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NPP flagbearer Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has paid a courtesy call on the newly enstooled Asantehemaa, Nana Yaa Akyaa II, at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi.
New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has visited the Manhyia Palace to congratulate the newly enstooled Asantehemaa, Nana Yaa Akyaa II, and seek her blessings for his presidential ambition.
The courtesy visit took place on Thursday, September 17, 2026, during Dr Bawumia’s visit to Kumasi. He was accompanied by a number of NPP party executives, Members of Parliament and other party stalwarts.
Nana Yaa Akyaa II was enstooled as the 15th Asantehemaa on July 6, 2026, succeeding the late Nana Konadu Yiadom III, who died in August 2025.
Bawumia seeks royal blessings
During the meeting, Dr Bawumia congratulated the Asantehemaa on her ascension and sought her prayers and blessings as he pursues his political ambitions.
Reports from the visit indicate that the NPP flagbearer asked Nana Yaa Akyaa II to remember his presidential aspirations in her prayers.
The Asantehemaa responded with prayers for Dr Bawumia and assured him of her prayerful support.
Dr Bawumia also expressed his goodwill towards the new Asantehemaa, describing her position as a blessing to Asanteman and Ghana and praying for her longevity, good health and a successful reign.
NPP delegation accompanies flagbearer
Dr Bawumia was accompanied by several prominent members of the NPP, including former Suame MP Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, Bantama MP Francis Asenso-Boakye, Deputy Minority Leader Patricia Appiagyei, presidential adviser Akosua Manu and Second Deputy Speaker Andrew Amoako Asiama. Reports indicate that more than 30 MPs, party executives, former MMDCEs and other supporters were part of the delegation.
The visit comes as political activity gradually builds ahead of Ghana’s 2028 general election, for which Dr Bawumia is the NPP’s flagbearer.
A tradition of engaging traditional leadership
Courtesy visits to traditional leaders form part of Ghana’s longstanding political and customary engagement, particularly during major political campaigns and leadership transitions.
Dr Bawumia’s visit also follows a recent courtesy call by a delegation of female government officials led by Deputy Chief of Staff Nana Oye Bampoe Addo, who visited Manhyia on September 14 to congratulate the Asantehemaa and seek her support for national development and issues affecting women and vulnerable groups.
Nana Yaa Akyaa II’s emergence as Asantehemaa has therefore attracted visits from political, government and private-sector delegations, reflecting the continuing role of the Asante traditional institution in Ghana’s cultural and public life.
African360 Analysis
Dr Bawumia’s visit was primarily a courtesy and congratulatory engagement, but the request for prayers for his presidential ambition also places the meeting within the broader context of Ghana’s political preparations ahead of 2028.
The visit highlights the intersection between Ghana’s electoral politics and traditional institutions, where political actors frequently engage traditional authorities while the latter retain their customary roles.
As the 2028 election approaches, similar engagements with traditional leaders are likely to attract public attention. The constitutional and customary roles of traditional authorities, however, remain distinct from the electoral process itself.
