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Today, the Dagbon Kingdom mourns the passing of Major (Rtd) Sulemana, the Paramount Chief of the Tolon Traditional Area. The news, confirmed by Palace officials, was announced on Sunday, August 23, 2026, at approximately 16:00 hours local time.
According to Accra-based radio station Atinka 104.7 FM, the chief reportedly died after completing Zuhr prayers at the Palace. The transmission sparked immediate concern and speculation within the kingdom.
Details surrounding the circumstances of his death remain limited, though initial reports suggest the firing of musketry was the immediate trigger. This signal was used to announce the departure of a royal figure, solidifying the news that the Paramount Chief had passed.
Major Sulemana’s long and distinguished career is deeply intertwined with the traditions of the Dagbon Kingdom. He served as a prominent Defence chief, a title reflecting his significant influence within the traditional hierarchy for decades. His lineage stretches back to the late Tolon Naa Alhassan Sulemana and the Regent of the Tolon Traditional Area, who succeeded him.
Born in 1943 at Tali, Major Sulemana’s service began in 2001, following the retirement of his father as a Major of Ghana’s first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah. He completed his military service as an escorting officer to Ghana’s first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, before later retiring as a Major of the Ghana Armed Forces. He was the first son of the late Tolon Naa Alhassan Sulemana and became the Regent of the Tolon Traditional Area in 2001 following the demise of his father.
In 2019, he was Eskinned as the paramount chief of Tolon after 18 years as Regent and completing the burial rites of his late father. This signifies a pivotal moment in the kingdom’s governance.
The final rites for the traditional leader are anticipated to be conducted in accordance with Islamic and Dagbon traditions. Details regarding the funeral arrangements are currently under review by the appropriate traditional authorities.
The back-to-back deaths of two senior traditional leaders within such a short period represent an extraordinary blow to the kingdom, deepening the sense of grief felt across Northern Ghana.
The Tolon Traditional Area, which Major Sulemana led, falls under the broader Dagbon Kingdom, underscoring his crucial role as the administration and defence of the kingdom’s traditional structures.
The Instagram post announcing the demise of the Tolon paramount chief is below:
Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported about Nii Tetteh Otu II, the Paramount Chief of Kpone, who has sadly passed away after 37 years of devoted service.
As the Kpone community mourned the loss of a respected leader, his enduring commitment to regional development and the protection of communal lands left an indelible mark that resonates deeply within the hearts of those he led.
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Kofi Owusu (Entertainment Editor)
Kofi Owusu is the Head of the Human Interest Desk at YEN.com.gh. He graduated from the African University College of Communication (AUCC) in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies. He has over 5 years of experience as an entertainment journalist. He joined YEN.com.gh in 2024. He previously worked as a freelance writer for local and foreign outlets. He won the award for Best Entertainment Editor of the Year at YEN.com.gh in 2025. He participated in several trainings, including Facebook and Google compliance workshops. You can contact him via email: kofi.owusu@yen.com.gh
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