Ashanti Kingdom existed before Ghana – Prof Kantanka

Prof. Sarfo Kantanka, a historian, has shed light on the history of the Ashanti Kingdom or Asanteman, revealing that it predated the formation of Ghana.

According to Prof. Kantanga, various states existed before Ghana, and Asanteman was formed by the unification of several of these states.

“In the past, these states would often fight each other to expand their territories, with many of the states that eventually formed Asanteman having been previously enslaved by other states such as Denkyira,” he said.

Speaking on Nkwantannanso on May 9, he further revealed that some parts of southern Ghana were once part of Asanteman, but were later partitioned by the colonisers and renamed the Gold Coast.

He mentioned that Akyem, Denkyira, Assin, Sehwi and Wassa were all once part of the Asanteman.

“The colonisers convinced those in the Gold Coast that the Ashanti Kingdom was their enemy and joined forces to defeat the Asanteman,” he said.

“Hence, Asanteman was not originally part of the Gold Coast. In fact, letters exist that prove that the colonisers requested that the Kingdom join the Gold Coast, but this was refused. They fought for a hundred years”

According to the historian, the Kingdom was more interested in building friendships and engaging in trade.

“The Kingdom fought against the colonisers for about a hundred years until its defeat. Finally, about twenty years after the defeat of the Ashanti Kingdom, Ghana gained its independence”

Today, the Ashanti Kingdom remains an important cultural and political institution in Ghana, with the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II serving as a symbol of traditional authority and leadership.

The King celebrated his 24th Anniversary since his ascension to the Golden Stool on April 26, 2023.