Unite Dagbon, Prez Akufo-Addo charges new Yaa Naa

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has entreated Yaa Naa Abukari Mahama II, Overlord of the Dagbon State, to work towards uniting Dagbon for peace and accelerated development.

He said as the King of one of the most ancient traditional states in the country, Yaa Naa Mahama II will use his experience and maturity to ensure that “Dagbon prospers and offers opportunities for its youth to enhance their lives in normalcy and security.”

“Today is a happy day for the good people of Ghana. At long last, the people of Dagbon have, by the grace of God, a new Yaa Naa, bringing to an end decades of division, strife and tension in Dagbon,” Nana Akufo-Addo added.

The President who was speaking at the investiture of Yaa Naa Abukari Mahama II in Yendi in the Northern Region Friday, also admonished the Overlord to “Move swiftly to place the Kampakuya Naa, Abdulai Andani and the Bolin Lana, Mahamadu Abdulai in their rightful positions in the Kingdom to bring about lasting peace and unity to Dagbon.”

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Nana Akufo-Addo who described himself as a son and royal of Dagbon said “I am an ‘AbuDani,’ a person who stands for unity, reconciliation and progress in Dagbon.”

AbuDani is a fusion of Abudu and Andani, the two royal gates of Dagbon.

Commendation
The President congratulated the Yaa Naa on his enskinment and commended the people of Dagbon, especially the Abudu and Andani Royal Families for their respective roles in ensuring the successful performances of the funeral rites of both Yaa Naa Mahamadu Abdulai and Yaa Naa Yakubu Andani.

He also thanked the Committee of Eminent Chiefs chaired by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II. The other members are the Overlord of Mamprugu, the Nayiri, Naa Bohugu Abdulai Mahama Sheriga, and the Overlord of the Gonja Kingdom, the Yogbonwura, Tuntumba Boresa Sulemana Jakpa, for their effective roles in achieving peace for Dagbon.

The President of the National House of Chiefs and Agbogbomefia of the Asogli State in the Volta Region, Togbe Afede XIV also congratulated the Yaa Naa and urged him to use his wealth of experience to help reform the chieftaincy institution in the country.

He said for the institution to remain relevant there was the need for chiefs to use their unique positions to advance the course of their people by helping to create jobs and other economic opportunities for the youth.

In a speech read on his behalf, Yaa Naa Abukari Mahama II pledged his commitment towards reconciling the people of Dagbon and to reform some of the antiquated traditional practices for accelerated development.