Mahama confident of peaceful Dagbon succession after Ya-Na’s passing

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President John Dramani Mahama has expressed confidence that the succession process in the Dagbon Kingdom will proceed peacefully following the death of the Overlord of Dagbon, His Royal Majesty Ya-Na Abukari Mahama II, saying the late monarch left behind strong institutions to safeguard stability.The President gave the assurance when a delegation from the Dagbon Traditional Council and the Northern Regional House of Chiefs paid a courtesy call on him at the Presidency to formally notify him of the passing of the Ya-Na, who died on July 16.Offering condolences to the chiefs and people of Dagbon, President Mahama said the late king’s reign would be remembered for strengthening peace and laying a solid institutional framework to ensure continuity in the traditional governance of the kingdom.He said one of the most significant achievements of the late Ya-Na was his leadership in securing the unanimous adoption of the Dagbon Constitution, which has provided a clear framework for governance, succession and the preservation of peace.According to the president, the constitutional reforms championed by the late monarch would help guarantee an orderly transition and sustain the gains made in restoring unity to Dagbon.“I’m positive that he has laid the foundation for a smooth succession in Dagbon. And I wish to assure the chiefs and people of Dagbon that government is standing in full solidarity with you during this period of mourning. We shall work closely with the Dagbon Traditional Council to ensure that the appropriate state courtesies and support are extended as preparations are made for the final funeral rites of our departed king,” he said.President Mahama described Ya-Na Abukari Mahama II as a unifying leader whose patience, humility and commitment to reconciliation helped transform Dagbon into a symbol of peace after years of division.He said the late Overlord recognised that lasting peace could only be sustained through strong and credible institutions rather than individual leadership, a vision that guided his efforts to strengthen the kingdom’s governance structures.The President further assured the traditional authorities that the government would continue to collaborate closely with the Dagbon Traditional Council throughout the mourning period to ensure that the late monarch received befitting state courtesies and support during the funeral arrangements.The passing of Ya-Na Abukari Mahama II marks the end of a reign widely credited with consolidating peace and promoting reconciliation in Dagbon following years of conflict, with traditional leaders expected to commence the customary processes leading to the selection of a successor in accordance with Dagbon tradition and the kingdom’s constitutional framework.