Alhaj Yakubu Tali (1917-1986), Tolon Na, was one of those pioneer chiefs who were able to unify tradition and modernity. He was not just content in being a traditional ruler, enjoying his glamour and power, but was prepared to invest his personality in the struggle for a modern nation state. Though he was steeped in tradition, he rose to the challenges of modern state by being able to use traditional institutions to service the modern nation-state. He showed that there needed not to be any contradiction between the traditional institution of chieftaincy and the modern state. He was born at Tali. His father was Tali Na Alhassan and his mother, Ayishetu from Kumbungu. He, together with J.A Braimah (then Kabachewura), Abaryfa Karbo(Lawra Na), N. Yenli and J.A.A Salaam represented the Northern Territories on the Coussey Committee. When later by provisions of the 1951 Constitution and the Northern Territories became part of the Gold Coast with formal representation in the Legislative Council (LEGCO), he, together with 18 others, entered the Legislative Assembly (LA) as representatives of NTC. The other 18 were: L.R. Abavana, A. Afoko, J.H. Alhassani, Ayeebo Asumda, J. Awuni, J.A. Ayinibisa, J.A. Braimah, Bamani Bukari, S.D. Dombo, J.B. Haruna, B. Dimonso, Immoru Ayannah, Alidu Kanton, Alhaji Osmanu, Yakubu Bukari, Seidu Wala, Mumumi Koray ( Wa-Na) replaced in 1953 by Mallam Bukari and A. Mumuni (Dorimon-Na), replaced in 1953 by Mumuni Bawumia. In the Legislative Assembly, he relentlessly fought for the rapid development of the Northern Territories to catch up with the rest of the country. He was concerned about the backwardness of the north; therefore, he led a number of his collegues in the Legislative Assembly to form the Northern Peoples Party (NPP), now New Patriotic Party (NPP) to contest the 1954 elections. He even offered his house as a temporal party office for meeting of the party, but his position as president of the Northern Territorial Council (NTC) deterred him from directly entering the maelstrom of the party politics. He therefore campaigned and entered parliament as an independent candidate. In 1956 general elections, when so much seem stake for the north, he finally consented to stand as NPP candidate for Mion-Tolon Constituency. It is pertinent to note that, the Memorial Ceremony for this great personality, Alhaji Yakubu Tali, would be held on the 11th Apriel, 2014 at Tolon Chief Palace. The former President of the Republic of Ghana, J.A. Kufuor as guest of honour and other dignitries of the great Busia and Dombo tradition would be present. All!! Are Cordially Invited.
Posted on: Wed, 02 Apr 2014 20:58:03 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015