The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has accepted an invitation from the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, to attend the commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Sagrenti War at Manhyia Palace in Kumasi.
The Sagrenti War, also known as the Third Anglo-Ashanti War, was fought between the British Empire and the Ashanti Empire from 1873 to 1874. The war resulted in the capture and destruction of the Ashanti capital, Kumasi, by the British and the imposition of a harsh treaty that demanded the payment of a large indemnity and the cessation of human sacrifice by the Ashanti.
The Speaker, who received the invitation from a delegation of chiefs and elders from the Ashanti Kingdom, expressed his gratitude and honour to the Asantehene for the opportunity to witness the historic event. He said he was looking forward to seeing the regalia and the many cherished items that the British took away during the war, some of which have been returned to the Ashanti after years of negotiations and advocacy
Mr. Bagbin also used the opportunity to narrate how crucial the “Sagrenti War”, a term coined from the name Sir Garnet Wolseley, was for the Ashanti Kingdom.
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He further agreed with the assertion that the Ashanti Kingdom and Ghana as a whole must use diplomatic means to reclaim all the items that the British took during the war since they had already admitted that they were stolen from the palace. He said the artifacts hold significant cultural and historical value, constituting an integral part of the heritage and identity of the Ashanti and Ghanaian people, warranting their rightful restoration.
He proposed to the delegation to deliberately organize similar programs to educate `the youth about the history of the Ashanti Kingdom and to inspire them to overcome any inferiority complex and to explore opportunities in other African countries and beyond.
“The youth must learn from the legacy of the Ashanti and their contribution to the development of Ghana and Africa” he added.
The commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Sagrenti War is scheduled to take place on February 6, 2024, at Manhyia Palace, the seat of the Asantehene. The event is expected to attract dignitaries, cultural enthusiasts, and the general public from across the country and beyond.
