Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Appoints Nana Ama Bonsu as 15th Asantehemaa with Stool Name Nana Yaa Akyaa II

In a move steeped in tradition and historic significance, the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has officially named Nana Ama Bonsu as the 15th Asantehemaa of the Asante Kingdom. Making the announcement during a meeting of the Kumasi Traditional Council at the Manhyia Palace, the Asantehene revealed that the new queen mother will ascend the stool with the name Nana Yaa Akyaa II. The news was met with overwhelming enthusiasm from council members, marking the start of a new chapter for the kingdom following the passing of the late Nana Konadu Yiadom III.

The selection of the stool name Nana Yaa Akyaa II carries deep historical weight, deliberately honoring the legacy of the ninth Asantehemaa who reigned from 1884 to 1917. Historian Francis Owusu Ansah Marfo highlighted that this lineage reinforces the continuity and strength of the Asante royal heritage. As the successor to the influential Nana Konadu Yiadom III, the new queen mother is expected to play a pivotal role in the traditional governance and preservation of the Asante people, upholding the dual leadership structure that defines the kingdom's social and political fabric.

Following the official introduction, the atmosphere at Manhyia was one of celebration as various chiefs and queen mothers began paying homage to the new Asantehemaa. Many traditional leaders visited her palace to offer their support and pledge their allegiance, signaling a unified front behind the Asantehene’s choice. This process of paying homage is a critical component of Asante custom, demonstrating the legitimacy and collective acceptance of the new leadership within the hierarchy of the Kumasi Traditional Council.

While the initial announcement has been made to the local council, further formal steps are required to complete the installation process. Nana Yaa Akyaa II is set to be formally introduced to the broader Asanteman Council, representing the various divisions of the kingdom beyond Kumasi. The grand public unveiling is scheduled for the upcoming Akwasidae festival, where the people of Asanteman and the general public will have the opportunity to officially welcome their new queen mother in a display of cultural splendor and traditional protocol.