Ya-Na Abukari II Was Chosen By Allah – Otumfuo
The Occupant of the Golden Stool, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has affirmed that the leadership of Ya-Na Abukari II was divinely orchestrated.
Paying tribute to the late traditional leader, the Asantehene said he was appointed to restore peace to the Dagbon Kingdom.
“When our forefathers said he was the next one, he was received with joy throughout Dagbon. This is the man who was 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,” Otumfuo told a delegation from Dagbon that formally announced the passing of the overlord on July 21, 2026.
The Asantehene further 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 [during the 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 Monarch also testified to Ya-Na Abukari II’s commitment to tradition throughout his reign, as he ensured 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.”
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.”
Members of the delegation included Nanton Naa Bawa, Pishigu Lana Alhassan, Bamvim Lana Ziblim, and chiefs and elders of the Dagomba Community in Kumasi.
Story by Hajara Fuseini
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