Ya Naa Abukari Mahama II takes a walk with President Akufo-Addo to the Gbewaa Palace
Nyab Yoo Naa Abukari Mahama was yesterday crowned the King of Dagbon in a coronation which attracted thousands of traditional and political personalities, as well as well-wishers in Ghana and abroad.
By the final rites, he has left behind his previous position of the Chief of Savelugu or Yoo Naa, as the traditional head of this important chieftain is referred to in Dagbani.
The coronation is the culmination of elaborate traditional arrangements which started with the presentation of cola by the Gushei Naa and Kug Naa in accordance with Dagbon tradition after the funeral rites for the late Yaa Naa Yakubu Andani II, who died in 2002, were completed.
The new Yaa-Naa, Abukari Mahama II is the 42nd in the long history of Dagbon Kings.
President Akufo-Addo, who was the special guest during the coronation, said he was extremely excited because it was during his administration that Dagbon found the path to lasting peace.
He commended the Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, chair of the Committee of Eminent Chiefs, the overlord of Mamprugu, the Nayiri, Naa Bohugu Abdulai Mahami Sheriga and the overlord of the Gonja Kingdom the Yagbonwura, Tunyumba Boresa Sulemaa Jakpa, for working zealously to help realize this memorable occasion.
The President also had words of gratitude for the Kampakuya Naa, Yakubu Abdulai Andani and Bolin Lana, Abdulai Mahamadu, for ensuring that the funerals of Yaa-Naa Mahamdu Abdulai IV and Yaa-Naa Yakubu Andani II were held peacefully.
He called on the Yaa-Naa Abukari Mahama II to give the Bolin Lana and Kamkakuya Naa their rightful positions to seal the process of reconciliation.
He urged the people of Dagbon to be mindful of people who profit from conflict because there would always be a minority who would not be happy for peace.
“We have to be wary of such people by strengthening the process of reconciliation amongst the people of Dagbon,” he said.
The President also charged sons and daughters of the traditional area to rally behind the new Ya-Naa because as he put it “he is a man of experience and dignity.”
“I believe you are the man to reconcile Dagbon and block the rivalry between the Abudus and Andanis and put Dagbon back on the path to sustainable progress and prosperity’.
The President assured the people of Dagbon that there are good projects coming to the area, which would bring development to the people, adding that the railway project, which would pass through Yendi to Paga and Burkina Faso, would enable the municipality to become a hub of trade and commerce.
The new Yaa Naa, he said, should count on his support to run the Dagbon in an atmosphere of peace and tranquility.
“As I have said before, I am neither Abudu nor Andani, but I am Abudani, a person who stands for unity, reconciliation, and progress in Dagbon’.
The Vo-Naa M.B Bawa, who read a statement on behalf of the Ya-Naa Abukari Mahama II, said the President has fulfilled his promise on Dagbon since assuming office.
“Your Excellency, you have fulfilled your promise to Dagbon. Dagbon will eternally be grateful to you,” he said.
Ya-Naa Abukari Mahama appealed to government to construct a befitting palace which would serve as an icing of the cake as represented by the restored peace.
He called on investors at home and abroad to come to Dagbon and invest, stressing that they can invest in solar energy, sheanuts, mining, agriculture, animal husbandry, tourism and cloth manufacturing, particularly the northern smock which has its origin in Dagbon.
Ya-Naa Abukari Mahama II thanked the Committee of Eminent Chiefs and past governments for their determination to restore peace to Dagbon.
“Mr. President, Dagbon has risen again! Dagbon has taken its place of pride! Dagbon will contribute to the development of Ghana. Dagbon will live in peace, unity and development,’ he said.
Former President John Mahama, President of the National House of Chiefs, Togbe Afede, Dwabenhene, who represented Otumfuo Osei Tutu II all graced the occasion.
Bigwigs of the various political parties in the country were also in attendance.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP), in a congratulatory message, commended the people of Dagbon, particularly the Abudu and Andani Royal families, for their respective commitment towards bringing to an end decades of unrest and division in Dabgon which culminated in the historic coronation of a new Yaa Naa.’
While congratulating the Yoo-Naa, Abubakari Mahama on his coronation as the 42nd Overload of Dagbon, he recounted the ancient rich history of this part of the country dating back to the 13th Century and regretted that it suffered decades of chieftaincy crisis.
The General Secretary of the party, John Boadu, who authored the statement, recalled how successive governments since independence failed to resolve the crisis which plagued Dagbon.
The Eminent Chiefs template set up by former President Agyekum Kufuor, he mentioned, however, stood as the most significant of all the attempts.
The NPP, he said, commended President Akufo-Addo, all past presidents, the Committee of Eminent Chiefs for the feat chalked.
It also praised the heads of the Abudu and Andani Royal Gates for their contributions.
“We also commend the good people of Dagbon for this indelible achievement. It is our fervent hope and expectation that the new Yaa Naa will continue to receive the full cooperation of all stakeholders to help restore Dagbon to its former glory and greatness for the love of God and country,” the statement added.
From Eric Kombat, Yendi