Renaming Tamale Airport after Yakubu Tali is unacceptable

The Overlord of the Dagbon Kingdom Yaa Naa Abubakari Mahama II has written to Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo about the decision to rename the Tamale Airport after Yakubu Tali. President Akufo-Addo announced during the presentation of the State of the Nation Address on February 27 that there are plans to rename two of the country’s international airports.

According to the president, the Kumasi International Airport would be renamed Nana Agyeman Prempeh I International Airport. The Tamale International Aiport, he said, would be renamed after Tolon Naa Yakubu Tali.

However, the announcement has generated reactions from the Dagbon Kingdom that have prompted the Ya Naa to write to the President. In the letter to the President, the Ya Naa said the decision was unacceptable to him and “the majority of citizens of Dagbon”.

The Ya Naa also added that such a decision would be “contentious and counterproductive”. He thus urged the president to reconsider the decision and have it shelved.

Read the full statement by Ya Naa on the renaming of the Tamale Airport

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.