Dr Bawumia Joins National Mourning As Dagbon Buries Yaa Naa Abubakari II

Former Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia has paid tribute to the late Overlord of Dagbon, Yaa Naa Abubakari II, describing his reign as “short but impactful”, as the traditional ruler was laid to rest in Yendi and the kingdom entered a period of mourning.  

The Yaa Naa was buried at dawn on Monday in accordance with Dagbon custom after thousands of mourners, traditional leaders, politicians and residents gathered in Yendi to pay their final respects. 

The burial marks the beginning of traditional mourning rites across the kingdom.  

Dr Bawumia, who visited the late king’s private residence in Tamale to commiserate with the royal family, said the monarch’s time on the skin had left a lasting mark on Dagbon.

“His reign was short but impactful,” he said, adding that the late Yaa Naa had worked to promote peace, unity and development within the kingdom.  

The death of Yaa Naa Abubakari II was announced on Monday morning, drawing tributes from political leaders, traditional authorities and members of the public across Ghana.  

Yaa Naa Abubakari II, known in private life as Abukari Mahama, became the 41st Overlord of Dagbon in January 2019 following the resolution of the protracted Dagbon chieftaincy conflict that had left the kingdom without a substantive king for more than 16 years. 

His enskinment was widely seen as a major milestone in restoring peace to one of Ghana’s oldest traditional kingdoms.  

Since ascending the skin, the late monarch played a key role in promoting reconciliation and stability within Dagbon while championing development initiatives across the Northern Region.  

Traditional funeral rites for a Yaa Naa follow long-established customs and are conducted with strict observance of Dagbon tradition. 

Following Monday’s burial, the kingdom is expected to observe a period of mourning before customary processes towards selecting a successor begin.