Late Asantehemaa Nana Konadu Yiadom goes home in September

The Ashanti Kingdom is preparing for an extraordinary cultural spectacle as the final funeral rites of the late Asantehemaa, Nana Konadu Yiadom III, are scheduled for September 14 to 18, 2025 at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi.

The announcement has set the stage for what is expected to be one of the largest traditional gatherings in the recent history.

September Funeral: National and Cultural Event

The funeral of an Asantehemaa is not only a palace affair but also a national event.

Thousands of mourners, royals, chiefs, politicians, religious leaders, and foreign envoys are expected to converge in Kumasi to bid farewell to the Queen Mother.

Preparations have already begun in the Ashanti regional capital, with heightened security measures, rerouting of roads, and logistical arrangements underway to host the influx of mourners.

The rites will include elaborate displays of Ashanti tradition — from drumming and dancing to musketry and symbolic rituals — showcasing the cultural resilience of one of Africa’s oldest kingdoms.

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, will preside over the week-long ceremonies, joined by paramount chiefs and the wider Asanteman Council.

The One-Week Observance Sets the Tone

On Tuesday August 21, 2025, the Manhyia Palace witnessed the one-week observance of Nana Konadu Yiadom III’s passing.

The occasion drew thousands, including Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, who led the government delegation and former Vice POresident, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.

It was a precursor to the much larger ceremonies planned for September, underscoring the Asantehemaa’s towering influence in Ghanaian society.

The Queen Mother’s Legacy

Nana Konadu Yiadom III, who became Asantehemaa in 2017 following the death of her predecessor and mother, Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem II, was a pillar of stability in the Ashanti Kingdom.

Her reign emphasized the protection of cultural heritage and the promotion of women and children’s welfare.

As Asantehemaa, her role extended beyond palace walls. She was the custodian of lineage, adviser to the Asantehene, and a central figure in the enstoolment of kings.

Her humility and wisdom earned her respect not only among royals but also across Ghana’s political and social circles.

A Farewell of Global Interest

The final rites in September are expected to attract attention from beyond borders, with traditional rulers from across Africa, diplomats, and international dignitaries likely to attend.

For the Ashanti people, however, the funeral is deeply personal — a farewell to a cultural guardian whose presence held the kingdom together.