Let us forge closer relationships – John Benjamin

The British High Commissioner to Ghana, Mr John Benjamin, has stressed the need for greater collaboration and relationships between Ghana and United Kingdom to speed up the socio-economic development and promote the wellbeing of their citizens.

He said even though, Ghana and in particular, the Asante kingdom, had several conflicts and extremely difficult situations in the past, it was time for a closer collaboration and more purposeful relationships between the two countries.

Speaking at the premiering of a documentary, “return of a king to the Seychelles”, at the Manhyia palace in Kumasi on Friday, Mr Benjamin expressed sorrow about what happened between the United Kingdom and the Ashanti kingdom over a century ago.

The documentary produced by the Centre for Intellectual Renewal, portrays the recent visit of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the sixteenth occupant of the golden stool to the Seychelles Island, where his great grand uncle, Prempeh I, together with some prominent chiefs and queens of Asanteman were exiled by the British colonialist, more than a century ago.

It highlighted the reunion of Asanteman and their ancestors, who died in exile in Seychelles as well as the direct descendants of King Prempeh, who were still living in the Island.

Mr Benjamin said since 1957, the UK’s relationship with Ghana and Asanteman had grown from strength to strength; adding that, trade between the two countries had increased over the years.

He praised the producer of the documentary, Mr Ivor Agyeman Duah, for an insightful work and said UK would continue to work with the Manhyia palace to promote development.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, said the history of Asanteman and the exile to the Seychelles should not be lost on the present and future generations.

He pledged his continued commitment to work with all stakeholders to promote the development and progress of the Asante Kingdom and Ghana, as a whole.

Mr Ivor Agyeman Duah, said the Asante kingdom was replete with rich history and culture, which needed to be told to all.