The Manhyia Palace has announced a suspension of all funerals across Asanteman on Thursday, August 21, 2025, to enable the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, and the people of Asanteman to mark the one-week celebration of the late Asantehemaa, Nana Ama Konadu Yiadom III.
The announcement follows the official confirmation of the queen mother’s passing by the Asantehene during a mandatory Asanteman Council meeting on August 11, attended by paramount chiefs, divisional chiefs, and clan heads.
A statement issued on Tuesday, August 12 by the Palace said the observance will take place at Bogyawe, Manhyia Palace, from 12 noon to 6:00 p.m., with all funerals halted on that day in honour of the late royal.
“The One Week Celebration will be observed on Thursday, August 21, 2025, at Bogyawe, Manhyia Palace from 12 noon to 6:00 p.m. Manhyia Palace announces for the information of the general public that there will be a ban on all funerals across Asanteman… to allow Asantehene and Asanteman to observe the One Week Celebration of Asantehemaa,” the statement read.
Passing of a revered queen mother
Nana Ama Konadu Yiadom III passed away on Thursday, August 7, 2025, at the age of 98. She ascended the stool on February 6, 2017, following the death of her mother, Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem III, who reigned for nearly four decades and passed at the remarkable age of 111.
A life steeped in tradition
Born in 1927 at the Benyaade Shrine in Merdan, Kwadaso, Kumasi, Nana Konadu Yiadom III was the daughter of the late Asantehemaa Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem II and Opanin Kofi Fofie of Besease near Atimatim.
Affectionately called “Nana Panin”, she was raised from infancy by her aunt, Nana Afia Konadu, in Ashanti New Town. Without formal schooling, she received an intense traditional education that prepared her for leadership. She participated in customary puberty rites and later married Opanin Kwame Boateng, a blacksmith from Aduman.
Her life was marked by humility, calmness, and a deep religious faith, but also by firmness and hard work — traits that shaped her reign as queen mother.
Fulfilment of prophecy
In the mid-1990s, a prophecy was made by Kwaku Firi Bosomfo, through the Asantehene’s Senior Linguist Baffour Akoto, that she would one day ascend the Asantehemaa stool. This prediction came true in 2017, making her the 14th Asantehemaa in history.
During her tenure, she became known for her fairness in settling disputes and for bridging tradition with modern social advocacy.
Legacy of compassion
One of her most enduring legacies is her commitment to maternal and child health.
On her 5th anniversary as queen mother, she made significant donations to the Mother-Baby Unit, Pediatric Emergency Care Unit, and Pediatric Emergency Unit at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, as well as the Manhyia Government District Hospital.
She paid the medical bills of all new mothers in these facilities, lifting financial burdens and restoring dignity to many families. She also championed breastfeeding awareness, instituting an annual event to promote the practice.
Religious institutions, including the Saviour Church, honoured her contributions, naming the Nana Konadu Saviour School after her.
Symbol of Asante values
To the people of Asanteman, Nana Ama Konadu Yiadom III was not only a queen mother but also a custodian of Asante culture, a mother to the vulnerable, and a champion of justice.
Her passing marks the end of an era in which traditional leadership and humanitarian service walked hand in hand.
The one-week celebration on August 21 will provide the first opportunity for Asanteman to publicly honour her life and service before the final funeral rites are announced in the coming months.
