By Iddi Yire, GNA
Accra, July 20, GNA – President John Dramani Mahama was on Monday officially informed of the death of Yaa Naa Abukari II, the Overlord of the Dagbon Kingdom, by a high-powered delegation from Dagbon.
The delegation, led by the Nanton Naa Mahamudu V. the Paramount Chief of the Nanton Traditional Area, also extended an invitation to the President to attend the late Yaa Naa’s seventh day Adua, slated for Friday, July 24, 2026.
The Overlord of the Dagbon Kingdom died on Saturday, the 11th of July 2026, while receiving medical treatment in South Africa.
In accordance with Islamic tradition and Dagbon custom, he was buried in the early hours of Monday, the 13th of July, within the sacred premises of the Gbewaa Palace in Yendi in the Northern Region.
The third day of Islamic prayers was observed on Thursday, the 16th of July 2026, while the seventh day will be on Friday, the 24th of July.
According to the delegation, the installation of the Regent, Kampakuya Naa Yakubu II, will be on Friday, the 31st of July 2026.
In his remarks at the Presidency in Accra, during the courtesy call, President Mahama noted that beyond Dagbon, the late Yaa Naa was a respected national peacemaker.
His palace served as a place where disputes were settled, relationships were restored, and dialogue was encouraged.
President Mahama said: “It is a sad day for all of us. Often you have heard the sad passing of someone, but until traditionally you are informed, there’s always that little fraction of hope in your mind that you wake up and say, I’m going to be told you were dreaming. Unfortunately, we are not dreaming.
“Our father has passed.”
“Indeed, the relationship between myself and his Royal Majesty, went beyond the positions we occupy,” President Mahama added.
President Mahama said he had known him for many years, even at a time when he was the Yoo Naa, and they worked together with him in his first Presidency, with the Otumfuo Team to resolve the Dagbon Crisis at the time.
“And so, we’ve remained like father and son, even though my years after I left office. Until I was elected back to this position. And so, we’ve come a very long way.”
The President said everything that they did went beyond the official position of the Presidency; saying, “It was like between a father and son. And so, I received you here today with a very heavy heart.”
President Mahama on behalf of the Government and People of Ghana and on his own behalf, extended their deepest condolences to the Dagbon Traditional Council, the Royal Family, the Chiefs and People of Dagbonand to all Ghanaians who mourn the loss of one of their nation’s most distinguished traditional rulers.
He noted that Ghana had lost a statesman among traditional rulers, a man whose wisdom, moderation, and commitment to peace, and earned him the respect of people across political, ethnic, and religious divides.
President Mahama said the late Yaa Naa Abukari assumed the skin of Dagbon at a very difficult period in the Kingdom’s history and yet through patience, humility, and unwavering resolve, it transformed a kingdom once carved by conflict into an enduring symbol of reconciliation, unity, and hope.
He said Yaa Naa Abukari’s reign demonstrated that true leadership was measured not by power, but by the ability to heal divisions, unite people behind a common purpose.
He described the late Yaa Naa’s philosophy as profound, saying he loved to say, “I love those who build bridges of peace, but I do not like those who destroy the peace”
These words, President Mahama said, were not merely words, but became his guiding principle during his entire reign, and an enduring lesson for all of Ghanaians.
Also, the President said Ghanaians remembered with admiration the late Yaa Naa’s extraordinary efforts to consolidate peace between the royal gates of Dagbon.
“His majesty also understood that peace must be institutionalized. His leadership in the preparation and unanimous adoption of the Dagbon Constitution established a durable framework for governance, succession, and stability, and thereby securing a lasting institutional legacy for Dagbon,” the President said.
He said the late Yaa Naa’s efforts to promote harmony amongst Muslim leaders, and to strengthen cooperation between Dagbon and neighboring traditional kingdoms, reflected a vision that extended well beyond his own Kingdom.
“We all remember fondly, only like yesterday, his historic visit to his brother, the Yagbonwura, Overlord of the Gonja Kingdom.”
Presidetn Mahama assured the Chiefs and People of Dagbon, that the Government was standing in full solidarity with them during the period of mourning.
Nanton Naa Mahamudu V, the Paramount Chief of the Nanton Traditional Area, acknowledged the role President Mahama played when the Yaa Naa’s condition worsened, recalling that President Mahama personally intervened to ensure that the King received the best medical attention available abroad.
He reiterated that this was not merely the act of a President towards a traditional leader, it was the act of a compassionate human being towards a great man whose life and legacy
“And when God, in His infinite wisdom, called the Yaa Naa home, President Mahama again did not hesitate to ensure that their king, who lived with dignity, returned home with dignity.” The Paramount Chief said.
“For this, on behalf of the Gbewaa Palace, the Dagbon Traditional Council, the Northern Regional House of Chiefs, and the entire people of Dagbon Kingdom, we say, Your Excellency, thank you. May God reward you abundantly,” he said.
The Nanton Naa reiterated their commit to carrying forward the late Yaa Naa’s legacy.
GNA
Edited by Benjamin Mensah
Caption: President John Dramani Mahama
20 July 2026