The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has described the reign of the late Asantehemaa, Nana Konadu Yiadom III, as one defined by dignity, humility, and selfless service to the Ashanti Kingdom.

In a glowing tribute, the Asantehene said she embodied the true meaning of leadership, balancing majesty with compassion.

“She sat in majesty, yet never placed herself above her people. She was the voice of the woman in the market, the comfort of widows, the guardian of orphans, and the reconciler of families in dispute,” he said in a tribute read by Ghanaian business magnate Sir Sam Jonah.

The Asantehene stressed that her court was a place of patience, wisdom, and care, noting that her private life revealed the tenderness of a mother. “She reminded us that leadership is not about command, but about care; not about domination, but about compassion,” he added.

Reflecting on their close bond, the Asantehene said the late Queen Mother was more than a monarch; she was his elder sister and confidante.

He emphasised the spiritual and cultural significance of the bond between Asantehemaa and Asantehene, describing it as a cornerstone of Ashanti governance. That bond, he said, was strengthened during his reign by the unique fact that the Queen Mother was his senior sister.

“Together, we carried the weight of Asanteman—two shoes, two rows, yet one heart for our people,” the Asantehene declared.