Kampakuya-Na Yakubu Abukari II, the oldest son of the late Ya-Na Abukari II, has been enskinned as Regent of the Dagbon Traditional Area, pledging to preserve the peace, unity and development legacy of his late father.
The new Regent assumed the traditional role on Friday following the performance of sacred traditional rites earlier in the day.
He was subsequently outdoored at a colourful and heavily attended ceremony held at the forecourt of the Gbewaa Palace in Yendi.
The ceremony attracted prominent dignitaries, including President John Dramani Mahama, Ministers of State, Members of Parliament, former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and former government officials.
Political party leaders, including the General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, also attended the ceremony.
Representatives of the National House of Chiefs and traditional leaders from Mamprugu, Gonja, Wala and Nanung were present, alongside the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, other religious leaders, chiefs and people of Dagbon.
In his inaugural address, which was read on his behalf by the Zangbalun-Lana, Dr Jacob Mahama, the newly enskinned Regent pledged to protect the peace and relationships built by his late father.
“I will preserve every bridge of peace and every relationship he nurtured for the benefit of Dagbon,” he stated.
Kampakuya-Na Abukari II commended the people of Dagbon for the calm and dignified manner in which they conducted themselves following the death of the late Ya-Na.
He said the people’s commitment to peace, unity and patience reflected the values that the late traditional ruler had worked to instil in the kingdom.
The Regent paid glowing tribute to his late father, describing him as a builder of peace, reconciliation and trust whose leadership helped unite communities and strengthen relationships across Dagbon.
He also expressed his commitment to the rotational system of succession in Dagbon, describing it as the foundation of lasting peace between the Abudu and Andani royal gates.
According to him, when the time comes to enskin a new Ya-Na, the process will strictly follow the agreed customs, traditions and established arrangements.
He cautioned individuals and groups against attempts to exploit the transition period for personal or factional interests.
The Regent stressed that the peace and unity of Dagbon would remain his paramount priority.
Kampakuya-Na Abukari II appealed to political leaders, traditional authorities and other stakeholders to support efforts to preserve the peace and harmony that have characterised Dagbon in recent years.
He also pledged to continue development initiatives championed by the late Ya-Na, including the ongoing construction of the Gbewaa Palace.
Other areas he highlighted include agricultural and economic development programmes, the Yendi Campus of the University for Development Studies, as well as partnerships with government, development partners and corporate institutions.
The Regent further assured the gathering that he would sustain the cordial relationships established by his late father with neighbouring traditional areas.
He expressed appreciation to President Mahama for the support extended to the late Ya-Na throughout his reign, particularly during his final days.
He also thanked the President for ensuring that the late traditional ruler was accorded a dignified return home following his death.
President John Dramani Mahama, in paying tribute to the late Ya-Na Abukari II, described him as an exceptional traditional ruler whose reign was characterised by peace, reconciliation and dedication to the welfare of his people.
He congratulated Kampakuya-Na Abukari II on his installation and commended him for pledging to place the traditions and peace of Dagbon above personal interests.
President Mahama reaffirmed the government’s commitment to working with the Regent to continue development projects initiated during the reign of the late Ya-Na.
He also assured the gathering that the National Security Council Secretariat would work to ensure the completion of the ongoing construction of the Gbewaa Palace before the enskinment of a new Ya-Na.
Former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia also paid tribute to the late Ya-Na Abukari II and underscored the need for all stakeholders to safeguard the prevailing peace in the Dagbon Traditional Area.
Buipewura Abdulai Jinapor II, Paramount Chief of the Buipe Traditional Area and Vice President of the National House of Chiefs, who spoke on behalf of the National House of Chiefs, similarly emphasised the importance of maintaining peace in the Dagbon Kingdom.
The late Ya-Na Abukari II died in South Africa on Saturday, July 11, after seven years on the throne.
He was enskinned and officially outdoored on January 25, 2019, marking a historic milestone in the resolution of the 17-year Dagbon Chieftaincy conflict.
The enskinment of Kampakuya-Na Abukari II as Regent now begins a new phase for the Dagbon Traditional Area, with renewed calls for unity, respect for tradition and the preservation of the peace achieved in the kingdom.
GNA