of traditional leadership among the Kassena-Nankana people, even as they spread across different parts of Ghana.
With the support and counsel of his peers, Chief Achindiba is expected to uphold the values of unity, justice, and service as he embarks on his leadership journey in Accra as he stated.
Chief Achindiba expressed gratitude the people for the confidence reposed in him and assured them of his commitment to further the unity of the Kassena-Nankana people under his jurisdiction.