The new Regent of Dagbon, His Royal Highness Kampakuya Naa Yakubu II, has pledged to preserve the kingdom’s hard-won peace and uphold the rotational chieftaincy succession arrangement between the Andani and Abudu gates, declaring that he would not undo the legacy of his late father .
Delivering his maiden address at the Gbewaa Palace on Friday, July 31, through Zangbalun Naa Dr Jacob Yakubu Mahama, the regent said his foremost responsibility was to safeguard the unity and stability of Dagbon following the passing of His Royal Majesty Ndan Yaa Naa Abukari II on July 11, 2026, in South Africa, where he was receiving medical treatment .
“My father was a builder. Not of monuments, though he built those too. He was a builder of peace. A builder of bridges of reconciliation,” he said . Quoting the late Yaa Naa, he added: “I love those who build bridges of peace, but I do not like those who destroy the peace.”
The enskinment of Kampakuya Naa Yakubu II—who is the eldest son of the late Yaa Naa—marked an important stage in the Dagbon succession process . Per Dagbon tradition, the title of Kampakuya Naa is conferred on the first son of a deceased Ya-Na, who serves as traditional caretaker of the throne until a new Ya-Na is selected and enskinned through the established customary succession process .
The installation ceremony combined ancient Dagbon customs with Islamic rites, including the shaving of the Regent’s head and special Quran recitations and prayers led by Islamic clerics . Traditional drumming, cultural performances, and the appearance of chiefs adorned in colourful regalia underscored the rich heritage of the Dagbon Kingdom .
Commitment to the Rotational System
The regent reaffirmed his commitment to the peace agreement that ended years of chieftaincy conflict in Dagbon, pledging to uphold the rotational succession arrangement between the two royal gates .
“The rotational arrangement for chieftaincy succession in Dagbon, I affirm it. I embrace it. I will uphold it,” he stated .
He described the arrangement as an expression of wisdom by those who recognised that lasting peace was more valuable than partisan victory: “It is the wisdom of men and women who understood that peace is more valuable than victory, and that a united Dagbon is stronger than the triumph of any single gate” .
Reflecting on his father’s reign, Kampakuya Naa Yakubu II said the late Yaa Naa consistently placed the interests of the kingdom above those of any royal gate .
“My father demonstrated this wisdom when he enskinned more Abudu chiefs than Andani chiefs during his reign, choosing the kingdom’s peace over gate advantage,” he said, describing the decision as “his greatest act of statesmanship” .
He assured the people of Dagbon that the process to enskin a new Yaa Naa would be conducted transparently and strictly in accordance with tradition and the existing peace agreement .
A Kingdom’s Painful History
The regent’s pledge carries deep historical weight. The rotational system between the Abudu and Andani gates dates back to the mid-19th century when Ya-Na Yakubu I’s two sons, Princes Abudu and Andani, agreed to alternate succession to the throne . For over a century, this arrangement helped maintain stability in the kingdom .
However, the system was breached in 1954, sparking a protracted conflict that would claim countless lives . The dispute became intertwined with national politics, with the Abudu gate historically aligned with the Busia-Danquah political tradition and the Andani gate sympathetic to the Nkrumah-Rawlings political tradition .
The conflict reached its tragic climax on March 27, 2002, when Ya-Na Yakubu Andani II and forty others were killed in clashes that left the Yendi skin vacant for more than 16 years .
The late Yaa Naa Abukari II was enskinned on January 18, 2019, following a landmark peace process mediated by the Committee of Eminent Chiefs, bringing an end to the protracted dispute . His reign was widely credited with consolidating peace, reconciliation, and stability across the Dagbon Traditional Area .
A Warning Against Discord
The regent cautioned against attempts to exploit the transition period for partisan interests .
“Let no one use this transition period to plant seeds of discord. Let no one exploit this solemn moment to advance gate interests over Dagbon’s interests. I will not permit it,” he declared .
His warning echoed similar cautions from the Northern Regional Security Council (REGSEC), which has urged the media against speculative commentary on the succession process that could undermine peace and security in the region .
Development Agenda Continues
Kampakuya Naa Yakubu II further pledged to continue the late king’s development agenda, including the construction of the new palace, implementation of the Dagbon Ten-Year Development Plan, the establishment of the University for Development Studies (UDS) Yendi Campus, and ongoing agricultural and energy partnerships .
“My father is gone. But Dagbon stands,” he said. “This is the Dagbon he built. This is the Dagbon he left us. And this is the Dagbon we must protect” .
The ceremony was attended by President John Dramani Mahama, former Vice-President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu, the National Chief Imam Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, ministers of state, Members of Parliament, traditional rulers, and members of the diplomatic corps .
President Mahama described the late Yaa Naa Abukari II as a unifying leader whose reign contributed significantly to peace and development, pledging government support to consolidate the peace and development agenda championed by the late Overlord . Former Vice-President Bawumia also paid tribute, describing the late Yaa Naa as a father figure and appealing to all stakeholders to ensure the selection of the next Ya-Na strictly follows the established customary arrangements .
The regency will oversee the affairs of Dagbon until a new Yaa Naa is enskinned in accordance with the kingdom’s rotational succession agreement .
