Kumasi came to a standstill on Thursday, September 18, 2025, as the Ashanti Kingdom bade farewell to its Queen Mother, Nana Ama Konadu Yiadom III, with a funeral that blended solemn mourning, royal dignity, and centuries-old tradition.
The passing of the 14th Asantehemaa, who was both the elder sister and confidant of Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has left a deep void in Asanteman and Ghana at large.
At the heart of the commemorations was a deeply moving tribute from the Asantehene, read on his behalf by Sir Sam Jonah, Executive Chairman of Jonah Capital.
In words that combined royal reverence with intimate grief, Otumfuo described the late Queen Mother (Asantehemaa) as “a beacon of wisdom, grace, and unwavering loyalty whose legacy will endure for generations.”
A king mourns his sister
Speaking not just as king but as a brother, Otumfuo reflected on their special bond, recalling how the late Asantehemaa had been his greatest pillar of strength in both private and public life.
“For me personally, she was my confidant. In moments when the burden of kingship pressed heavily upon me, I could turn to her — not as the Asantehemaa, but as my sister,” he said through the voice of Sir Sam Jonah.
He recounted her rare ability to counsel with a blend of maternal care and friendship, always guided by wisdom and free of personal ambition.
“Her words were never reckless, never shallow. They came from a deep well of experience and wisdom. When she counselled me, I listened — for I knew her loyalty was not divided by ambition. It was a loyalty borne out of blood, love, and destiny.”
Otumfuo went further to describe the Asantehemaa as the “spiritual mother of Asanteman” whose quiet strength shaped the soul of the kingdom.
“The Asante nation will forever remember and honour her name. Generations yet unborn will speak of Nana Konadu Yiadom III as a woman of peace, patience, grace, and unshakeable service. Asante will never forget her. I will never forget her.”
His tribute ended with a call to present and future leaders to learn from her example: “True leadership is service, true greatness is humility, and true legacy is love.”
Presidential tribute
President John Dramani Mahama also paid glowing tribute to the late Asantehemaa, describing her as a majestic pillar of strength and inspiration not only for the Ashanti Kingdom but for Ghana as a whole.
His message, read by Ashanti Regional Minister Dr. Frank Amoakohene, praised her stewardship during her eight-year reign.
“Throughout her reign, she embodied the true essence of Asante values, maintaining tradition with steadfast dedication and projecting an image of dignity and peace. Her wise counsel and astute guidance were invaluable.
She was truly an inspiration and a worthy role model, particularly for the women of Asanteman and Ghana at large,” the President’s message read.
The tribute highlighted how her leadership preserved tradition while also encouraging peace and unity across the country.
A city in mourning
The gravity of the moment was reflected not just in words but in action.
By order of the Manhyia Palace, all banks, schools, and public institutions in Kumasi were closed on the final day of the rites. Shops shuttered, offices fell silent, and the bustling city of over three million residents came to a halt.
Vehicular movement around the Manhyia Palace was severely restricted, and only essential workers in health, security, and utilities were allowed to operate with proper identification. A dusk-to-dawn curfew was also imposed as her remains were transported to the royal mausoleum at Breman.
The closure of businesses and schools underscored the power of tradition in contemporary Ghana and demonstrated the reverence with which the Asantehemaa was regarded.
Dignitaries gather in Kumasi
The final day of rites drew Ghana’s top leadership, including former Presidents John Agyekum Kufuor and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Vice-President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, and former Vice-President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia. Members of the diplomatic corps, traditional leaders from across the country, clergy, and thousands of mourners filled the palace grounds.
Throughout the week, delegations from political parties, the judiciary, security services, churches, and civil society groups had paid their respects, demonstrating the broad influence of the late Queen Mother across Ghanaian society.
Life and legacy of Nana Konadu Yiadom III
Born Nana Ama Konadu in 1927, she was the daughter of the 13th Asantehemaa, Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem III, and Opanin Kofi Foffie of Besease near Atimatim.
Her royal lineage and upbringing prepared her for leadership long before her enstoolment in 2016 as the 14th Asantehemaa.
Her reign, though relatively short at eight years, was marked by humility, patience, and dedication to the Asante people.
She was widely regarded as a unifying figure, balancing the weight of tradition with the demands of modern governance.
To her people, she was not only the mother of the Ashanti Kingdom but also a symbol of peace and resilience.
Before her ascension, she had played a quiet but steady role in preparing her younger brother, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, for kingship.
The Asantehene himself acknowledged this, saying: “Before the weight of the Golden Stool was placed upon me, she had already carried the weight of sisterhood, counsel, and love. She guided me with a steady hand as an elder, preparing me in ways I did not fully understand until destiny placed the Golden Stool upon me.”
A nation reflects
The four-day traditional burial rites, known as Dote Yie, began on Sunday, September 14, and concluded on Thursday, September 18, with the final interment at Breman.
The ceremonies combined rich Asante pageantry with an atmosphere of deep mourning.
Tens of thousands of mourners attended, with many describing the experience as a reminder of the enduring significance of Ghana’s traditional institutions.
The funeral not only marked the passing of a royal matriarch but also highlighted the unity of the Ashanti Kingdom and its ability to command national attention and respect.
As Kumasi slowly returns to its normal rhythm, the memory of Nana Konadu Yiadom III will remain etched in the hearts of her people.
For the Asantehene, her departure leaves a personal emptiness, but her legacy as a mother, sister, and counsellor to both the throne and the nation will continue to inspire generations.
“May her soul rest in eternal peace among the ancestors,” the Asantehene’s tribute concluded. “And may her memory forever remain a guiding light for Asanteman.”
