Yagbonwura Rejects President Mahama’s Nominee for West Gonja MCE Position
The Yagbonwura of Gonjaland, Bii-kunuto Jewu Soale I, has firmly rejected Braimah Alhassan, President John Dramani Mahama’s nominee for the position of Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of the West Gonja Municipality in the Savannah Region. This rejection has stirred significant attention and controversy within the local political landscape, drawing mixed reactions from supporters and detractors alike.
On Tuesday, April 2, 2025, Braimah Alhassan, the nominee for the MCE position, visited Damongo, the capital of the West Gonja Municipality. As part of the customary procedure, Alhassan was to meet with the local traditional leadership, beginning with the chief of Damongo, Damongowura Seidu Kelly, before being introduced to the Yagbonwura. However, as they were preparing to proceed with this visit, Damongowura received a message from the Jakpa palace that the Yagbonwura had no intention of meeting with the nominee. The communication came as a direct instruction from the king’s palace, effectively halting the visit. This unexpected turn of events led Damongowura and the assembled group, including NDC party leaders, to abandon their plans to meet with the Yagbonwura.
Reports from within the National Democratic Congress (NDC) party suggest that Alhassan made a second attempt to seek the Yagbonwura’s approval through influential senior Islamic clerics from Dakuripe, a village in the Bole district. However, upon learning of the Yagbonwura’s firm stance, these clerics also chose not to intervene in the matter.
While the exact reasons for the Yagbonwura’s rejection of the nominee remain unclear, local rumors suggest that there may be a land dispute between the Yagbonwura and some close associates of Braimah Alhassan. Some locals have speculated that this dispute could be the underlying cause of the traditional leader’s refusal to approve the nominee. An anonymous source close to the palace highlighted that Alhassan’s conduct towards the Yagbonwura in the past may also have played a role in the rejection. According to the source, Alhassan had previously ignored the opportunity to engage with the Yagbonwura and the palace, even during crucial party events leading up to the 2024 general elections. The source pointed out that, despite the presence of other national and regional party executives, Alhassan had refused to visit the Jakpa palace on several occasions, which reportedly angered traditional leaders.
The Yagbonwura’s rejection of Alhassan is seen by some as a statement of authority, signaling that no one can disregard the customs and authority of the traditional leadership in Gonjaland. The source further emphasized that the era of disregarding the Jakpa palace is over, stressing that the people of Gonjaland would no longer tolerate such disrespect. This strong stance by the traditional leadership has sparked a divided response among local NDC supporters. Some view the rejection as a rightful assertion of the Yagbonwura’s authority and tradition, while others have called for leniency, urging the king to reconsider his decision and support the nominee, given the political and developmental implications.
Braimah Alhassan, a seasoned politician and professional anaesthetist with the Ghana Health Service, has held the position of Damongo Constituency Secretary for the NDC for over 27 years. However, this is not the first time Alhassan has faced rejection for an MCE nomination. During the administration of late President John Evans Atta Mills, Alhassan was nominated for the MCE position for the same municipality, but his nomination was similarly met with resistance from party supporters. This resistance led to Alhassan’s replacement with Adam Mutawakilu, a prominent figure in the NDC and current Managing Director of the Ghana Water Company Limited.
The rejection has ignited a wider conversation about the relationship between traditional authorities and political figures, especially in rural areas where the influence of chiefs and other traditional leaders remains strong. Some political analysts have argued that this scenario highlights the ongoing tensions between modern governance and traditional structures, which can sometimes lead to conflicting interests, particularly when the leadership of a municipality is being determined by a combination of both political and traditional authorities.
As the situation develops, there are growing concerns about the future of the nomination and whether the Yagbonwura’s decision will be revisited or upheld. The political landscape in West Gonja is now more uncertain than ever, with the possibility of further resistance from traditional authorities potentially hindering the NDC’s efforts to solidify its leadership in the region. The final outcome of this standoff will have significant implications not only for Alhassan but also for the future political dynamics in the Savannah Region.
This incident has once again brought to the forefront the complex interplay between political power and traditional authority in Ghana, particularly in regions where traditional leaders still hold considerable influence. How the central government and the NDC will navigate this issue remains to be seen, but it is clear that the Yagbonwura’s decision has added a layer of complexity to an already intricate political situation.
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