Prez Mahama Pays Tribute to Ya-Na Abukari II: “His Death Is a National Loss” | Channel One News

[00:00:03]Thank you kindly, Mr. Speaker.

[00:00:08]Thank you very much.

[00:00:12]My Ab Na Andani and members of the Dagbon Traditional Council, uh senior government officials, uh distinguished members, ladies and gentlemen, it's um a sad day for all of us.

[00:00:36]Um often you have heard the sad passing of someone, but until traditionally you are informed, um there's always that little fraction of hoping your mind that you wake up and be told you were dreaming.

[00:00:55]Unfortunately, we're not dreaming.

[00:00:57]Our father has passed.

[00:01:01]Indeed, the relationship between myself and His Royal Majesty went beyond the positions we occupy.

[00:01:12]I've known him for many years, even at the time when he was Yaa Naa, and we worked together with him in my first presidency with the Otumfuo team to resolve the Dagbon crisis at the time.

[00:01:27]And so, we've remained like father and son even through my years after I left office until I was elected back to this position. And so, we come a very long way.

[00:01:43]And so, like my younger brother Haruna Iddrisu said, everything that we did went beyond the official position of the presidency.

[00:01:52]It was like between a father and son.

[00:01:57]And so, I receive you here today with a very heavy heavy heart as you discharge your solemn traditional duty of informing the presidency and through the presidency the whole of the Republic of Ghana of the passing of His Royal Majesty Andani Yakubu II overlord of the Dagbon Kingdom.

[00:02:24]On behalf of the government and people of Ghana and on my own behalf I extend our deepest condolences to the Dagbon Traditional Council the royal family the chiefs and people of Dagbon and indeed to all Ghanaians who mourn the loss of one of our nation's most distinguished traditional rulers.

[00:02:46]The passing of the Yaa Naa is not only a moment of profound grief for Dagbon but it is a national loss.

[00:02:54]Ghana has lost a statesman amongst traditional rulers.

[00:02:59]A man whose wisdom, moderation and commitment to peace earned him the respect of people across political, ethnic and religious divides.

[00:03:11]His Royal Majesty assumed the skin of Dagbon at a very difficult period in the kingdom's history.

[00:03:17]And yet through patience, humility and unwavering resolve he transformed a kingdom once caught by conflict into an enduring symbol of reconciliation unity and hope.

[00:03:33]His reign demonstrated that true leadership is measured not by power but by the ability to heal divisions unite people behind a common purpose.

[00:03:46]His philosophy was yet profound.

[00:03:49]And as he loved to say "I love those who build bridges of peace, but I do not like those who destroy the peace."

[00:03:59]These were not merely words. They became his guiding principle during his entire reign and an enduring lesson for all of us.

[00:04:09]We remember with admiration his extraordinary of his extraordinary ordinary efforts to consolidate peace between the royal gates of Dagbon, his courage in taking difficult decisions in the interest of unity, and his determination to ensure that future generations would inherit a peaceful and stable Dagbon kingdom.

[00:04:32]His Majesty also understood that peace must be institutionalized.

[00:04:36]His leadership in the preparation and unanimous adoption of the Dagbon Constitution established a durable framework for governance, succession, and stability, and thereby securing a lasting institutional legacy for Dagbon.

[00:04:55]Beyond Dagbon, the late Yaa Naa was a respected national peacemaker.

[00:05:02]His palace served as a place where disputes were settled, relationships were restored, and dialogue was encouraged.

[00:05:11]His efforts to promote harmony amongst Muslim leaders and to strengthen cooperation between Dagbon and neighboring traditional kingdoms reflected a vision that extended well beyond his own kingdom.

[00:05:26]We all remember fondly, only like yesterday, his historic visit to his brother the Yebum Naa, overlord of the Gonja kingdom.

[00:05:35]This historic visit triggered the joint Dagbon-Gonja Committee that has since been working to resolve boundary issues disputes between the Dagbon and Gonja kingdoms.

[00:05:48]He equally championed development.

[00:05:51]He envisioned a Dagbon that would be peaceful, prosperous, and forward-looking.

[00:05:55]And so, he worked tirelessly to build partnerships with governments, with development partners, diplomatic missions, and the private sector in pursuit of that vision.

[00:06:06]As president, I had the privilege of engaging His Royal Majesty on several matters of national importance.

[00:06:14]His counsel on such occasions was always thoughtful, balanced, and guided by the welfare of his people and the unity of our country.

[00:06:25]His absence will be deeply felt.

[00:06:29]Indeed, we did everything humanly possible to preserve his life.

[00:06:34]But Allah, the master of the universe, knows best.

[00:06:39]I'm positive that he has laid the foundation for a smooth succession in Dagbon.

[00:06:46]And I wish to assure the chiefs and people of Dagbon that government is standing in full solidarity with you during this period of mourning.

[00:06:55]We shall work closely with the Dagbon Traditional Council to ensure that the appropriate state courtesies and support are extended as preparations are made for the final funeral rites of our departed king.

[00:07:10]May the almighty Allah grant His Majesty Naa Gbewaa Abukari II eternal rest and admit him into Jannah to Firdaus.

[00:07:21]May he grant strength and comfort to the royal family, to the chiefs and people of Dagbon, and to our nation as we mourn this irreparable loss.

[00:07:33]May his legacy of peace, reconciliation, wisdom, and service continue to inspire generations of Ghanaians to come.

[00:07:41]Naa Titali too, Naa Zo Malana I thank you.

[00:07:47]>> [applause] >> Thank you very much, Your Excellency, the President of the Republic.