Prempeh I Exile Return: Asanteman and The Golden Stool Are Grateful; Otumfuo to Seychelles

In his first address since the commencement of the three-day celebration of the 100th Anniversary of Otumfuo Agyemang Prempeh I’s return from exile in Seychelles, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the 16th Occupant of the Golden Stool expressed the profound gratitude of the Asantes to the island state.

The island country hosted the late King of the Asante Kingdom who on recognising the danger that laid in ambush against his kingdom, chose to give up his liberty in a critical sacrifice for his Kingdom.

Prempeh I was exiled to Seychelles in 1900 after being held in Elmina and Sierra Leone for almost four years by the British Colonial powers.

In the Island country, the globally acclaimed hero spent 24 years before being allowed to return to his people.

Speaking at a dinner held in commemoration of the event of his return, the Asantehene acknowledged the crucial role of Seychelles as host nation to their eminent king.

“Nothing could be more appropriate than for us to welcome in our midst the President of the Republic of Seychelles, H.E Wavel Ramkalawan as our guest of honour for this commemorative event. For 27 long years, the Island provided sanctuary to our exiled king.”

He added, “I’m sure Mr President, you would have hosted him under different circumstances but like us, they were also the victims of colonial experience but even within the complex realities of the time, the soil and the people of the island gave as much as they could to minimise the impact of the exercise.”

Using the local dialect of the Asante Kingdom, Otumfuo thanked the President of Seychelles, his wife and the people of the island country for the great reception that enabled them to see thier King again.

“Tonight, as we commemorate the glorious day of resurrection, I say to President Ramkalawan and his beautiful wife and to the people of the enchanting land of Seychelles, ‘Asanteman da mo ase, Sikadwa da mo ase’.

“To you Mr President, Asantes say thank you for faithfulness, compassion and allowing the spirit of Africa solidarity to triumph over adversity. The Golden Stool which you want to see that you can’t see before you leave showers its blessings on you in deep appreciation for holding a shared destiny.”

Pre-exile
Taking his audience back into history, the King said his grand uncle, opted to sacrifice his personal honour rather than risk the lives of hundreds of thousands in another war with the British Colonial power after a deep consideration of what was at risk.

“Asante had fought four wars to resist colonial conquest and maintain political independence and identity but the tide of history had turned irredeemably against Africa and the costing human terms was too great to bear.”

His Majesty highlighted the painful conditions in which the late Asantehene was led away into exile.

Failed Expectation
However, contrary to the expectation of the British whose sole aim for the exile was to ‘dismantle’ and ‘dismember’ the Asante Kingdom, he said, Prempeh returned rather to meet his people still loyal and yearning for his leadership.

“Nearly three decades later, my grand uncle was allowed to return to Kumasi, his dignity intact, shaken but unbowed and his people received him back with overwhelming joy and boundless loyalty.

“The expectation of the Colonial power was that the prolonged absence of the King would lead to breaking the bonds of loyalty between him and his people and cause the Asante Kingdom to be dismembered. Instead what they saw was a cord of unbroken loyalty and an unyielding determination to preserve their Asante destiny.”

According to the King, November 12, 1924- when Prempeh finally arrived home to a jubilant and loyal people- reaffirmed the “undying” spirit and resilience of the Asante people as well as a new path of reconciliation for the Kingdom.

Bequeathed Heritage
Otumfuo in his address posited that the greatest heritage King Prempeh I bequeathed to Asanteman were reconciliation and peace.

“After all the trauma he stepped off the train in Adum and proclaimed, ‘Let everyone cast the pains of the past and begin the process of reconciliation so we can all love together in peace. There are no enemies but partners in a joint endeavour to carve a good life for ourselves’.”

His Majesty remarked that this path of reconciliation led the Kingdom into a path of the new state of the Gold Coast and the national cohesion which followed.

Duty
The current Occupant of the Golden Stool, on this note called on the current generation to draw the needed positive inspiration from the event.

According to him, the cause for which forefathers toiled and made priceless sacrifices must be carried as a burden and a sense of duty in order to build on their legacy in preserving and transmitting to the next generation.

“We are here enjoying our freedom because our forefathers paid a heavy price to secure our space on the planet. I speak not of Asanteman. From every corner of Ghana, heroes and martyrs shed their blood, suffered torture, imprisonment and exile in the cause of freedom.

“We owe a duty to honour their memory but more than that, we carry the moral imperative to protect and defend the heritage they bequeathed to us. And we must be ready to make the necessary sacrifices to enable us build upon that heritage.”

Lessons
Drawing from the invaluable lessons in the exile of Prempeh I, the President of Seychelles, H.E. Wavel Ramkalawan underscored the need for the younger and unborn generations to appreciate the fact that true friendship are “forged in hardship”.

A clear case scenario, he pointed out, was between Ghana and Seychelles through King Prempeh.

“It is important that future generations understand that true friendship are forged in times of hardship as exemplified by the enduring bond of our two nations. This enduring connection born out of both struggle and resilience continues to shape the ties between our nations today. The opportunity to join the Durbar has moved me and enhanced my appreciation for the rich cultural heritage that reinforces the partnership that began with King Prempeh exile and has flourished ever since.”

According to him Prempeh I has left a lasting impact on their island country which can never be erased.

Naming Kumasi Airport
In his speech, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo described King Prempeh as one of the most inspiring figures in Ghanaian history and expressed his deep admiration for King Prempeh, a feeling he admitted was rooted in personal sentiments.

“He is the man whose life was dedicated to the resistance to Colonial rule and his life tells us they didn’t lie down meekly to be trampled upon…Not only did he give his life in the resistance to fall into alien rule but he also managed a greater coherence for the people of Asanteman. One of a truly extraordinary figure.”

The eighty-year-old further shared the inspiration behind his decision to name the Kumasi Airport after him in a cause to preserve his legacy.

“When I was told on one of our visits to Kumasi that the last residence or dwelling place of Otumfuo Agyemang Prempeh I was a small house on the property where the airport is now, that was when I made up my mind that if indeed the completion of the airport was to take place in my time as President, I would name it after him. By the grace of God, that happened.”

Dinner
This was during a royal dinner at the Manhyia Palace on Saturday, November 23, 2024, night, bringing together dignitaries from across the country and beyond to celebrate the return of Otumfuo Agyemang Prempeh I from exile a century ago.

Also Present were Lady Julia Osei Tutu, his wife, Nananom, H.E. Linda Ramkalawan, the First Lady of Seychelles, Russell Mmiso Dlamini, the Prime Minister of Eswatini, H.E John Agyekum Kufour, former President of Ghana, Nana Agyemang Konadu Rawlings, former First Lady and many others.

Aside from the speeches, the event also witnessed a live musical band performance from MesDuah, a performance by Akwaboah Junior and a toast to the “extraordinary” leadership of Prempeh I.

Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini