Otumfuo Unveils New Asantehemaa Nana Ama Bonsu in Majestic Manhyia Ceremony

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, on Thursday formally welcomed the newly enstooled Asantehemaa, Nana Ama Bonsu, in a grand ceremony steeped in centuries-old Asante tradition at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi.

Nana Ama Bonsu, now the 15th Asantehemaa, succeeds the late Nana Konadu Yiadom III, who passed away in August 2025. The atmosphere around the Palace was electric, as hundreds of women—clad in symbolic black and red—celebrated what many hailed as a new dawn for Asanteman.

After chairing a meeting of the Kumasi Traditional Council, Otumfuo walked the roughly 100‑metre distance to the Asantehemaa’s palace, honouring custom with a royal procession befitting the moment. The crowd erupted in jubilation as Nana Ama Bonsu arrived, with singing, dancing and the pouring of talcum powder—an emblem of blessing, purity and royalty.

A lineage rooted in Asante history

Nana Ama Bonsu’s lineage is deeply woven into Asante history. She is a direct granddaughter of Otumfuo Agyeman Prempeh I, who, alongside the legendary Nana Yaa Asantewaa, was captured and exiled to the Seychelles Islands during the British–Asante War. She is also a niece of Otumfuo Sir Osei Agyeman Prempeh II and the biological sister of the late Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly Chief Executive, Nana Akwasi Agyeman.

In keeping with tradition, she was escorted on foot from her family residence—located opposite the Palace—to her official home. Upon arrival, she was ushered into the Palace and seated on the Asantehemaa’s stool, after which Otumfuo’s Linguist, Baffour Kantankrakyi, formally announced her enstoolment, completing the sacred rites.

Final presentation to Asanteman ahead

Later this week, at the Asanteman Traditional Council meeting, Otumfuo will officially present Nana Ama Bonsu to the council, concluding the enstoolment process.

Hundreds of well-wishers, chiefs and dignitaries thronged Manhyia to pay homage to the new queen mother, who now assumes the second-highest traditional authority within the Asante Kingdom.