The Return of Asantehene Agyeman Prempeh I

Yesterday, November 12, 2024 (Tuesday); marked the exact One Hundred Year Anniversary, Calendar date of the Return of Otumfoɔ Agyeman Prempeh I (Kwaku Dua Asamu), to Kumase, Asanteman.

He arrived by Ship at Takoradi at about 5PM, on Tuesday, November 11, 1924. He continued on immediately by "Special Overnight Train" to Kumase.

The Train stopped at Sekondi for Nana Prempeh to acknowledge the Welcome and goodwill messages from thousands of people who had assembled there, including representatives of organizations such as,

Asante Kotoko Society, The Aborigines Rights Protection Society (ARPS), The Congress of British West Africa, and other Chiefs of the Western Province.

They all saw him then as the Great African Political Leader who had survived Twenty Eight Years of Exile, and returned with his head held high.

Fearing there might be a riot, the Colonial authorities did not allow Nana Prempeh to be taken to Kumasi Train Station. Instead the "Asantehene Train" stopped at Kaase near Kumase, where Nana Prempeh alighted onto Asante Soil. He was driven by Car to the new Palace of the Asafohene where he took up temporary residency. The thousands of people who had gathered in Kumase, were disappointed, but happy that their Otumfoɔ Asantehene had indeed returned home safely.

Nana Prempeh was taken from Kumase on January 20, 1896

He spent 28 Years in Exile. Firstly, Elmina Castle (Gold Coast) where he spent One Year. In December 1896, he was sent to Freetown (Sierra Leone) where he spent Three Years. At the start of the Yaa Asantewaa War in 1900, Nana Prempeh was taken to the Seychelles Islands. Specifically, at Mahe, Victoria (Seychelles). He spent Twenty Four Years there..

By Traditional Asante Asranaa or Calendar calculation, Today Wednesday, would be "Mfeɛ Ɔha Pɛpɛɛpɛ" (Hundred Years), since NANA returned to Kumase. November 12, 1924, was on a Wednesday.

If those who has access at Manhyia, had transmitted my suggestion to the powerful appropriate quarters, we would be unveiling Nana Agyeman Prempeh I, Statue in Kumase today. Though, better late than never.

I've consistently suggested on FM Radio Stations; in the Print Media; and, on Social Media Platforms, that we duly honour our esteemed King Prempeh I.

The reasons for his "deposition and exile" by the British government are well known. I will give a narrative in an Article or a Video later.

It bears noting that all the African Kings who were exiled by the Colonial Powers into foreign lands sadly died in exile. They included, Samori Toure of Mandinka (Guinea) died in Libreville, Gabon. Mogo Naba Wobogo of Mossi Wagadugu (fled from French arrest after Battle in 1898), died at Zongoiri near Bawku, Gold Coast. The Kabaka Mwanga of Buganda, died in the Seychelles. The Omukomo Kabalega of Bunyoro Kitara (Uganda) died after release from exile in the Seychelles; and the Gbehanzin (Behanzin) of Dahomey died in Algiers, Algeria.

These were Africans who refused to succumb to European imperialism.

Therefore, the veneration of Asante Heroes and Sheroes is the primary responsibility of Asanteman. All help welcome.

Attached areTwo Photos, one showing Asantehene Prempeh I, flanked by Asantehemaa Nana Yaa Akyaa to his right, and Baafuo Kwame Amankwatia, Bantomahene to his left. The moment of the British Coup d'etat, and their at their "arrest" on January 20 1896. The other photo is Nana Prempeh I, disembarking from a Ship in Liverpool, England, from Bombay, India in October 1924, to continue his Return journey to Asante.