BY MBONO MDLULI
MBABANE – Deputy Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla has joined the Ashanti Kingdom in Ghana to participate in the burial of Queen Mother (Asantehemaa) Nana Konadu Yiadom III.
Dladla arrived at Kumasi Airport, Ghana, on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, after departing Eswatini the previous afternoon. She was accompanied by a delegation that included Minister of Tinkhundla Administration and Development Sikhumbuzo Dlamini, Prince Phuhlaphi, and Chief Ndzabankhulu Simelane. The delegation was welcomed by Eswatini Ambassador to Ghana, Sithembiso Gama, and Kumasi Mayor Richard Ofori Ayman Bowadi.
Representing Their Majesties and the Eswatini nation, Dladla and her team attended the four-day ‘Dote Yie’ traditional burial rites, which began on Monday, September 15, and will conclude on Thursday, September 18, 2025. This ceremony also included evening funeral services from Monday to Wednesday and formal condolences to King Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
According to reports by Ghanaian media houses, the public viewing of the late Queen Mother’s remains at Manhyia Palace runs from 5am to 5pm, with the final day scheduled to end at 11am. to allow for the burial. Various groups, including political parties, educational institutions, associations, religious groups, and members of the public, have been paying their last respects.
In keeping with Asante tradition, women viewing the body are required to avoid wearing jewelry, earrings, headgear, or flip-flops, while men must remove sandals before filing past. The ceremony has featured performances by traditional priests and priestesses and is supported by extensive security, protocol, and medical arrangements. Vehicular movement near the palace has been restricted, with buses provided to ferry mourners from designated points to maintain order.
On the final day, Thursday, September 18, prominent figures including the President John Dramani Mahama and his appointees, former Presidents, the former Vice President, Chief Justice and judiciary members, the Speaker, and MPs will pay homage, while Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II will sit in state. The late Queen Mother’s remains will be laid to rest at the Breman Royal Mausoleum at midnight.
Schools and businesses in Kumasi have been asked to close in honor of the late 14th Asantehemaa, who reigned for eight years after succeeding her mother, the late Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem, who passed away in November 2016.
(Courtesy Pic)
