Otumfuo with Nana Konadu Yiadom III
THE NEWLY enstooled Asantehemaa will officially be known as Nana Konadu Yiadom III, Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has announced.
The 83-year-old Asante queen mother is known in private life as Nana Ama Konadu Panin.
She succeeds Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem II, the late Asantehemaa, who was the current Asantehene’s biological mother.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II announced the Asante queen’s stool name at the Manhyia Palace during a durbar on Saturday, which coincided with his
67th birthday.
Shouts Of Joy
The announcement of the stool name was met with shouts of joy by the elated-looking people present.
Otumfuo was also seen beaming with broad smiles after he had made the announcement.
Maiden Public Appearance
Nana Konadu Yiadom III was making her official maiden public appearance after ascending the throne.
The Asantehemaa, who equally looked excited, was comfortably seated close to the Asantehene at the durbar ground.
Otumfuo’s Appeal
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II urged the new Asantehemaa, who is his (Otumfuo’s) elder sister, to rally behind him to lead Asanteman into affluence.
He said he would be counting on Nana Konadu Yiadom III for both physical and spiritual help to move the Asante Kingdom forward.
Otumfuo recounted that the late Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem II was a pillar behind his numerous successes as a king.
He said he was hopeful that Nana Konadu Yiadom III would also follow the footsteps of her predecessor to help promote Asanteman and Ghana.
Park Opening
Otumfuo’s birthday also coincided with the grand opening of the Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem II Memorial Park at the Manhyia Palace.
The historic event was attended by prominent paramount queen mothers from all the ten regions of the country.
They included Odeneho Akosua Frema Juaben II, Dormaahemaa and Nana Ama Amissah III, queen mother of Mankesim in the Central Region, just to mention but a few.
The Asantehene explained that the park was being named after the late Asantehemaa to help motivate future generations to emulate her splendid works whilst she was alive.
The park which was named after Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem II
Council Of State Chairman
Nana Otuo Serebuo, the paramount chief of Juaben and Chairman of the Council of State, commended Otumfuo for the decision to honour the late Asantehemaa.
He also recounted some of the splendid works of Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem II, stressing that the naming of the park in her memory was perfect.
Nana Otuo Serebuo urged the queen mothers who attended the event to support the new Asantehemaa so that her reign would be one of a kind.
The Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei Mensah, his deputy, Elizabeth Agyeman and Osei Assibey Antwi, the Kumasi Mayor, were also there.
Mr. Herbert Mensah, former Kotoko Chairman, was also there with family members of some victims of the May 9, 2001 Accra Sports Stadium disaster.
Otumfuo having a hearty chat with some of the queen mothers
FROM I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr., Kumasi