Ohemaa Yaa Asantewaa was an Asante Queen who lead a war against colonialism. She was born around the mid-1800`s in the Ejisu kingdom of the Ashanti Empire (present-day Ghana). Her brother, Nana Akwasi Afrane Okpese, the king of Ejisu or the Ejisuhene named her as Queen Mother (Ohemaa) during his rule. The Ashanti empire of Ghana had been dealing with many conflicts namely the threat of colonialism by the British as well as civil war from 1883-1888. Yaa Asantewaa`s brother the Ejisuhene died in 1894, and Yaa used her power as Ohemaa to nominate her grandson as the future Ejisuhene.

In 1873, the British, after half a century of resistance, invaded Kumasi the capital city of the Asante kingdom. The region was under their control as well as other regions now being called Gold Coast. By 1896 the British governor-general of the Gold Coast exiled the Ejisuhene and the Asantehene or King of the Asante Prempeh I in the Seychelles and demanded the symbol of the Asante nation the Golden Stool as well. The people of Asante refused and their remaining leaders held a meeting in Kumasi find a way to have their king returned. Many present at the meeting feared further conflict with the British, but Ohemaa Yaa held a riveting speech hoping to encourage the others to remember the strength of the kingdom and their predecessors. The Ohemaa said if the men would not go to war she would call upon the women; her speech brought the Asante people together to fight against colonial threat.

In 1900 Ohemaa Yaa Asantewaa took leadership of the Asante Uprising and in March they attacked the forts in Kumasi where the British had attempted to seek refuge. With the rebellion making way, the British sent 1 400 troops to put it to an end, and on January 1, 1902 – after almost 100 years – the British colonized the Ashanti Empire. The War of the Golden Stool, also called the Yaa Asantewaa war, marked the end of the Anglo-Asante wars. Queen Yaa Asanatewaa was captured and sent into exile where she died on October 17, 1921. Her remains were returned to Ghana after the Asantehene Prempeh I was allowed to return from exile on December 27, 1924 and she was given a proper burial in her beloved land. On March 6, 1957 Ghana gained independence from British Colonial rule. Ohemaa Yaa Asantewaa symbolizes the strength of the Asante people and serves as an inspiration to both men and women.

Many still sing this song commemorating her:

“Hail her Yaa Asantewaa The mere woman who fights before cannons! You have accomplished great things You have done well Twi: “Koo koo hin koo Yaa Asantewaa ee! Obaa basia ogyina apremo ano ee! Waye be egyae Na Wabo mmode

Source:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yaa_Asantewaa