Yagbonwura dead at 90 …as Tulwewura gets ready to be enskinned

King of Gonjaland, Yagbonwura Tuntumba Boressah I has been reported dead at age 90 after reigning for 13 years.

The Yagbonwura who was enskinned in 2010 from Kusawgu where he was a Chief, died on the dawn of Sunday February 5, 2023.

Family sources reveal that he has been unwell for some time now and was earlier flown to South Africa for medical attention and was recuperating until his death on Sunday.

Yagbonwura Sulemana Jakpa Tuntumba Boresa I was the 28th King of Gonjaland after he succeeded Yagbonwura Bawa Doshie whose reign lasted 10 years (2000-2010).

His mortal remains in accordance with the customs and tradition of Gonjaland, would be conveyed to Nyange on the Damongo-Sawla highway for preparations ahead of burial today Monday February 6, 2023.

Undertakers according to the tradition will then have to convey his body from Nyange through the bushes and walk for several kilometers to Mankuma near Bole where he would be buried at the Royal Mausoleum.

Sonyowura Adamu Kanyiti Bakari to act as Yagbonwura

Sonyowura Adamu Kanyiti Bakari  who is the head of King makers in Gonjaland, traditionally would henceforth act as the caretaker Yagbonwura in the absence of Yagbonwura Tuntumba Boressah I.

The Sonyonwura becomes the regent upon the demise of a Yagbonwura and for that matter stays at Yagbonwuras Palace to act as the Yagbonwura and to preside over the funeral rites of a demised Yagbonwura.

Sonyowura is the Traditionally the Vice- President of the Gonja Traditional Council.

The Sonyowura sits on the immediate right hand side of the Yagbonwura at all Gonja state gatherings meaning he is next to the Yagbonwura.

The Sonyowura occupies a very important position in the Gonja State and also plays the most important and crucial role with regards to the transition and succession of a Yagbonwura.

According to custom, he becomes the Acting Head of State of the Gonja Kingdom on the death of a Yagbonwura and he administers the affairs of the Gonja State until a new Yagbonwura is selected.  The Sonyowura can never ascend the Yagbon Skin.

Tulwewura to become substantive Yagbonwura

Meanwhile, On the demise of Yagbonwura Bawa Abudu Doshie in 2010, the fourth gate (Tulwe) was to take over unfortunately Tulwewura Afin Nnase could not ascend the throne because he was indisposed so it moved to the occupant of the fifth gate, the Kusawguwura who enthroned as Yagbonwura Sulemana Jakpa Tuntumba Boresa (I) but with the understanding backed by documentation that it goes back to Tulwe should Tulwe be occupied by a Chief that is qualified when the Yagbon Skin becomes vacant.

So all things being equal,  the current Tuluwewura Soale Mbema Borenyi who was enskinned as Tuluwewura on 21st April, 2020 is the “next Yagbonwura” even though the Customary Law is expected to be strictly followed.

The Tuluwera will end the cycle of five gates that ascends the Gonja Paramountcy after which the first gate Wasipe (Daboya) begins another cycle.

According to the Declaration of Customary Law (Gonja Traditional Council Instrument, 2010), the Sonyowura shall nominate a new occupant to the Yagbon Skin and present him to the other Kingmakers for their approval. The Kingmakers of the Yagbon Skin of the Gonja Traditional Area shall be the Sonyowura (Head of the Kingmakers), Damongowura, Choriwura, Debrewura, Mankpangwura, Kulawwura, Kpansheguwura, Nsuawura, and Busunuwura.