The Chief Imam of Buipe, Sheikh Sidi Mohammed Abdalla, has stated that Gonja paramount chiefs who undertake the Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj) cannot be diskined from their traditional positions.
He made the statement following a visit by leaders of the Sakpare (Kamagtey), who are the custodians of Islam in Gonjaland, to various Gonja paramountcies to educate traditional authorities on Islamic teachings and Gonja traditional affairs.
He stressed that Islamic values and Gonja traditions have historically coexisted peacefully.
He explained that Islam is founded on five pillars, all of which are obligatory for every Muslim. Therefore, any Traditional Chief who undertakes the Hajj is merely fulfilling Islamic obligations as accepted by the founder of the Gonja Kingdom, Sumaila Ndewura Jakpa, together with his Muslim spiritual guide and Imam, Fatu-Morkpe.
He said Islam has five pillars and performing all as Muslim is obligatory and so any Traditional Chief who embarks on Hajj has only fulfilled Islamic principles laid by the Founder of the Gonja Kingdom Sumaila Ndewura Jakpa and his Muslim Spiritual guiding and Imam Fatu-Morkpe.
According to him, attempts to link religious devotion with disqualification from traditional leadership are misguided and risk undermining unity in Gonjaland. He therefore called on traditional leaders and community members to uphold tolerance and mutual respect between religious practice and customary authority.
The Sakpare leaders who are descendants of the Spiritual companion and Imam of the founder of the Gonja Kingdom Sumaila Ndewura Jakpa during their engagements, emphasized the need for continuous education on both Islamic principles and Gonja traditions to promote harmony and understanding within the Gonja Kingdom.
The Buipe Chief Imam Sheikh Sidi Mohammed Abdalla disclosed that they paid individual visits to some of the sons of Sumaila Ndewura Jakpa and also took advantage of a joint meeting involving the seven sons of Ndewura Jakpa, namely the Wasipewura, Kpembewura, Bolewura, Kongwura, Kandiawura, Tuluwewura, and Kusawguwura. The meeting was held at Daboya in the Wasipe Traditional Area on Friday, 16th January, 2026.
It would be recalled that the Paramount Chief, Mankpanwura Jakpa Achode Borenyi (I) was purportedly deskined in June, 2025 after he embarked on a pilgrimage to Mecca to perform the Hajj.
A statement purportedly from the Chiefs and elders of Mankpan Traditional Area to all media stations and Security agencies dated 13th June, 2025 on the instalation of a new Mankpanwura stated; “It is a sacrilege for a paramount chief of the Gonja kingdom to visit the land of Mecca to perform hajj, and this has been a long standing tradition and culture of the Gonja kingdom.
It added; “The destooled chief (Mankpanwura Achor-Ade Jakpa) knew this tradition very well but insisted that no one can question his authority, and decided to travel to Saudi Arabia (Mecca) to perform Hajj without even informing the elders and the good people of Mankpan Traditional Council.
The statement from the Chiefs and elders of Mankpan Traditional Area further said; “Upon hearing his travel to Mecca, a delegation of chiefs, elders and the youth representatives of the Mankpan Traditional Area, immediately run to the Yagbonwura, to inform him of the missing of their chief because they couldn’t believe the rumours circulating in town. To the surprise of all, the Yagbonwura confirmed to the delegation that the destooled Mankpanwura had travel for Hajj, and that, he the Yagbonwura was aware of his travel”.
The King and Overlord of the Gonja Kingdom Yagbonwura Biikunuto Jewu Soale (I) condemed the attempted usurpation of 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 Majety 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 Majety and the Kingmakers of the Gonja Kingdom to embark on a sacred pilgrimage to Mecca”.
According to the Jakpa Palace; “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”.
Source: nkilgifm.com
