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Former President, Akufo-Addo pays tribute to late Yaa Naa Mahama Abukari II
Former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has joined Ghanaians in mourning the passing of the Overlord of the Dagbon Kingdom, His Majesty Yaa Naa Mahama Abukari II.
In a statement following the customary announcement from the Gbewaa Palace in Yendi, the former President described the late King as “a great figure of unity, strength and the enduring legacy of a proud and dignified people.”
“Yaa Naa Mahama Abukari II joins the illustrious list of Dagbon royals who have enabled the steady progress of Dagbon for over three centuries,” he said.
The former President recalled the Yaa Naa’s crucial role in resolving the protracted “Dagbon Crisis.”
He noted that as Chief of Savelugu, Yoo Naa, the late King was pivotal to the peace process that eventually led to his enskinment as Yaa Naa during his tenure as President.
“He and the two younger princes at the time, with mutual respect and affection, accepted my advice towards the implementation of the special solution to the special circumstances of the Dagbon Kingdom at the time,” Akufo-Addo stated.
He also reflected on the honor of being enskinned as “Naa Abudani” by the late King in 2019.
The title, he said, was in recognition of his efforts toward the Dagbon reconciliation process, during the first Damba Festival celebrated in Yendi after the Yaa Naa’s enskinment. “It is an honour I will always treasure,”he added.
President Akufo-Addo said the reign of Yaa Naa Mahama Abukari II was marked by “a rapid resurgence of dignity, pride, unity and cultural renaissance across Dagbon.”
He urged the Chiefs, Kingmakers and elders of Dagbon to ensure a smooth and peaceful transition in accordance with Dagbon customs, and noted that the successful enskinment of a regent was reassuring.
“I call on all well-meaning Ghanaians to support him and the people of Dagbon during this difficult period,”he said.
On behalf of himself and his wife, Rebecca, the former President extended his deepest sympathies to the Royal Family, Chiefs, elders and the people of Dagbon.
“May his soul rest in perfect peace in the Bosom of the Almighty until the Last Day of the Resurrection when we shall all meet again,” he added.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
A member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr. Sammy Ayeh has picked up nomination forms to contest for the position of Deputy National Communications Officer position.
Announcing his intention, Dr. Ayeh said he is offering himself to help communicate the party’s vision clearly and connect its message with the aspirations of Ghanaians.
He expressed deep gratitude to the party’s National Communications Officer, Lawyer Sammy Gyamfi, describing him as an able leader on whose shoulders he has risen.
“His exceptional leadership, mentorship and confidence in me have shaped my journey and strengthened my resolve to serve,” Dr. Ayeh stated.
He said if elected, he will seek to build on that foundation by strengthening research-driven communication, empowering grassroots communicators, and enhancing strategic media engagement.
Dr. Ayeh humbly appealed to party members and supporters for their support.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The Data Protection Commission has called on the Minority Caucus in Parliament, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, JoyNews and other media houses to protect the personal information of 1,964 Ghanaians evacuated from South Africa.
In a press release issued on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, the Commission expressed concern over the public disclosure of the evacuees’ personal details, including their names, signatures and records of financial assistance received.
It warned that making such information public could expose the affected individuals to identity theft, fraud and other forms of harm, especially given the threats to their safety that some of them may have faced.
The Commission explained that the 1992 Constitution protects the dignity and privacy of every individual. It also cited the Data Protection Act, 2012 (Act 843), which sets out rules for the lawful collection, use and disclosure of personal information.
While acknowledging the importance of transparency, parliamentary oversight, the right to information and press freedom, the Commission stressed that these principles do not automatically justify the unrestricted publication of personal details.
It said the disclosure of the records by the Minority Caucus, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, JoyNews and other media organisations must be assessed based on the law, the purpose of the disclosure and the privacy rights of the individuals involved.
The Commission further noted that although the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Parliament are registered data controllers in good standing, their registration does not exempt them from their legal responsibilities under the Data Protection Act.
It has therefore urged all the parties involved to take appropriate steps to protect the affected individuals, including immediately restricting access to or removing personal details from publicly available records where their continued disclosure is not legally justified.
The Commission announced plans to conduct a regulatory review to determine whether the disclosures had a lawful basis, what safeguards were applied and whether the privacy rights of the evacuees had been adequately protected.
It said it would engage the relevant parties as part of the review and take appropriate regulatory action if any breach of the law is established.
The Commission reiterated that protecting personal information and respecting human dignity must remain central to efforts to promote public accountability.
By: Jacob Aggrey
