Asantehene, Asantehemaa Endorse Lawyer Enstooled as Oheneni
The occupant of the Golden Stool, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, and the Queen of the Asante Kingdom, Nana Yaa Akyaa II, have endorsed the enstoolment of a female legal practitioner as Oheneni, the Asantehene’s traditional mother.
She was selected by Nana Gyamfi Kumanin II, Pampasohene.
Oheneni Akyaamaa III’s introduction on August 4, 2026, marked the most important part of the process, ultimately finalising it.
She was first presented to Otumfuo at the Manhyia Palace by a delegation led by Oheneyere Akosua Serwaa Oheneafrewo, Ayigyahemaa, with concurrent responsibility as Hiahene.
Other members of the delegation were Nana Gyamfi Kumanin II, Pampasohene; Nana Wadie Assim, Wadie Adwumakasehene; Nana Ahenkro Sei Poku IV, Ahenkrohene; and Nana Kwatemaa Nyiano Ababio, Wadie Adwumakasehemaa.
From the residence of His Majesty, she was taken to the court of the Asantehemaa.
Introducing her, the Hiahene said, “Following the demise of Amponsah, the Pampasohene has gotten us a successor. Her selection has been approved by the Asantehene, and we have brought her to receive your approval as well. She is Akyamaa.”
Her Majesty also added her approval, stating: “I approve her if she has been accepted by the Asantehene. I welcome her and hope she commits herself to service, just like her predecessor.”
Role of Oheneni
The traditional title of Oheneni traces its origins to the reign of Otumfuo Opoku Ware I, the second occupant of the Golden Stool.
According to history, after the birth of Opoku Ware, who would later become the Asantehene, the infant was entrusted to Ama Wanni (Oheneni Akyaamaa I), who raised and nurtured him into adulthood.
In recognition of her fosterage, she was revered as the mother of the Asantehene, laying the foundation for the esteemed institution of Oheneni.
Profile
Oheneni, privately known as Rose Keddey, Esq. (born Akosua Mansah), has a career that spans public service, higher education, and law.
Her foundational education began at Yaa Asantewaa Secondary School, after which she proceeded to the Technical Teachers College (TTC)—now the University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development.
Demonstrating a continuous drive for academic excellence, she earned both her first and second degrees from the University of Cape Coast (UCC).
Deepening her professional expertise, she subsequently pursued a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) at MountCrest University College, affiliated with the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi.
Her legal training culminated in her call to the Ghana Bar in November 2022.
Throughout her distinguished public service career, Oheneni Rose Keddey has held prominent administrative and academic roles.
She served in the Parliamentary Service of Ghana as Deputy Clerk in charge of Finance and Administration.
She also acted as Desk Officer for the Inter-Parliamentary Union and African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP) and European Union (EU) Parliamentary delegations to meetings.
In academia, she contributed significantly to tertiary education as a lecturer at Takoradi Polytechnic (now Takoradi Technical University), where her leadership eventually led to her appointment as Vice Principal.
In addition, she shared her governance expertise over different periods as an adjunct lecturer at the Institute of Local Government Studies in Accra.
Currently, she continues her professional work as a legal practitioner with BBOYO@Law in Accra while carrying out her duties as a traditional leader.
She was married to the late E.K. Keddey, of blessed memory, and is a mother of four.
Story by Hajara Fuseini
Click to read more: https://opemsuo.com/author/hajara-fuseini/
