Nana Akomfohene Korantema Ayeboafo is a highly respected figure in the international spiritual and cultural community, known for her profound connection to the Akan traditions of Ghana, particularly her long-standing association with Nana Akua Oparebea, the Okomfohene (Chief Shaman) of the Nene Akonnedi Shrine in Larteh, Akuapem Ghana. Nana Korantema is a central spiritual leader, Okomfo (shaman), and cultural ambassador, who has a key role in preserving and promoting the practices of Akan spirituality, drumming, and dance across the globe.
Early Life and Spiritual Calling
Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Nana Korantema, was introduced to spiritual practices at an early age. Her formative years were marked by an intense personal drive to understand the rhythms and spiritual traditions of the African diaspora. Nana first travelled to Ghana while touring with the Arthur Hall Afro American Dance Ensemble in 1974. Her first spiritual encounter with Nana Oparebea occurred during the tour at the Aburi compound in Larteh, Ghana. During this life-changing experience, Korantema felt a deep, almost preordained connection to the Abosom (African spiritual forces), culminating in her first possession by the African divinity—an event that solidified her calling onto the path to enlightenment.
Training and Initiation
In the years that followed, Korantema embarked on a rigorous seven-year training to become a seasoned Okomfo (Shaman). This training took place at the Akonnedi Shrine, where she learned sacred drumming, healing rituals, and the essential protocols of the Akan spiritual tradition. Her initiation and training were under the direct guidance of Nana Oparebea, whom she would serve as a primary spiritual assistant during the AKOM ceremonies.
In 1979, Korantema received the prophetic name Ayeboafo, which means “an ever-ready helper is hard to find” and “the one who brings light where it is needed,” from Nana Ohemaa Agyiriwa I, the Queen Mother of the Asona Abrade Clan at Larteh. This name marked her official entry into the spiritual community, and she continued her ascent, achieving the title of Okomfo Panyin (Senior Okomfo) in 1981, and undergoing further rites of enstoolment in 2002.
Mission and Spiritual Leadership
In 1982, Nana Korantema Ayeboafo was assigned by Nana Oparebea and the Elders to represent the Akan Okomfo community in the United States, specifically in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Nana returned to Philadelphia, where she began offering spiritual services—such as divination, spiritual baths, weddings, and naming ceremonies—to the local African diaspora, helping to reconnect lost families with their ancestral roots.
In 2002, Nana Korantema Ayeboafo underwent ancient rites of enstoolment as the Akomfohene, (King Shaman) at Larteh and began serving as the Head of this tradition in North America. Korantema is entrusted with the sacred responsibility of caring for the Clan Abosom Shrine. She is also the President of the Asona Aberade Shrine, Inc., in Philadelphia, and holds the historic distinction of being the first African American to possess the Abosom Nana Anima. Her work as a spiritual leader continues to have a profound impact on both the Ghanaian diaspora in the U.S. and the greater international spiritual community.
Musical Contributions and African Cultural Advocacy
In addition to her spiritual work, Nana Korantema Ayeboafo is an accomplished percussionist, dancer, and cultural ambassador. Her musical journey began in childhood, when she began exploring rhythm by playing on everyday objects that produced sound. As a young teenager, Nana attended formal percussion lessons through the Model Cities program held in her North Philadelphia neighborhood, studying with two local artists who had learned from master drummers Baba Olatunji (Nigeria) and Saka Acquaye (Ghana).
Korantema’s passion for drumming led her to spend seven years in Ghana, where she further honed her skills in Akan drumming, traditional healing, and African dance. She studied with some of the most revered drummers and healers of the time, including Nana Oparebea, and became deeply immersed in the cultural and spiritual traditions of Ghana.
From 1968-1989 Nana continued the apprenticeship with Arthur Hall via his Afro American Dance Ensemble which provided her with opportunities for study and performances with local and internationally acclaimed artists. She went on to become the ensemble’s head musician and music director, composing scores for performances and directing musical productions.
In 1975, Nana Korantema Ayeboafo made history by founding the first all-female percussion ensemble in Philadelphia, part of a broader movement of African American women reclaiming traditional percussion roles. Her advocacy for women in the world of African percussion music remains an important aspect of her legacy. She has worked with renowned musicians and dancers across the African diaspora, including Judith Jamison, Mongo Santamaria, and Geoffrey Holder among others.
Legacy and Recognition
In 2008, Nana Korantema Ayeboafo received a Pew Fellowship in the Arts for her outstanding contributions to folk arts and culture. Her deep commitment to both spiritual leadership and the preservation of African cultural practices continue to inspire many, particularly within the African American and Diasporic communities. Through her work at the Asona Aberade Shrine and her international engagements, she remains a central figure in the preservation and transmission of Akan spiritual and cultural traditions.
Korantema’s artistic and spiritual journey, spanning over five decades, demonstrates her unparalleled dedication to the growth and continuation of African traditions, particularly in the areas of music, dance, and spiritual healing. Today, she is regarded as one of the leading figures in both the African American and global African spiritual communities.
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Legacy and Recognition
In 2008, Nana Korantema Ayeboafo received a Pew Fellowship in the Arts for her outstanding contributions to the arts and culture. Her deep commitment to both spiritual leadership and the preservation of African cultural practices continues to inspire many, particularly within the African American and Ghanaian communities. Through her work at the Asona Aberade Shrine and her international engagements, she remains a central figure in the preservation and transmission of Akan spiritual and cultural traditions.
Korantema’s artistic and spiritual journey, spanning over five decades, demonstrates her unparalleled dedication to the growth and continuation of African traditions, particularly in the areas of music, dance, and spiritual healing. Today, she is regarded as one of the leading figures in both the African American and global African spiritual communities.