A KINGDOM CANNOT RISE WHEN ITS OWN PEOPLE ARE BUSY PULLING ONE ANOTHER DOWN!

Dagbon Kingdom is blessed with rich cultural heritage, history, intelligent people, hardworking sons and daughters, traditional institutions and enormous human potential. Indeed, our greatest strength should be our people, and our greatest responsibility should be protecting the unity, dignity and collective progress of the Kingdom.

However, one disturbing issue that deserves serious attention is the growing tendency among some of our people to undermine, discredit and frustrate one another whenever someone makes progress or rises to a position of influence and responsibility.

The question we must honestly ask ourselves is: Why is it so difficult for some of us to celebrate the success of our own people?

Whenever a son or daughter of Dagbon begins to make meaningful progress, instead of receiving encouragement and support, some people begin searching for ways to discredit, frustrate or pull that individual down.

If politics cannot be used to bring that person down, then chieftaincy affiliations become the next weapon. If chieftaincy differences do not work, religious divisions are sometimes introduced. And when these are exhausted, personal attacks, rumours, character assassination and unnecessary controversies become the instruments of destruction.

Whether through political divisions, the Abudu and Andani chieftaincy factions, or religious affiliations, we must be careful not to allow these identities to become weapons against the progress of our own people.

Let me make this clear: There is nothing wrong with having political differences, supporting different chieftaincy traditions or belonging to different religious groups. The problem begins when these affiliations become more important than our common identity, humanity and collective interest as Dagbon people.

Why should someone's achievement become another person's headache?

Why should a Dagbon son or daughter who earns a respectable appointment, achieves professional excellence, acquires wealth, establishes a business or contributes to national development become a target of envy and unnecessary hostility?

Why can't we disagree politically and still support one another's development?

Why can't people from the Abudu and Andani sides celebrate the achievements of one another without suspicion and hostility?

Why can't our religious differences coexist with mutual respect, brotherhood and a shared commitment to the development of Dagbon?

A successful individual does not reduce the opportunities available to others. Rather, that individual's success can open doors, create inspiration and provide opportunities for the next generation.

A MESSAGE TO OUR CHIEFS AND ELDERS

Our traditional leaders and elders must rise above personal interests and factional considerations. They must use their influence to promote reconciliation, tolerance, mutual respect and unity. The younger generation is watching, and the legacy we leave behind will depend on the values we demonstrate today.

A MESSAGE TO OUR POLITICAL LEADERS

Political affiliation should never be a justification for destroying the reputation, opportunities or progress of another Dagbon person. Political power is temporary, but our shared identity and responsibility towards Dagbon must endure.

A MESSAGE TO OUR RELIGIOUS LEADERS

Religion should be a bridge that connects us, not a weapon that divides us. Let our religious leaders preach tolerance, humility, forgiveness, brotherhood and peaceful coexistence.

A MESSAGE TO THE YOUTH

Our young people must refuse to inherit unnecessary hatred, bitterness and divisions from previous generations. We must learn to celebrate one another, support good initiatives and build networks that promote education, employment, entrepreneurship and community development.

A MESSAGE TO OUR OPINION LEADERS

Those who have the privilege of influencing public opinion must use their platforms responsibly. Let us stop promoting unnecessary rivalries, spreading unverified allegations and turning every achievement into a political, chieftaincy or religious controversy.

MY FINAL APPEAL TO DAGBON

We cannot continue to complain about the slow pace of development while actively creating obstacles for our own people.

We cannot demand respect from other ethnic groups while refusing to respect and support one another.

We cannot preach unity at public gatherings and practise division behind closed doors.

We cannot expect Dagbon to compete favourably with other traditional kingdoms when our energy is consumed by internal rivalry, suspicion, jealousy and destructive criticism.

Let us develop a new mindset in Dagbon, one in which the success of a fellow Dagbon person is celebrated regardless of political affiliation, chieftaincy background, religious identity, family connection or social status.

Let us learn to distinguish between constructive criticism and deliberate character assassination. Let us hold people accountable when necessary, but never allow accountability to become an excuse for personal vendettas.

Dagbon is bigger than Abudu. Dagbon is bigger than Andani. Dagbon is bigger than NPP. Dagbon is bigger than NDC. Dagbon is bigger than our individual religious and family affiliations.

Our collective identity, peace, dignity and development must come first.

History will not only judge us by the positions we occupied, the wealth we accumulated or the political influence we wielded. It will also judge us by what we did to unite our people and build a better Dagbon for generations yet unborn.

LET US STOP PULLING EACH OTHER DOWN. LET US START LIFTING EACH OTHER UP.

DAGBON MUST RISE, BUT DAGBON CAN ONLY RISE WHEN ITS PEOPLE DECIDE TO RISE TOGETHER

By:Dsp Alhaji Abdul Jalil Bawah Mion Daasu.

Powered by Froala Editor