Yaa Asantewaa (c. 1840 – 1921) was the Queen Mother of Ejisu in the Ashanti Empire (present-day Ghana). She is best known for leading the Ashanti rebellion against British colonial forces in 1900, a war known as the Yaa Asantewaa War or the War of the Golden Stool.

At a time when most Ashanti male leaders had been exiled or subdued by the British, Yaa Asantewaa stood up to defend the Ashanti Kingdom’s sovereignty and the sacred Golden Stool, a symbol of Ashanti unity and identity. Her leadership was marked by courage, strategic thinking, and a fierce sense of patriotism. Though the British eventually suppressed the rebellion and exiled her to the Seychelles, Yaa Asantewaa remains a symbol of resistance, female empowerment, and national pride in Ghana.

About the Yaa Asantewaa Museum

The Yaa Asantewaa Museum is located in Ejisu, near Kumasi in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. It was established in 2000, to commemorate the centenary of the Yaa Asantewaa War and to honor her legacy.

The museum showcases artifacts, photographs, and historical accounts related to Yaa Asantewaa, the Ashanti resistance, and traditional Ashanti culture. It serves as a cultural and educational center, attracting local and international visitors who wish to learn about Ghana’s colonial history and the role of women in the fight for independence.

In 2004, the original museum structure was sadly destroyed by fire, leading to the loss of many artifacts. However, efforts have since been made to rebuild and restore the museum to preserve the memory and legacy of this iconic African heroine.

Other Museums - Websites, part of Ghana-Net com:

1. Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park and Museum (Accra)
2. Yaa Asantewaah Museum (Ashanti Region)
3. The W .E. B. Du Bois Centre for Pan African Culture (Accra)
4. Volta Regional Museum, Ho (Volta Region)
5. Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum Nkroful (Western Region, Nkroful)