The northern Ghanaian town of Yendi is under a state of emergency one day after deadly clashes between rival clans left 41 people dead, including the traditional ruler of the Dagomba ethnic group. 

President John Kufuor imposed a citywide dusk-to-dawn curfew after a mob Wednesday stormed the palace of Dagomba King Ya-Na Yakubu Andani. Police say the king was beheaded while scores of his followers were set on fire. 

Officials say the Abudu clan attacked the king's Andani clan. They say the government is sending military reinforcements to the region. 

The Andanis and the Abudus each claim leadership of the Dagombas, who make up eight percent of Ghana's population. There have been other instances of ethnic fighting in Ghana even though it has emerged, in recent years, as one of West Africa's more politically stable countries. 

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