Kuoro Adikibe Dagbasi Basuglo Sampou III as the new chief for Funsi paramountcy

Just weeks after the final funeral rites for the late Paramount Chief, Kuoro Kabasagiyer James Baduong Duma, the Funsi Traditional Area has entered a new era. The kinsmen and people of Funsi gathered in a grand ceremony at the Gbelenosi Royal Gate to witness the official outdooring and coronation of Kuoro Adikibe Dagbasi Basuglo Sampou III as the new chief for Funsi paramountcy.

The ceremony was chaired by Kuoro Osuman Deiwia Nankpa III, the Paramount Chief of the Pulma Traditional Area. In his address, he clarified the significance of the day, noting that the spiritual and cultural enskinment had already been lawfully completed by those traditionally mandated to do so.

“We have gathered here today to witness the outdooring of the Funsi Kuoro, not to enskin him,” Kuoro Osuman Deiwia explained. “The enskinment has already been performed by those culturally recognized and permitted to do so. This coronation is the climax of a long, sacred process beginning with nomination and moving through selection, election, gazetting, and the official swearing-in.”

He urged the community to view the coronation as a seal of legitimacy, calling on everyone to bury past differences and unite behind their new leader to foster community development.

Speaking on behalf of the new Paramount Chief, the Secretary to the Palace, Hon. Duma Yussif Sampuo, delivered a stirring plea for communal harmony. He reminded the gathering that progress is impossible in a divided land.

“Without peace, the engine of our society grinds to a halt,” Hon. Sampuo declared. “There is no market for the trader, no school for the child, no clinic for the sick, and no safety for the farmer if we are divided. Do not let politics, family disputes, or religious differences tear the fabric of our community. We are Funsi first, and we must remain one.”

Kuoro Adikibe Dagbasi Basuglo Sampou III also outlined a robust agenda for his reign. He pledged to foster strong partnerships with the Wa East District Assembly, NGOs, and the Funsi Diaspora to revitalize agriculture and education. A key priority will be security, working alongside the police and local vigilante groups to protect the borders and internal communities.

“To my mothers and daughters: you are the pillars of our homes and the strength of our farms,” the Chief noted. “Your voices will not only be heard but will be echoed in my palace. My reign will take a firm stand against child marriage, ensuring every girl in Funsi has the right to stay in school and reach her full potential he emphasized.”

In a final, emotional vow, he added:”I will not sleep while my people thirst; I will not rest while a child of Funsi goes hungry. With God as my witness, I will ensure the name of Funsi is etched with pride in the annals of our nation.”

Representing the Wa Naa Fuseini Seidu Pelpuo IV, a delegation noted that the role of traditional leadership has evolved. In the modern era, traditional areas are increasingly seeking “literate, well-informed, and well-exposed” leaders.

The Wa Naa’s message emphasized that the days of chiefs merely settling “fowl-theft” cases or petty quarrels are over. He described Kuoro Basuglo as an astute businessman with the connections necessary to jumpstart development that had stalled during the interregnum following the late chief’s passing.

“The acrimonious process of contesting the skin is now over,” the Wa Naa’s statement concluded. “A chief is enskinned. The task for every well-meaning native now is to bury the hatchet, eschew divisive tendencies, and rally behind Kuoro Basuglo to bring the much-needed development home.”

The ceremony ended with vibrant traditional displays, signalling a hopeful and united future for the Funsi Traditional Area.

Source: Iddrisu Dassana/Pulung FM