Andanis petition Otumfuo over funeral infractions

The Andani royal family in Dagbon, Northern Region, has appealed to the Chairman of the Committee of Eminent Chiefs, Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II to intervene in what they have described as a barrier in the process leading to the funeral of the late Ya Na Abdulai Yakubu Andani II.

Tonglana Yakubu Andani, in a petition copied to President Nana Akufo-Addo and National Security Minister Albert Kan-Dapaah, said the family will be unable to perform the funeral of the late Overload in the face of the particular hurdle, which contravenes the customs and tradition of Dagbon.

He explained that the continuous stay of Bolinlana Mahamadu Abdulai at the residence of the Mba Dugu is affecting the preparations of the Andani family.

The Tonglana stated that while the house in question is the traditional residence of the Mba Dugu, it is also the place where the Yeni Limam (Chief Imam) and the Gundo Na (Queen Mother) take up temporary residence before the commencement of the funeral rites of a Ya Na, in which all the three play vital roles.

According to the Tonglana, the significance of the house in question also lies in the fact that it is the final stop of a newly-enskinned Ya Na upon leaving the Zohi Palace before he is eventually ushered into the Gbewaa Palace.

Therefore, he said, if the said house is under alien occupation, the funeral of Ya Na Yakubu Andani II cannot proceed.

“Our final appeal to Your Royal Highness is for you to intervene and have these concerns addressed in a manner consistent with Dagbon traditions and customs. We will be unable to proceed with the performance of the funeral of Ya Na Yakubu Andani II in the face of such infractions of our customs and traditions and the blatant manifestation of impunity emanating from the other side”, he noted.

The Andani royal family was expected to begin the funeral rites of the late Ya Na Abdulai Yakubu Andani II on 4 January 2019 but the family postponed it to 11 January 2019.

The Chairman of the Andani Youth Association, Mr Anas Abdulai told Class91.3FM’s regional correspondent that the Northern Regional Security Council had given them the assurance that the Bolinlana will be vacating the house before the new date is due.

According to the roadmap rolled out by the Committee of Eminent Chiefs and subsequently given executive approval by President Nana Akufo-Addo, the funeral of Ya Na Yakubu Andani II is expected to end on 18 January 2019 before the kingmakers nominate and enskin a new Ya Na.