Ya-Na Abukari II passes on

The Gbewa Palace in Yendi has announced the passing of Ya-Na Abukari II.

His son has been appointed Kampakuya Na to serve as Regent of the Dagbon Kingdom, serving as the traditional caretaker and overseeing the kingdom’s affairs on behalf of the Dagbon throne in accordance with Dagbon custom.

Ya-Na Abukari II was born around the 1940s into a Dagbon royal family at Mion to Mahama II, the Yaa Naa from 1938 to February 6, 1948. His mother, Ayishetu, was a princess from Kulunkpegu, a small community near Chaazaadaanyili.

Ya-Na Abukari first undertook public duties as the chief of Kpunkpono until he was elevated to Savelugu, one of three gate skins to succeed the Yaa Naa. On January 18, 2019, following a chieftaincy dispute that left the Yendi skins vacant for 16 years, Ya-Na Abukari was enskinned by the kingmakers of Dagbon as the 41st Ya-Na.

Ascending the Yendi Skin
There are three traditional gate chiefs eligible for the Yendi skin. The Yendi skin is one of the most respected traditional kingdoms in Ghana. According to Dagbon custom and tradition, only three traditional gate chiefs are eligible to ascend to the Yendi skin when a Ya-Na passes.

These three paramount chiefs—Karaga-Na, Yoo-Na, and Mion-Lana—represent the recognized traditional gates from which a new Yaa-Na is selected in accordance with Dagbon customs and traditions. The institution of chieftaincy in Dagbon is built on history, respect, unity, and cultural heritage.

Dagbon Peace
On March 27, 2002, Dagbon and the entire nation were put in a state of shock and sadness following the assassination of Ya-Na Yakubu Andani, who ascended the Dagbon skins in 1974. His death resulted in a 17-year chieftaincy dispute between two factions termed Abudu-Andani.

A committee of eminent chiefs made up of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II; the Yagbonwura, Tuntumba Boresa Sulemana Jakpa I; and the Nayiri, Naa Bohogu Abdulai Mahami Sheriga, was constituted to find a lasting solution to the protracted Dagbon chieftaincy dispute.

On January 18, 2019, after 17 years of dispute, the peace of Dagbon was finally restored, and Ya-Na Abukari was enskinned as the 41st Ya-Na.