The Kingdom of Dagbon has been plunged into mourning following reports that His Royal Majesty, Yaa-Naa Abubakari Mahama II, has died in South Africa, where he had travelled to seek medical treatment after a brief illness.
Information reaching KumasiMail from Yendi, the traditional capital of the Dagbon Kingdom, indicates that the revered monarch passed away while receiving medical care. As of the time of filing this report, an official announcement from the Dagbon Traditional Council was still being awaited.
Sources in Yendi say arrangements are underway for the late King’s body to be flown back to Ghana, with traditional funeral rites expected to commence in Yendi from Monday, July 13, 2026.
The reported passing of the Yaa-Naa marks the end of a reign that many regard as one of reconciliation, stability and renewed unity within the Dagbon Kingdom.
Born in 1939 in Yendi, Yaa-Naa Abubakari Mahama II was the second child of Queen Duhili Ayishetu, daughter of Kulunkpe-Naa Abukari. He was the son of Ya-Naa Mahama II, grandson of Ya-Naa Andani II and the paternal uncle of the late Ya-Naa Yakubu II.
Before ascending the skin of Dagbon in January 2019, he served as Paramount Chief of Savelugu after previously occupying the skin of Kponkpano, a community near Yendi.
Away from the palace, he was widely respected as a hardworking farmer. Having farmed since the 1960s, he was known for his expertise in bullock ploughing and was admired as an accomplished horseman, reflecting the rich traditions of Dagbon.
As Overlord of Dagbon, his authority extended across nearly 80 percent of the Northern Region, where hundreds of paramount, divisional and sub-chiefs owed allegiance to the Dagbon skin. As custodian of the kingdom’s lands and traditions, he supervised the installation of chiefs in communities where chieftaincy vacancies arose, safeguarding one of Ghana’s oldest traditional institutions.
Although he occupied the skin for just over seven years, his reign was defined by efforts to foster peaceful coexistence among Dagombas, regardless of their royal gate. His commitment to reconciliation helped consolidate the peace that had gradually returned to the kingdom after years of conflict.
One of the defining moments of his reign came in February 2025 when he paid a historic return royal visit to the King of Gonjaland, reaffirming the longstanding bonds between the two traditional kingdoms and promoting unity across northern Ghana.
The Dagbon Kingdom, established in the 15th century, is regarded by historians as one of Ghana’s oldest and most influential traditional states, predating the Ashanti Kingdom by about three centuries. The reported death of its Overlord therefore represents not only a profound loss to the people of Dagbon but also a significant moment in Ghana’s traditional history.
Kumasi Mail will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as official confirmation and funeral arrangements are announced.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
