Scores of mourners thronged Wenchi in the Bono Region to pay their final respects at the last funeral rites of the late Queen Mother of the Wenchi Traditional Area, Nana Atoa Seramangyedua III.
Chiefs and queens from various traditional areas, opinion leaders, politicians, Islamic clerics, celebrities, and people from all walks of life joined the solemn yet culturally vibrant ceremony.
The four-day public viewing of the late Queen Mother’s remains at the Wenchi Traditional Council, from Thursday, November 27 to Saturday, November 29, 2025, drew large crowds, reflecting the deep affection and reverence held for her across the region.
Earlier, on Wednesday, November 26, traditional rites were performed by Fetish Priests (Akomfo) to spiritually pave the way for the public viewing. The Wenchimanhene, His Royal Highness Osagyefo Ampem Anye Amoampong Tabrako III, also performed sacred rituals in accordance with custom, officially permitting mourners to pay their last respects.
The final burial rites, known as Dɔte Yie, blended tradition, pageantry, and cultural symbolism, showcasing the heritage and identity of the Wenchi people. The funeral spanned from Wednesday, November 26 through Sunday, November 30, 2025, culminating in her burial at Yooyoano Banmu, a place of deep ancestral significance.
The late Queen Mother passed away peacefully on Friday, June 13, 2025, at the age of 95. Her passing marks the close of an extraordinary 48-year reign, which began on January 7, 1977, when she was enstooled as Paramount Queen Mother of Wenchi.
Born Abena Nsia, affectionately known in private life as Abena Boatemaa, she was the sixth child of her parents. Upon her enstoolment, she took the stool name Nana Ampofo Tweewa Ɔtɔnsuo Atoa Seramangyedua III, growing to become a revered symbol of wisdom, cultural preservation, and maternal leadership.
News of her passing was formally announced by Nana Owusu Ameyaw Ababio, Head of the Ahenfie Yefiri Royal Family and Abakomahene of the Wenchi Traditional Council, in a solemn communication from the royal family residence in Wenchi.
Nana Atoa Seramangyedua III leaves behind an enduring legacy grounded in tradition, community service, and the strengthening of cultural identity. Her name remains etched in the hearts of Wenchiman and beyond as a true mother of the land.
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