Ya-Na Abukari II passes on, Kampakuya-Na outdoored as Regent

Ya-Na Abukari II, the Overlord of the Dagbon Traditional Area, is dead. 

The Ghana News Agency (GNA) understands that he passed away on Saturday July 11, 2026, in South Africa. 

To avert a leadership vacuum in the Dagbon Kingdom, Kampakuya-Na Yakubu has been outdoored as Regent and will oversee the affairs of the Kingdom until a new Ya-Na is selected and enskinned, in accordance with their customs and traditions. 

Ya-Na Abukari, was enskinned and officially outdoored on January 25, 2019, marking a historic milestone in the resolution of the 17-year Dagbon Chieftaincy conflict. 

His enskinment followed the implementation of the recommendations of the Committee of Eminent Chiefs, bringing an end to the protracted dispute between the Andani and Abudu Royal Gates that divided the kingdom for nearly two decades. 

He succeeded Ya-Na Yakubu Andani II, who was killed in 2002 in clashes that triggered the prolonged chieftaincy conflict and claimed many lives while disrupting peace and development in Dagbon. 

During his seven-year reign, Ya-Na Abukari was widely credited with consolidating peace, reconciliation and stability across the Dagbon Traditional Area. 

He worked closely with traditional authorities, government, and development partners to foster unity and champion initiatives aimed at accelerating the socio-economic development of the kingdom. 

His reign witnessed renewed cooperation among the royal gates and increased efforts to promote education, infrastructure development and peaceful coexistence within Dagbon. 

Source: GNA