The Oyoko Family has confirmed the passing of the Asantehemaa Nana Konadu Yiadom III.
Nana Konadu Yiadom III died at the age of 91 after reigning for eight years.
She was the second most powerful person in Asanteman after the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
The news of her death was announced following an emergency Asanteman Traditional Council meeting on Monday, August 11, 2025.
Reports suggest the Asantehemaa passed at the dawn of August 7, 2025.
The late Nana Konadu Yiadom III, Asantehemaa, was enstooled on February 6, 2017, as the 14th Queen Mother of the Ashanti Kingdom.
She succeeded her mother, Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem II, who reigned for 39 years until her passing in 2016 at age 109.
She was born in 1927 at Benyaade Shrine at Merdan, a small town located at Kwadaso, Kumasi, in the days of the restoration of the Asante Confederacy.
Born to Nana Afia Kobi and Opanin Kofi Fofie, Nana Konadu Yiadom III, known as Nana Panin, is the eldest sister of Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
She was chosen as the customary heir after her mother’s death, despite other eligible relatives.
The Asantehemaa was raised by her aunt in Kumasi. She received no formal education but underwent rigorous informal training, equipping her with wisdom equivalent to formal schooling.
Nana Konadu Yiadom III married Kwame Boateng, a blacksmith, and is a member of the Saviour Church.
As Asantehemaa, Nana Konadu Yiadom III advises the Asantehene, preserves Ashanti traditions, and champions women’s empowerment, education, and healthcare.
She also holds court twice weekly to resolve cultural and spiritual conflicts.
Marking her 8th year on the stool in 2025, she celebrated with traditional rites at Manhyia Palace, joined by Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and other queen mothers.
Her reign focuses on community development and cultural preservation.
In 2022, the Asantehemaa marked the fifth anniversary of her enstoolment with a durbar.
Then Vice-President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, and the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, attended the grand durbar,
The event brought out the best in Asante culture and tradition, and a colourful display.
The Asantehemaa was in a splendid, beautiful Kente, and arrived at Dwabrem in a palanquin, with the Asante Royal colours of yellow, black and green surrounding her.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu, addressing the gathering, said queen mothers played a very important role in the administration of the Asante Kingdom and the stability of the chieftaincy institution.
He noted that the queen mothers played a crucial role during the colonial days, and without them, the Asante Kingdom would have disintegrated by now.
The Asantehene paid glorious tribute to the celebrated Nana Yaa Asantewaa, the Ejisuhemaa, who led the Asante army in the Anglo-Asante war of 1900.
In addition, it will be recalled that the Asantehemaa celebrated the Asantehe, Otumfuo Osei Tutu 11, during his 75th birthday on May 6, 2025.
The Asantehemaa rarely makes public appearances, but stormed the residence of Otumfuo at the Manhyia Palace.
She was dressed in a white cloth to signify victory and joy. The Otumfuo met him with a smile in a white Kaftan.
Nana Konadu Yiadom III exchanged pleasantries with the Asantehene and the wife, Lady Julia and also prayed for a long life for the Otumfuo.
She then presented precious gifts to the Asantehene to celebrate the special day and later joined the Otumfuo and Lady Julia to cut the cake.
The Asantehene thanked Nana Konadu Yiadom III and was touched by her display of love.
Traditionally, the Asantehemaa is the mother of the Otumfuo.
See the post below:
Asantehemaa Nana Konadu Yiadom III dies at 91 after reigning for eight years#JoyNews pic.twitter.com/uH3y56cMdw
— JoyNews (@JoyNewsOnTV) August 11, 2025