By Ansah David

Copyright ahotoronline

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has expressed profound sorrow following the death of the revered Asantehemaa, Nana Konadu Yiadom III, calling her both the spiritual mother of Asanteman and one of his most steadfast pillars of support.
In a deeply moving tribute delivered on his behalf by renowned business leader Dr. Sam Jonah, the Asantehene spoke of the immense void left by the loss of his elder sister, describing how her passing had created “an emptiness in my heart and in the very soul of Asanteman.”
“It is difficult, if not impossible, for me as king to capture in words the depth of my grief,” the Asantehene said. “For the Ashanti people have lost a mother, and I have lost not just a sister, but a trusted confidante and one of my greatest sources of strength.”
He went on to say that Nana Konadu Yiadom III was far more than a queen in title; she was the heart of the Ashanti Kingdom an anchor who held together the intricate web of family, tradition, and heritage.
“She was not just a queen she was the mother of the kingdom,” Otumfuo Osei Tutu II reflected. “Her calm, wise presence was the thread that wove together the delicate fabric of our family, our lineage, and our traditions. Her steady influence was the foundation upon which Asanteman stood strong.”
The Asantehene also recalled their close bond long before he ascended to the throne, recounting how his sister had been a guiding force in his life and leadership.
“Before I was entrusted with the weight of the Golden Stool, she had already carried the burdens of sisterhood, counsel, and love with grace and resilience. It was Nana Konadu who prepared me for the responsibilities I would one day bear often without me fully realizing it. Her guidance, though at times silent, was unwavering. As a young man, I could not have known how deeply her wisdom would shape the man I was destined to become when the Golden Stool was finally placed upon me.”
In his tribute, the Asantehene also spoke of the warmth and maternal love that Nana Konadu Yiadom III had shown to the Ashanti people. Her wisdom, humility, and commitment to their well-being were unwavering, and her loss, he noted, would be felt by generations to come.
Asanteman, he said, would now face a future without the physical presence of one of its most beloved figures. However, her legacy her love for the people, her devotion to the kingdom, and her unwavering spirit would continue to guide them.
“Though she is no longer with us in body, her spirit lives on in the hearts of every Ashanti. Her love and her wisdom will continue to guide me, and all of Asanteman, as we move forward in her absence.”
Story: Nyamebeye Kofi Ansah Sasraku