The Paramount Chief of the Kusaug Traditional Area, Naba Asigri Abugrago Azoka II, marked his 40th anniversary as Zug-Raan (Overlord) during the annual Samanpiid Festival. This year’s festival attracted people from all walks of life, both from within the region and beyond, who gathered in the Bawku Municipality to celebrate the occasion. Attendees, including youth, elders, and women adorned in beautiful traditional smocks, reflected on the significance of the annual festival.
The Samanpiid Festival is celebrated to mark the end of the farming season and to express gratitude to God for a successful harvest. “Today marks a momentous occasion as we commemorate the 37th annual Samanpiid Festival and my 40 years of reign on the skin as Zug-Raan and President of the Kusaug Traditional Council,” Naba Azoka II stated.
He reminisced about his ascension to the throne on April 24, 1984, following the passing of his father, Naba Abugrago Azoka I. “As a young man close to my late father, I was acutely aware of the challenges that lay ahead, but I remained optimistic about the support I would receive from the Chiefs and people of Kusaug.”
The Zug-Raan expressed deep gratitude to God for granting him long life, protection, and wisdom to fulfill his royal duties over the past four decades. He also paid tribute to the fallen heroes who sacrificed for the unity and heritage of Kusaug, acknowledging the efforts of Chiefs, Queen Mothers, members of the Kusaug Advisory Council, elders, and the vibrant youth who have worked tirelessly to protect their rights and heritage.
Speaking under the theme “Forty Years of Selfless Leadership: Consolidating the Peace, Unity, and Development of Kusaug,” he highlighted significant achievements during his reign, made possible by the unwavering support from the Kusaug community, both home and abroad.
Zuguraan noted that with the support of his people, he established the annual Kusaug Samanpiid Festival alongside other prominent Kusasi leaders, including the late Emmanuel Ayaaba Agbangbilla and Lawyer Abanga. This initiative aimed to uphold and improve the culture and traditions of Kusaug while galvanizing contributions towards its development. He expressed gratitude that the festival has been celebrated successfully for 37 years.
He also mentioned his elevation to Zug-Raan status in 2009, which unified their efforts under one traditional umbrella. This unity allowed him to advocate against female genital mutilation and reduce the bride price from four to two cattle, demonstrating his commitment to protecting the dignity of women and easing the burden on young couples.
Zuguraan emphasized the total ban on “Deck” spinning at funerals, aimed at preserving traditional music and dance, and promoting the rich culture of Kusaug among the youth. He thanked the Chiefs and people of Tempane and other divisions for adhering to this directive.
His leadership also included the enskinment of Queen Mothers, elevation of many chiefs, and serving as Vice President and later President of the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs. He played a significant role in renaming the Bawku Traditional Council to Kusaug Traditional Council.
In the area of education, he highlighted the conversion of an experimental Junior High School into Bawku Senior High and Technical School, as well as the establishment of several other senior high schools. The Bawku Naba Educational Endowment Fund has supported approximately 1,200 needy but brilliant students, with a focus on the girl child.
Moreover, Zuguraan has prioritized environmental protection by banning bush burning and appointing an environmental chief, “MoogNa’ab,” to address issues of desertification and climate change.
However, he acknowledged the socio-economic challenges facing Kusaug, along with the disturbances often mislabeled as chieftaincy conflicts in Bawku. These disturbances have negatively impacted the community, which was once a vibrant economic hub. He assured the people of Kusaug, Ghanaians, and the world that there is no chieftaincy conflict in Bawku. “Bawku and the entire Kusaug is our land and heritage, bequeathed to us by God and our ancestors. No individual, group, or authority can take it from us.”
Source: mywordfmonline.com/Gaspard A Adongo