Tamale, March 10, GNA - The Programme for the burial funeral rites of the late Ya-Naa Yakubu Andani II, the overlord of Dagbon, is out. Eleven Royals on behalf of the Andani Royal Family comprising: Kumbun-Naa Yire; Gulkpegu Gbon-Lana Ziblim; Yoo-Gbon-Lana Kpema Mahamadu; Sun-Lana Mahama, Zogu-Lana Abudulai; Zugu-Lana Andani; Tampion-Lana Alhassan Tijo-na Iddrisu; Woribogu-Lana Abudulai; Kpan-Naa Mahamadu and Nyimbun-Na Andani, signed the programme.

This was contained in a press statement issued in Tamale on Friday. A copy each of the programme has been forwarded to President John Agyekum Kufuor; Chairman of the Committee of Eminent Chiefs; President of the Northern Regional House of Chiefs; Northern Regional Coordinating Council; President of the National House of Chiefs; Chairman of the Council of State; General-Secretary of the Christian Council of Ghana and the General-Secretary of the Catholic Bishop Conference. Other recipients of the programme are: the Chief Imam; Office of National Imam; the President of the Ghana Bar Association; Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme; a Representative of the West African Network for Peace Building; High Commissions and Diplomatic Missions.

The statement said: "The Andani Royal Family having held consultation with Naa Yaba, the Kuga-Naa and the Consecrated Council of Elders in Dagbon has once again arrived at a decision to lay to rest the mortal remains of the Overlord of Dagbon, Ya-Naa Yakubu Andani II, and to install his regent as custom demands, next month (Damba Month).

"The Andani Royal Family believes that the burial and the installation of a Regent of Ya-Naa Yakubu II would be a big boost to the restoration of peace and tranquillity in Dagbon," the statement said. "Once again, Naa Yaba, the Kuga-Naa has written to the Committee of Eminent Chiefs for the fifth time to lend support to our new burial programme for the entombment of the mortal remains of the King and the installation of his Regent in April, 2006", the Royal Family said. The Andani Royal Family implored the Committee to give its maximum support and understanding in restoring and maintaining peace in Dagbon throughout the period.

The programme indicated that on March 29, security in Yendi and around the Palace would be reinforced while there would be a purification of the Palace on March 31.

On April 2, the late Ya-Naa's family would return to the palace and the formal customary announcement of the death of the Ya-Naa by the Kuga-Naa would be made on April 3.

Arrival of chiefs and mourners at Yendi and the burial of Ya-Naa Yakubu by Dagbon Consecrated Elders would be performed also on April 3 while the installation Ya-Naa Yakubu's Regent would take place on April 21.

The Kuga-Naa in consultation with the Andani Royal Family had made several attempts to entomb Ya-Na Yakubu, who was assassinated in April 2002, to no avail.