BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH NANA AKUA KYEREWAA OPOKUWAA

Nana Akua Kyerewaa Opokuwaa embarked on what turned out to be a mystical journey to Ghana, West Africa in 1988. It was on this trip that Nana was recognized as a member of the Royal Ekona clan in the Central Region of Ghana.

To the surprise of everyone present, her ancestral family identified her through the State priestess and she was immediately reclaimed. In the Royal Palace of the Omanhene of the Edinaman Traditional Area, Nana Opokuwaa was enstooled as a Queenmother in front of a great cloud of witnesses including, the late Nana Yao Opare Dinizulu I, the first Omanhene and Okomfohene of Akans in America and his entourage of which she was a part. It was then that Nana Opokuwaa assumed her rightful position in the Royal Ekona family of Ghana. It was on this same trip that Nana was identified as a member of the traditional Akan order of priests as well and needed to subsequently go into training. Her late predecessor, the late Nana Bosomfo Afua Kyerewaa I, had held both posts in the Royal family in the Central Region, as is historically customary in many of the clans. In 1991, Nana was initiated into the ancient priesthood and studied for several years prior to her ordination by the Bosom Dzemawodzi in NY which was the first recognized Akan organization to train priests in the United States. She travels to Ghana at least twice a year for extended periods of time to perform her duties as a Queenmother, to study with the Elders at well-known Shrines, and to participate in the ancient culture, rituals and religion of the Akans.

In 1997, Nana established the Asomdwee Fie, Shrine of the Abosom and Nsamanfo, International (AFSANI), an international organization that focuses on the healing, transformation and empowerment of its members, families and community through the practice of traditional Akan religion and culture. Thus, many spiritual and social programs are conducted by AFSANI including religious services every Sunday, Akwasiadae (Ancestors Day), rites of passage programs for youth and other celebrations.

Nana Kyerewaa has been widely recognized in Ghana for her great love and work for the Akan Akom Tradition. IN 1999, Nana was appointed the Vice Queenmother for the historically known Ghana Psychic and Traditional Healers Association, Eastern Region. IN 2001, Nana was appointed Okomfohene of the Akyea family's ancestral shrine in the Akwapim area, Eastern Region by the late Osofo, Nana Afua Odi prior to her transition to Nsamanfo four months later. In 2006, Nana was appointed Head of the Royal Ekona Abusia Shrine in Elmina, to succeed the most recent Shrine Bosomfo Kwamina Alex Bruce. In addition to holding the family Shrine names, the families have added the name Asomdwee Fie.

As she follows her ancestral heritage, spiritual path and life's work, Nana initiates seekers to the Akan culture, trains and ordains men and women to the traditional Akan Akom Order of Priests, and propagates Akan culture in many unique ways. Nana lectures and is widely recognized as an authority on the topic of the ancient Akan culture and religion. She is the author of two books: Akan Protocol: Remembering the Traditions of Our Ancestors and her newly released book, The Quest for Spiritual Transformation: Introduction to Traditional Akan Religion, Rituals and Practices.

Nana is an herbalist, psychic, and Reiki Master. She is a member of the National Association of Certified Natural Health Professionals, the Ghana Psychic and Traditional Healers Association, the National African Religion Congress, and the International Union of African Traditional Rulers. Nana is a Licensed Minister who performs rites of passage including weddings, funerals, memorial services, and naming ceremonies.

For further information about services, lectures and personal appearances, Nana Opokuwaa may be contacted through the her organization's website, Asomdwee Fie, Shrine of the Abosom and Nsamanfo, International (AFSANI).