President Mahama and Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia Attend Enskinment of Kampakuya Naa Yakubu Abukari as Regent of Dagbon

On July 31, 2026, the Dagbon Traditional Area marked a pivotal moment in its history with the official enskinment of Kampakuya Naa Yakubu Abukari as its Regent. The ceremony, held at the historic Gbewaa Palace in Yendi, follows the passing of the Overlord of Dagbon, Ya-Na Abukari Mahama II, on July 11, 2026. The outdooring of the new Regent signifies a critical step in the kingdom’s succession process, as he is now tasked with overseeing the affairs of Dagbon until the final funeral rites of the late Ya-Na are performed and a new Overlord is selected. The event was characterized by traditional drumming and sacred rituals, drawing thousands of mourners and well-wishers to the traditional capital.

President John Dramani Mahama, attending the ceremony alongside senior government officials, urged the new Regent to prioritize the preservation of peace and unity within the kingdom. Commending the people of Dagbon for their resilience and maturity during this transition, the President charged Kampakuya Naa Yakubu Abukari to sustain the development legacy left by his father. President Mahama reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to collaborating with the Dagbon Traditional Council on various infrastructure projects, including the ongoing construction of the Gbewaa Palace, emphasizing that stability in the region is paramount for national progress.

In his inaugural address, the newly installed Regent, Kampakuya Naa Yakubu Abukari, pledged to uphold the traditional customs and the rotational chieftaincy succession system that underpins Dagbon’s heritage. He vowed not to destroy the legacy of peace and reconciliation established during his late father's reign, appealing to all stakeholders and community leaders to support him during this interim period. The Regent’s speech highlighted a commitment to maintaining the relationships and developmental initiatives initiated by the late Ya-Na, promising to foster an environment of harmony as the kingdom prepares for its next chapter.

The ceremony also saw the presence of former Vice President and 2028 NPP presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, who paid a glowing tribute to the late Ya-Na Abukari Mahama II. Dr. Bawumia described the late Overlord as a unifying leader whose commitment to peace transformed the region, sharing personal anecdotes of their relationship to illustrate the late leader’s wisdom and humor. The bipartisan attendance of Ghana's top political leadership underscored the national importance of Dagbon’s stability and the collective desire to see a smooth transition of power within one of the country's most prominent traditional states.

To ensure the safety of the proceedings, security was significantly heightened in Yendi, with over 600 personnel deployed to the area. The successful enskinment of the Regent now sets the stage for the traditional calendar of events that will eventually lead to the installation of a substantive Ya-Na. As the Regent begins his temporary tenure, the focus of the Dagbon Traditional Council shifts toward the organization of the late Overlord’s final funeral rites, a process that will require continued collaboration between traditional authorities and the central government to maintain the peace that has come to define the kingdom in recent years.