The world in every period produces exceptional individuals who would be difficult to replace, and whose thoughts and actions made a difference to their age. Mrs Joana Nana Akosua Dankwaa Kyei, unquestionably belonged to that select group. She was not only a dignified royal lady, a great mother, and a dutiful wife, but a remarkable teacher.

A true royal by birth, Nana Akosua Dankwaa, was born in Kumasi to the late Opanin Kofi Ahenkro, a successful transport owner from Ejuratia Mpobi and the late Nana Ama Saa of the Asante Oyoko royal family on Sunday, August 1,1937.It is pertinent to note that Nana Ama Saa is an elder sister of HM Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the current Asantehene.

As a royal, she was scrupulously schooled at home by her grandmother, Nana Afia Konadu among other noted royals. She was brought up with strong traditional values of love for family, tenacity, respect for authority and service to her community. These were values she transferred not only to her children and extended family, but to all who came into contact with her.

The child Joana was one of the first cycles of female Asante royals to enjoy formal education. She had her early years education K.O. Methodist/Asawase primary/middle school respectively, moving on to St. Monica’s Teacher Training College in Asante Mampong in 1956 where she trained as a primary school teacher/trainer. She also trained as a specialist early-years teacher at the Akropong Teacher Training College in the Akwapim North District.

Teaching turned out to be Nana Dankwaa’s inherent vocation for over a period of 40 years. She taught across several primary schools in Tema for a large part of her career. She taught at Twedaase Primary School, Aggrey Road Primary School, Mexico Primary School and Mante-Din Drive Primary School. She also taught at several primary schools across the country including Duaso L/A Primary in the Upper West Denkyira District in the Central Region, Yaa Asantewaa Primary in Kumasi and Adiembra M/A Primary School in Sekondi.