Ghana Traditional Leadership: Asantehene Begins US Mission as Dagbon Mourns Tolon Naa and Yaa Naa

Ghana’s traditional landscape is currently navigating a period of significant activity and transition as the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, embarks on an international diplomatic mission while the Dagbon Kingdom grapples with the successive loss of two prominent leaders. On Sunday, August 23, 2026, the Asantehene departed from the Prempeh I International Airport in Kumasi for a two-week working visit to the United States. Concurrently, the people of Dagbon are in a state of deep mourning following the death of the Tolon Naa, Major (Rtd) Sulemana Abubakari, which occurred just days after the passing of the Overlord of Dagbon, Yaa Naa Abubakari Mahama II.

The Asantehene’s visit to the United States is a strategic working mission tied to the grand celebration of the Akwasidae Kɛse. This trip serves as a platform to strengthen international ties and promote the rich heritage of the Ashanti Kingdom on a global stage. The monarch’s departure was marked by a high-profile farewell ceremony attended by notable regional leaders, members of the Regional Security Council, and distinguished figures of the Asanteman Council. The gathering offered prayers and support for the success of the mission, highlighting the Asantehene's dual role as a traditional ruler and a key figure in Ghana’s informal diplomacy.

In the northern part of the country, the Dagbon Traditional Area is reeling from the loss of the Tolon Naa, a figure of immense historical and military significance. Major (Rtd) Sulemana Abubakari, born in 1943, was not only the Paramount Chief of the Tolon Traditional Area but also the traditional defense chief under the Yaa Naa. His career spanned both the military and traditional spheres, having served as an escort officer to Ghana’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, before retiring from the Ghana Armed Forces. His enskinned status as the substantive Tolon Naa in 2019 followed years of service as the Regent of Tolon beginning in 2001.

The passing of the Tolon Naa so soon after the Yaa Naa Abubakari Mahama II creates a profound leadership vacuum and intensifies the grief within the kingdom. As the traditional defense chief, the Tolon Naa played a pivotal role in the military history and organizational structure of Dagbon. His final rites are expected to be conducted in accordance with strict Islamic and Dagbon traditions. These events underscore the enduring importance of traditional institutions in Ghana, where the movements of a monarch like the Asantehene and the passing of leaders in Dagbon significantly impact the nation's social and cultural fabric.