By Zobia Zulfqar 
Former Vice President and New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has paid tribute to the late Ya-Na Abukari Mahama II, describing his passing as a great loss to the Dagbon Kingdom and the entire nation.
In a statement issued on Sunday, July 13, Dr Bawumia expressed deep sorrow over the death of the revered traditional ruler, whom he praised for restoring peace and unity in Dagbon during one of the most difficult periods in the kingdom’s history.
According to Dr Bawumia, the Ya-Na assumed the throne at a time when Dagbon faced serious divisions and challenges. He said the late King demonstrated remarkable wisdom, patience and leadership, helping to heal long-standing tensions and bring people together.
“His reign was short but greatly impactful,” Dr Bawumia said in the statement.
He noted that the Ya-Na united families that had been divided and worked tirelessly to strengthen peace and reconciliation throughout the kingdom.
The former Vice President also praised the traditional ruler for successfully combining respect for Dagbon’s rich cultural heritage with a modern vision for development.
He said the Ya-Na consistently advocated for projects that would improve the lives of the people of Dagbon and promote economic growth across the area.
According to Dr Bawumia, the King’s commitment to development extended beyond traditional leadership, as he regularly engaged with government officials and other stakeholders to push for infrastructure and social development projects.
The former Vice President revealed that he personally benefited from the Ya-Na’s guidance during his time in office and later while serving as the New Patriotic Party’s presidential candidate.
He described every visit to the Gbewaa Palace as an opportunity to receive valuable advice from a respected leader whose wisdom earned admiration across Ghana.
“It was always an honour to pay him homage at the ancient Gbewaa Palace and to draw from his immeasurable wisdom and guidance,” Dr Bawumia stated.
He added that the King’s death was not only a personal loss but also a national tragedy because of the important role he played in promoting peace, unity and development.
“His passing marks a great loss to me, to the Dagbon Kingdom, and to Ghana as a whole,” he said.
Dr Bawumia extended his heartfelt condolences to the chiefs and people of the Dagbon Kingdom, as well as the immediate family of the late Ya-Na.
He prayed for Allah to grant the late King eternal peace and give strength and comfort to everyone mourning his passing.
“To Allah we belong completely and to Him shall we return ultimately,” he concluded.
Ya-Na Abukari Mahama II was widely respected for his calm leadership and efforts to strengthen unity within the Dagbon Kingdom after years of conflict. During his reign, he worked to promote reconciliation, preserve traditional values and encourage development initiatives that benefited local communities.
His leadership earned recognition from political leaders, traditional authorities and citizens across the country, many of whom have described his death as a significant loss for Ghana.
Tributes have continued to pour in from government officials, traditional leaders, religious groups and members of the public, all highlighting his commitment to peace, dialogue and service.
Many have praised his ability to bring people together during challenging times and his dedication to ensuring that Dagbon remained united while pursuing development.
As the nation mourns his passing, many Ghanaians have reflected on the lasting legacy of a traditional ruler who used wisdom, patience and dialogue to strengthen one of Ghana’s most respected traditional kingdoms.