Why Yvonne Nelson wants to add ‘Yaa Asantewaa’ to her name

Yvonne Nelson

Yvonne Nelson led #DumsorMustStop protest on Saturday, May 16, 2015 and now seems to consider it such a feat that she wants to add the name of Ghana’s icnic female figure, Yaa Asantewaa to her name. Photo: Instagram

After leading thousands of Ghanaians in the #DumsorMustStop protest to demonstrate against government’s inability to ensure constant electricity in Ghana on Saturday, May 16, 2015, Yvonne Nelson is now being compared Ghana‘s female icon, Yaa Asantewaa. The iconic figure led the Ashanti rebellion known as the War of the Golden Stool or The Yaa Asantewaa war against British colonialism in 1900.

And Yvonne has revealed she will like to be regarded as a heroine, which is what comparison to Yaa Asantewaa brings. In a recent interview, the Single & Married said: ‘Yaa Asantewaa is a huge name. And it’s really humbling that anyone would call me Yaa Asantewaa. As a matter of fact, I love it. I’m gonna put it in there. Yvonne Yaa Asantewaa Nelson.’

Yaa Asantewaa, who occupies a huge space in the history of Ghana, was appointed queen mother ofEjisu in the old Ashanti Empire by her brother, Nana Akwasi Afrane Okpese, the Ejisuheneor or ruler of Ejisu. She died on exile in Seychelles on 17 October 1921, after she was captured by the Gold Coast governor who eventually sent a force of 1,400 to conquer the rebellion.

And by meaning to add the icon’s name to hers, we can only hope Yvonne knows what she is getting at.