Gariba II

Bukali II (1 January 1939 – 12 July 2026), regally known as Gariba II, was a Ghanaian traditional ruler, who was the Yaa Naa of the Kingdom of Dagbon in Northern Ghana until his death on 11 July 2026.

Background Bukali was born into royalty at Mion to Mahama II, the Yaa Naa from 1938 to 6 February 1948. His mother, Ayishetu,

He was ordained by the kingmakers of Dagbon as the 41st Yaa Naa on January 18, 2019, following a chieftaincy dispute that left the Yendi skins vacant for 16 years.

Gariba II died in Yendi on 12 July 2026, at the age of 87.

On 18 January 2019 – the final day of the funeral of Yakubu II – kingmakers of Dagbon, led by the Kuga Naa Abdulai Adam II, consulted the Dagbon oracles to select a new king from among four contenders; namely, Yoo Naa Abukari Mahama; chief of Savelugu, Kampakuya Naa Abdulai Yakubu; regent of Yakubu II, Bolin Lana Abdulai Mahamudu; regent of Mahamadu IV, and Tampion Lana Alhassan Andani, chief of Tampion. Grass pulled from the roof of the Gbewaa Palace by the Gushei Naa was handed over to Abukari Mahama by the Kuga Naa. This gesture signified that the oracle had chosen Abukari Mahama to be the Yaa Naa.

The ceremony of the investiture was held at the forecourt of the Gbewaa Palace. Special guest of honor was the president of Ghana, Nana Akufo Addo. Present at the ceremony were Chiefs from Dagbon and their entourage, religious leaders, government officials, politicians and political party representatives including former president John Mahama, and delegations sent by various paramouncies and chiefdoms including Asanteman and Mamprugu. The ceremony was chaired by Togbe Afede XIV, Agbogbomefia of the Asogli State in the Volta Region and President of the National House of Chiefs.

Ancestry

Projects and Initiatives

Dagbon Development Fund In 2021, Bukali II launched the Dagbon Development Fund.

Donations Towards Gbewaa Palace Redevelopment Donations made towards the Gbewaa Palace Redevelopment from individuals and corporate bodies and other state institutions.

Revision of Dagbon Constitution Bukali II initiated the review of the Dagbon constitution in 2020. He inaugurated a committee whose members were: Naa Yaba Kuɣa-Naa Abdulai II; Naa Yaba Sunson-Naa Shani Hamidu II; Naa Yaba Gushe-Naa Shitobu Abdulai I; Naa Yaba Tolon-Naa Abubakari I, Naa Yaba Kumbun-Naa Yiri II Alhaji Iddrisu Abu, Naa Yaba Nanton-Naa Mahamadu V, Naa Bakpem Kar-Naa Nantogmah, Naa Bakpem Yoo-Naa Abdulai V, Naa Bapra Mion-Lana Abdulai III, Naa Bapra Sagnar-Naa Ambassador Yakubu, Naa Bapra Chereponi-Fame Nanyame Kofi Malba, Naa Bapra Sabob-Naa Uchababor John Mateer Bowan, Naa Bapra Nakpale-Naa Gariba Yankosor II, Naa Bapra Kukon-Lana Abdulai, Naa Bapra Zankpaling-Lana Dr. Yakubu II, and Naa Yaba Namo-Naa Ayuba. The reviewed constitution was adopted by the Dagbon Traditional Council in 2022.

Relief for 2023 Volta Flood Victims During the devastating 2023 Volta floods, Bukali II donated significant relief composed of 300 bags of maize, 100 bags of rice, and 400 tubes of yam to victims in the Volta Region of Ghana. He also donated 100 bags of maize to affected victims at Buipe in the Savannah Region.