The University for Development Studies (UDS) has bestowed one of academia’s highest symbols of honour, the Honorary Doctorate Degree, on the Overlord of the Dagbon Kingdom, Ya-Naa Abukari Mahama II. The distinguished recognition was conferred at a colourful Special Congregation at the university’s Tamale Campus, where traditional authority and scholarship met in a moment of profound symbolism.

Honorary doctorates are reserved for individuals whose impact transcend personal achievement to shape societies and strengthen humanity. By conferring this degree on the Ya-Naa, UDS affirmed that his leadership is not only a blessing to Dagbon, but a contribution of national importance and a legacy worthy of academic celebration.

The Chairman of the UDS Governing Council, Ambassador Abdullah Salifu noted that for Dagbon, the honour goes far beyond ceremony. It marks the elevation of the kingdom’s long struggle for peace, unity, and continuity into the annals of global leadership excellence.

For Ya-Naa Abukari Mahama II, it is a validation of his steady, dignified, and transformative leadership during one of the most critical eras of Dagbon’s modern history.

The Vice-Chancellor of UDS, Professor Seidu Al-hassan, described the Ya-Naa’s reign as a turning point in the restoration of peace to Dagbon after decades of chieftaincy disputes. He emphasized that the university was particularly moved by the King’s unwavering commitment to reconciliation, an effort that helped cement the roadmap to peace.

According to the Vice-Chancellor, the Ya-Naa “has charted a new course for unity and socioeconomic development” and is,” ensuring that the restored peace becomes the foundation for a prosperous future rather than a fragile truce.

Since ascending the skin in 2019, Ya-Naa Abukari Mahama II has demonstrated a deep conviction for reshaping Dagbon through development-oriented leadership. From initiating community-level development projects to strengthening partnerships with state institutions, his reign has been marked by a deliberate effort to consolidate peace through visible progress.

One of his most visionary undertakings is the construction of a new Gbewaa Palace, an architectural and cultural statement meant to embody the unity of the kingdom. The first phase of the palace, which is nearing completion, will house the Ya-Naa and his family and serve as an administrative hub for the Dagbon Traditional Council. More importantly, it represents a physical symbol of the harmony and renewed identity of Dagbon.

The Northern Regional Minister, Adolf Ali John, who spoke at the event, praised the Overlord for his constant collaboration with the Regional Security Council. He stressed that the Ya-Naa’s leadership has been central in maintaining stability and fostering security cooperation throughout the region.

In his remarks, the Minister for Education, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu commended the University for Development Studies (UDS) for the visionary decision to confer an honorary doctorate degree on the Overlord of Dagbon, Ya-Naa Abukari Mahama II. He described the gesture as “a profound acknowledgement of the Ya-Naa’s distinguished leadership and his unwavering commitment to peace, cultural preservation, and national development.” The Minister noted that by honouring the King of Dagbon, UDS had demonstrated respect for traditional authority and strengthened its bond with the communities it serves.

The Minister also used the occasion to clarify an important policy matter affecting academic staff. He explained that in consultation with the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission, GTEC, members of faculty whose birthdays fall in the middle of the academic year will not be required to proceed on retirement immediately.

He emphasized that this provision recognizes the special role faculty members play in maintaining academic continuity, stating that “our lecturers are central to the stability of the academic calendar, and it is only reasonable that the system accommodates them so teaching and supervision are not disrupted.”

For the university, the honorary doctorate also marks a deepening of the historic relationship between UDS and the Dagbon Kingdom. With Dagbon’s trajectory now firmly aligned with peacebuilding, education, and developmental transformation, the institution views the Ya-Naa as a partner in shaping a thriving future for northern Ghana.

Across Dagbon, the conferment is being celebrated as more than a personal accolade. It is seen as a recognition of the kingdom’s resilience, its journey through conflict, and its renewed commitment to unity and progress. For many, the honour bestowed on Ya-Naa Abukari Mahama II is a symbolic coronation of Dagbon’s rebirth.

In receiving the honorary doctorate, the Overlord of Dagbon stands not only as a traditional ruler but as a national figure of peace, an example of how leadership rooted in wisdom, calm, and courage can rewrite the destiny of a people.

Story by Abdul Hayi Moomen
UDS Media