The Savannah Regional branch of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has joined the nation in mourning the passing of the Overlord of Dagbon, Yaa-Naa Abubakari Mahama II, describing him as a symbol of wisdom, unity and peaceful leadership whose legacy will continue to inspire generations.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, the party said it received with “profound sorrow” the formal announcement of the King’s passing, noting that the sound of the royal drums had signalled yet another historic moment in the ancient Kingdom of Dagbon.
“The drum has sounded, and Dagbon mourns. The Savannah Region mourns with you,” the statement, signed by the Savannah Regional Communications Director, Frederick Abukari Tahiru, said.
The party described the late monarch as more than a traditional ruler, saying he embodied the history, values and aspirations of the Dagbon Kingdom.
“To Dagbon, the Yaa-Naa was more than a king. He was the embodiment of wisdom, unity and the living history of a people. Under his reign, the gates of peace were held firm, and the values of humility, patience and consultation guided a kingdom renowned for its culture and dignity,” the statement noted.
The Savannah NPP said the late Yaa-Naa’s reign served as a bridge between the kingdom’s rich traditions and its modern aspirations, adding that his counsel remained a source of guidance for chiefs, elders and subjects alike.
Reflecting on the historical ties between Dagbon and Gonjaland, the party said the bond between the two traditional areas remains deeply rooted despite the creation of the Savannah Region from the former Northern Region.
“The Savannah Region was administratively carved from the womb of the Northern Region, and a mother never ceases to be honoured by her children. We hold that bond in the highest reverence,” the statement said.
The party also recalled the historic royal exchange between the late Yaa-Naa and the Yagbonwura, describing it as a powerful symbol of the enduring relationship between the Dagomba and Gonja people.
“That brotherhood was made visible again only recently when His Royal Majesty, the Yagbonwura of Gonjaland, paid a courtesy visit to the Yaa-Naa in Yendi. That gesture spoke the language our ancestors taught us: that Gonja and Dagomba are one family, that different skins can share one blood, and that respect between stools is the foundation of a peaceful land.”
The NPP further reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the institution of chieftaincy and promoting peaceful coexistence, arguing that sustainable development can only thrive where there is peace and respect for traditional authority.
“As a political party, the New Patriotic Party has always believed that development without peace is an empty promise, and peace without tradition is without roots,” the statement said, adding that the party would continue to support initiatives that strengthen communal harmony and improve the lives of people across the Savannah and Northern regions.
The party extended its condolences to the Gbewaa Palace, the Kampakuya-Naa, chiefs and elders of Dagbon, as well as Dagombas at home and in the diaspora, praying that the late King’s legacy of wisdom and peace would continue to guide the kingdom.
“May the ancestors welcome Ndan Yaa-Naa Abukari II with honour. May his wisdom continue to guide us. And may the peace he protected endure in Dagbon, in Savannah, and across our motherland, Ghana.”
Yaa-Naa Abubakari Mahama II, who ascended the Skin of Dagbon in January 2019, passed away after a brief illness. Since his passing, tributes have poured in from traditional rulers, political leaders, diplomatic missions, business executives and citizens across Ghana and beyond, all celebrating a reign widely remembered for strengthening reconciliation, stability and unity within the Dagbon Kingdom.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
