The Savannah Regional Security Council (REGSEC) has denied any involvement in deploying military personnel to protect residents of Debre during their Damba festival in the Central Gonja District of the Savannah Region.

Yagbonwura Bii-Kunuto Jewu Soale I, the Overlord of the Gonja Kingdom, alleged that government appointees had sent military officers to secure the Damba festival celebrations in Debre, a move he claimed went against Gonja customs and traditions.

However, in a press release issued on Monday, October 14, and signed by REGSEC Chairman Saeed Muhazu Jebril, the council refuted these claims.

The statement emphasized that the accusation regarding government appointees deploying military forces to the festival was “inaccurate.”

According to REGSEC, investigations revealed that the military personnel seen in the area were from the 155 Armoured Regiment stationed at Damongo and were on routine patrol.

These soldiers had no role in providing security for the Damba festival or shielding the people of Debre from the authority of Yagbonwura Bii-Kunuto Jewu Soale I.

“The attention of the Savannah Regional Security Council (REGSEC) has been drawn to some matters arising from the visit of President Akufo-Addo to the Savannah Region.

"We categorically state that REGSEC did not direct any military presence to protect the people of Debre during their Damba festival.

"The 155 Armoured Regiment was simply on patrol in the area and had no involvement with the festival or any conflict with the Overlord of the Gonja Kingdom,” the statement clarified.

The council further stressed that any military intervention or operation within the region must be sanctioned by REGSEC.

It confirmed that the council had not convened in the past two months, meaning no security interventions had been approved for the Debre area.

“Therefore, the assertion that military personnel were sent by political appointees to protect Debre residents during the Damba festival is not accurate,” Chairman Saeed Muhazu Jebril concluded.