Nandom Traditional Authority mourns passing of Dagbon Overlord

The Nandom Traditional Authority has joined the Dagbon Traditional Authority in mourning the passing of the Overlord of the Dagbon Kingdom, Ya-Na Abukari II, who died on Monday.

In a tribute issued from Nandom, the Paramount Chief of the Nandom Traditional Area, Naa Professor Edmund N. Delle Chiir VIII, described the late Ya-Na as "a unifier and a leader dedicated to the development of his kingdom and the people of the northern region."

Naa Delle Chiir VIII said the death of the Dagbon King was a great loss not only to the Dagbon Kingdom but also to the entire Northern Region and Ghana's chieftaincy institution. He noted that the late Ya-Na upheld the rich traditions of Dagbon with dignity while promoting development in education, healthcare, agriculture and youth empowerment.

"The palace of the late Chief was a home for dialogue. His counsel was sought across traditional boundaries because he believed that the strength of one kingdom uplifts all kingdoms," the Paramount Chief said in a statement copied to Modern Ghana News in Accra.

He further commended the late Ya-Na for successfully balancing the preservation of Dagbon's customs, festivals and chieftaincy institutions with efforts to promote modern development for the benefit of his people.

The Nandom Traditional Authority expressed its solidarity with the people of Dagbon during this period of mourning and praised the Dagbon Traditional Authority for the orderly manner in which the funeral rites are being conducted.

Naa Delle Chiir VIII also directed that special prayers be offered in communities across the Nandom Traditional Area for the peaceful repose of the late Ya-Na and for continued peace and stability within the Dagbon Kingdom.

"As traditional leaders, our duty now is to honor his memory through action. Let us deepen the bonds between Dagbon and Nandom, and pursue with renewed vigor the development agenda he championed for our people," he said.

The Nandom Traditional Council said it would observe the mourning period in accordance with the customs and traditions of the Northern Ghana Traditional Council.

The statement concluded with prayers for the peaceful repose of the late Ya-Na's soul.