President Mahama Mourns Ya-Na Mahama Abubakari II and Outlines Sweeping Land and Chieftaincy Reforms

Ghana is in a state of mourning following the passing of the Overlord of Dagbon, Ya-Na Mahama Abubakari II, who died on July 11, 2026. President John Dramani Mahama has characterized the monarch's death as a profound national loss, praising his instrumental role in fostering peace and unity within the Dagbon Kingdom since his enskinment in 2019. The late Ya-Na, who was laid to rest on July 13 according to Islamic and Dagbon customs, is remembered for his humility, consultative leadership, and his success in healing long-standing divisions. Members of Parliament and Speaker Alban Bagbin have paid glowing tributes to his legacy, urging the people of Dagbon to honor the late King by maintaining the stability and reconciliation he championed. A formal delegation has already notified the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, with a seventh-day prayer scheduled for July 24 and the installation of a regent set for July 31, 2026.

In tandem with these national mourning activities, President Mahama has engaged in high-level discussions with the Greater Accra Region House of Chiefs to address critical issues of governance and land administration. During a meeting led by Oboade Notse King Professor Odaifio Welentsi III, the President proposed constitutional amendments intended to provide clearer roles for traditional authorities within the local government framework. Mahama expressed his commitment to resolving long-standing concerns regarding state-acquired lands and the protection of public spaces. A key highlight of this agenda is the revocation of Executive Instrument 144, a move designed to restore the protected status of the Achimota Forest Reserve and ensure it is not sacrificed for private development. The President emphasized that his administration is reviewing questionable land transactions and will introduce legislation requiring parliamentary approval for the disposal of public properties.

Simultaneously, the government and state agencies like TDC Ghana Ltd are intensifying efforts to combat illegal development on Ramsar sites and waterways, which have been identified as primary causes of devastating flooding in regions like Tema and Greater Accra. President Mahama issued a stern warning to traditional leaders against the allocation of land in flood-prone buffer zones and wetlands, noting that human activities such as blocking drains exacerbate the impact of heavy rainfall. TDC Ghana has recently intensified the demolition of illegal structures in Communities Five, Six, and 12, despite resistance from occupants using forged documents. These coordinated efforts between the executive, traditional councils, and land management agencies signal a broader national strategy to enhance transparency in land administration while safeguarding Ghana’s environmental heritage for future generations.