‘His reign was short but impactful’ — Bawumia pays tribute to late Dagbon King

New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has expressed condolences to the chiefs and people of the Dagbon Kingdom following the death of Yaa-Naa Abukari Mahama II, describing the late monarch as a unifying leader whose reign brought peace, stability, and development to the traditional area.

In a statement issued on Monday, July 13, Dr Bawumia said the passing of the Dagbon overlord was a great loss not only to the kingdom but to Ghana as a whole.

“To Allah we belong completely and to Him shall we return ultimately,” he said.

“It is with grief that I send my sincere condolences to the Chiefs and people of the Dagbon Kingdom on the passing of Ndan Ya-Na Abukari Mahama II.”

Dr Bawumia said the late king assumed the throne during one of the most difficult periods in Dagbon’s history but led the kingdom with wisdom and patience.

“Ndan Ya-Na Abukari II emerged as the King of Dagbon during one of the most challenging periods in Dagbon history, and with ancestral wisdom and patience, he guided the ancient Kingdom towards peace, unity and prosperity,” he said.

He credited the monarch with healing divisions within Dagbon and championing development throughout his reign.

“His reign was short but greatly impactful. Through his wise leadership, he united families once broken and healed a society greatly fractured before him. He represented a blend of tradition and modernity perfectly in the way he led Dagbon. He constantly advocated for and lobbied for major developmental projects in Dagbon.”

Reflecting on his personal relationship with the late Yaa-Naa, Dr Bawumia said he benefited greatly from the monarch’s counsel during his tenure as Vice President and later as the NPP’s presidential candidate.

“At the personal level, I benefited immensely from his counsel during my time as Vice President of Ghana and later, as the Presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party. It was always an honour to pay him homage at the ancient Gbewaa Palace and to draw from his immeasurable wisdom and guidance.”

Dr Bawumia said the king’s death was a personal loss and prayed for strength for his family, the chiefs and people of Dagbon, and the nation.

“His passing marks a great loss to me, to the Dagbon Kingdom, and to Ghana as a whole.

“May Allah comfort his immediate family, the Chiefs, and people of Dagbon, and Ghana as a whole. It is a painful affliction,” he said.