The Asantehemaa, Queen mother of Asante Kingdom, Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem II has died at the age of 111.
A statement from the Manhyia Palace confirmed that, “she passed away peacefully at her palace on Monday, 14th November, 2016.”
The statement paid tribute to the Asantehemaa saying, “she has been a pillar of strength and source of wisdom behind the transformational reign of his Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene.”
The traditional One Week rites following her death will be performed at the Manhyia palace on Thursday, 24th November, 2016.
“In accordance with Asante custom, a ban has been placed on all funeral, drumming and noisemaking throughout Asanteman until after the funeral of the Asantehemaa,” the statement noted.
Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem II was the Asantehemaa for 39 years. She was enstooled in 1977 as the 13th queenmother of the Asante Kingdom after the late Nana Ama Serwaa Nyarko II who reigned from 1945 to 1977.
The late Asantehemaa was also the mother of the current Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
She also saw the reign of the late Otumfuo Opoku Ware II, as Asantehene from 1970 to 1999.
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(Via: CitiFM Online Ghana)