Haruna Iddrisu Pays Tribute to Ya-Na Abubakari Mahama II, Hails Him as a Great Unifier of Dagbon

Haruna Iddrisu, Member of Parliament for Tamale South, has paid glowing tribute to the late Overlord of Dagbon, Ya-Na Abubakari Mahama II, describing him as an exceptional leader whose unwavering commitment to peace, reconciliation and unity transformed the Dagbon Kingdom and secured a lasting legacy for generations to come.

The tribute follows the announcement of the revered monarch’s passing on Monday, July 13, after traditional customary rites were performed at the Gbewaa Palace in Yendi.

In a heartfelt statement issued on Monday, Haruna Iddrisu said the passing of Ya-Na Abubakari Mahama II was a monumental loss not only to the people of Dagbon but to Ghana as a whole, noting that the kingdom had lost one of its greatest champions of peace and unity.

“Today, Dagbon has lost more than a king; we have lost a great unifier,” the statement read.

Reflecting on the rich history of the ancient Dagbon Kingdom, the former Minority Leader recounted that the kingdom was established between the 13th and 15th centuries by northern warriors led by the legendary Tohazie, popularly known as the “Red Hunter.”

He stated that the late Ya-Na faithfully upheld the legacy of Dagbon’s founding fathers while strengthening the kingdom’s political and traditional institutions through his leadership.

“You stood on the enduring legacy of your forebears, Naa Gbewaa and his grandson, Naa Nyagsi, who consolidated and strengthened Dagbon’s formal political structure,” the statement noted.

Haruna Iddrisu further praised the late monarch for promoting reconciliation and healing longstanding divisions within Dagbon, particularly by fostering harmony between the Abudu and Andani royal gates after years of conflict.

“Your Majesty built bridges, inspired reconciliation, and left behind a legacy of peace that will endure for generations,” he stated.

The Tamale South MP urged the people of Dagbon to honour the memory of the late King by preserving the peace and unity he tirelessly worked to restore, stressing the importance of maintaining the kingdom’s traditional rotational succession system.

“The greatest tribute we can pay to your memory is to preserve and strengthen the unity you restored by faithfully upholding our cherished rotational succession tradition,” the statement added.

He also expressed hope that the rotational succession arrangement between the Abudu and Andani royal gates would continue to reinforce peace and stability in the kingdom.

“May an Abudu succeed an Andani, and an Andani succeed an Abudu, so that Dagbon remains united, peaceful, and strong.”

Concluding his tribute, Haruna Iddrisu described Ya-Na Abubakari Mahama II as a towering symbol of unity whose leadership would remain etched in the history of Dagbon.

“Farewell to a colossus of unity. May Almighty Allah grant Your Majesty Al-Jannah Firdaus and continue to bless the Kingdom of Dagbon with lasting peace. Rest in perfect peace, Ya-Na.”