Veep, Naana Jane Opoku Agyemang paying homage to Otumfuo at Manhyia
THE MORTAL remains of Nana Ama Konadu Yiadom III will be interred at the royal mausoleum in Breman, Kumasi on the night of Thursday, September 18, 2025.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, making the announcement, said four days have been set aside for the funeral (Dote Yie) of the departed Asante queen.
Speaking through a linguist during the one-week observance of the late queen, Otumfuo said a ban has been placed on funerals, starting from September 1, 2025 until further notice.
He announced that Nana Konadu Yiadom III’s ‘Dote Yie’ would officially commence at the Manhyia Palace on Sunday, September 14, 2025, when the queen will be laid in state.
According to Otumfuo, public viewing of the body of the late queen would start on Monday, September 15 until Thursday, September 18, when she would be buried in the night.
Prior to the burial, he announced that a church service would be held at the ‘Dwabirem’ in Manhyia Palace on Thursday afternoon, ahead of the interment in the night.
The Asantehene stated that all shops in Kumasi should remain closed on Thursday, September 18, 2025 in reverence for the departed Asante queen, urging the public to take note.
“All shops should remain closed on Thursday, September 18, 2025. That’s the day that our departed queen will be buried, so everybody should take note and act accordingly,” he stressed.
Residents of Kumasi and the nearby communities were also admonished by the Asantehene to remain indoors on Thursday night, as the Asante queen makes her final journey home.
Tears flow for Asantehemaa
There were emotional scenes at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi during the one-week observance of the late Nana Ama Konadu Yiadom III, which was held at the forecourt of the Manhyia Palace yesterday.
Scores of mourners, especially women from the royal Oyoko family of Asante the Kingdom, were seen openly shedding uncontrollable tears for the departed Asante queen, who passed on at the age of 98 on August 7, 2025.
The intense wailing by the mourners, which started early on Thursday morning, continued for many hours, especially in the Asantehemaa’s palace in Manhyia, which was then crowded with colossal number of people from all walks of life.
Later in the afternoon, the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, also sat in state at the forecourt of the Manhyia Palace, the official venue for the one-week observance of the late Asante queen.
Otumfuo, who was dressed in black cloth with a black headgear to match, was seated in state and surrounded by his sword bearers, numerous servants and prominent traditional leaders to welcome the mourners.
Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang
President John Dramani Mahama, who is currently outside the country for an official assignment, was represented by the Vice President, Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, who led a powerful government delegation to the solemn ceremony.
The government’s delegation include the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, Seth Terkper, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, Fiifi Kwetey, Alex Segbefia, Ofosu Ampofo, Ken Adjei and other top government officials.
The Vice President, in a statement read on her behalf, announced that it was the wish of President Mahama to attend the one-week observance of the late Asantehemaa but he couldn’t make it due to a national assignment abroad.
Kufuor, Nana, Bawumia, mourn with Otumfuo
Former Presidents John Agyekum Kufuor and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as well as former Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and his running mate for the 2024 polls, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh aka ‘Napo’, were also present at the one-week observance of the late Asante queen.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, former Second Lady, Samira Bawumia, Kennedy Agyapong, Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, Gabby Asare Otchere Darko, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, among others, were also present.
IGP’s Delegation
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Christian Tetteh Yohuno also led a powerful delegation of top police officers from the Police Headquarters in Accra and Kumasi to commiserate with the Asantehene and Asanteman over their loss.
Also in attendance were virtually all the paramount chiefs of Asanteman Traditional Council, members of the Kumasi Traditional Council (KTC), divisional chiefs, the clergy, business moguls, and members of the diplomatic corps.
Firing of Musketry
Significantly, the solemn occasion was characterised by the firing of musketry, which was to portray to the world that indeed Asanteman was in mourning. The event also witnessed the singing of dirges by the various cultural groups in Asante.
Fetish Priests Display
Prior to the one-week observance in the afternoon, a number of powerful fetish priests in Asanteman, who are said to have supernatural powers, had displayed their magical powers in front of the Asantehemaa’s palace to entertain a huge crowd.
Tight Security
Meanwhile, security was very tight as a combined team of police and the military were seen doing their utmost best to control the sea of mourners, who were all dressed in dark clothes.
Nana Konadu Yiadom III, who is the 14th Asante Queen, reigned for eight years before joining her ancestors. She was an elder sister of Otumfuo. Nana Konadu Yiadom III succeeded her late mother, Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem II in 2017. She was widely described as a wise, visionary, peaceful and hardworking queen, who was a mother for all.
FROM I.F. Joe Awuah, Kumasi