The performance of the final funeral rites of the late overlord of Dagbon, Yaa Naa Mahamud Abdulai IV, began on Thursday evening at the Old Gbewaa Palace in Yendi.
Per the road-map, Yaa Naa Abdulai’s funeral will be performed from 14th to 28th December.
The funeral rites of Yaa Naa Yakubu Andani II will follow from the 4th to 19th January 2019.
This was decided after an executive order by President Akufo-Addo through the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, and the Committee of Eminent Chiefs who led the mediation process.
Ahead of the rites, the Regional Security Council got the Abudus to sign an undertaking that they will vacate the renovated palace after the rites.
There is also heavy police presence in Yendi as the police and military personnel have assured of maximum security throughout the period of the final funeral rites of the two overlords.
Signing the document on behalf of the family, the Regent of Nanton, Alhaji Issahaka Sule, pledged that the Abudus will abide by all the rules governing the road-map.
He also urged security agencies to help the Abudus keep the peace in what has been a troubled region for over a decade.
“We would wish that there shouldn’t be any obstacles. There shouldn’t be anything that will distrubt the movements so we are appealing to the regional minister and the security agencies to look at all risks and sensure that nobody will say the Abudus do not like peace.”
The commencement of the funeral was symbolically marked by the playing of drums and firing of gunshots last night when the Regent entered the palace.
There were cheers when the Abudu royal family officially entered Naa Gbewa place to mark the beginning of the funeral after its keys were handed over to the family.
Secretary to the Abudu Royal family, Idrissu Alhassan, told Citi News “This night is the night for the formal announcement of the funeral so that symbolic relic representing the deceased’s soul has been brought in… that formal announcement, even though it was done, has to be repeated then the other processes of ceremonies will continue.”
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By: Mohammed Aminu Alabira | citinewsroom.com | Ghana
