The Overlord of the Dagbon Traditional Area, Ya-Na Abukari Mahama II, has pleaded with President Akufo-Addo to rethink his choice to rename Tamale International Airport as Yakubu Tali International Airport.
The president revealed intentions to rename the Tamale and Kumasi airports as Yakubu Tali International Airport and Nana Agyeman Prempeh I International Airport, respectively, during his State of the Nation Address on Tuesday, February 27.
However, the majority of Dagbon’s residents and I find this to be an abhorrent concept, the Dagbon overlord wrote in a letter to the president.
Ya-Na Abukari II went on to say that several calls and other correspondence had been received by the “Gbewaa Palace pleading that this proposal be shelved.”
He further stated that ” it is the considered opinion of many people and traditional leaders in the region that such recognition is bestowed on Na Gbewaa.”
Below is Ya-Na Abukari II’s full letter.
I bring you fraternal royal greetings from the Gbewaa Palace, with fervent hope and prayer that you are in good health and high spirit. I would like to draw your attention to your wish to rename the Tamale International Airport as Yakubu Tali International Airport.
This is an unacceptable idea to me and the majority of citizens of Dagbon. The renaming of Tamale International Airport after Tolon Naa Yakubu will be contentious and counterproductive. It will draw our traditional state and entire Northern Region into needless controversy.
As then Yo-Na Abukari VII, I personally and voluntarily released the substantial lands covering the entire expansion areas of the airport to the government of Ghana to undertake this important infrastructural development.
Since this proposal was announced, the Gbewaa Palace has been inundated with calls and other forms of communications pleading that this proposal be shelved. It is the considered opinion of many people and traditional leaders in the region that such recognition is bestowed on Na Gbewaa.
Accept my compliments of the highest consideration.
