The Regent of Dagbon, Kampakuya-Naa Yakubu II, has pledged not to compromise the peace and reconciliation process initiated by his late father, Ya-Na Abukari, assuring that he will strengthen the process to safeguard peace in the kingdom.
In a speech read on his behalf during a courtesy visit to President Mahama at the Jubilee House, the Regent said his actions will be guided by the constitution developed for the kingdom, which was drafted by representatives from the various traditional areas of Dagbon and approved by the Dagbon Traditional Council.
“Everything my father, His Royal Majesty, stood for is my compass. I will carry out his wishes without fear or favour, and I will continue the work he started but could not finish before he was called to eternity,” he said.
The Regent said his late father had worked to build relationships across the kingdom and pledged to preserve those efforts while creating opportunities for further reconciliation.
“He built bridges. I will make sure those foundations are secure, and I will build more bridges where the opportunity arises. I will not undermine the peace and reconciliation processes he began,” he stated.
Kampakuya-Naa Yakubu II also emphasised the importance of strengthening traditional institutions and ensuring that the kingdom’s affairs were conducted in accordance with its established customs and constitutional provisions.
He said the constitution was designed to safeguard the peace achieved in Dagbon and would guide the processes leading to the funeral of the late Ya-Naa.
“To safeguard the hard-earned peace of Dagbon, my father developed a constitution for the kingdom. It was drafted by representatives from all the traditional areas of Dagbon and approved by the Dagbon Traditional Council. We will live by it,” he said.
On the timeline for the funeral, the Regent explained that the constitution provided for his tenure to last 18 months after the passing of the Ya-Naa.
He said the funeral committee would work with the Dagbon Traditional Council and the kingmakers to determine when the funeral could be held responsibly within the stipulated period.
According to him, details of the arrangements, including the necessary conditions for a smooth and successful funeral, would be communicated to the public as the process progressed.
The Regent reiterated his commitment to maintaining the peace in Dagbon, expressing hope that the relationships built through reconciliation would continue to serve the kingdom and the country as a whole.