The Assemblies of God, Ghana, and the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council have paid tribute to the late Overlord of Dagbon, Yaa Naa Mahama Abukari II, describing him as a great man of peace whose leadership restored unity and strengthened traditional authority in the Dagbon Kingdom.
They described him as a father and a beacon of wisdom to the Dagbon people, as well as being a pillar of unity whose reign over the past seven years strongly promoted peace and reconciliation.
In separate statements to commiserate with the people of Dagbon, the Assemblies of God, Ghana, and the GPCC encouraged them to honour the legacy of their great leader by preserving and sustaining the peace he worked so hard to protect.
Assemblies of God
In a statement signed by its General Superintendent, Rev. Stephen Yenusom Wengam, Assemblies of God, Ghana said the death of the Yaa Naa had brought immense grief to the leadership and members of the church because of its long-standing historical ties with Yendi, where Assemblies of God was established in Ghana in 1931.
"The passing of the Yaa Naa, therefore, inflicts an incalculable pain on the leaders and members of Assemblies of God, Ghana," the statement said.
The statement, however, said the church was consoled by the late King's legacy, describing him as a leader who left "indelible imprints on the rocks of time" through his commitment to peace.
Promoting reconciliation
The church commended the late Yaa Naa for his role in promoting reconciliation and healing in the Dagbon Traditional Area after years of conflict.
It said although his reign lasted only seven years, it should be remembered for the significant contribution he made towards restoring unity in the kingdom.
"The quality of his reign should not be measured by its relatively short duration but by its critical contribution to the process of reconciliation and healing in the Dagbon traditional area," the statement read.
GPCC
The GPCC also, in a statement signed by its President, Apostle Dr Eric Nyamekye, described Ya Naa II not only as a father and a beacon of wisdom to the Dagbon people, but also a pillar of unity whose reign over the past seven years strongly promoted peace and reconciliation,” it said.
It said his unwavering commitment to rebuilding harmony within Dagbon and advancing the development of the area will forever remain a legacy of his noble leadership.
We mourn the loss of a great leader, a unifier, and a custodian of the rich cultural heritage of Dagbon and Ghana.
“Ya-Na Abukari II will be remembered for his wisdom, dedication to peace, and his unwavering commitment to the development and progress of his people.
“As a Council that upholds the values of faith, peace and national cohesion, we acknowledge the profound impact of Ya-Na Abukari II's leadership and his contributions to strengthening cohesion and the social fabric of our nation. His passing is not only a loss to Dagbon but also to the people of Ghana as a whole,” it said.
In this moment of grief, “we stand in solidarity with the bereaved family, the elders, and the people of Dagbon.
It is our prayer that the Lord will comfort the royal family, the esteemed chiefs, and the entire people of Dagbon and grant you the requisite strength and fortitude as you navigate this difficult period”.
It said, “May the memories of his impactful leadership encourage the Dagbon Traditional Area and the people of Ghana to continue his legacy of unity, peace and development,” it said.
