Nana Poah Yiadom II Nana Yaa Asanteawa II Nana Oye II Mama Adawu II
“The Queen Mothers are part of the unique dual male and female governance system common in traditional Africa, where communities have both a Chief and a Queen Mother, each of whose authority complements the other. ”
The Queen Mothers are part of the unique dual male and female governance system common in traditional Africa, where communities have both a Chief and a Queen Mother, each of whose authority complements the other. The Queen Mother, or Nana Ohemaa, occupies a throne, or “stool,” inherited through the royal lineage, and they are not the spouses of chiefs. The Queen Mother's role focuses on guaranteeing the reproduction of the community. She is the leading guardian of the well-being of women, children, the aged, and the infirm. Historically, the Queen Mother plays a guiding role, from the founding of villages and towns, to nomination of the chief, education of the youths in the culture and values, and resolution of family and community conflicts. In this, she balances the roles of the male chiefs focused on trade, defense, infrastructure development, diplomacy, etc. In much of Africa, ancient tradition maintains that the person of greatest importance in the traditional state is the Queen Mother. Without the female authority, the entire community is at risk. Today, the Queen Mothers are re-connecting, coming together and returning their women’s voice to national and global African society. Among the first concerns of the Queen Mothers is to see that there are opportunities for the youths in their communities to gain knowledge and skills to make a living and support new families. So we see that it is necessary for us to put our heads together to support and assist the Queen Mothers.