Kumasi, July 13, GNA - The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu 11, has stressed the need for proper documentation and preservation of the Asante history and cultural practices for posterity.
He said it was important to have a vivid account of Asante history written and documented to help future generations appreciate the efforts and hard work of their forefathers.
He commended Mr Ivor Agyeman Duah, Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for Intellectual Renewal for his effort at documenting the history of the exile of king Prempeh 1 and his high ranking chiefs to the Seychelles Islands in 1896 and the Anglo-Asante war of 1900 , the Yaa Asantewaa war, which also saw the queen of Ejisu exiled to the Seychelles.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu stated this at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi on Monday, when Mr Agyeman Duah, presented copies of the documentary, which had been recorded on DVD to the Asantehene.
He said the documentation would not only help the youth to appreciate the work and heroism of King Prempeh and Yaa Asantewaa, but would also serve as a research material for students of Asante history and culture.
Mr Agyeman Duah, speaking to the Ghana News Agency after the presentation, expressed profound gratitude to the Asantehene for his immense support to him in the preparation of the documentary. He also thanked the late Professor Albert Adu Boahene and Most Reverend Peter Akwasi Sarpong, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Kumasi for their invaluable contributions to the success of the project. Mr Agyeman Duah, said the documentary entitled "The heroism of an African queen", which was now on DVD had been premiered at the Public Affairs Department of the US Embassy in Accra, Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House in London and the Imperial War Museum in London.
