Tribute to Nana Ama Gyamfuwaa Amonu
3rd Asantefuohemaa of Toronto (1988 – 1991)
By Asanteman Association of Toronto
Nana Ama Gyamfuwaa Amonu was the third Asantefuohemaa of Toronto
(Queenmother of Ashantis in Toronto, 1988 - 1991).
She occupied the queenmother’s stool concurrently with Nana Adu Boakye Tenten, Asantefuohene of Toronto (Chief of Ashantis in Toronto, 1988-1991).
Ecclesiastes Chapter 3:1-5 says:
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; …a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.”
Accordingly, when Nana Ama Gyamfuwaa Amonu’s time to be born came, she was born. It was a time to laugh and a time to dance, rejoice and make merry. Today, her time to die has come and so she has passed away. It is a time to weep and a time to mourn.
However, we of Toronto Asanteman Association acknowledge that Nana Gyamfuwaa Amonu was a precious gift to Asanteman, a precious gift to the world, a precious gift to all those who interacted with her when she was alive, and the positive impact she made on the lives of uncountable people. Hence, we should not only weep and mourn but also share our joy in the precious gift that her life was to us and the world.
Nana Gyamfuwaa Amonu will forever be fondly remembered by Toronto Asanteman and the entire Ghanaian community in Toronto as an individual who faithfully and selflessly served the community with the highest level of enthusiasm, dedication, loyalty and a strong spirit of nationalism to Ghana’s national discourse during her tenure. Her benevolence to the community cut across all ethnic groupings in Toronto. Indeed, her life epitomized and promoted national unity among Ghanaians in Toronto as she was always present at any social function organized by any Ghanaian ethnic group. Her loving-kindness transcended the Ashanti enclave and never knew any barriers between different Ghanaian tribes.
Nana Gyamfuwaa Amonu also nurtured a strong vision of leaving a lasting legacy of the rich Asante culture to the future generations of Ashantis in Toronto. As demonstration of commitment to this vision, Nana devoted considerable amount of time teaching the Asante children the graceful Adowa dance. She also undertook intensive membership drive to the Asanteman Association by persistently persuading newcomers to join the group.
Asanteman will forever hold well-treasured memories of the good times we shared together with Nana Ama Gyamfuaa Amonu – her infectious smiles, eloquence, smartness, always-ready-to-help attitude, forgiveness, sense of humour and wisdom-packed counselling. Even though we on earth feel that we have painfully lost Nana Gyamfuaa Amonu to the icy hands of death, the Heavens and Angels have gained a noble Asante woman with class and grace.
MAY HER NOBLE SOUL REST IN PERFECT PEACE!
NANA GYAMFUWAA, DUE, DAMIRIFA DUE! DUE NE AMANEHUNU!
