JOT Agyeman Writes: Return Kumasi Fort To Asanteman

The History of Asanteman has been told severally by both foreigners who lived and worked in the Gold Coast such as Rattray and Ward and by Ghanaians who studied Asante history.

The foundations of the Kingdom of Asante were forged through the unflinching friendship of Osei Tutu Opemsuo and Okomfo Kwame Frimpon Anokye. Over the years, Kumasi became the centre of excellence, culture and tradition and whilst most of Ghana fell to British Rule, the Asantes stood tall, resisting the Colonial Master for hundreds of years.

Five Major Wars were fought between the Asantes and the British and several altercations took place. The several wars fought by the Asantes in Kumasi, its surrounding areas and even as far as the Coast, contributed to Kumasi’s Historical status today. Every corner of Kumasi especially the area around what is today Prempeh II street, towards the Clock Tower, Old Post office, Catering Rest House Area, the Law Courts toward Bank of Ghana, Adum towards Pampaso and most of the Military Barracks near the Okomfo Anokye Hospital are encased in history.

It is significant to note that the Culture and Traditions of the Asante people are without a doubt encapsulated in their History, Abakɔsɛm. Everything, the Asante believes in, every tradition, every lifestyle is based on laid down set of rules and principles stemming from their resolve to be a great Kingdom.

The Kumasi Fort built by the Asantehene Osei Tutu Kwamina in 1820 was built to rival those built by the British and other Colonials along the coast. It is the only inland fort in Ghana and was initially built as a rest home for the Asantehene and a place where he could go to entertain his guests. The Fort was destroyed during the War of 1874 and rebuilt in 1896. However, the fort is infamous for the role it played in the Yaa Asantewaa War of 1900. The Governor, Sir Fredrick Hodgson had


demanded on 25 March 1900 that Asante hand over the Golden Stool to him to sit on. The stool, the sacred stool of the Asante which is said to carry the soul of the

Asante was quickly removed from Kumasi. The Governor’s declaration angered the

Asante people, already incensed by the wanton destruction of Kumasi and the ridicule they suffered from the capture and exile of their King Prempeh I and several other chiefs to the Islands of Seychelles.

Ohemaa Yaa Asantewaa of Edweso rose up to wage war on the British and for many months, the British were held up in the Fort whilst Ohemaa Yaa Asantewaa and her band of warriors mounted barricades outside the Fort. Eventually after many deaths inside the fort due to starvation and malaria, the Governor, his wife and other soldiers escaped.

The creation of the Museum of Asante History is apt and the site of the Kumasi Fort is an ideal place to begin the story of the people of Asante. The old town of Topreman is a historical place in Kumasi, It is where Anokye walked the streets holding the tail of the leopard before the War with Denkyira. It is where Osei Tutu walked the streets on his way to war against the Domaa. Today Topreman is the area around the Law courts towards the Uaddara Barracks.

Adum is a historical settlement. The bodyguards who accompanied Osei Tutu on his journey from Akwamu to Kwaman, were settled in Adum. The Old Kings Palace was in Adum and the famed golden stool was allegedly brought down from the skies around the Kumasi Post Office.

Okomfo Anokye’s sword is a few metres away from the Barracks in what is today the Hospital. During his enstoolment, the Asantehene takes a trip through Pampaso to the place of the sword.

Over the past 350 or more years, the Asante people have preserved their culture. The various palaces from Asante Mampong to Juaben, from Kokofu to Ejisu are receptors of our history and hold some of the most prized possessions on earth. Many


of us will never get to see some of these priceless items unless, we can bring them all under one roof.

Since the Military took over the Fort in 1952 – 53 over 63 years ago, they have without a doubt managed the fort with grace and dignity preserving some of their exploits and showing us their accomplishments. However, as much as we do need a Military Museum, I believe that it will be better placed in another building or another Region.

Their continuous presence in the Fort is a dent on Asante’s history. The Fort, built by an Asantehene, should house the History of the Asante people and not military paraphernalia. I understand that this may be an unpopular decision and that many will not buy into this idea but if we as a people were to consider the setting up of historical Museums in all our regions, it will best serve our people than have a Museum which will not serve us fully. For the tourist who comes to Kumasi, he desires to learn about our culture and our traditions and our way of life.

What better place to start learning our history than from a place where the last great war of Asanteman was fought. I am aware of the implications of relocating the Military Museum but the benefits of having a Museum of Asanteman in the Kumasi Fort outweighs the benefits of a Military Museum in the Fort.

With Kumasi arguably being the Cultural destination of Ghana, a befitting place where our History is told is important. We cannot continue to shelve centuries of our history for the sake of a few old Guns and Mortar. The Manhyia Palace Museum and the Prempeh II Museums have helped preserve Asante Culture and as much as they have contributed their bit, there is so much more to learn, to see and to know.

JOT Agyeman - Executive Director, Institute of Media Practice