Asantehemaas who have served the Ashanti Kingdom since its establishment
Asanteman has entered a new era with the appointment of Nana Ama Bonsu as the new Asantehemaa, succeeding the late Nana Konadu Yiadom III as the 15th Queen Mother of the Ashanti Kingdom.
Nana Ama Bonsu was unveiled at the Manhyia Palace on July 6, 2026, after she was appointed by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
As she begins her reign, she joins a long list of Queen Mothers who have served Asanteman over the years.
From Kusi Amoa to Konadu Yiadom III: List of all Asantehemaas since the creation of the Asante Kingdom
However, one record has remained unbeaten for more than 200 years.
According to Opemsuo.com, the official site for the Manhyia Palace, the record is held by the 14th Asantehemaa, Nana Konadu Yiadom III, who remains the longest-serving Queen Mother in the more than 300-year history of the Asante Kingdom.
She ruled for 41 years, from 1768 to 1809. Her reign came at a time when the Asante Kingdom was growing stronger and its traditions and system of governance were becoming firmly established.
The second-longest reign belongs to Nana Afua Serwaa Kobi Ampem II, the 13th Asantehemaa and the biological mother of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
She served as Queen Mother for 39 years, from 1977 to 2016.
The third-longest reign belongs to Nana Yaa Akyaa, the 10th Asantehemaa, who ruled for 33 years, from 1884 to 1917.
Nana Ama Bonsu joins a tall list of queen mothers including Nana Nyarko Kusiamoa, Nana Nkatia Abamo, Nana Akua Afriyie, Nana Akosua Adoma, Nana Ama Serwaa, Nana Yaa Dufie, Nana Afua Sarpon.
If Nana Ama Bonsu remains on the stool for more than 41 years, she will become the longest-serving Asantehemaa in the history of the Ashanti Kingdom.
Before becoming Asantehemaa, Nana Ama Bonsu was a businesswoman from the royal Oyoko family of Asanteman.
She is a direct granddaughter of Otumfuo Agyeman Prempeh I, the 13th Asantehene, who was exiled to the Seychelles by the British during the Anglo-Asante wars in the 19th century.
The 159-year record Asantehene has broken with his selection of Ama Bonsu as Asantehemaa
She is also a niece of Otumfuo Sir Osei Agyeman Prempeh II, the 14th Asantehene, and the sister of the late Nana Akwasi Agyeman, the former Metropolitan Chief Executive of Kumasi, who was popularly known as "Okumkom."
She has been given the stool name Nana Yaa Akyaa II to begin her reign as the new Asantehemaa.
MAG/VPO
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