By: Kenneth Appiah Bani
The Asante Kingdom is in mourning following the official announcement by Otumfuo Osei Tutu II of the passing of his sister, the revered Asantehemaa, Nana Konadu Yiadom III. Her departure marks the end of an era in the kingdom’s history one defined by tradition, wisdom, and compassionate leadership.
Born in 1927, Nana Konadu Yiadom III rose to become one of the most respected and quietly influential figures in Ghana’s traditional leadership structure. Her life’s journey was shaped not only by her royal bloodline but also by prophecy, service, and an unwavering commitment to preserving Asante heritage.
Known at birth as Nana Ama Konadu, and affectionately called Nana Panin, she was born at the Benyaade Shrine in Merdan, Kwadaso, Kumasi, during a period when the Asante Confederacy was regaining political significance. The elder sister of the current Asantehene, her early upbringing immersed her in the customs, responsibilities, and values of Asante royalty.
Though she never received formal classroom education, Nana Konadu was schooled in the deeper lessons of womanhood, domestic leadership, and cultural preservation. In her early teens, she underwent the traditional bragro puberty rites alongside her niece, Nana Abena Ansa a milestone that signalled the start of her lifelong path to leadership.
She later married Opanin Kwame Boateng, a blacksmith from Aduman in the Ashanti Region, and built a home life grounded in humility, generosity, and strong family bonds.
In the 1990s, spiritual priest Kwaku Firi Bosomfo, through senior royal linguist Baffour Akoto, foretold that Nana Konadu would one day ascend to the role of Asantehemaa. The prophecy came to pass on February 6, 2017, when she was enstooled as the 14th Asantehemaa following the passing of her mother.
Her duties were far from symbolic. As Queen Mother, she played a pivotal role in nominating the Asantehene, providing counsel to the royal court, safeguarding the kingdom’s matrilineal lineage, and upholding justice in traditional matters.
Nana Konadu Yiadom III distinguished herself through quiet but impactful service. Her reign was marked by initiatives that touched countless lives, especially women and children. On the occasion of her 5th anniversary as Asantehemaa, she made significant donations to the Mother-Baby Unit, Pediatric Emergency Care Unit, and Pediatric Emergency Unit at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, as well as the Manhyia Government District Hospital.
She personally covered the medical expenses of new mothers and spearheaded an annual breastfeeding promotion campaign, an initiative that blended cultural tradition with modern health advocacy.
In recognition of her generosity, the Saviour Church named a school in her honour, the Nana Konadu Saviour School.
Beyond her official duties, Nana Konadu was renowned for her calm, fair, and wise approach to conflict resolution. People from all walks of life sought her counsel, confident in her ability to deliver justice with warmth and integrity.
Her presence at the Manhyia Palace was more than symbolic it was a living embodiment of Asante tradition, strength, and unity.
As the Asante Kingdom prepares to lay her to rest, her memory will live on in the culture she protected, the people she served, and the legacy she built. Nana Konadu Yiadom III’s reign reminds the world of the enduring and unspoken power of women in preserving heritage and guiding leadership.
Video credit: ɔpemsoɔ 104.7
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