By: Nana Karikari, Senior Global Affairs Correspondent
This year has cast a long, somber shadow over Ghana, with its epicenter seemingly in the Ashanti Region. A relentless wave of tragedies and high-profile deaths has left the nation grappling with a profound and collective sense of sorrow. These events, ranging from the passing of revered traditional leaders and national icons to catastrophic accidents, underscore the region’s central and irreplaceable role in Ghana’s national identity and emotional landscape. The latest of these devastating blows is the passing of the Asantehemaa Nana Konadu Yiadom III.
A Community United in Sorrow
Among the many painful losses this year, the passing of Daasebre Osei-Bonsu II, the Mamponghene, on April 28, 2025, at the age of 86 stands out as one of the first high-profile deaths. He was not just a leader but the esteemed custodian of the Silver Stool, holding the title of second-in-command of the Asante Kingdom. His death was a significant blow to the traditional hierarchy, leaving a void felt across the nation. A fellow traditional leader, Nana Adjei Poku, stated, “We have lost a great unifier and a voice of wisdom. His counsel was a pillar of the kingdom.”
The nation was soon mourning the loss of two celebrated highlife musicians, both sons of the Ashanti Region. In May, Dada KD, a cherished musical talent who hailed from the region, passed away after a sudden medical emergency.
Just two months later, the music world was shaken by the death of the legendary artist Charles Kwadwo Fosu, known affectionately as Daddy Lumba. Though he passed away in Accra, his profound roots and monumental impact in the Ashanti Region ensured his death resonated deeply with the public there.
His music was a cultural anchor, and for many, his loss felt personal. One ordinary Ghanaian, Akua Serwaa, emotionally remarked, “His music was the soundtrack of our lives. It’s hard to imagine Ghana without his voice.” Their musical legacies, born in the heart of the Ashanti Region, were a powerful and unifying force, and their absence left a palpable silence.
A Layering of Unfathomable Tragedy
The national grief was compounded by two large-scale tragedies that claimed the lives of the young and the dedicated. On July 28, 2025, a devastating road crash on the Accra-Kumasi Highway claimed the lives of 16 young members of the Obogu Saviour Church Youth Ministry.
The victims, aged between 4 and 21, were returning from a conference when the fatal collision occurred on the notoriously dangerous Juaso-Nkawkaw stretch. An elder of the church, Kofi Baah, speaking with a heavy heart, told Adom News, “We were home when we received a distress call about the accident. We rushed to the Juaso Hospital only to witness this heartbreaking tragedy. Some parents have lost two children, others three. It’s a massive loss.” The loss of an entire generation of young church members was a tragedy that shook the very foundations of their community.
The nation was still reeling when, on August 6, a military helicopter crash in the Adansi Akrofuom District in the Ashanti Region killed eight prominent Ghanaians. This tragedy struck at the highest levels of government and the armed forces. The victims included five respected public servants: Defense Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Environment Minister Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Dr. Muniru Mohammed Limuna, NDC Vice-Chairman Dr. Samuel Sarpong, and former parliamentary candidate Samuel Aboagye. They were accompanied by three dedicated military officers: Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Twum Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah. The helicopter was en route to Obuasi from Accra. The government, in a solemn declaration, announced a period of national mourning.
An eyewitness, Akwasi Boateng, described the chilling moment of the crash: “I saw a flash of light in the sky and then a loud bang. There was nothing we could do.” An NDC official, speaking on condition of anonymity, described the party’s immense pain, saying, “The party is devastated. These were key members of our leadership. Their absence will be felt for a long time.” In a moment of national unity, the opposition New Patriotic Party released a statement, saying, “This is a national tragedy and an immense loss to their respective families, loved ones, and the entire people of Ghana. Our prayers are with the entire nation during this difficult time.”
A Nation’s Dual Focus
The accumulation of these events highlights a unique and resilient human story—a people grappling with multiple forms of grief simultaneously. The deaths range from traditional leaders, who are the custodians of Ghana’s rich cultural heritage, to artists, who are the keepers of its national identity. The tragic loss of youth and government officials touches on the fragility of life and the shared vulnerability of all Ghanaians.
This succession of tragedies created a complex public narrative and a dual focus in the national psyche. The political and government spheres were focused on mourning the helicopter crash victims. President John Mahama stated, “The nation mourns with the families of these brave public servants who lost their lives in service to our country. Their legacy will not be forgotten.”
The NDC, in a statement, described the crash as an “irreplaceable loss” to the party. To formalize the national mourning, Parliament, led by Speaker Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has opened a Book of Condolence in the foyer of Parliament House, allowing citizens and officials to pay tribute to the victims.
Meanwhile, the traditional and cultural world was focused on mourning its queenmother. The passing of the Asantehemaa, Nana Konadu Yiadom III, is the latest chapter in this year of mourning. The mother of the Asante nation, she was a profound symbol of continuity and tradition. Her death, which occurred on August 7, was officially announced on August 11, following a customary delay in public announcement that allows for specific rites to be performed. This tradition, steeped in respect and ritual, contrasts sharply with the immediate and public nature of the other tragedies.
To mark her passing, the Manhyia Palace announced a ban on all funerals across Asanteman for Thursday, August 21, to mark the one-week observance. Tributes to the Asantehemaa came from across the political spectrum, including from former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, who posted on social media, “Nana, throughout her reign, remained an enduring symbol of unity, grace, and candour.”
A Call for Unity and Reflection
The events of this year in the Ashanti Region have served as a powerful and painful reminder of the interconnectedness of Ghana’s traditional and modern institutions. As the nation grapples with this collective sorrow, the stories of those lost—from the keepers of culture to the architects of governance—become a shared legacy. They compel a moment of deep reflection on the nation’s spiritual, cultural, and political health. In this shadow of grief, the national mourning for its government officials and the traditional sorrow for its Queen Mother converge, a testament to Ghana’s ability to find strength not in one world, but in the shared, resilient heart of both during its darkest hour.
