Ya-Na Mahama Abukari II, the Overlord of Dagbon whose ascension to the Yendi skin helped end a 16-year chieftaincy conflict, has passed away.
The 41st Yaa Naa was enskinned on January 18, 2019, following a landmark peace process that resolved years of division between the Abudu and Andani royal gates over the Dagbon kingship.
His enthronement marked a turning point in the kingdom’s history, ushering in an era of reconciliation, peace and the restoration of traditional authority after one of Ghana’s longest-running chieftaincy disputes.
Born Bukali in Mion, Yaa Naa Mahama Abukari II was the son of Yaa Naa Mahama II, who ruled Dagbon from 1938 until his death on February 6, 1948. His mother, Ayishetu, was a princess from Kulunkpegu near Chaazaadaanyili in the Northern Region.
Before ascending to the Yendi skin, he served as the chief of Kpunkpono and later as the chief of Savelugu—one of the three gate skins whose occupants are eligible to become Yaa Naa.
The Yendi skin had remained vacant since 2002 following violent clashes between the Abudu and Andani royal gates, a conflict that claimed lives, divided the kingdom and disrupted traditional governance for more than a decade.
After years of mediation led by the government, eminent chiefs and other stakeholders, both royal gates agreed to a roadmap for peace that paved the way for the restoration of the Dagbon kingship.
It was through that historic agreement that Yaa Naa Mahama Abukari II was selected and enskinned in 2019.
Throughout his reign, he was widely regarded as a symbol of unity, working to strengthen reconciliation between the rival royal gates while reviving key traditional ceremonies that had been suspended during the conflict.
His death brings to an end a reign remembered for promoting peace, stability and healing in Dagbon.
His passing is expected to usher in a period of mourning across Dagbon and Ghana as traditional leaders, government officials and the public pay tribute to his legacy of reconciliation and leadership.
