HRH Nana ama oforiwaa II

Benkumhemaa of kona (queen mother), KONA ashanti region. ASANTEMAN

About nana ama oforiwaa ii

A Visionary Traditional Leader Bridging Cultures and Opportunities

About Nana Ama Oforiwaa II (Chanel Boateng) became Nana Ama Oforiwaa II, Benkumhemaa Sianannmu (Queen) of Kona Ashanti Region on Saturday 18th January 2025 and is a distinguished Ghanaian-British entrepreneur and recognised as a cultural influencer with over 500,000 engaged followers worldwide. As a dynamic force in the global digital marketing and philanthropic sectors, Chanel has spearheaded transformative initiatives that drive investment, education, and tourism to Ghana and the African diaspora. As a member of the Benkumhene Royal Family in Kona, Kumasi (Ashanti Region), Chanel is set to make history as the first British-born Ghanaian to be enstooled in the Ashanti Kingdom in January 2025. This enstoolment, endorsed by Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, further solidifies her dedication to preserving and promoting African heritage and empowering communities through her foundation’s initiatives.

ROYAL HERITAGE

A Legacy Rooted in History

Nana Ama Oforiwaa II ascends as the 6th occupant of the Benkumhemaa stool, following in the footsteps of her great-grandmother Nana Adumerewaa, who was personally appointed as the first Benkumhemaa of Kona by her husband, Otumfuo Nana (King Prempeh I). Her ascension continues a sacred duty passed through the bloodline, tracing back nearly 200 years—a testament to the resilience and influence of the Benkum Royal Family.

The Benkumhemaa stool has historically been occupied by women of profound wisdom and strength, including the royal daughters of King Prempeh I, Nana Yaa Achiaah, as well as Nana Afiahemaa, Nana Abenanantie, and Nana Mansah. For 18 years, Nana Mansah has served as the Obaapanin (Mother of the Royal House), guiding and preserving the family’s legacy. This lineage is a rare and unique institution within the Ashanti Kingdom, as the Benkum Royal Family is the only one outside the main town of Kona to have sustained an Ohemaa stool for over two centuries.

The enstoolment of Nana Ama Oforiwaa II is not merely the continuation of a tradition—it is a reaffirmation of the power, resilience, and spiritual essence of the matriarchal leadership that has long shaped the Ashanti Kingdom.

ASANTEHENE (KING OF THE ASHANTI’S), OTUMFUO NANA PREMPEH I

1870- 1931

ENSTOOLMENT

A Legacy of Royalty, Tradition, and Leadership

Nana Ama Oforiwaa II, Benkumhemaa of Kona, Ashanti Region, is a distinguished traditional leader carrying the weight of centuries-old heritage. Her enstoolment on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at the Benkumhene Palace in Kona, marks the continuation of a powerful lineage of female rulers who have safeguarded the cultural, social, and political identity of the Benkum Royal Family for generations. In accordance with Akan royal customs, she was formally placed on the lap (Sianaanmu) of her grand aunt, Nana Mansah Obaapanin, a symbolic rite affirming the unbroken lineage of leadership within the family.

A New Dawn:

The Vision for the Next Queen

As Nana Ama Oforiwaa II assumes her sacred role, she stands at the crossroads of history and modernity. Her reign will be a bridge between the wisdom of the past and the opportunities of the future—one that upholds the spirit of the Asante warrior queens, the wisdom of our foremothers, and the resilience of our ancestors.

She steps into leadership at a time when the role of traditional authority must expand beyond heritage preservation to actively fostering economic empowerment, community development, and the elevation of women in leadership. Her vision is to fortify the Benkum stool as a center of wisdom, diplomacy, and cultural pride while ensuring that younger generations remain deeply connected to their Asante identity and royal traditions.

As the Akan proverb says:

“Se wo werɛ fi na wosan kɔfa a, yɛnkyiri” – If you forget and return to reclaim it, it is not wrong.

This is the spirit of Sankofa—looking back to move forward. Nana Ama Oforiwaa II’s reign will revive, strengthen, and advance the legacy of her foremothers while forging a progressive and inclusive path for future generations.

With wisdom as her guide, strength as her armor, and tradition as her foundation,

she embarks on this sacred journey to lead, inspire, and transform, The Benkum Royal Family and the people of Kona stand ready to embrace this new era with her at the helm.

May she reign with grace, power, and purpose.