The Paramount Chief of the Wasipe Traditional Area in Daboya in the North Gonja District of the Savannah Region, Wasipewura Mumuni Anyame Kabasagya II, has reacted to the exodus of some settler farmers from his jurisdiction.

He stated that his attention had been drawn to a circulating video on social media suggesting that some settler farmers were fleeing the area for fear of attacks by indigenes.

In a press statement signed by the Secretary to the Wasipe Traditional Council on Wednesday, March 19, the chief asserted that the video, which he had obtained, was deliberately orchestrated to damage the long-standing relationship between his office and the settler farming community.

"This palace has taken cognisance of the entire content of the video and wishes to state that it is a deliberate attempt to destroy the longstanding relationship we have enjoyed with the settler farmers in the area."

He further emphasised that the Wasipe Traditional Area has coexisted peacefully with settler farmers for centuries, without any major conflicts.

However, investigations revealed that some of the departing farmers were those who had deliberately refused to pay royalties to the Yiram, Wasipewura, and instead chose to pay them to chiefs outside the Wasipe Traditional Area.

"We have lived in harmony with our settler brothers and sisters in this area for centuries without any major issues.

"Our enquiries have proven that any settler farmer choosing to leave is among those who deliberately refused to pay royalties to Yiram, Wasipewura, but opted to pay to chiefs outside the Wasipe Traditional Area," the chief stated.

Wasipewura Kabasagya II also expressed concern that some of these farmers no longer recognise his authority as the rightful custodian of the land.

"More severely, some of these settler farmers have withdrawn their recognition of the Wasipewura as the allodial titleholder of the land on which they are farming," he lamented.

Despite these developments, the chief assured the general public that his palace remains at peace with all other tribes in the area.

He reaffirmed his commitment to maintaining the peaceful coexistence that has been enjoyed over the years.