Zabarma Community Disowns “Self-styled Chief Pro Umar Tanko” Over Joma Homowo, Affirms One Sarki Yahaya Yendu
By: News Desk Report
Tension brewing within the Zabarma community in Ghana, as one self – styled Pro Umar Tanko carrying himself to be their chief.
The Zabarma youth have expressed serious concern over what they described as the an attempt to stage a palace against the legitimate chief.
The activities of the self-acclaimed Zabarma Chief, Pro-Umar Tanko prior to the Joma Homowo festival celebration has raised concerns among the youth.
According to them, the Zabarma community in Greater Accra recognizes only one legitimate Chief, His Royal Highness Sarki Alhaji Musah Yahaya Yendu, who also serves as President of the Council of Zabarma Chiefs and Organizer of the Greater Accra Council of Zongo Chiefs.
The concerns were raised after the Homowo festival flyer circulated on social media portraying Alhaji Tanko as “Zabarma Bonkoin” of Accra.
The elders and youth condemned the publication as “misleading and fake,” urging the public to disregard it.
They stressed emphatically that Pro-Umar Tanko is not the Zabarma Chief of Greater Accra and is not recognized by the Zabarma community in Ghana.
The elders cited a communiqué from the Council of Zongo Chiefs, the official body mandated to oversee and certify the installation of Zongo Chiefs.
The communiqué, sent to the Ga Traditional Council and copied to media houses, made clear that Pro-Umar Tanko has no legitimacy within the Zabarma and wider Zongo communities.
They further revealed that Tanko had claimed he was installed by the Greater Accra Hausa Chief. However, the cabinet members of the Hausa Chief, they said, have repeatedly denied ever installing him as the Greater Accra Zabarma Chief and has publicly disassociated themselves from Tanko’s claim.
The Greater Accra Hausa Chief and his cabinet are said to have strong ties with the recognized Zabarma Chief, Sarki Musah Yahaya Yendu, with both leaders frequently honoring each other’s events.
The Zabarma elders also highlighted that under the leadership of Sarki Yendu, the Zabarma community annually organizes a cultural festival ( Zaamai Annaamai).
The event which the Greater Accra Hausa Chief and his cabinet members participated and offered the opportunity to address the youth on the need to stay away from drug and other related substance abuses.
This event unites Zabarma Chiefs, the Nigerien community in Ghana, the Nigerien High Commission, and other West African representatives to promote the rich culture and heritage of the Zabarma people.
Disclaimer: This report is based on concerns expressed by members of the Zabarma community in Ghana. The publication does not take a position on chieftaincy matters or disputes.
