Tamale, April 9, GNA - Alhaji Abubakar Saddique Boniface, Northern Regional Minister has called on all Ghanaians to pray with Dagbon for a successful burial on Monday April 10, of the late King, Ya-Na Yakubu Andani II, who was murdered in Yendi on March 27, 2002.

"This is a prayer time for Dagbon and I appeal to the rest of the country particularly the religious bodies to commit Dagbon into prayers for the late King to be laid to rest peaceful without any hitch so that Dagbon would see a lasting peace," he said.

Alhaji Boniface told the GNA in an interview in Tamale that the burial day should remain solemn and should be declared as an informal holiday to enable the public in Yendi to stay away from burial activities.

He said the burial of the late King had been long overdue and that only strong prayers were needed not only for peace to prevail but also for the soul of the late King to rest in Perfect Peace. Alhaji Boniface described the late King as a great warrior who died in war and that Ya-Na Andani II would remain a hero in Dagbon history and called on all to regard him as such.

The Minister cautioned the media, particularly radio stations to identify and interview the right source from the two Dagbon Gates for their information to avoid wrong reportage so as not to divert the course.

He said all was set for the burial and that all the traditional parties involved in the burial process were expected to converge in Yendi on Sunday April 9, in preparation towards the burial on Monday. On security, the Minister indicated that 700 police personnel had already been deployed at Yendi and that some military personnel would also be sent in on Sunday to augment those there and appealed to the public to cooperate with the security to carry out their duties. Meanwhile the Tamale Metropolis remained solemn on Sunday morning with some people wearing "T" shirts of the late King, while commercial and religious activities remained normal.

Reports from Yendi where Ya-Na Andani is to be buried also indicate that there is a reverential atmosphere in the entire township but that people still went about their normal businesses.

The only difference, that give a picture of Ya-Na's burial is the heavy presence of security presence particularly at the Gbewaa Palace and the temporary palace premises, an indication that peace would prevail during and after the burial.