13/07/2026
This is a solemn and profound moment of grief. In Dagbon tradition, it is said that a mighty baobab tree does not simply die—it has fallen, shaking the very earth beneath it.
Here is a powerful tribute to honor the memory, leadership, and transition of the Overlord.
The Great Baobab Has Fallen: A Tribute to Ndan Ya Naa (1939 – 2026).
The drums of the Gbewaa Palace beat a heavy, somber rhythm today. A cold silence has settled over Yendi, stretching across the vast plains of the Dagbon Kingdom. The ancestral skins have lost their anchor; the towering lion of Dagbon has gone to rest.
Born in the resilient days of 1939, Ndan Ya Naa carried the weight of history, culture, and a proud lineage on his shoulders. For decades, he stood not just as a ruler, but as a sanctuary for his people. He was the embodiment of patience, a reservoir of wisdom, and a fierce protector of Dagbaŋ customs.
To govern Dagbon is to govern a cradle of warriors, scholars, and proud souls. He did so with a calm dignity that commanded respect far beyond the borders of Northern Ghana. Through seasons of trial and times of peace, his voice remained an oracle of guidance, and his presence was a shield. He witnessed the world change over nearly nine decades, yet he ensured that the soul of the Dagomba people remained unbroken.
The fire that warmed the courtyard has gone out, but the embers of his legacy will forever illuminate our paths. He has joined the great assembly of the ancestors—sitting among the legendary kings who carved out this great empire from the sands of time.
*Dagbaŋ yɛliya ni dabiɛŋ dabisili n-ti ti.* (Dagbon says a dark day has come upon us.)
Rest in majestic peace, Oh Lion of the Kingdom. Your name is etched in gold, and your spirit remains woven into the very fabric of the land.
**Ndan Ya Naa, Gbandgbanli, Naa Gbewaa bihi.**
**May the ancestors receive you with the honor befitting a king.**
PICTURE CREDIT : Andani ROYAL Family TV