Yaa Naa Mahama Abukari II, the Overlord of Dagbon whose ascension to the Yendi skin ended a 16-year chieftaincy dispute, has died.
The circumstances surrounding his death have not yet been officially disclosed.
The 41st Yaa Naa was enskinned on January 18, 2019, following the successful implementation of a historic peace roadmap that resolved years of conflict between the Abudu and Andani royal gates over the Dagbon kingship.
His installation marked the restoration of the Yendi skin, which had remained vacant since 2002 after the violent clashes that claimed the life of Yaa Naa Yakubu Andani II and plunged the kingdom into one of Ghana’s most protracted traditional leadership crises.
Widely regarded as a unifying figure, Yaa Naa Mahama Abukari II dedicated his reign to promoting reconciliation, healing long-standing divisions, and restoring the dignity and authority of the Dagbon Kingdom. His leadership also saw the revival of key traditional ceremonies that had been suspended for more than a decade due to the chieftaincy conflict.
Born Bukali in Mion, he was the son of Yaa Naa Mahama II, who ruled Dagbon from 1938 until his death in 1948. Before ascending to the Yendi skin, he served as chief of Kpunkpono and later as the Savelugu Naa, one of the three gate skins eligible for succession to the Dagbon throne.
His selection by the Dagbon kingmakers in 2019 followed extensive mediation efforts involving the government and eminent traditional leaders, culminating in a peace agreement that restored stability to the kingdom.
His death marks the end of a reign that came to symbolise peace, reconciliation and the rebirth of traditional leadership in Dagbon after years of division.
More details are expected as the Dagbon Traditional Council and relevant authorities announce funeral and succession arrangements.
