In a moving show of loyalty and community spirit, traders in Kumasi extended generosity to the thousands of mourners gathered for the funeral of the late Asantehemaa, Nana Konadu Yiadom III. Sympathizers were offered free meals throughout the solemn occasion, turning grief into a moment of shared humanity.
Leading the initiative, the Market Queen Mother, Nana Yaa Forwaa, explained that the gesture was more than hospitality—it was a duty. “We want everyone who comes to console the Asantehene and Asanteman to feel welcomed and cared for,” she said.
The traders view their work as market queens not merely as commerce but as service to the Golden Stool. By feeding mourners, they sought to honour the memory of the late Asantehemaa, whose symbolic ownership of all market produce made the gesture deeply significant.
“Our loyalty to the Asantehene and to the kingdom is reflected in this service,” Nana Yaa Forwaa added. “Since everything in the market belongs to the Asantehemaa, it is only fitting that we share freely during her farewell.”
The act of feeding thousands was not just about food—it was about solidarity, tradition, and gratitude. In mourning the queen mother, Kumasi’s traders reminded the nation that the marketplace, too, is a keeper of culture and a pillar of unity.
Story: Lawal Mohammed
