Prempeh I Exile Return: Events Outline for 100th Anniversary
After seeing off two of the three auspicious anniversaries in Asanteman this year, the Manhyia Palace will carry on with the last one, that is, the 100th anniversary of the return of Sir Agyemang Prempeh I, the 13th King of the Kingdom.
The King was exiled to Seychelles in 1900 on the back of his resistance to colonial rule when he gave himself up to save Asanteman from another war few years after the ravages of the 1874 Sagrenti War.
He spent 28 years in exile which included a year at Elmina Castle, three years in Sierra Leone and 24 in Seychelles.
Asanteman has set aside three days to celebrate the bravery and salvation delivered by the late King in a self-sacrifice.
It will commence on November 22 and end on November 24.
Symposium
A symposium will be hosted on Friday, November 22 at the Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Jubilee Hall, Manhyia Palace to open the celebration. It will start at 11 am.
Speakers will include Prof Adu Gyamfi from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Dr. Penda Choppa from the University of Seychelles and Mr. Ivor Agyeman Duah from the Manhyia Palace Museum.
They will be speaking about the events leading to the exile, the King in exile and the return of the King and beyond.
Durbar
The second day of the celebration, he announced, will be marked with a grand durbar at the Nana Afia Kobi Park at noon to welcome the heads of state and government and their entourages.
The President of Seychelles, H.E. Wavel Ramkalawan, will come with a 30-member entourage while H.E. Russell Mmiso Dlamini, the Prime Minister of Eswatini who will be representing the King of Eswatini will come along with a 24-member entourage.
Thanksgiving Ceremony
The climax of the celebration will take place at St Cyprian’s Anglican Church, Kumasi, where H.E. Ramkalawan is scheduled to deliver a sermon.
Significance
At a press conference on November 20, Mr Lawrence Prempeh, the Deputy Chief of Staff at the Manhyia Palace, underscored the significance of the event to Asanteman and particularly to the Manhyia Palace.
“For sacrificing himself for the Asante Kingdom, it calls for celebration. In some places, he will be called a saviour”.
Security
He guaranteed the optimum security arrangements in the city and precincts of the Palace in the course of the three-day celebration.
“There will be strict security arrangements to ensure everything goes right.”
Meanwhile, he warned against political activities at the event, stating that party paraphernalia and campaigning are banned.
“Manhyia is not partisan. We don’t tolerate politics and so no party colours or materials are allowed at the event. It is an event being organised by Asantehene and so must be devoid of politics. Come in your traditional outfits or your best clothes.”
Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini
