Yaa Asantewaa died in exile, and her remains were brought back home for burial three years after her death
A consensus has been met for a cenotaph to be built to honour the renowned Queen mother of Ejisu in the Asante Kingdom, Yaa Asantewaa. This project will be finished to offer to the queen, the imperative distinction for her dauntlessness and commitment to the Kingdom.
This was revealed to Otumfuo Osei Tutu II during the last Awukudae of the year 2023 on December 20, by a group made of locals of Ejisu and professors.
Prof Baffour Asare who led the delegation to the Manhyia Palace to receive the blessings of the King ahead of the initiation of the project said the remaining parts of Yaa Asantewaa which is resting under a tree is assessed to be three centuries old at Besease.
Thus, Prof Baffour figures the resting place of the bold queen mother who left a mark on the world and acquired ubiquity for leading men to war isn’t befitting.
Yaa Asantewaa died on exile and her body was brought to Ghana and buried under a tree at Besease. The tree is assessed to be 300 years of age.
As per the group who visited Otumfou Osei Tutu II, her resting place isn’t befitting thus, they have chosen to make a cenotaph, which will be called Yaa Asantewaa Memorial Heritage for the queen.
The group presented a documented estimate and architecture of the project to the Palace and disclosed the timeline for commencement. The project is expected to start next year.
Asantehene commended the group for the project and encouraged them, saying 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.”
Yaa Asantewaa’s constant rebellion against the British colonial rulers resulted in her arrest and exile to the island of Seychelles.
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.
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