President Ramkalawan, will be the guest of honour at a symposium being held at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi on November 22.
On November 11, 2024, descendants and officials from Seychelles and Ghana celebrated the 100th anniversary of King Agyeman Prempeh I’s return to Ghana with the opening of the King in Exile exhibition at the Seychelles National Library Gallery.
The event, attended by Seychelles President Wavel Ramkalawan, featured textiles and photos showcasing the Asante king’s resilience during his exile. Ghana’s High Commissioner to Seychelles, Francisca Ashietey-Odunton, announced an invitation for Ramkalawan to be the guest of honour at a symposium in Kumasi on November 22.
The exhibition, open until November 19, was organized in partnership with Seychelles’ National Institute for Culture, Heritage and the Arts (SNICHA), the Manhyia Palace Museum, and the Seychelles Consulate in Ghana. SNICHA Secretary General David Andre praised King Prempeh’s strength during exile, emphasizing the enduring cultural link between Seychelles and Ghana.
The British exiled King Prempeh I in 1896, temporarily discontinuing Ashanti leadership, but allowed his return in 1924, eventually restoring his title in 1935. Nana Kwasi Boatin shared how Ashantis in Ghana remember Seychelles through songs, adding that he would donate books to Seychelles’ National Library to strengthen cultural ties.
King Agyeman Prempeh I, the Asantehene, returned to Kumasi on November 12, 1924, after 28 years of exile. His journey began in Takoradi and continued by a special overnight train to Kumasi, where he was welcomed by thousands of people. This marked a significant moment in Ghanaian history, as Prempeh was seen as a symbol of resistance against colonial rule.
King Agyeman Prempeh’s return was a significant event, as he had spent 28 years in exile, first in Elmina, then in Freetown, and finally in the Seychelles. His return marked a new era for the Asante people and solidified his position as a great African political leader.
Story: Oppong Baah
