Yaa Naa Mahama Abukari II, the King of Dagbon, has died.
The 41st Yaa Naa was enskinned on January 18, 2019, following a peace process that ended the 16-year chieftaincy dispute between the Abudu and Andani royal gates over the Dagbon traditional leadership.
His enskinment followed the implementation of a roadmap for peace brokered through mediation efforts involving the government and eminent chiefs after the Yendi skin had remained vacant since 2002.
Before ascending to the Yendi throne, Yaa Naa Mahama Abukari II, born Bukali in Mion, served as chief of Kpunkpono and later as the Savelugu Naa, one of the traditional gate skins whose occupants are eligible for the Dagbon kingship.
During his reign, traditional ceremonies suspended during the chieftaincy conflict resumed, while efforts were made to strengthen reconciliation within the kingdom.
His death brings to an end a reign that followed the resolution of one of Ghana’s longest-running chieftaincy disputes. Further details surrounding his passing are yet to be announced.