The newly enstooled Asantehemaa of the Asante Kingdom, Nana Ama Bonsu, has officially adopted Nana Yaa Akyaa IIas her stool name.

The 80-year-old Queen Mother was selected by Otumfuo Osei Tutu II on Monday, 6 July 2026, becoming the 15th Asantehemaa of the Asante Kingdom.

She succeeds Nana Konadu Yiadom III, who died on 7 August 2025 at the age of 98.

Nana Yaa Akyaa II is expected to be formally introduced to the Kumasi Traditional Council and the Asanteman Traditional Council in the coming days.

Her selection followed customary procedures at the Manhyia Palace, where the Asantehene met key traditional leaders to finalise the appointment.

The stool name pays tribute to Nana Yaa Akyaa I, who was exiled to the Seychelles alongside her son, Prempeh I, and later died there.

Speaking on the age of the newly appointed Asantehemaa, Manhyia Palace monarchical historian Osei-Bonsu Sarfo-Kantanka said there is no customary requirement that only elderly women can occupy the position.

In an interview with Kumasi FM's Elisha Adarkwah, he explained that younger royals, including a 19-year-old in the past, have also ascended the stool.

He said the current practice of selecting older royals reflects an internal arrangement within the royal family, largely due to the increasing size of the royal lineage, rather than a customary rule.

According to him, senior royals are given the opportunity to serve as Asantehemaa if they wish, but they may also choose to pass the role on to younger members of the royal family.