By Ghana News,Nicholas Osei

Copyright ghananewss

By Nicholas Osei-Wusu

A large crowd of sympathisers and well-wishers on Monday, September 15, 2025, joined the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, and the royal family at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi to mourn the late Asantehemaa, Nana Konadu Yiadom III.

Among those present were former president John Agyekum Kufuor and members of the clergy, who paid homage to the Asantehene as he sat in state.

The ceremony marked the beginning of a four-day traditional burial rite, known as Dote Yie, for the late queen mother, who passed away early last month.

Dote Yie is the parting rite performed before the burial of a deceased person, including a chief or queen. For royals who die while reigning, the rites typically span three days and include a series of traditional and customary rituals to bid farewell.

On the first day, the remains of Nana Konadu Yiadom III lay in state at the Manhyia Palace, where selected groups were allowed to file past the body to pay their last respects. The Asantehene, as chief mourner, also filed past before sitting in state at Dwabrem, the palace’s main court.

Delegations from political parties, professional associations, schools, telecom companies, state-owned enterprises and the clergy followed, with performances by traditional priests and priestesses from across Asanteman.

The Deeper Christian Life Ministry, led by its national overseer, Pastor Dr Edward Tumsiah, was among the religious organisations represented. Dr Tumsiah noted the church’s deep ties to the Ashanti region, where it was established in the 1970s and now has a membership of about 40,000.

“It is proper that we come to share in the grief of the Asantehene on this sad occasion,” he said.

The day featured traditional drumming and dancing, musket firing, and other rituals.

Caretaker chief of the Agona Traditional Area, Nana Gyapa Ameyaw, explained why he and the queen of Agona are among the only two paramount chiefs permitted to wear all white at such events, saying it recognises the role of Komfo Anokye, the legendary traditional priest, in founding the Asante nation.

“Agona is a key paramountcy in Asante affairs. The Asantehene doesn’t joke with us. He does not scold us in public,” Nana Ameyaw told GBC News.

Former minister for chieftaincy and culture, Sampson Kwaku Boafo, who also served as Ashanti regional minister, praised the late queen mother’s contribution during her relatively short reign and expressed hope her successor would build on her legacy.

The four-day rites will end on Thursday, 18 September 2025, with a burial service at the Manhyia Palace. At midnight, the late queen mother will be interred at the Breman Royal Mausoleum.

Nana Konadu Yiadom III, the 14th Asantehemaa, succeeded her mother, Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem, who died in November 2016. She was also the elder sister of the Asantehene and reigned for eight years before passing away at the age of 98.

Her successor will be chosen by the Asantehene after the burial. In the meantime, the queen of Kokofu is serving as caretaker Asantehemaa, supported by the queen of Kwabre Kenyase.

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