Boling-Lana endorses new Yaa-Naa nominee and calls for calm

Leader of the Abudu family in Dagbang, the Boling-Lana Abdulai Mahamadu has endorsed the selection of Naa Abukari Mahama as the new Yaa-Naa.

In an exclusive telephone interview with Abdul Karim Naatogmah soon after the decision was arrived at, he described the move as a beacon of peace and blessings for the Dagbang Traditional Area.

He urged all sons and daughters of the Abudu family to remain calm and rally their support behind the new Yaa-Naa.

According to the Boling-Lana Abdulai Mahamadu, Dagbang is bigger than any individual's interest, hence the need for all Dagombas to adore the yet to be unveiled Yaa-Naa Abukari Mahama as the new King.

He prayed for Allah's mercy and forgiveness for all Dagombas who might have lost their lives or livelihood because of the age long protracted chieftaincy dispute which sharply divided Dagbang on Abudu and Andani lines.

The Boling-Lana further praised government and the Asantehene led Mediation Committee for bringing to finality the chieftaincy impasse between the two Royals in Dagbang.

He singularly praised the Northern Regional Security Council led by its Chairman Salifu Sae-ed for demonstrating the exemplary leadership before, during and after the final funeral services of the late two Yaa-Naas, Mahamudu Abdulai IV and Yakubu Andani II.

It is expected that the Boling-Lana and the Kampakuya-Naa would be given skin gates for the Dagbang Namship to return to its rotational shifts.

Savelugu chief's nomination

The custodians of Dagbon traditions led by the Gushei Naa and Kugnaa have nominated the Chief of Savulugu to succeed the late Ya Naa Yakubu Andani II who died in 2002. The Chief of Savulugu, Yoo Naa Abubakar is the head of the Andani Royal family in Dagbon.

The nomination is in line with the customs and traditions in respect of succession to the Kingship of Dagbon.

The decision of the traditional selection committee is also in line with the Dagbon constitution of 1930 and the Supreme Court decision of December 1986.

The Supreme Court in 1986 ordered that only occupants of the gate skins of Mion, Karaga and Savulugu are eligible to contest for the Kingship of Dagbon. The Supreme Court decision also barred regents of deceased Ya Naa’s from contesting for the nam of Yendi.

Dagbon has been engulfed in protracted chieftaincy dispute which had claimed several lives and destroyed properties.

The Government of President Kufour constituted the Otumfou committee of Eminent Chiefs to employ customary mechanisms to resolve the problem.

The committee finally managed to get the Abudu and Andani royal families to commit to the roadmap to peace in Dagbon. This has led to the performance of the funeral rites of the late Ya Naas, Naa Mahamadu Abdulai and Naa Yakubu Andani.

The coronation of the new Ya-Naa begins as soon as possible.