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Meet Queen Mother Nana Akosua Akyamaa, the Woman Who Bravely Stood Up to Dr. Nkrumah During Power Struggle
The late Nana Akosua Akyamaa, former Queen Mother of the Ejura Divisional Council, has been hailed by her subjects as one of the bravest queens in Ghana’s history.
Her remarkable life and achievements have earned her a revered place alongside the legendary Queen Mother of Ejisu, Nana Yaa Asantewaa.
Nana Akyamaa’s brave actions earned her the nickname “Ejura Asona Yaa Asantewaa” after leading a resistance to stop top government officials from taking away the Ejura Royal Stool during a power struggle in the 20th century.
Born Akosua Nsiah in 1916 to Opannin Osei Kwadwo Ansebsie and Obaapanin Adwoa Twumwaa at Ejura, in the Ashanti Region, Nana Akosua Akyamaa was ascended to the Ejura Stool in 1947 after the death of Queen Nana Ama Tiwaa I.
Her wisdom and strength quickly gained recognition beyond Ejura.
Despite lacking formal education, Nana Akosua Akyamaa demonstrated remarkable intelligence and leadership skills, earning her great respect among her peers.
The brave queen offered strong support to her brother, Nana Kwaku Sarfo, the then chief of Ejura Divisional Council, helping him navigate through difficulties.
The Queen Mother is noted for solely saving and upholding the honor of the Ejura Throne after single-handedly fighting against the then-president, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, and his Convention People’s Party (CPP), preventing them from capturing the Ejura throne.
The renowned Queen demonstrated extraordinary courage by embarking on a journey from Ejura to Accra, determined to meet with President Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.
Her perseverance paid off when she finally secured an audience with the president, presenting a compelling case for why the government should refrain from interfering with the Ejura Stool.
Her boldness yielded positive results, as the Nkrumah government ultimately acquiesced to her demands.
Just after winning the battle against the Nkrumah government, District Commissioner Akosah, notorious for his brutal tactics, launched an attack on the Ejura Stool, attempting to seize it from the Asona Royals.
Undaunted, Nana Akyaama confronted Akosah, grasping his shirt and issuing a stern warning to never approach the throne again.
Her unwavering strength and determination ensured the Ejura Royal Stool remained intact, safeguarding the heritage of her ancestors and future generations.
Nana Akosua Akyamaa’s leadership extended to fostering economic growth in her community.
Her wisdom played a vital role in the Ejura Divisional Council’s decision to allocate vast tracts of land to the CPP government for the Workers Brigade Farms, a project that provided employment and economic development to the town and Ghana.
She tirelessly devoted her time to cultivating food, supplying it to the less privileged in society. Her generosity extended beyond Ejura, particularly during the 1983 famine, where she single-handedly provided food to her subjects to fight the menace.
Having served her subjects diligently, Nana Akyamaa willingly abdicated her throne in 1977, handing over to her daughter, Nana Akua Tiwaa II, who is currently the queen mother for Ejura.
Nana Akyamaa has been dutifully honored by her descendants for her remarkable achievements.
The Chief of Ejura Divisional Council, Barimah Osei Hwedie II, has named a media firm after her, which currently employs 20 individuals with the frequency module 106.5.
In June 2024, Nana Akosua suffered a brief illness and was eventually admitted to the Okomfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in the Ashanti Region, where she passed away on June 24, 2024. Ejurahene Barimah Osei Hwedie II once again honored his late grandmother by organizing a befitting funeral for her.
