Following the demise of the Overlord of Dagbon, Ya-Na Abukari 11, a regent has been enskinned to temporarily oversee the affairs of the kingdom until a new Ya-Na is selected and enskinned in line with tradition.
He is Kampakuya Naa Yakubu Abukari, the eldest son of the immediate past Ya-Na.
At the moment, the chiefs and people are in a state of shock, mourning the death of Ya-Na Abukari II who passed on after a seven-year reign. He was 87.
The death of the revered monarch was officially announced by the Head of the Dagbon Kingmakers, led by Kuga Naa, Adam Abdulai II yesterday morning after the performance of traditional rites at the Gbewaa Palace in Yendi in the Northern Region.
The announcement plunged one of the oldest kingdoms in the country and the entire nation into mourning.
There had been a gathering of chiefs, elders, family members, opinion leaders and general public at the palace to observe the traditional processes following the passing of the king.
The late overlord has since been laid to rest at katini, the royal mausoleum, in accordance with Dagbon custom.
The burial, conducted at dawn, followed the performance of customary rites led by the Kuga Naa.
The third-day Adua (prayer) for the late Overlord is scheduled for Thursday, July 16, 2026, in Yendi. The event is expected to attract chiefs, traditional leaders, government officials, family members and mourners from across Dagbon and beyond.
Sources close to the Daily Graphic said Ya-Na Abukari II, who also served as President of the Northern Regional House of Chiefs, had travelled to South Africa for medical treatment after a short illness, where he passed on.
The source added that the remains were flown to Yendi, the traditional seat of Dagbon, on Sunday for the necessary rites and burial.
Ndan Yaa Naa Abukari II was born in 1939 into the Dagbon royal family at Mion to Mahama II, who reigned as Ya-Na from 1938 until February 6, 1948. His mother, Ayishetu, was a princess from Kulunkpegu, a small community near Chaazaadaanyili.
He began his traditional leadership journey as the chief of Kpunkpono before he was elevated to become the Paramount Chief of Savelegu, one of the recognised traditional gates eligible to ascend the Yendi Skin.
According to Dagbon customs and traditions, the three recognised traditional gates from which a new Ya-Na is selected are represented by the Karaga Naa, Yoo Naa and Mion Lana.
These paramount chiefs serve as custodians of the succession process and represent the historical institutions through which the Yendi Skin is attained.
The Yendi Skin remains one of Ghana’s most respected traditional thrones, with Dagbon chieftaincy deeply rooted in history, respect, unity and cultural heritage.
Restoring peace to Dagbon
The ascension of Ndan Yaa Naa Abukari II to the Yendi Skin followed years of conflict that plagued Dagbon and the entire nation.
On March 27, 2002, Dagbon was thrown into shock following the gruesome murder of Ya-Na Yakubu Andani II, who had ascended the Dagbon Skin in 1974. His death resulted in a prolonged chieftaincy dispute between the two royal factions, commonly referred to as the Abudu-Andani conflict.
To find a lasting solution to the dispute, a Committee of Eminent Chiefs was constituted, comprising the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II; the Yagbonwura, Tuntumba Boresa Sulemana Jakpa I; and the Nayiri, Naa Bohogu Abdulai Mahami Sheriga.
After years of mediation, consultations and negotiations, the Dagbon peace process reached a historic milestone on January 18, 2019, which resulted in the enskinment of Ya-Na Abukari as the 41st Ya-Na.
This historic event restored traditional authority and stability to the kingdom after 17 years of uncertainty.
His ascension to the Yendi Skin was seen as a major turning point in the history of Dagbon as it provided an opportunity for reconciliation between the Abudu and Andani royal gates and renewed efforts towards development.
Legacy
During his reign, Ya-Na Abukari II was widely respected for promoting peace, reconciliation and unity among the people of Dagbon.
He championed efforts to amend the Dagbon Constitution to reflect contemporary governance needs while preserving the customs and traditions of the kingdom. The reforms were aimed at strengthening traditional institutions and ensuring a smoother transition of authority within Ghana’s oldest traditional kingdom.
The late overlord also oversaw the redevelopment of the historic Gbewaa Palace into an ultramodern royal complex, a landmark project that is nearing completion and is expected to serve as a symbol of Dagbon’s rich cultural heritage.
Beyond the redevelopment of the palace, he supported several development initiatives aimed at improving the socio-economic well-being of communities across Dagbon.
Writer’s eemail:mohammed.fugu@
graphic.com.gh
