President Mahama Commends Yaa Naa and Dagbon Chiefs for Sustaining Peace in Northern

President John Dramani Mahama has praised Yaa Naa Abukari II, the chiefs, and the people of Dagbon for maintaining lasting peace in the area, describing the Kingdom as a powerful example of how even the most protracted conflicts can be resolved through leadership, patience, and collective commitment.

The President made the remarks when members of the Northern Regional House of Chiefs paid a courtesy call on him at the Jubilee House in Accra.

The delegation was led by Nyelinbolgu Naa Yakubu Andani Dasana II, who represented the Yaa Naa and formally congratulated President Mahama on his victory in the 2024 general election.

Dagbon Peace a Proud National Achievement

President Mahama noted that the restoration of peace in Dagbon remains one of Ghana’s most remarkable success stories in conflict resolution.

“Dagbon itself stands today as a powerful symbol that even the most difficult conflict can be resolved through courage, leadership, patience, and collective commitment to peace,” he stated.

He added that the peaceful resolution of the long-standing Dagbon chieftaincy dispute demonstrates what can be achieved when traditional authorities, eminent personalities, government institutions, and local communities work together in good faith.

“The restoration of peace in Dagbon remains one of the proudest examples of what Ghana can achieve when traditional authority, the state’s eminent personalities and communities work together in good faith.”

The President said the Dagbon experience should serve as a blueprint for resolving conflicts in other parts of the country.

Chiefs Are Strategic Partners in Governance

President Mahama stressed that Ghana’s development cannot be driven solely from Accra, emphasizing that national transformation must be rooted in local communities and guided by active citizen participation.

He said his administration views chiefs not as ceremonial leaders but as critical partners in governance, peacebuilding, social mobilization, and development.

“We see traditional authorities as strategic partners in governance, peace building, social mobilisation and development.”

According to him, the government’s Reset Agenda includes redefining and strengthening the relationship between state institutions and traditional authorities.

Constitutional Review Could Expand Chiefs’ Role

President Mahama revealed that Cabinet had begun reviewing the government’s response to the Constitutional Review Committee’s report on Thursday, May 15, 2026.

Although discussions had not yet reached matters concerning chieftaincy, the President expressed hope that the reforms would grant chiefs a more substantive role in local administration and governance.

He disclosed that he had earlier encouraged the National House of Chiefs to submit proposals to ensure their views were captured in the constitutional amendment process.

President Mahama said the proposals presented by the Northern Regional House of Chiefs were timely and would help shape Cabinet’s deliberations on the Constitutional Review Implementation Committee report.

Northern Regional Chiefs Propose Formal Partnership with Government

Speaking on behalf of the House, Nyelinbolgu Naa Yakubu Andani Dasana II proposed a shift from ad hoc consultations with chiefs to a structured and institutionalized partnership between government and traditional authorities.

The proposal aims to strengthen collaboration on governance, conflict prevention, and community development across Ghana.

Sustaining Peace in Dagbon

The President’s commendation comes as Dagbon continues to enjoy relative peace following the successful implementation of the Eminent Chiefs Committee roadmap, which ended years of conflict over the Dagbon skin.

The sustained peace has been widely regarded as a major milestone for traditional leadership and national unity in Ghana.