I Look Forward to Enskinment of Next Ya-Na Through Customary Processes – Otumfuo

The King of the Asante Kingdom, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has expressed his wish to see the selection and enskinment of the next Overlord of Dagbon follow due traditional process.

His Majesty said the adherence to custom would help sustain the gains in peace achieved within the Traditional Council.

During a courtesy visit by a delegation from the Council on July 21, 2026, Otumfuo assured them of his resolve to collaborate in building peace with whoever is duly enskinned in the stead of Ya-Na Abukari II.

“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,” he said.

His Majesty also highlighted the gains chalked by Ya-Na Abukari II in ensuring that the Kingdom’s blueprint for succession reverted to its original form following political infiltration, and called for the progress to be jealously guarded.

“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.

The delegation from Dagbon 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 a Regent on July 31, 2026, and has invited the Asantehene to the events.

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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