The king and Overlord of Gonja, Prof Tuntunba Boressah II has died.

The death of the 90-year-old king was announced by the Registrar of the Savannah Regional House of chiefs, Abutu Kapori to Citi News at the Jakpa Palace on Sunday.

Boressah II who was the president of the Savannah Regional House of chiefs died in the early hours of Sunday, 5th February 2023.

Traditional funeral rites and mourning have commenced.

The late Chief was enskinned as Yagbonwura in March 2010.

Before his enskinement as Yagbonwura, he was the Paramount Chief of the Kusawgu Traditional Area of Gonja under the skin name Kusawguwura Sulemana Jakpa.

He was the son of Yapeiwura Bakari, the son of Yagbonwura Mahama of Kusawgu and Mma Nyenbali Chiraba.

Per Gonja tradition and custom, the Chief of Sonyo will move in to the Jakpa Palace at Damongo and act as Head of State and President of the Tradtional pending the enskinment of a new overlord.

The Sonyo chief will also spearhead the burial processes in accordance with Gonja custom and traditions till the overlord’s burial at the royal mausoleum for Gonja Kings at Mankuma, a town near Bole.

Mankuma is the burial home for kings of the Gonja Kingdom.

Profile of late Yagbonwura Tumtumba Borenasa I

Yagbumwura Tutumba Borenasa (I) took over from his predecessor, Yagbonwura Bawa Doshie after his demise in March 2010. He hails from Kasawgu and born in 1933 to Yapeiwura Bakari, the son of Yagbonwura Mahama of Kasawgu.

His father Yapeiwura Bakari married eleven wives and had 30 offspring.

He played a key role in public service in his private life until his ascension to the throne.

He worked in organisations such as Sims Construction, Ministry of Agriculture, Tamale supplies among others.

He also contributed greatly to the building of Kamina Barracks, Kaladan Barracks in Tamale among others after he later joined the 48 Engineers Regiment known as Gas Engineers.

The Gonja Kingdom and to a large extent Northern Region experienced significant development while he was vice president of the Northern Regional House of Chief.

He also played a key role in the mediation processes of the Dagbon conflict.