The Ejisu Traditional Council in the Ashanti Region has announced plans to institute an annual festival in honour of the legendary Asante warrior queen, Nana Yaa Asantewaa I, with a major focus on mobilising resources to reconstruct her burnt museum.
The maiden edition of the Nana Yaa Asantewaa Festival is scheduled for December 24 to 27, 2026, and is expected to bring together traditional authorities, indigenes of Ejisu, cultural groups and other stakeholders to celebrate the historical contributions of the renowned queen mother.
The initiative, spearheaded by the Paramount Queen Mother of Ejisu, Nana Yaa Asantewaa II, is also intended to provide a platform for educating younger generations about the courage, leadership and legacy of Nana Yaa Asantewaa I.
Speaking at the launch of the festival, Nana Yaa Asantewaa II said the celebration would become an annual event but the maiden edition would prioritise efforts to rebuild and recommission the museum established in honour of the historical figure.
She expressed disappointment over the failure to restore the facility following a fire outbreak that destroyed it in July 2004, despite appeals to successive governments.
According to her, the Traditional Council has decided to take the initiative in mobilising resources towards the reconstruction of the museum to preserve the historical artefacts and cultural heritage associated with the legendary queen.
She said the festival had received the approval of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and appealed to indigenes of Ejisu, corporate institutions, development partners and well-wishers to support the initiative.
The Yaa Asantewaa Museum located at Kwaso in the Ejisu Traditional Area, was established in 2000 to commemorate the legacy of Nana Yaa Asantewaa I.
The facility reportedly housed several historical relics associated with the warrior queen, including her sandals, battle dress and traditional batakari, before the fire destroyed the building and its contents.
Its continued non-restoration has raised concerns about the preservation of an important part of Ghana’s historical heritage.
Festival activities
The Ashanti Regional Director of the Centre for National Culture, Peter Kofi Marfo said the festival would feature activities aimed at promoting cultural awareness, community participation and tourism.
He explained that the programme would begin on December 24 with a community clean-up exercise, health screening and traditional games.
December 25 would feature traditional cooking competitions involving various groups and churches within the Ejisu Traditional Area.
The celebrations would climax with a grand durbar on December 26, during which funds would be mobilised towards the reconstruction of the museum.
The four-day celebration is expected to establish a lasting cultural platform for promoting the history and identity of the Ejisu Traditional Area.
Historical significance
Nana Yaa Asantewaa I remains one of the most celebrated female figures in Ghana’s history for her leadership during the 1900 War of the Golden Stool against British colonial forces.
As the Queen Mother of Ejisu, she mobilised and led Asante forces in resistance against British attempts to seize the Golden Stool, becoming a symbol of courage, patriotism and resistance.
Her contribution continues to hold significance in Ghana’s national history and the broader African struggle against colonial domination.
The maiden festival is therefore expected to renew public interest in her legacy while drawing attention to the need to preserve historical monuments and artefacts for future generations.
By: Michael Walier
