Samuel Abu Jinapor, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources and Member of Parliament for Damongo, has firmly stated his respect for the chieftaincy institution and specifically for the Overlord of Gonjaland, Yagbonwura Bi-kunuto Jewu Soale. He categorically denies any involvement in the chieftaincy affairs of Damongo or Gonjaland.

In a statement, Jinapor addressed recent media reports claiming his interference in chieftaincy matters.

He said, “My attention has been drawn to media publications, both mainstream and social, to the effect that I am interfering or meddling in Gonja Chieftaincy matters in general and Damongo in particular. For the records, these allegations are totally false.

“As I have stated time and again, I do not have any interest in the Damongo chieftaincy affairs whatsoever. As a bona fide Gonja Prince, I continue to have high regard for the revered chieftaincy institution, the Overlord of Gonjaland, Yagbonwura Bi-kunuto Jewu Soale, and all other chiefs for that matter. My role and overarching interest, both as Member of Parliament and Minister of the Republic, is to contribute my modest quota to the development of Ghana, and my beloved constituency of Damongo. I entreat all and sundry to disregard these allegations as same are untrue.

“I am and will forever remain a humble servant of the Damongo people and Ghanaians as a whole.”

Jinapor's remarks follow a recent decree barring him from visiting any palace in Gonjaland.

The Yagbonwura Bii-Kunuto Soale Jewu Soale, the King of the Gonja kingdom, issued this ban, labeling Jinapor as a destabilizing influence on the region's peace and unity.

The ban was announced at the Jakpa Palace, where the King addressed concerns raised by a demonstration held by Gonjaland's youth against the MP.

“Let me state this authoritatively that from today, no Chief in Gonjaland should allow Abu Jinapor to come by himself or lead or accompany any government official or politician to any palace in Gonjaland. Any Chief who disobeys this order will have himself to blame,” he said.

The King, via his interpreter, outlined several reasons for imposing the ban.

“It is not a secret that Abu Jinapor uses the powers of government to circumvent the traditional authority and orders of the Yagbonwura in an attempt to evade accountability and to counter the orders so given by the Yagbonwura. This is mostly done deliberately in order to get the Yagbonwura feel worthless, powerless and of no value in the eye of the public,” he explained.

He declared that any chief who hosts the Damongo lawmaker in their palace will face consequences.

“Enough of his arrogance and disrespect. I will deal with any Chief who will entertain him or in the company of any government official to his palace,” the Yagbonwura stressed.

Speaking on behalf of the youth of Gonjaland, Chief Jantonwura Peter Awusi Yakubu of Sakpala reiterated the ban.

“We wish to echo the voice of the Yagbonwura as was said at the Jakpa Palace, and on the basis of the above-listed instances of disrespect and insubordination, championed and led by Hon Abu Jinapor, that, the King would never grant audience to any Government delegation, political party or any person who pays him a visit, once it includes Hon. Samuel Abu Jinapor.