His Royal Majesty Yaa Naa Mahama Abukari II, the Overlord of Dagbon, has passed away.
Yaa Naa Abukari II passed away as the 41st Yaa Naa following his enskinment on January 18, 2019.
The news of the Yaa Naa’s death has plunged the kingdom into mourning.
His passing was announced on Monday, July 13, by the Head of the Dagbon Kingmakers, Kuga Naa Adam Abdulai II, following the performance of customary rites at the Gbewaa Palace in Yendi.
The announcement was preceded by the sounding of the traditional talking drum and the observance of customary rituals, signalling the death of the Ya-Na.
Meanwhile, preparations are currently underway at the Gbewaa Palace for the burial of the late overlord in accordance with Dagbon customs.
The death of Ya-Na Abukari II marks a substantial moment for the Dagbon Kingdom, with traditional authorities expected to outline the next steps in the succession process after his funeral rites.
The late Ya-Na Abukari II’s ascension to the throne marked a significant moment for the kingdom.
His reign was widely regarded as a period of reconciliation, healing and the restoration of traditional authority in Dagbon.
Ya-Na Abukari II was born in Mion. Yaa Naa Mahama Abukari II who was the son of Yaa Naa Mahama II, who ruled Dagbon from 1938 until his death on February 6, 1948.
The late Yaa-Naa’s mother, Ayishetu, was a princess from Kulunkpegu, near Chaazaadaanyili in the Northern Region.
Parts of the late Yaa Naa Abukari II’s biography shared by a GhanaWeb article read, “Before becoming Yaa Naa, he began his traditional leadership journey as chief of Kpunkpono before later ascending to the Savelugu skin.
Savelugu is one of the three traditional gate skins in Dagbon, whose occupants are eligible to be considered for the Yendi throne.
The Yendi skin had remained vacant since 2002 following violent clashes between the Abudu and Andani royal gates, a conflict that deepened divisions within the kingdom and disrupted traditional activities for years.
Following extensive mediation efforts involving Ghana’s government and eminent chiefs, the two factions reached an agreement through a roadmap for peace aimed at restoring stability and resolving the long-standing dispute.
It was under this arrangement that Yaa Naa Mahama Abukari II was selected and ordained by the kingmakers of Dagbon in 2019.
As overlord of Dagbon, he was widely recognised as a symbol of unity and worked to strengthen reconciliation between the two royal gates.
His reign also saw the revival of traditional ceremonies that had been suspended for more than a decade due to the chieftaincy crisis”.
The Lion Has Fallen.
— Kingdom of Dagbon 🦁 (@KDagbon) July 13, 2026
Let every drum be hushed.
⁰Let every horn be silenced.
⁰Let the winds bear only lamentation.
The Lion King has departed the realm of men.
Let all sons and daughters of Dagbon mourn. pic.twitter.com/wYPr5RkxaJ
