Former Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia has joined the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, in mourning the passing of Queen Mother Nana Ama Konadu Yiadom III, who died August 7 at age 98.
In a heartfelt Facebook tribute, Bawumia praised the late Asantehemaa as “an enduring symbol of unity, grace, and candour,” recalling her personal counsel and prayers that strengthened him. “We have lost a mother, not just the queen mother,” he wrote.
The Asantehene formally announced her passing Monday at an Asanteman Council meeting in Kumasi’s Manhyia Palace. Enstooled in 2016 as the 14th Asantehemaa, Nana Konadu Yiadom III reigned eight years despite never receiving formal education.
Born in 1927 during the Asante Confederacy’s restoration, she was separated from her biological mother as an infant and raised by an aunt. Her life defied humble beginnings a childhood prophecy foretold her rise to queenship, fulfilled decades later.
Known for fairness and devotion, she championed healthcare and maternal causes. In 2021, she cleared medical bills for new mothers at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital and funded breastfeeding advocacy programs.
Her legacy includes a namesake school, the Nana Konadu Saviour School, honoring her philanthropic spirit. The Asante kingdom prepares for funeral rites as tributes highlight her quiet impact: a ruler who settled disputes amicably and opened her heart to all.
