Dagbon Invites Otumfuo to Installation of Regent on July 31

The Dagbon Traditional Council has extended a formal invitation to the King of the Asante Kingdom, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, to attend the enskinment of Kampakuya Naa Yakubu Abukari, eldest son of the late overlord, Ya-Na Abukari II, as Regent.

In accordance with Dagbon tradition, the Regent will oversee the affairs of the kingdom until a new Ya-Na is selected and enskinned.

The invitation was presented on July 21, 2026, when a delegation from the Traditional Council visited the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi to formally announce the Ya-Na’s passing.

Presenting the delegation’s mission, Nanton Naa Bawa said the traditional leader passed away on July 11, 2026, and was buried in the early hours of July 13, 2026, at the Gbewaa Palace in Yendi in accordance with Islamic custom.

The Council has scheduled a seventh-day prayer for July 24, 2026, followed by the installation of the Regent on July 31, 2026, and has invited the Asantehene to the events.

“We bring this announcement to you in person because His Majesty would have wanted his royal brother informed directly with the dignity this loss deserves,” the delegation said.

Asante-Dagbon Ties
The leader of the delegation described the ties between the two kingdoms as one of Ghana’s most historic inter-kingdom relationships.

“Ya-Na Abukari II held Your Royal Majesty and the Asante Kingdom in the highest respect and brotherhood. He saw the unity of Ghana’s traditional leaders as essential to our nation’s peace and development, a conviction he demonstrated throughout his reign,” he said.

Tribute
In his remarks, Otumfuo paid tribute to the late traditional leader for his humility and his role in maintaining peace within the Kingdom.

“He came specifically to bring peace,” His Majesty said.

The Asantehene recalled Ya-Na Abukari II’s quiet role in securing peace following the 16-year conflict that plagued Dagbon.

“He was there to set the records straight. I still remember when he was coming for the meetings {mediation process}. He never showed any sign of being an heir. He was with them quietly and never uttered a word when we were going through the deliberations.”

The Asantehene stated that his leadership was divinely orchestrated.

“When our forefathers said he was the next one, he was received with joy throughout Dagbon. This is the man that had been assigned by Allah and our forefathers to come and streamline Dagbon custom, and he did it. It is in his honour that we now have peace.”

Instilling Tradition
The occupant of the Golden Stool also testified to Ya-Na Abukari II’s commitment to tradition throughout his reign, ensuring that the Kingdom’s blueprint for succession reverted to its original form following political infiltration.

“When he initiated constitutional reforms, he informed me because we had recommended that the way forward was to go back to the tradition as our forefathers laid down. He assured me that he was going to make sure that everything went back to normal as it was,” Otumfuo said.

“He set up a committee to review the constitution of Dagbon to make sure that things fell in place as they should, because there were distortions and politics when regents wanted to ascend to the Na-ship contrary to custom.

“We insisted that that could not be allowed. Anything that goes against Dagbon also affects Asante. Through that, we were able to set the path for the customs and traditions to return as they were. I know that he managed to complete most of the revisions before he passed.”

Peace
His Majesty further urged the Council to uphold the customs and traditions of the Kingdom as re-laid by the late chief, and discouraged any attempt to usurp the constitutional, traditional, and customary order in order to sustain peace.

“Let no one in Dagbon try to usurp the constitutional order, traditional order, or the customary order as have been laid down so that we all live in peace and harmony in his honour,” the Asantehene said.

Otumfuo also expressed his expectation for the next Ya-Na, stating his readiness to work with him for the peace of the Kingdom.

“I am looking forward to the new Ya-Na emerging through customary processes and to continue working with him to ensure that we still have peace in Dagbon. Know that Dagbon and Asante are brothers, and therefore anything that happens there affects me, and whatever happens in Asante affects Dagbon.”

Meanwhile, His Majesty assured the delegation of his resolve to honour the memory of the late ruler at the planned events.

“I am here for whatever you have arranged. I will play a part to honour him.”

Delegation
Members of the delegation also included Pishigu Lana Alhassan, Bamvim Lana Ziblim, and chiefs and elders of the Dagomba Community in Kumasi.

Story by Hajara Fuseini

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