Yaa Akyaa

Yaa Akyaa ( – 1917) was an Asantehemaa of the Ashanti Empire from 1884 to 1896. She had great influence during the reign of her son, and acted as his de facto co-regent.

Early life Yaa Akyaa was born in the Ashanti empire . She is the daughter of Afua Kobi, born into Oyoko royalty. Shortly after her birth it was decided that she would become the successor to Queen Afua Kobi as the Asantehemaa, known as the Queen Mother. She was severely anti-British, and would stop at nothing to neutralize or eliminate enemies, though she was otherwise intelligent in matters concerning royal politics. Her hatred for the British stemmed from the disease they were bringing to the Ashanti people and the strife it was causing.