The Overlord of Dagbon, Ndan Ya-Na Mahama Abukari II, has been buried in accordance with the customs and traditions of the Dagbon Kingdom following his demise on Sunday.
The revered traditional ruler died after a short illness in South Africa, where he had travelled for medical treatment, bringing to an end a reign that restored peace and strengthened unity in the Dagbon Kingdom.
His body was flown back to Ghana and laid to rest at dawn on Monday at Katini, the royal mausoleum of Dagbon kings, after the performance of the requisite customary rites.
The death of the Overlord was officially announced by the Kuga Naa, Adam Abdulai II, Head of the Dagbon Kingmakers, amid the beating of traditional drums.
The sounding of royal instruments and the firing of musketry at the Gbewaa Palace in Yendi, signaled the commencement of the funeral rites reserved for a Ya-Na.
When The Ghanaian Times visited the palace, an atmosphere of grief had engulfed the ancient seat of the Dagbon Kingdom.
Chiefs from the various traditional divisions, elders, princes, princesses, opinion leaders and hundreds of mourners had gathered to pay their last respects to the late King.
Many mourners, dressed in black and red traditional attire, sat quietly while others openly wept in the midst of traditional drumming and chanting echoed through the palace, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of Dagbon.
Security personnel maintained a strong presence at the palace and within the Yendi Municipality to ensure law and order as mourners continued to arrive from different parts of the country.
In accordance with Dagbon tradition, the first son of the late Ya-Na, Kampakuya Naa Yakubu Abukari, has been installed as Regent to oversee the affairs of the kingdom until the final funeral rites are completed and a new Ya-Na is selected and enskinned.
The late Ya-Na Abukari II ascended the Yendi Skin in January 2019 following the implementation of the Dagbon Peace Roadmap and the successful performance of the funerals of the late Ya-Na Yakubu Andani II and Ya-Na Mahamadu Abdulai IV.
His accession marked the restoration of peace after decades of chieftaincy conflict that had divided the kingdom.
During his reign, the late Overlord championed peace, reconciliation and institutional reforms, while working with government and development partners to promote education, youth empowerment and socio-economic development across the Dagbon Traditional Area.
Traditional leaders and residents described his death as a great loss to Dagbon and Ghana’s chieftaincy institution, saying he would be remembered for consolidating peace and laying a strong foundation for the continued development of the kingdom.
Thousands of mourners are expected to participate in the final funeral rites in the coming days in accordance with the customs and traditions of the Dagbon Kingdom.
FROM: GEOFFREY BUTA & YAHAYA NUHU NADAA, YENDI
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