An extremely difficult-to-control crowd of mourners clad in black cloth, known in Asante parlance as ‘kuntunkuni,’ thronged the Bogyawe durbar grounds in Manhyia Palace on August 21, 2025, to celebrate the one-week observance of Asantehemaa, Nana Konadu Yiadom III.
Thousands of zealous mourners, including top government officials, prominent politicians, security chiefs, and public officials, joined Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, and the Asanteman Traditional Council.
Although the event was planned to commence at 12 pm, by 10:30 am, the funeral grounds were almost full of enthusiastic mourners who had come from all parts of the Asante Kingdom and beyond.
Before Otumfuo Osei Tutu II sat in state around 1:00 pm to welcome his guests, chiefs, queen mothers, and the huge crowd of mourners, which gave the security personnel a tough time, the funeral grounds had overflowed.
Hundreds of mourners who could hardly join the durbar due to limited space stood outside the Manhyia Palace, drumming and dancing until the end of the event.
The one-week observance of Asantehemaa featured drumming, dancing, masquerade firing, and displays by traditional priests.
The successfully held event was not only a splendid spectacle of mourning the most influential and powerful figure in the Asante Kingdom but also another occasion to display the rich culture of the Asantes.
High-profile personalities in attendance included Naana Jane Opoku Agyemang, Vice President; John Agyekum Kufuor, former President; Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, immediate past President; Dr. Mahamudu Bawuwia, immediate past Vice President; and Matthew Opoku Prempeh, former running mate for NPP.
Also present were Mr. Julius Debrah, Chief of Staff; COP Christian Tetteh Yohunu, Inspector General of Police; Frank Amoakohene, Ashanti Regional Minister; Richard Ofori-Agyeman Boadi, Mayor of Kumasi; and Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, former Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin Central.
Other attendees included Mr. Justin Kodua Frimpong, General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP); DCOP Emmanuel Teye Cudjoe, Ashanti Regional Police Commander; former MPs; regional heads of departments and agencies; clergymen; and leadership of Zongo communities.
BY Thomas Awuah Asem
