President John Dramani Mahama, former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and former Vice-President Dr Mahamadu Bawumia led in the tributes to the Ya-Na, Abukari Mahama II, upon the passing of the Overlord of the Dagbon Kingdom.
In a touching statement, President Mahama, through the presidential communication channels, described the deceased Ya-Na as a respected traditional ruler whose leadership brought lasting peace, unity and reconciliation to Dagbon after years of conflict.
President John Dramani Mahama, on behalf of the government, also extended condolences to the royal family, the people of Dagbon and the nation following the passing of the Dagbon overlord.
In a statement issued by the Presidency Communications Office yesterday, the government said "the government of Ghana has received with profound sadness the news of the passing of His Majesty Ya-Na Abukari Mahama II."
The presidency said the late Ya-Na would be remembered for promoting peace, unity and stability in Dagbon, adding that his reign created an atmosphere that supported development and strengthened the relationship between traditional authorities and the state.
Akufo-Addo
Former President, Nana Akufo-Addo, under whose tenure Ya-Na Abukari II was installed as Overlord of Dagbon, issued an emotional statement that travelled various paths and lengths, recalling a friendship the two shared.
"I have been informed that the customary announcement serving notice of the sad passing of His Majesty Ya-Na Mahama Abukari II, overlord of the Dagbon Kingdom, has been issued by the Gbewaa Palace in Yendi.
"A great figure of unity, strength and the enduring legacy of a proud and dignified people, Ya-Na Mahama Abukari II joins the illustrious list of Dagbon royals who have enabled the steady progress of Dagbon for over three centuries,” the former President said.
He recalled that the late Ya-Na was pivotal to solving, what, for years unend, became known as the “Dagbon Crises” when he was then the Chief of Savelegu (Yoo Naa).
"I was deeply honoured when he conferred on me the title 'Na Abudani' in 2020, as recognition of my efforts towards the reconciliation process in Dagbon, when I joined him in Yendi to celebrate the first Damba Festival following his enskinment. It is an honour I will always treasure," Nana Akufo-Addo stated.
Bawumia in pain
Former Vice-President Bawumia expressed “sincere condolences to the chiefs and people of the Dagbon Kingdom” on the passing of Ya-Na Abukari Mahama Il.
“Ya-Na Abukari Il emerged as the King of Dagbon during one of the most challenging periods in Dagbon history, and with ancestral wisdom and patience, he guided the ancient kingom towards peace, unity and prosperity,” he said in a message released in Accra yesterday.
“His reign was short but greatly impactful. Through his wise leadership, he united families once broken, and healed a society greatly fractured before him. He represented a blend of tradition and modernity perfectly in the way he led Dagbon. He constantly advocated and lobbied for major developmental projects in Dagbon,” the statement said.
Dr Bawumia said at the personal level, he benefited immensely from the Ya-Na’s counsel during his time as Vice-President of Ghana and later as the presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party.
“It was always an honour to pay him homage at the ancient Gbewaa Palace and to draw from his immeasurable wisdom and guidance,” he said.
Okyenhene’s regret
The Okyenhene, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin, said he received the news of the Ya-Na’s passing with profound shock and deep sorrow.
He said Ya-Na Abukari II was a towering symbol of peace, unity and statesmanship.
His reign, he said, brought to a close one of the most painful chapters in the history of northern Ghana through the amicable resolution of the protracted Dagbon chieftaincy crisis.
“His leadership demonstrated that dialogue, reconciliation and mutual respect remain the surest foundations for lasting peace,” he said.
Epitome of tolerance, wisdom
In a statement issued by his office yesterday, Osagyefuo Amotia Ofori Panin described Ya-Na Abukari as “the epitome of tolerance, wisdom and compassion”.
“These rare qualities enabled him to redefine traditional leadership as a powerful instrument for national cohesion and development.
“His influence extended far beyond the borders of Dagbon as he worked closely with traditional authorities across Ghana to build consensus on matters of national importance and to promote harmony among the country's diverse communities,” he said.
Haruna’s loss
The Minister of Education and member of Parliament for Tamale South, Haruna Iddrisu, whose constituency is one of the 18 parliamentary seats within the Dagbon Kingdom, was equally sombre in reflecting on the life of the man whose reign coincided with the return of peace to the kingdom.
“Today, Dagbon has lost more than a king; we have lost a great unifier,” Mr Iddrisu wrote in tribute to the revered traditional ruler.
“Great King, Naa Gbewaa Abubakari Mahama II, Monarch of the ancient Kingdom of Dagbon, founded between the 13th and 15th centuries by northern warriors led by the legendary Tohazie, the “Red Hunter”.
You stood on the enduring legacy of your forebears, Naa Gbewaa and his grandson, Naa Nyagsi, who consolidated and strengthened Dagbon’s formal political structure.
“Your Majesty, Ya-Na Abubakari Mahama II, built bridges, inspired reconciliation, and left behind a legacy of peace that will endure for generations.
The greatest tribute we can pay to your memory is to preserve and strengthen the unity you restored by faithfully upholding our cherished rotational succession tradition,” the Tamale South MP added.
He further emphasised the entrenchment of the pathway to lasting peace in the kingdom.
“May an Abudu succeed an Andani, and an Andani succeed an Abudu, so that Dagbon remains united, peaceful and strong,” he said.
