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Head of the Andani Royals in Dagbon, Yoo-Naa Abukari VII, has urged the Otumfuo-led committee of three eminent chiefs mediating the Dagbon chieftaincy dispute, to go ahead with the agenda to perform the final funeral rites of the late two overlords of Dagbon.

He has also disassociated the family from earlier comments by Gukpegu-Naa Alhassan Abdulai that the Andani Royals will resist any attempt to perform the funerals of the late Yaa-Naa Mahamadu Abdulai IV and the late Yaa-Yakubu Andani II in the old Gbewaa Palace in Yendi until the prosecution of the alleged murderers of the late Yaa-Naa Yakubu Andani II. 

In a rather dramatic twist, head of the Andani Royals in Dagbon, Yoo-Naa Abukari VII, told Citi News the Gukpegu-Naa Alhassan Abdulai’s earlier position was his personal opinion for which reason it should be disregarded.

“The statement of Gukpegu-Naa is in no doubt intended to provoke members of the Andani Royal family and to create tension and breach of peace in the Kingdom. The Andani family wants to make it clear to the public that Gukpegu-Naa is not a member of the Andani Royal family and secondly Gukpegu-Naa does not know anything about the Andani family.”

“Thirdly, Gukpegu-Naa has not been authorized by the Andani Royal family to make the statement attributed to him and he has never been Spokesperson for the Andani family.” The Yoo-Naa Abukari VII reaffirmed the Andani Royals’ commitment to collaborate with government and the three eminent chiefs mediating the Dagbon chieftaincy crisis to restore permanent peace and reconciliation in Dagbon. 

“The leadership of the Andani Royal family is committed to efforts by government and the Otumfuo Committee to ensure that the funeral rites of Yaa-Naa Yakubu Andani II and Yaa-Naa Mahamadu Abdulai are conducted in accordance with the customs and traditions of Dagbon.”

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Andani Royal family is committed to the performance of the two funerals subject only to the performance of Naa-Mahamadu’s funeral being held where he died.”

He however renewed calls for the arrest and prosecution of the alleged murderers of the late Yaa-Naa Yakubu Andani II.

“Let it be on record that the Andani Royal family is committed to the pursuance, arrest and prosecution of the late Overlord’s murderers. This can be verified from the numerous press conferences and press releases we undertook before the burial and installation of the Regent and after.”

“Our demand for the murderers will even grow louder after the funeral rites of the late overlord are performed and a new Yaa-Naa is installed and we think that this is a sensible way to go.”

The Asantehene committee mediating the Dagbon chieftaincy dispute, finally resolved that the funerals of the late Yaa-Naa Mahamadu Abdulai IV and Yaa-Naa Yakubu Andani II, be performed in the old Gbewaa Palace in Yendi which is non-negotiable.