President John Dramani Mahama has called on the newly installed Regent of Dagbon, Kampakuya Naa Yakubu Abukari, to uphold the legacy of the late Ya-Na Abukari Mahama II by championing peace, unity and development in the traditional area.
The President made the call on Friday, July 31, during the Regent’s installation ceremony in Yendi, the traditional seat of the Dagbon Kingdom. The event followed the passing of the Overlord of Dagbon, Ya-Na Abukari Mahama II, on July 11, 2026, at the age of 87 in South Africa after a short illness. The late monarch was buried in the early hours of Monday, July 13, at the Gbewaa Palace in accordance with Islamic tradition and Dagbon custom.
The late Ya-Na Abukari Mahama II, the 41st Overlord of Dagbon, ascended the Yendi Skin on January 18, 2019, following a historic peace process that brought closure to a protracted chieftaincy dispute between Dagbon’s two royal gates—the Andani and Abudu families. The chieftaincy conflict had left the Yendi skin vacant for more than 16 years. During his seven-year reign, the late monarch was widely credited with consolidating peace, strengthening reconciliation and advancing development in the kingdom.
President Mahama commended the people of Dagbon for demonstrating patience, maturity and unity in the period following the death of the late Ya-Na, describing their response as a reflection of the strength and resilience of the kingdom. He urged the people to continue protecting the peace and cohesion that have defined Dagbon in recent years, while encouraging the new Regent to build on the progress and achievements of his predecessor.
“When future generations study the history of Dagbon, they will undoubtedly speak about the reign of Ya-Na Abukari Mahama II. They will say that he inherited uncertainty but left behind stability. They will say that he inherited division but left behind unity. They will say that he inherited mistrust but left behind confidence,” the President stated.
President Mahama also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to collaborating with the Dagbon Traditional Council and the Regent to advance development initiatives started under the late Overlord. He gave a specific assurance that the new Gbewaa Palace would be completed before the enskinment of a new Ya-Na. “I wish to assure His Royal Highness the Regent that I have asked the National Security Council Secretary to ensure that the palace is completed before the installation of a new Ya-Na takes place,” President Mahama said.
Urging the people of Dagbon to continue upholding the values of dialogue, reconciliation and unity, the President added: “As we depart from Yendi today, let us carry with us the lesson that peace is always possible when leaders choose dialogue over confrontation, reconciliation over revenge, and the common good over personal interests”.
Regent pledges to preserve father’s legacy
In his maiden speech delivered on his behalf by Dr Jacob Yakubu Mahama, Kampakuya Naa Yakubu Abukari pledged to preserve the legacy of his late father by promoting peace and unity among the people of Dagbon.
“I will not destroy what my father built. Not one bridge he constructed will be destroyed under my watch. Not one relationship he nurtured will be abandoned. Not one community he reconciled will return to conflict,” he said.
The Regent reaffirmed his commitment to the rotational system of chieftaincy succession between the Andani and Abudu gates, describing it as a foundation for lasting peace in Dagbon. “The rotational arrangement of chieftaincy succession in Dagbon, that sacred compact agreed upon by our royal families and endorsed by the kingmakers as the foundation of lasting peace between the Andani and Abudu gates, I affirm it, I embrace it, and I will uphold it,” he stated.
He praised his late father for respecting the rotational agreement during his reign, noting that Ya-Na Abukari Mahama II demonstrated statesmanship by prioritising the peace of the kingdom over factional advantage. “My father demonstrated this wisdom when he enskinned more Abudu chiefs than Andanis during his reign, choosing the kingdom’s peace over gains advantage. It was his greatest act of statesmanship and his clearest expression of love for all of Dagbon,” he said.
Kampakuya Naa Yakubu Abukari assured the people of Dagbon that the succession process would follow the agreed path when the time comes to select and enskin a new Overlord. He cautioned against attempts to exploit the transition period to advance factional interests, urging chiefs, elders, royal families and community leaders to unite in protecting Dagbon’s peace.
The Regent expressed gratitude to President Mahama for his support to the late Ya-Na, particularly during his final days. “Your personal support for my father long before he became the king of Dagbon, and especially in his final days, your gracious role in returning him home with dignity, is a debt our family and Dagbon can never fully repay,” he said.
Historic installation ceremony
The installation ceremony attracted thousands of mourners, chiefs, dignitaries and well-wishers, including President John Dramani Mahama and his entourage, former Vice President and 2028 NPP presidential candidate Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, and Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu, among others.
The Yendi township came alive with traditional drumming, the firing of ceremonial muskets and cultural displays by local warriors as the ceremony unfolded. Before the public outdooring, traditional authorities performed customary rites behind closed doors as part of the installation process. Islamic prayers were also offered for the late Ya-Na Abukari Mahama II.
Security was heightened for the event, with more than 600 security personnel deployed across Yendi to ensure the peaceful conduct of the installation and the safety of residents and visitors.
As Regent, Kampakuya Naa Yakubu Abukari—the eldest son of the late Ya-Na—will serve as the head of the Dagbon Kingdom until the completion of the final funeral rites of the late Ya-Na and the selection and enskinment of a new Overlord in accordance with Dagbon customs and traditions. The installation marks a significant stage in Dagbon’s traditional succession process and paves the way for the performance of the late Ya-Na’s final funeral rites.
