Plans are underway for the burial of the late Asante Juabenhemaa whose sudden demise occurred on Sunday 10th September, 2023 at the age of 97 years.
Nana Akyamaa was installed Queen mother of the Juaben Traditional Area in January, 1995 following the demise of her mother, Nana Akosua Akyamaa II, Juabenhemaa in November 1994, she ruled for 28 years.
Nana’s reign has been full of service to her maker, the Juaben state and Asanteman. A fervent Methodist, she was deeply involved in church’s activities and provided material support to the church groups such as Girl’s brigade, Christ little band and women’s fellowship.
In appreciation of her generous contributions, time and resources to the church, the clergy at the Wesley cathedral, Adum-Kumasi demonstrated their reverence, honour and respect for her by reserving a special seat for her at the front row of the church.
Nana institutionalised an annual thanksgiving service in Juaben during which all the religious faiths and the Oman joined to offer thanks to the almighty. The attendance at the events were so heavy that they were called “JUABEN BRONYA”
Nana Akyamaa worked assiduously throughout her reign to reduce teenage pregnancy in the Juaben traditional area, she reintroduced the time hallowed Akan tradition of “Bragro”- female puberty rites in a modest way.
She regularly brought together the teenage girls to be given lessons in personal hygiene and reproductive health by the health professionals, the goodies that the attendees took away ensured maximum patronage at all times.
She played her traditional role as councillor to the Omanhene and elders effectively and the peace the traditional council enjoyed during her tenure attest to her skills at statesmanship and diplomacy.
Her diplomatic skills were tested seriously just four years into her reign when in 1999 the Asantehene Otumfuo Opoku Ware II died, Nana’s services to Asanteman reached a defining moment during the coronation of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
The steadfast support and counsel she gave the Asantehene were acknowledged in a citation captioned “HONOUR OF RECOGNITION BY OTUMFUO OSEI TUTU II” on the anniversary of his enthronement.
The queen mother was blessed with six (6) children, three (3) males and three (3) females. Daasebre Otuo Sereboe II who doubles as Council of State Chairman and the late Prof. Daasebre Oti Boateng are her biological brothers.
The late Nana Akosua Akyaamaa III will be laid in state (Doteyie) on Saturday 24th February, 2024 and buried on Monday 26th February, 2024. The installation of her successor will follow on Thursday 29th February, 2024.
According to Juaben traditional council, the final funeral rites (Ayikesie) will take place on Saturday, 2nd March and Sunday 3rd March, 2024. Sunday, 10th March, 2024 ends the funeral with a thanksgiving service.
–Information Desk -Juaben Municipal Assembly