Cenotaph To Be Constructed In Honour Of Yaa Asantewaa
The bricks for the construction of a cenotaph at the resting place of the famous Queen mother of Ejisu in the Asante Kingdom, Yaa Asantewaa will be laid to bestow to her, the requisite honour for her bravery and contribution to the Kingdom.
This was disclosed to Otumfuo Osei Tutu II during the last Awukudae of the year 2023 on December 20, by a group made of natives of Ejisu and professors.
Prof Baffour Asare who led the delegation to the Manhyia Palace to seek the blessings of the Monarch ahead of the commencement of the project said the remains of Yaa Asantewaa is resting under a tree estimated to be three centuries old at Besease.
He said the resting place of the brave queen mother who made history and gained popularity for leading men to war is not befitting.
“Yaa Asantewaa died on exile. Her remains were brought to Ghana and buried under a tree at Besease. The tree is estimated to be 300 years old. Her resting place is not befitting so together with my team, we have decided to make a cenotaph, which will be called Yaa Asantewaa Memorial Heritage.”
The group presented a documented estimate and architecture of the project to the Palace and disclosed the timeline for commencement.
“We want to start the project next year and we are here to seek the blessings of Otumfuo.”
Asantehene commended the group for the project and encouraged them, regretting Yaa Asantewaa has not been celebrated enough by Asantes.
“Asantes haven’t done anything to honour Yaa Asantewaa’s memory for what she did…I thank you for this project. Asanteman thanks you for this thought.”
He continued, “Next year will be ten years since Nana (Prempeh I) returned from Seychelles and we have decided to commemorate it. When he was coming he brought with him the remains of Yaa Asantewaa…I would be glad if it would be completed by the 10th month of 2024.”
Accompanying Prof Asare Duah to the Palace were Mr Ohemeng Asomaning and Prof Peter Amoah.
Yaa Asantewaa
Yaa Asantewaa was captured and exiled to Seychelles Island after constant rebellion against the British colonial rulers.
Her rebellion gained popularity when she led a war known as the Yaa Asantewaa War or the Golden Stool War to resist demand by Frederick Hodgson, then Governor of the Gold Coast for the Golden Stool, the soul of the Asante nation.
She died in exile on October 17, 1921. Her remains were brought back home for burial three years after her death when Prempeh I and the other remaining members of the exiled Asante court were allowed to return home.
