The Regent of Dagbon, Kampakuya Naa Yakubu II, paid his first courtesy visit to President John Dramani Mahama at the Presidency, Jubilee House, on Monday, October 19, 2026. He came with elders and paramount chiefs to present himself formally as Regent since assuming his responsibilities.
The Regent thanked the government for standing with Dagbon through the death of the late Yaa-Naa, and he renewed the kingdom’s goodwill toward the administration. President Mahama used the visit to pledge his government’s cooperation and to appeal for continued peace across the kingdom.
“The peace of Dagbon is precious and we must protect it through our words, our decisions and our treatment of one another.”
President John Dramani Mahama
A First Visit to the Presidency
President Mahama welcomed the Regent, the chiefs and the elders to Jubilee House, with Chief of Staff Dr. Julius Debrah, National Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, ministers and Members of Parliament in attendance. He asked the delegation to carry his greetings and goodwill to all the people of Dagbon.
He pointed out that this was the Regent’s first visit to the Presidency since taking up his duties. The occasion, he stated, offered a chance to “reaffirm the bonds of friendship that exist between the Presidency and the Gbewa Palace.”
The Regent explained the purpose of his journey. Dagbon custom calls for a visitor to be repaid with a visit in return, and as a newly installed Regent, he felt bound to present himself to the head of state in person.
Gratitude After a Season of Grief
The Regent used his turn to thank President Mahama and his government. He recalled their presence from the day the late Yaa-Naa fell ill, through his death, the return of his body from South Africa to Yendi, his burial and the Regent’s own installation. “Words fall short of what we owe,” he told the President.
President Mahama renewed his condolences on the death of the late Yaa-Naa, whom he called his friend and father. He disclosed that doctors did everything medically possible to save his life, and he asked everyone to honour the Yaa-Naa’s service by building on his legacy.
Regent Pledges to Carry On His Father’s Work
The Regent assured the President that his father’s wishes guide him. “I will carry out his wishes without fear or favor,” he stated, and he promised to finish the work the Yaa-Naa began but could not complete.
“I will not undermine the peace and reconciliation processes he began. I will strengthen them and entrench them in our traditional setting.”
President John Dramani Mahama
He explained that the late Yaa-Naa developed a constitution for the kingdom, drafted by representatives from all the traditional areas of Dagbon and approved by the Dagbon Traditional Council. The Regent promised to abide by it. The constitution sets the length of his tenure at 18 months after the Yaa-Naa’s passing.
Within that period, the funeral committee will work with the Traditional Council and the Kingmakers to decide how early the funeral can responsibly take place. The Regent undertook to inform the President of every step and of the conditions for a smooth funeral.
President Mahama voiced admiration for that determination. He noted that the Regent made the same pledge at his installation and that his father was a bridge builder. The Regent has promised to maintain those bridges and to build his own, the President added.
Mahama Pledges Cooperation and Calls for Restraint
President Mahama told the Regent that his government will keep open channels of communication with the palace and will respond with respect and care to any matter the Regent raises.
“Government respects the customs and traditions and institutions of Dagbon,” he stated, and he insisted that customary authorities need space to discharge their duties with dignity.
He described the government’s role as supporting a peaceful environment, encouraging dialogue where needed and ensuring that every community feels secure. He appealed to all concerned to show patience and restraint and to place the enduring interests of Dagbon above individual differences.
The President also gave young people a particular role, asking them to use their energies and talents to build their communities, uphold traditions and resolve differences through dialogue.
Palace Offers Partnership
The Regent closed by pledging to work with the government so that every programme reaches the people in the traditional areas. He placed the palace’s systems at the government’s disposal for mobilising youth, acquiring land, traditional arbitration and public education.
President Mahama described himself as honoured to receive the delegation and promised to refer matters needing follow-up to the appropriate ministers and officials. He prayed that God would grant the Regent wisdom, good health and strength, and that Dagbon would continue to enjoy peace, unity and progress.
The Regent in turn prayed for President Mahama and for Ghana.
