The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has urged the people of Dagbon to protect the constitutional, traditional and customary structures established by the late Yaa Naa Mahama Abukari II, warning against any attempt to undermine the Kingdom’s order.

The caution was issued when a delegation from the Dagbon Traditional Council visited the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, to formally inform the Asantehene about the passing of the Dagbon overlord.

The delegation, led by Nanton Naa Bawa, announced that Yaa Naa Abukari II died on July 11, 2026, and was buried at the Gbewaa Palace in Yendi in the early hours of July 13, 2026, in accordance with Islamic tradition.

Paying tribute to the late traditional ruler, Otumfuo described Yaa Naa Abukari II as a humble leader whose reign brought stability and peace to Dagbon after years of challenges within the Kingdom.

“He was there to set the records straight. I still remember when he was coming for the meetings. He never showed any sign of being an heir. He was with them quietly and never uttered a word when we were going through the deliberations,” the Asantehene said.

Otumfuo said the late Yaa Naa was chosen by tradition and accepted by the people of Dagbon, describing his leadership as a divine assignment that helped restore peace and strengthen the Kingdom’s customs.

“This is the man that had been assigned by Allah and our forefathers to come and streamline Dagbon custom, and he did it. It is in his honour that we now have peace,” he added.

The Asantehene subsequently called on all stakeholders in Dagbon to uphold the traditions and succession arrangements established during Yaa Naa Abukari II’s reign.

“Let no one in Dagbon try to usurp the constitutional order, traditional order, or the customary order as have been laid down so that we all live in peace and harmony in his honour,” Otumfuo cautioned.

The Dagbon Traditional Council has scheduled a seventh-day prayer in memory of the late overlord for July 24, 2026, while Kampakuya Naa Yakubu Abukari, the eldest son of the deceased Yaa Naa, is expected to be installed as Regent on July 31, 2026.