The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II is to announce his 83-year-old eldest sister, Nana Ama Konadu as the new Asantehemaa of the Asante Kingdom to succeed his late mother, Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem II who died in November 2016 at the age of 111.
Following the death of the Asantehemaa, the Kokofuman Hemaa, Osagyefo Bayie, was appointed to act as the Queen Mother on a temporary basis. But, it is expected that a new Asantehemaa be appointed after the first funeral of the deceased one which is what has now been done.
Nana Ama Konadu Asantehemaa was chosen by Otumfuo in consultation with the head of the royal family. Her appointment was made known on Monday, 6th January, during the 80th day observance of the death of the formef Asantehemaa at the palace of the Manhia Palace. She will finally be installed officially and given a stool name at a durbar in two weeks time, after appearing before the Asanteman Council.
Also See: All You Need to Know About the Asantehemaa Funeral
According to the tradition of the Ashantis, the final funneral of the late Asantehemaa will be carried out in a year’s time, and it is the duty of the succeeding Queen Mother to plan the funeral in collaboration with the Otumfuo.
Nana Ama Konadu’s appointment was greeted with severe criticisms as regards her age. However, this criticisms only came from those who are not well acquainted with the traditions of the Asanti Kingdom as it touches the stool of the Asantehemaa.
According to the custom of the Ashantis, a woman who has not yet reached menopause cannot ascend the as the Queen Mother of the Asante Kingdom. This is because, the stool of the Asantehemaa forbids menstruation.
Nana Bogya Bia Yiadom, Otumfuo’s Kyinehene threw more light on this tradition while speaking to Onua Fm at the palace on Tuesday. He explained that it is only an elderly woman who no longer menstruates that can enter the rooms of the gods to perform certain sacrifices due to the Queen Mother. He also said that there were other women, older than the new Asantehemaa who are eligible for ghe post, but were not chosen on health grounds.
Nana Ama Konadu has eulogised her late mother, the immediate past Asantehemaa. Speaking in an exclusive interview on Adom News on Monday, the new Asantehemaa said the late Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem II is irreplaceable.
Nana Konadu described her late mother as an angel who has the interest of all, especially that of young girls at heart; who also maintiained a good relationship with everyone while she was alive. She further described her as a unifier who is always willing to get erring ones on the right track.
According to Nana Konadu, it will be a daunting task to replace her late mum. She was however, quick to add that she believes that her mother is with her in spirit to help her give good counsel to the Asantehene.
Nana Ama Konadu is the first daughter of Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem II, the former Asantehemaa. Her father is Opanin Kofi Fofie of Besease, near Atimatim in the Kwabre District of Ashanti – the first man that married Nana Afia Kobi.
According to reports, Nana Ama’s delivery by her mother, the late Asantehemaa delivery was one that was made possible by the intervention of a traditional priest.
She is popularly called Nana Panin and be the 14th Queen Mother and Asantehemaa of the Asante Kingdom.
Join GhanaStar.com to receive daily email alerts of breaking news in Ghana. GhanaStar.com is your source for all Ghana News. Get the latest Ghana news, breaking news, sports, politics, entertainment and more about Ghana, Africa and beyond.
