Hundreds of dignitaries from across Ghana and abroad have converged on the Gbewaa Palace in Yendi for the Bogli Logbu (Seventh-Day Adua) in honour of the late Overlord of Dagbon, Yaa-Naa Abubakari Mahama II.
The solemn Islamic prayer session, which is underway on Friday, forms the final Islamic observance in the funeral rites of the late monarch before the kingdom proceeds with the remaining customary processes leading to his final funeral rites and the eventual enskinment of a new Yaa-Naa.
Mourners, including traditional rulers, Islamic clerics, government officials, politicians, diplomats and sons and daughters of Dagbon, began arriving in the traditional capital as early as Thursday to participate in the important ceremony.
Leading the government delegation are the Northern Regional Minister, Ali Adolf John Mburidiba; Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture and Member of Parliament for Ayawaso West Wuogon, John Setor Dumelo; National Organiser of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Joseph Yammin; former Minister for Roads and Highways, Inusah Fuseini; Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC), Rashid Tanko-Computer; Alhaji Mohammed Issah Aba, Deputy Head of Mission to South Africa, and the Mayor of Tamale, Alhaji Adam Abubakari Takoro.
The ceremony has also attracted prominent traditional and religious leaders from within and outside the Dagbon Kingdom.
Among them are Mba Dugu, Chief of Staff of the Gbewaa Palace; Naa Yab Nanton Naa; Naa Bakpemah Yoo Naa; Naa Bapri Nasa-Lana; Naa-Beli Zohi Naa; Naa Priba Gundo-Naa Vokpla; the Chief of the Tamale Zongo Community, Sheikh Dalhu Abdul-Mumin; a delegation representing the Ga Mantse, His Royal Majesty King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II; and a delegation from the Dagomba Chief in Canada.
The seventh-day Adua is expected to feature special Islamic prayers led by eminent clerics for Allah’s mercy upon the late Yaa-Naa and for continued peace, unity and stability within the Dagbon Kingdom.
The ceremony follows the successful third-day Adua held last week, which concluded without any security incidents after the Ghana Police Service mounted extensive security arrangements across Yendi.
Yaa-Naa Abubakari Mahama II, who ascended the Dagbon Skin in January 2019, passed away after a brief illness and was laid to rest at Katini in accordance with Dagbon customs and traditions. His death has drawn widespread tributes from traditional rulers, political leaders, diplomatic missions, religious bodies and corporate organisations, with many describing his reign as one that deepened reconciliation, strengthened traditional governance and promoted lasting peace within the ancient Kingdom of Dagbon.
The Gbewaa Palace is expected to announce the next phase of the royal funeral rites after the conclusion of the seventh-day Adua as the kingdom prepares for the customary processes that will eventually lead to the selection and enskinment of a new Overlord of Dagbon.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
