Savannah REGSEC Refutes Claims of Military Deployment for Debre Damba Festival

The Savannah Regional Security Council (REGSEC) has dismissed allegations that it deployed military personnel to secure the Damba festival in Debre, Central Gonja District, Savannah Region.

Yagbonwura Bii-Kunuto Jewu Soale I, Overlord of the Gonja Kingdom, had accused government appointees of sending military officers to provide protection during the festival, a move he stated was contrary to Gonja traditions.

In a press release issued on October 14, REGSEC Chairman Saeed Muhazu Jebril clarified that these allegations were unfounded. The council stated that the military presence in the area was not linked to the festival but was part of routine patrols by the 155 Armoured Regiment from Damongo.

The statement emphasized that these soldiers had no involvement in the festival or any security-related directives from REGSEC. “We categorically state that REGSEC did not direct any military presence to protect the people of Debre during their Damba festival,” the release noted.

REGSEC further stated that it has not convened in the past two months and, therefore, has not authorized any security operations in Debre. It reaffirmed that any military intervention in the region would require REGSEC approval, which had not been given in this instance.

The council urged the public to disregard the claim that political appointees had ordered military deployment for the Damba celebrations, underscoring that no such directives had been issued.