New details have emerged about the childhood and early life of Asantehemaa Nana Yaa Akyaa II, the 15th Queen Mother of the Ashanti Kingdom.

Following her enstoolment as the new Asantehemaa, many Ghanaians have been eager to know more about her life before ascending to the role of Queen Mother of the Ashanti Kingdom.

https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/No-one-can-ever-overpower-Asanteman-Otumfuo-2040200

Details shared by the Manhyia Palace indicate that Asantehemaa Nana Yaa Akyaa II was born on June 3, 1946, to Daniel Kwame Bonah Siribour and Odehyie Adwoa Akyaa.

She was given the birth name Margaret Siribour, while her traditional name is Odehyie Ama Bonsu.

She began her education at Yaa Achiaa Girls, where she studied from 1952 to 1957, before enrolling at Mmofraturo Girls' Boarding School from 1958 to 1961.

For her secondary education, she attended St Louis Girls' Senior High School between 1961 and 1966.

She later married the late Kwame Afriyie, and together they had three children: Barima Osei Afriyie, Barima Kwaku Karikari, and Odehyie Akua Gyamfua.

Nana Yaa Akyaa II is also known for her entrepreneurial achievements. Over the years, she has worked with Queensway Bookshop, Kingsway Stores, and West End Hotel, and has also operated several businesses under sole proprietorship.

She is also from the royal Oyoko family of Asanteman and comes from a distinguished royal lineage as a direct granddaughter of Otumfuo Agyeman Prempeh I, the 13th Asantehene, who was exiled to the Seychelles by the British during the Anglo-Asante wars in the 19th century.

The Asantehemaa is also a niece of Otumfuo Sir Osei Agyeman Prempeh II, the 14th Asantehene. In addition, she was the sister of the late Nana Akwasi Agyeman, the former Metropolitan Chief Executive of Kumasi, who was widely known by the nickname "Okumkom."

Who is Nana Ama Bonsu? - Meet Manhyia's 15th Asantehemaa

She was unveiled at the Manhyia Palace on July 6, 2026, following her appointment by the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.

Profile of 𝐍𝐚𝐧𝐚 𝐘𝐚𝐚 𝐀𝐤𝐲𝐚𝐚 𝐈𝐈, Asantehemaa.#manhyiapalace pic.twitter.com/1CLqFr7dAG

— Manhyia Palace (@ManhyiaPalace) July 18, 2026