The Overlord of Dagbon, Ya-Na Abukari II, has appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to rename the Yakubu Tali International Airport in Tamale after Naa Gbewaa, the founder of Mole-Dagbon.
He pointed out that the renaming of Tamale International Airport as Yakubu Tali International Airport by the previous government was done without consultation with traditional rulers and relevant stakeholders.
That, the overlord of Dagbon said, created seeming dissatisfaction and tension in the area.
Upon consultations with the Overlord of Mamprugu, Nayiri Bohagu Mahami Abdulai Sheriga, Regent of Nanung, Nyelinbulgu Naa Yakubu Andani Dasana, and other traditional rulers, Ya-Na Abukari said they collectively preferred the airport to be named after Naa Gbewaa, the founder of the Mole-Dagbon ethnic group, which symbolised the identity of the people.
“In consultation with the Overlord of Mamprugu and the Regent of Nanung and other stakeholders, we want the airport to be renamed Gbewaa International Airport and not Yakubu Tali,” he stated.
“Naa Gbewaa is our identity and renaming the facility after him will symbolise oneness and also preserve the rich cultural heritage of the people,” the Ya-Na reiterated.
Thank you tour
He made the appeal when President John Dramani Mahama paid a courtesy call on him at the Gbewaa Palace in Yendi last Saturday as part of his “Thank You tour”.
The tour is to show appreciation to the people for the overwhelming endorsement in the 2024 general election.
As part of the tour, he addressed the public and party faithful at the Tamale Jubilee Park to thank and reassure them of his resolve to deliver on his campaign promises.
Airport project
The Ya-Na Abukari also urged the government to work on phase three of the Yakubu Tali International Airport project, which had stalled since the completion of phase two a few years ago.
Response
Responding to the request of the Overlord, President Mahama gave an assurance that the request would be taken into consideration in consultation with the relevant stakeholders.
He asked the Members of Parliament and Ministers from the region to lay the request before cabinet for deliberation.
Background
While presenting the 2024 State of the Nation address on Tuesday, February 27, 2024, in Parliament, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo announced the renaming of the Tamale International Airport after the late Tolon Naa, Yakubu Tali.
The late Tolon Naa was an astute traditional ruler, politician, diplomat and a founder member of the Northern People’s Party (NPP).
He said the late Tolon Naa deserved the honour for his years of sacrifice for his people and the nation.
Following the renaming, Ya-Na, many other traditional rulers and a section of the public, raised concerns with the proposed renaming, saying renaming the airport after the late Tolon Naa was contentious and could create needless controversies in Dagbon.
Born in 1916 at Tali, a village near Tolon in Northern Region, he died in 1986 at age 70.
Water crisis
President Mahama also reaffirmed his commitment to resolve the perennial water crisis in Tamale, Yendi and other parts of the Northern Region before the end of his tenure.
He outlined plans to construct the Tamale and Yendi Water Projects which would source raw water from the White Volta and River Oti for production, adding that in the interim, existing water supply systems would be rehabilitated to enhance water supply to the residents.
“At the end of my tenure, Yendi will have enough water to drink. Tamale, too is suffering from perennial water shortages due to its fast-growing population, and we must address this challenge as a matter of urgency,” President Mahama assured the people.
For the past decades, Tamale, Yendi and many parts of the Northern Region have been battling with a perennial water crisis, compelling many residents to rely on untreated water for domestic purposes.
The situation has been attributed to ageing infrastructure and a rapidly growing population that has outpaced the system’s supply capacity.
Established in 1972, the Tamale Water System has only undergone one major expansion in 2008.
To address the situation, then-President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in July 2020 cut the sod for expansion works on the Tamale and Yendi water projects.
The $223.28 million Tamale water supply facility funded by the UK Export Finance and the Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch, to produce 29.7 million gallons of water per day could, however, not be delivered.
The Yendi Water Supply Project being financed by a $30 million facility from the India Exim Bank, also to produce 15,000 cubic metres of water daily to meet the water demand of the area, could also not start, five years down the line.
Infrastructure challenges
Beyond water supply, President Mahama acknowledged the persistent low-voltage electricity issues affecting the Eastern Corridor, particularly in Yendi, Bimbila and Gushegu and announced plans to establish a new bulk supply point to stabilise power distribution in the area.
Among other projects, he said the government would also complete the remaining sections of the Eastern Corridor Road, particularly around Nkwanta and Kpassa, to improve transportation between the Northern and Greater Accra regions.
Writer’s email: [email protected]