President John Dramani Mahama has described the death of Yaa-Naa Abukari II, Overlord of the Dagbon Kingdom, as a national loss.
Speaking during the official announcement of the death of the late Dagbon Overlord to him at the presidency by the Dagbon Traditional Council on July 20, the President said Ghana has lost a great citizen.
“The passing of the Yaa-Naa is not only a moment of profound grief for Dagbon, but it is a national loss. Ghana has lost a statesman amongst traditional rulers, a man whose wisdom, moderation, and commitment to peace earned him the respect of people across political, ethnic, and religious divides,” he stated
According to President Mahama, the Yaa-Naa was a champion of peace, reconciliation and unity.
“His Royal Majesty assumed the skin of Dagbon at a very difficult period in the kingdom’s history. And yet, through patience, humility, and unwavering resolve, he transformed a kingdom once plaqued by conflict into an enduring symbol of reconciliation, unity, and hope. His reign demonstrated that true leadership is measured not by power, but by the ability to heal divisions, unite people behind a common purpose.
His philosophy was yet profound. And as he loved to say, “I love those who build bridges of peace, but I do not like those who destroy the peace. These were not merely words. They became his guiding principle during his entire reign, and an enduring lesson for all of us,” the President said.
He noted that the relationship between him and the late Overlord of Dagbon were like that of father and son.
“The relationship between me and His Royal Majesty went beyond the positions we occupy. I’ve known him for many years, and we worked together with him in my first presidency with the Otumfuo team to resolve the Dagbon crisis at the time. And so we’ve remained like father and son, even through my years after I left office until I was elected back to this position. And so we’ve come a very long way,” he noted.
Read the full remarks by President Mahama during the meeting with the delegation from Dagbon Traditional Council:
1. Today is a profoundly sad day for all of us as we come to terms with the passing of His Royal Majesty, Yaa-Naa Abukari II.
2. Often, when we first hear of the passing of someone we cherish, a small part of us hopes the news is not true until tradition formally confirms it.
3. Sadly, today there is no such hope. Our father has indeed departed, and the nation mourns with deep sorrow.
4. My relationship with His Royal Majesty went far beyond the offices we occupied.
5. I had the privilege of knowing him for many years, even before he ascended to the skin of Dagbon.
6. During my first term as President, we worked closely together, alongside the Otumfuo mediation team, to help resolve the Dagbon crisis, and from that period our relationship grew into one that resembled that of a father and son.
7. Even after I left office, our bond remained strong, and it continued after I was given another opportunity to serve as President.
8. As I receive the Dagbon Traditional Council today to formally inform the Presidency, and through the Presidency the Republic of Ghana, of the passing of His Royal Majesty, my heart is filled with grief.
9. On behalf of the Government and people of Ghana, and on my own behalf, I extend my deepest condolences to the Dagbon Traditional Council, the Royal Family, the chiefs and people of Dagbon, and indeed to every Ghanaian mourning this great loss.
10. The passing of Yaa-Naa Abukari II is not only a painful moment for Dagbon; it is a national loss that affects the entire country.
11. Ghana has lost one of its most respected traditional rulers, a statesman whose wisdom, moderation and commitment to peace earned him admiration across political, ethnic and religious boundaries.
12. His Royal Majesty assumed leadership of Dagbon during one of the most difficult periods in the kingdom’s history.
13. Through patience, humility and unwavering determination, he transformed a kingdom once divided by conflict into a symbol of reconciliation, unity and hope.
14. His reign demonstrated that true leadership is measured not by power, but by the ability to heal divisions, unite people and build lasting peace.
15. His guiding philosophy was simple but profound: he loved those who built bridges of peace and rejected those who destroyed it.
16. Those words were not merely a slogan; they became the guiding principle of his reign and an enduring lesson for all of us.
17. We remember with admiration his extraordinary efforts to consolidate peace among the royal gates of Dagbon.
18. He displayed remarkable courage by taking difficult decisions that placed the unity and future of Dagbon above every other consideration.
19. His determination ensured that future generations would inherit a kingdom built on peace, stability and reconciliation.
20. His Royal Majesty understood that peace must be institutionalised if it is to endure beyond individuals.
21. His leadership in preparing and securing the unanimous adoption of the Dagbon Constitution established a lasting framework for governance, succession and stability within the kingdom.
22. That achievement remains one of the most enduring legacies of his reign.
23. Beyond Dagbon, Yaa-Naa Abukari II became a respected national peacemaker whose palace served as a place where disputes were resolved and dialogue encouraged.
24. He consistently promoted harmony among Muslim leaders and strengthened cooperation between Dagbon and neighbouring traditional kingdoms.
25. We all vividly remember his historic visit to his brother, the Yagbonwura, Overlord of the Gonja Kingdom.
26. That landmark visit paved the way for the Joint Dagbon-Gonja Committee, which continues to work towards resolving longstanding boundary issues between the two kingdoms.
27. His Royal Majesty also believed strongly in development and worked tirelessly to ensure that Dagbon would become peaceful, prosperous and forward-looking.
28. He actively built partnerships with government, development partners, diplomatic missions and the private sector to advance that vision.
29. As President, I had the privilege of consulting him on many matters of national importance.
30. His advice was always thoughtful, balanced and guided by the welfare of his people and the unity of Ghana.
31. His wise counsel will be deeply missed by all who had the opportunity to work with him.
32. We did everything humanly possible to preserve his life, but ultimately Allah, the Master of the Universe, knows best.
33. I am confident that His Royal Majesty has laid a solid foundation for a peaceful and orderly succession in Dagbon.
34. I wish to assure the chiefs and people of Dagbon that the Government of Ghana stands firmly with them during this difficult period of mourning.
35. Government will work closely with the Dagbon Traditional Council to ensure that every appropriate state honour and support is provided as preparations are made for the final funeral rites of our departed King.
36. We pray that Almighty Allah grants Yaa-Naa Abukari II eternal rest and admits him into Jannatul Firdaus.
37. We also pray that Allah grants strength, comfort and peace to the Royal Family, the chiefs and people of Dagbon, and the entire nation as we mourn this irreparable loss.
38. May the enduring legacy of Yaa-Naa Abukari II, his commitment to peace, reconciliation, wisdom and selfless service, continue to inspire generations of Ghanaians for many years to come.
39. May his memory forever remain a source of unity, hope and national inspiration.
