Asanteman has a new queenmother.
She is Nana Ama Bonsu, who was officially introduced yesterday at a ceremony held at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi.
Nana Ama Bonsu, who becomes the 15th Asantehemaa, succeeds the late Nana Konadu Yiadom III, who passed away in August 2025.
The atmosphere at the introduction ceremony was electric, as the women celebrated what many described as a new dawn for the kingdom.
Dressed in traditional black and red attire, Nana Ama Bonsu arrived at the Asantehemaa's Palace amid singing, dancing, and jubilation from hundreds of women.
The gathering, mostly clad in black cloth with matching headgear, welcomed her with wild excitement, while talcum powder was poured on her as a symbol of blessing and royalty.
Nomination
Information gathered by the Daily Graphic indicated that the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, summoned a council of queenmothers and elders, to whom he presented the name of the nominee.
Following their endorsement, a delegation was sent to the nominee's family house to formally inform her of her selection and to summon her to the Manhyia Palace.
In line with tradition, she was escorted on foot from her family home, located opposite the Palace, to the official residence.
A large crowd, predominantly women, received her with thunderous applause and joyful acclamations, marking the beginning of a new era in the Asante Kingdom.
Ceremony
Upon her arrival, she was ushered into the Palace and seated on the official stool of the Asantehemaa.
Otumfuo’s Linguist, Baffour Kantankrakyi, then formally informed her of her enstoolment, completing the traditional rites.
At the Asanteman Traditional Council’s meeting in Kumasi later this week, the Asantehene will present Nana Ama Bonsu to the council to conclude her enstoolment.
Hundreds of well-wishers, chiefs, and dignitaries thronged the Palace to pay homage to the new queen, who now assumes the second-highest traditional authority within the Asante Kingdom.
Brief profile
Nana Ama Bonsu is the direct granddaughter of Otumfuo Agyeman Prempeh I, who, together with the legendary Nana Yaa Asantewaa, was captured and exiled by the British to the Seychelles Islands during the British-Asante War.
She is also a niece of Otumfuo Sir Osei Agyeman Prempeh II and a direct biological sister to the late Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly Chief Executive, Nana Akwasi Agyeman.
