The King and Overlord of the Gonja Kingdom Yagbonwura Biikunuto Jewu Soale (I) has condemned the attempted overthrow and usurpation of Mankpanwura and the Mankpan skin and affirms Mankpanwura Jakpa Achode Borenyi (I) as the sole recognised Paramount Chief of the Mankpan Traditional Area of Gonja.
The Yagbonwura categorically condemned in the strongest terms the unlawful and dishonorable attempt by one Chamiawura to usurp the Mankpan skin through a self proclaimed enskinment.
A press statement from the Jakpa Palace dated 13th June, 2025 and signed by the Secretary to the Yagbonwura Chief Akunatupewura M.M. Mohaqq stated; “This act carried out in clear disregard for the customs and sacred traditions of Gonja Kingdom is not only illegal but an afront to the authority of His Royal Majesty Yagbonwura Bii-Kunuto Jewu Soale (I), King and Overlord of the Gonja Kingdom and the dignity of our time tested Chieftaincy institution”.
The statement from the Jakpa Palace stated; “For the avoidance of doubt the Mankpanwura, Paramount Chief of the Mankpan Traditional Area, sought and obtained the blessing and formal permission of His Royal Majesty and the Kingmakers of the Gonja Kingdom to embark on a sacred pilgrimage to Mecca.
The Jakpa Palace said in accordance with tradition and good governance the Mankpanwura duly handed over the management of the Traditional Area to the Delepewura, the rightful custodian in his absence and the Kingdom stands fully by the process.
The statement from the Jakpa Palace further stated; “The Jakpa Palace said any attempt by individuals to distort or disrupt the established Chieftaincy succession and authority especially during the absence of a legitimate Chief is a direct threat to the peace, stability and moral fabric of our society and if such acts to take root no Paramount Chief, Divisional Chief of King could ever travel beyond our borders for medical, religious or development purposes without fear of illegitimate take over”.
It added; “His Rotal Majesty has accordingly tasked the Chairman of the Savannah Regional Security Council to take immediate and decisive action to halt any purported enskinment and to ensure that the perpetrators face the full rigour of the law. The integrity of our traditional leadership shall not be compromised under any circumstance.
“Let it be made abundantly clear that the Mankpanwura remains the one and only legally and customary recognised Paramount Chief of the Mankpan Traditional Area. Any other claim or pronouncement is null, void an.
“The Gonja Kingdom is built on unity, discipline and respect for tradition. We call on all sons and daughters of the land, and the general public to disregard any contrary claims and remain loyal to the legitimate authority of the Yagbonwura and the customs of our great kingdom”.
On the same issue, the Gonjaland Youth Association (GLYA) has said it has become aware of disturbing reports that a group of individuals in Mankpan, including some local elders and a faction of the Mankpan branch of Gonjaland Youth Association, are plotting to enskin an imposter as the new Mankpanwura.
A statement from the Gonjaland Youth Association dated 12th June, 2025 and signed by Mr Al-Hassan Baba Darison,
President of the Association stated; “This attempt is reportedly based on the claim that the current Mankpanwura travelled to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj without notifying them”.
The Gonjaland Youth Association further said their independent checks from the Jakpa Palace confirm that the Mankpanwura duly informed the Overlord of the Gonja Kingdom before embarking on his religious journey.
The statement from the Gonjaland Youth said; “The Association views this act as not only disrespectful to established customs and leadership, but also as a potential threat to the peace and unity of the Gonja Kingdom.
The Mankpanwura Jakpa Achode Borenyi (I) who is a member of the Savannah Regional House of Chiefs, a member of the National House of Chiefs and Member of Ghana’s Council State appointed by President John Dramani Mahama has since returned from the Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca.
A recent development in the Mankpan Traditional Area of Gonja, situated in the Central Gonja District of the Savannah Region, has led to increased tensions, as some sub-chiefs and youth have purportedly enskinned Alhaji S.S. Gbankulso as the new Mankpanwura during the absence of the sitting Paramount Chief, Mankpanwura Jakpa Achode Borenyi (I), who had travelled on a pilgrimage to Mecca for the Hajj.
Sources indicate that the enskinment rituals, including the performance of a Damba dance overnight, were carried out with jubilation among the faction supporting the move. On the day of the enskinment, roads leading into Mankpan were reportedly blocked by the youth, effectively restricting access and heightening tensions in the area.
A statement allegedly issued by the Chiefs and Elders of Mankpan Traditional Area on 13th June 2025 concerning the enthronement of a new Mankpanwura states: "It is considered a sacrilege for a Paramount Chief of the Gonja Kingdom to undertake a pilgrimage to Mecca, as this is deemed a long-standing cultural and traditional taboo within the Gonja Kingdom." The statement also claims that the destooled chief, Mankpanwura Achor-Ade Jakpa, was well aware of this prohibition but chose to disregard it, asserting that his authority was absolute.
Furthermore, the statement posits that the chief's unilateral decision to travel to Saudi Arabia for Hajj without consulting the elders and the people of Mankpan Traditional Council constituted a breach of established protocols.
The statement also notes that upon receiving news of the chief's departure, a delegation from Mankpan Traditional Area immediately contacted the Yagbonwura, who acknowledged that he had been informed of the destooled Mankpanwura's travel plans.
Furthermore, the delegation questioned Yagbonwura about the prohibition of paramount chiefs in the Gonja kingdom from leaving their stools vacant to pursue hajj.
Yagbonwura's surprising response was that these traditions and cultures are no longer relevant, and that they were old-fashioned. We are still wondering what tradition means and what he meant by old tradition. Does Gonjaland have new traditions? The situation continues to cause concern across Gonjaland, with many calling for calm and respect for traditional protocols.
