President John Dramani Mahama paid tribute Thursday to the late Queen Mother of the Ashanti Kingdom, describing her as a “majestic pillar of strength” whose leadership and counsel resonated far beyond the royal court.
In remarks delivered on his behalf by Ashanti Regional Minister Dr. Frank Amoakohene at funeral rites held in Kumasi, the President hailed Nana Konadu Yiadom III’s eight-year reign as a period marked by dignity, peace, and the preservation of traditional Asante values.
“She was, without a doubt, a majestic pillar of strength and inspiration not only to the Manhyia Palace and the Asanteman, but to the entire nation,” Dr. Amoakohene said, echoing the President’s tribute.
Yiadom III, sister to the current Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, passed away earlier this year. Her funeral, steeped in custom and ceremony, has drawn traditional rulers, political leaders, and thousands of mourners from across Ghana and beyond.
During her time as Asantehemaa—Queen Mother of the Ashanti—Yiadom III was widely respected for her influence behind the scenes and her role in promoting peace and unity within the kingdom and nationally.
“Throughout her 8-year reign, she embodied the true essence of Asante values,” the President noted. “Her wise counsel and astute guidance were invaluable. She was truly an inspiration and a worthy role model, particularly for the women of Asanteman and Ghana at large.”
The late Queen Mother is being laid to rest in accordance with Ashanti royal customs, concluding a series of elaborate traditional rites that began earlier this week.
Her passing marks the end of a significant chapter in the modern history of the Ashanti Kingdom, a traditional monarchy that remains a powerful cultural institution in Ghana’s constitutional democracy.
