A delegation from the Dagbon Traditional Council on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, formally informed the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, of the sudden passing of its overlord, Yaa Naa Mahama Abukari II.
The delegation visited the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi to deliver the announcement.
In his presentation, the leader of the delegation, Nanton Naa Bawa, acknowledged the ties between the two kingdoms as one of Ghana’s most historic inter-kingdom relationships.
He told the Asantehene that the deceased 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.
“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.
Yaa Naa 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.
The Council has scheduled a seventh-day prayer for July 24. followed by the installation of Kampakuya Naa Yakubu Abukari, eldest son of the late overlord, as Regent on July 31. The Asantehene has been invited to both events.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II paid tribute to the late traditional leader for his humility and his role in maintaining peace within the Kingdom, describing his leadership as divine.
“He was there to set the records straight. I still remember when he was coming for the meetings. 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.
“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,” said the Asantehene.
His Majesty urged the Council to uphold the customs and traditions of the Kingdom as laid down by the late chief and cautioned against attempts to undermine the constitutional, traditional, and customary order.
“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.”
