Yaa-Naa's funeral: Bawumia deepens government's neutrality

The Vice President, Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia on Thursday attended the final funeral service of the late Yaa-Naa Yakubu Andani II.

As he attended the funeral of the late Yaa-Naa Mahamadu Abdulai IV, he joined hundreds of people from all walks of life at the Old Gbewaa Palace in Yendi Township to witness the mammoth event.

This show of statesmanship by the Vice President reaffirmed government's neutrality in the implementation of the final roadmap to peace restoration in the Dagbang State.

The Northern Regional Minister, Salifu Sae-ed, The National Security Minister, Albert Kandapah, the Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Kofi Dzamesi, the Inspector General of Police, David Asante Apietu and other high profile government personalities were there.

Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives in the region attended the event.

A high powered delegation from Asanteman arrived in Yendi for the final funeral service.

The first son of the late Yaa-Naa Yakubu Andani II, Kampakuya-Naa Abdulai Yakubu Andani performed the customary duty of riding a horse making several turnarounds (circumambulation) within the designated enclave.

The enthusiastic crowd witnessed the display of Dagbang's rich culture interspersed with a variety of local entertainment.

It is expected that Dagbang will get a unifier as the next Yaa-Naa to galvanize all Dagombas for constructive purposes.



Dagbang NDC MPs presence

All Members of Parliament of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) led by the Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu from Dagbang graced the occasion.

They were conspicuously missing throughout the funeral service of the late Yaa-Naa Mahamadu Abdulai IV.

The Abudu family expressed their disappointment in the Legislators conduct and called on well-meaning Dagomba's to beware of divide and rule politicians.

Also, Members of Parliament on the ticket of the governing New Patriotic Party from Dagbang were there to show their spirit of belonging to all Dagombas.

Yaa-Naa Yakubu Andani II

The late Yaa-Naa Yakubu II was born in August 1945 at Sagnarigu, a suburb of Tamale.

His father was Andani Mahama who reigned as the King of Dagbang from 1968 to 1969, and his mother was Zenabu Mahama, who hailed from Savelugu.

The late Dagbang King, Yaa-Naa Yakubu Andani II ruled the area from 1974 until he died on March 27, 2002.

He left behind 103 children with the Kampakuya-Naa Abdulai Yakubu Andani as the first son.

His death intensified the feud between the Abudus and Andanis who have been at loggerheads since time immemorial over succession to the Dagbon Namship.

A three-member Mediation Committee of Eminent Kings led by the Asantehene Osei Tutu II was set up to permanently resolve the chieftaincy impasse.

Though tough, the committee has remained resolute in the implementation of the final roadmap.