The King Who Healed Dagbon: Honouring Yaa Naa Abukari II

The passing of Yaa Naa Abukari II on July 13, 2026, marks the end of an era for the Kingdom of Dagbon. His reign symbolised reconciliation, stability and renewal after one of Ghana’s longest and most painful traditional leadership conflicts.

From humble beginnings as a farmer and cattle herder to becoming the 41st King of Dagbon, his life was defined by patience, service and a commitment to restoring unity within the kingdom.

Early Life

Born in Mion in 1939, Yaa Naa Abukari II was the second child of Yaa Naa Mahama II and Queen Ayishetu, a princess from Kulunkpegu. Following the death of his father in 1948 while he was still young, he grew up understanding the responsibilities and expectations that came with Dagbon royalty.

Long before ascending the throne, he lived as an ordinary chief, managing farms, rearing cattle, ploughing fields with bullocks and riding horses across Savelugu. At the time, few people outside Dagbon knew his name.

Journey to the Throne

His rise through the traditional hierarchy was gradual. He first occupied the Kpunkpono skin in the late 1990s before becoming the chief of Savelugu (Yoo Naa) in 2011. Savelugu is one of the three gate skins eligible to produce a Yaa Naa, placing him among those qualified to occupy Dagbon’s highest traditional office.

His opportunity came after years of uncertainty that followed the 2002 killing of Yaa Naa Yakubu Andani II during violent clashes at the Gbewaa Palace. The incident left Dagbon without a king for nearly 17 years as succession disputes between the Abudu and Andani royal gates prevented the installation of a new overlord.

A peace process led by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, alongside the Committee of Eminent Chiefs and successive Ghanaian governments, eventually paved the way for reconciliation.

On January 18, 2019, after the completion of the funeral rites of Yaa Naa Yakubu Andani II, the Dagbon kingmakers consulted the traditional oracle. Among four contenders, Abukari II was selected as the next Yaa Naa.

His enskinment took place between January 25 and 27, 2019, attracting national attention. The ceremony was attended by then-President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, former Presidents John Dramani Mahama and Jerry John Rawlings, as well as prominent traditional rulers from across Ghana.

Soon after his installation, the palace officially clarified that his royal title should be “Yaa Naa Abukari II,” distinguishing his identity as king from his previous personal name.

Leadership and Achievements

Yaa Naa Abukari II focused much of his reign on rebuilding Dagbon and strengthening its institutions.

In 2021, he established the Dagbon Development Fund to support development initiatives across the kingdom. Two years later, he launched the reconstruction of the historic Gbewaa Palace, which had deteriorated during the years the throne remained vacant. The project received support from Dagomba communities both in Ghana and abroad.

Recognising the need to prevent future succession disputes, he also initiated a review of Dagbon’s 1930 constitution in 2020. The revised constitution was adopted by the Dagbon Traditional Council in 2022, introducing reforms aimed at promoting clarity, stability and lasting peace within the kingdom.

Beyond Dagbon, he extended support to communities affected by disasters. Following the 2023 Akosombo Dam spillage, he donated 300 bags of maize, 100 bags of rice and 400 tubes of yams to flood victims in the Volta Region, while additional relief supplies were sent to affected communities in Buipe in the Savannah Region.

In 2024, he facilitated a partnership between Tamale Technical University and a university in Bursa, Türkiye, creating new opportunities for technical education and skills development for young people in northern Ghana.

National Recognition

His efforts earned national recognition in November 2025 when the University for Development Studies awarded him an honorary doctorate.

The university praised his role in promoting peace, reconciliation and institutional reforms within Dagbon. As part of the occasion, Yaa Naa Abukari II donated 500 acres of land in Yendi for the establishment of a new UDS campus, reflecting his commitment to education and long-term development.

Even in the final years of his reign, he remained actively engaged in national affairs. In 2025, he joined other traditional leaders in a meeting with President John Dramani Mahama at Jubilee House to discuss issues affecting traditional governance and national development.

His Legacy

Yaa Naa Abukari II transformed a kingdom emerging from years of conflict into one focused on peace, development and reconciliation. Rather than inheriting a stable throne, he inherited a deeply divided kingdom and dedicated his reign to healing old wounds and strengthening Dagbon’s future.

His leadership will be remembered not only for restoring confidence in the Dagbon chieftaincy institution but also for laying the foundation for sustainable peace and progress.

His Passing

Yaa Naa Abukari II died on July 13, 2026, bringing to an end a reign that became a symbol of unity after years of division.

His death is expected to be widely mourned across Dagbon, Ghana and among Dagomba communities around the world, as many reflect on his lasting contributions to peace, reconciliation and the development of the kingdom.