Former President John Dramani Mahama on Friday joined Yagbonwura Bii-Kunuto Jewu Soale I to cut the sod for the construction of a new palace for the overlord of Gonja.

The project is being financed by Mr Mahama who has assured the people it would be completed by October of this year.

In his address, Mr Mahama highlighted the new palace's intentional design to reflect Sahelian architecture, reminiscent of the Gonja's origins in the Mande region around Mali.

"So, if you look at the architecture, you will think you are in Timbuktu or Songhai, tracing the history of the Gonja people ", he said.

The event was attended by various Guan and Gonja paramount chiefs, executives of the Guan Congress, executives of the Gonjaland Youth Association, members and supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the people of Damango.

The Overlord of Gonja, Yagbonwura Bii-Kunuto Jewu Soale I, thanked Mr Mahama for his consistent commitment to developing the Gonja Kingdom and offered prayers for his success.

The Overlord of Gonja also emphasised the importance of the new palace for preserving the Gonja heritage and the legacy of Sumaila Ndewura Jakpa, founder of the Gonja Kingdom.

He wished the former president and leader of the NDC well in his political aspirations and cautioned against people speaking negatively about his efforts for the Gonja Kingdom.