Following the burial of the late Asantehemaa, Nana Konadu Yiadom III, on Thursday, September 18, 2025, the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, is expected to choose her successor within two weeks.
In line with Asanteman traditions, the selection of the next Asantehemaa, would require the involvement of the paramount queen mother of Kokofu (Kokofuhemaa), and the Kenyasihemaa.
The two notable queen mothers play an important role in the selection of the next queen mother of the Ashanti Kingdom.
Fourteen (14) gallant women have occupied the stool of the Asantehemaa, a position that places them in a position that allows them to actively participate in the selection of the King of Asanteman, the Asantehene.
In fact, the Asantehene and the Asantehemaa are the custodians of the Golden Stool, although the former is the occupant of the stool.
Past queen mothers have historically assisted 16 great kings to rule the kingdom in their capacity as chief advisers; with some serving more than two kings.
However, this time around, it appears a new record would be set after the Asantehene successfully installs a new Asantehemaa.
A sculptures of the 16 kings of the Asante Kingdom
As the numbers suggest, some queen mothers have served more than two kings of Asanteman.
Similarly, history indicates that some kings have also served with more than two Asantehemaa as custodians of the Golden Stool.
However, the installation of a new Asantehemaa this year would break a record in the Asante Kingdom.
Historical records show that only two kings have had three queen mothers.
So, if the new Asantehemaa is successfully installed, the current Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, would be breaking this record.
Below is a history of Asante Kings and the Queen Mothers they served with:
1. Opemsuo Osei Tutu I (1670 to 1717):
Otumfuo Nana Osei Tutu, who was born Osei Kofi and is regarded as the founder of the Asante Empire, was the leader of Asanteman from 1670 to 1717.
His queen mother was Nana Nyaako Kusi Amoa. Nana Nyaako Kusi Amoa was the first queen mother of Asanteman.
She was queen mother in the 17th and 18th centuries and likely ruled from either 1695 or 1701 to 1722.
2. Nana Opoku Ware I (1720 to 1750):
Nana Opoku Ware I, the second King of the Asante Kingdom, reigned from 1720 to 1750.
His first queen mother was Nana Nyaako Kusi Amoa. His second queen mother was Nana Nketia Ntim Abamo, the second Asantehemaa, who was made queen mother in 1722 following the death of Kusi Amoa.
She reigned for 18 years, from 1722 to 1740.
3. Nana Kusi Obodum (1750 to 1764):
Nana Kusi Obodum was Asantehene from 1750 to 1764.
According to historical records, he was forced to abdicate.
His queen mother was Nana Nketia Ntim Abamo.
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4. Otumfuo Nana Osei Kwadwo Okoawia (1764 to 1777):
Otumfuo Nana Osei Kwadwo Okoawia was Asantehene from 1764 to 1777.
Nana Nketia Ntim Abamo also served as his first queen mother. His second queen mother was Nana Konadu Yaadom, who was Asantehemaa from 1768 to 1809, reigning for 41 years.
5. Nana Osei Kwame Panyin (1777 to 1803):
Nana Osei Kwame Panyin reigned as the king of Asanteman from 1777 to 1803. His queen mother was Nana Konadu Yaadom.
6. Nana Opoku Fofie (1803 to 1804):
Nana Opoku Fofie became the Asantehene in 1803 and reigned until 1804. His queen mother was also Nana Konadu Yaadom.
7. Otumfuo Nana Osei Bonsu (1804 to 1824):
Otumfuo Nana Osei Bonsu took over from Opoku Fofie and was king of Asanteman from 1804 to 1824.
His first queen mother was Nana Konadu Yaadom. His second Asantehemaa was Nana Adoma Akosua, who reigned for 10 years, from 1809 to 1819.
Otumfuo Nana Osei Bonsu is the first king of Asanteman to have had three queen mothers, the third being Nana Ama Serwaa I, who was Asantehemaa for nine years, from 1819 to 1828.
8. Nana Osei Yaw Akoto (1824 to 1834):
Nana Osei Yaw Akoto was the 8th Asantehene and ruled from 1824 to 1834. His first queen mother was Nana Ama Serwaa I.
His second queen mother was Nana Yaa Dufie, who reigned for eight years, from 1828 to 1836.
9. Nana Kwaku Duah I (1834 to 1867):
Nana Kwaku Duah I reigned from 1834 to 1867 as the 9th king of Asanteman. His first queen mother was Nana Yaa Dufie.
Nana Afia Sarpong took over as Asantehemaa from Nana Yaa Dufie in 1836, under Nana Duah I, and ruled for 21 years, from 1836 to 1857.
Asantehene Duah I also had a third queen mother, Asantehemaa Nana Afia Kobi I, who reigned for 26 years, from 1857 to 1883.
10. Otumfuo Nana Kofi Karikari (1867 to 1874):
Otumfuo Nana Kofi Karikari was the 10th Asantehene and ruled from 1867 to 1874 with Asantehemaa Nana Afia Kobi I as his only queen mother.
11. Nana Mensah Bonsu (1874 to 1883):
The 11th Asantehene, Nana Mensah Bonsu, ruled from 1874 to 1883, when he was forced to abdicate. He also had Asantehemaa Nana Afia Kobi I as his queen mother.
His second queen mother was Nana Yaa Akyaa, who ruled for 34 years, from 1883 to 1917.
12. Nana Kwaku Duah II (1884):
Nana Kwaku Duah II was the 12th Asantehene in 1884. He died after a short illness.
His queen mother was Nana Yaa Akyaa.
13. Otumfuo Nana Prempeh I (1888 to 1931):
Otumfuo Nana Prempeh I became Asantehene after the Asante Civil War in 1888 and ruled from 1888 to 1931.
He had Nana Yaa Akyaa as his first queen mother, followed by Asantehemaa Konadu Yiadom II, who reigned for 28 years, from 1917 to 1945.
14. Nana Osei Tutu Agyeman Prempeh II (1931 to 1970):
Nana Osei Tutu Agyeman Prempeh II, the 14th king of Asanteman, reigned from 1931 to 1970.
His first Asantehemaa was Konadu Yiadom II, followed by Nana Ama Serwaa Nyaako, who was queen mother of Asanteman for 32 years, from 1945 to 1977.
15. Otumfuo Opoku Ware II (1970 to 1999):
Otumfuo Opoku Ware II, the 15th Asante king, took over from Prempeh II and was Asantehene from 1970 to 1999.
Ama Serwaa Nyaako was his first Asantehemaa. His second Asantehemaa was Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem II, who reigned from 1977 to 2016, a total of 39 years.
16. Otumfuo Osei Tutu II:
The current Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, who was born Nana Kwaku Duah, took over from Opoku Ware II in 1999.
The first Asantehemaa to serve with him was Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem II.
Nana Konadu Yiadom III succeeded her as Asantehemaa under the current Asantehene and ruled for nine years.
After the installation of the new Asantehemaa, which is expected soon, the Asantehene becomes the third king of Asanteman to have served with three queen mothers.
BAI/VPO
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