Yendi

Yendi is a town in northern Ghana that serves as the administrative capital of the Yendi Municipal District. It is a major cultural and political center for the Dagomba people and is located northeast of Tamale along regional transport routes that connect the area with surrounding towns. The town is notable for containing the palace of the Ya-Na, the paramount chief of the Dagomba, making it a focal point for Dagomba traditional authority and ceremonies.

Historically, Yendi has been associated with the Dagomba kingdom and its leadership. The Ya-Na’s palace and the traditional council located in or near the town underscore its enduring status as a center of Dagomba culture and governance. The area participates in widely observed Dagomba customs and the Damba festival, which reflects the region’s cultural heritage.

In 2002, Yendi gained international attention following the assassination of Ya-Na Yakubu Andani II and the subsequent clashes between factions within the Dagomba community. The violence caused significant loss of life and displacement, leading to national and international mediation efforts and ongoing peacebuilding in the years that followed.

Economically, Yendi functions as a market town that relies largely on agriculture in the surrounding rural areas. Residents engage in the production of crops such as yams, maize, and sorghum, and the town serves as a trading hub with weekly markets and basic services that support trade and daily life.

The town features educational institutions ranging from primary to secondary levels and basic health facilities, including a municipal hospital and clinics. Yendi experiences a tropical savanna climate with distinct wet and dry seasons, and it lies within a predominantly Dagomba-speaking community.