Building a Ghanaian national identity - Lessons from the ancient Asante kingdom

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Nana Asante 9 years ago

Ghanaians for need a national identity to develop.The Asante,Ga ,Gonjas and others have been living on their own lands for over 400 years before the US came into existence.Luckly for us,we have names and languages which make ...
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Ghanaians for need a national identity to develop.The Asante,Ga ,Gonjas and others have been living on their own lands for over 400 years before the US came into existence.Luckly for us,we have names and languages which makes us a unique people.There is no need to hide behind one Ghana ,to loot and dominate others in the name of national unity.Our Politics cannot be shrouded on tribal lines.We just have to dismantle the ruling class hiding in Accra,sucking the blood of the nation.We have to force those who claim to love Ghana,to love their home region first.That is how it is done in the US.There is nothing wrong with Akans/Ewes and Asantes leading development efforts in their home regions.We are one nation.If Asantes,Ewes,Ga,Akan are progressing,it is will be good for all of us.
Yaw Yeboah 9 years ago

Yes, I fully agree with the comments that Nana Asante, has articulated so well. I have stated several times that powers need to be devolved
to each of the 10 Regions of Ghana, to enable local people to have a greater say ...
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Yes, I fully agree with the comments that Nana Asante, has articulated so well. I have stated several times that powers need to be devolved
to each of the 10 Regions of Ghana, to enable local people to have a greater say & play more of a role in how they are governed. Personally, I do not believe that we have had a truly National Government since the days of the CPP. Today, Ghana is a country where the NDC is viewed as representing the interests of those from the Northern & Volta Regions and the NPP, the interests of the Ashanti & Eastern Regions. Therefore, who represents the interests of the 6 other Regions of Ghana? Western democracy has been a disaster in Ghana and we are fooling ourselves if we believe that it has been implemented. Since 1981, we have been ruled by the PNDC or NDC for all but 8 years. This leads me to believe we live in the same One Party State, that existed prior to the 1966 Coup. Ghana is going backwards not forward and will continue to do so until powers are devolved to the Regions.
SENDERO 9 years ago

There was nothing national about the CPP under Nkrumah. He began the centralization of power in Ghana which has led us to this point. He attacked and destooled chiefs with their links to rural communities. He shut down the Re ...
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There was nothing national about the CPP under Nkrumah. He began the centralization of power in Ghana which has led us to this point. He attacked and destooled chiefs with their links to rural communities. He shut down the Regional Assemblies. He imposed MPs, he destroyed all political parties with their base in various regions; he shut down regional newspapers like the Ashanti Pioneer which give strength and voice to local opinion so please, please, please stop all this about Nkrumah and focus on the issues at stake.
Dery 9 years ago

Stop beefing up your history with lies. There is nothing great about Ashanti...only tyranny and head cutting

Stop beefing up your history with lies. There is nothing great about Ashanti...only tyranny and head cutting
SENDERO 9 years ago

Surprisingly, Asante institutions remain intact after 300 years. Their symbols are projected nation wide and worldwide; their language dominates Ghana; their king has international recognition; their people own private unive ...
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Surprisingly, Asante institutions remain intact after 300 years. Their symbols are projected nation wide and worldwide; their language dominates Ghana; their king has international recognition; their people own private universities, radio stations, banks etc

There is a lot that is great about Asante!
United Ghana 9 years ago

How sad. Your tribalistic nature is glaring for all to see. This illuminating article was about a model for building national cohesiveness and not about scoring tribal points. Shame on you.

How sad. Your tribalistic nature is glaring for all to see. This illuminating article was about a model for building national cohesiveness and not about scoring tribal points. Shame on you.
SENDERO 9 years ago

Why am I tribalistic? Dery makes improper remarks that nothing good comes out o's argument he says it is the good across the board that makes the country strong. I reply with concrete examples of the good that comes from the ...
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Why am I tribalistic? Dery makes improper remarks that nothing good comes out o's argument he says it is the good across the board that makes the country strong. I reply with concrete examples of the good that comes from the region. I do not attack any ethnic group, nothing. I just talk of the positives of Asante. If you evaluated the article properly, that is exactly what he is saying.Asante statecraft is a lesson for all. I have added hard work and prosperity. I have not denigrated Ga, Nzema, Kwahu etc.

Come again sir.
ELINAM 9 years ago

White ppl are very cleaver to love and recognize the ruler or any ruler from where they steal.
Failure to recognize that day-light stealing on part of the outsiders and their "international recognition" and equate that as a ...
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White ppl are very cleaver to love and recognize the ruler or any ruler from where they steal.
Failure to recognize that day-light stealing on part of the outsiders and their "international recognition" and equate that as a positive phenomenon would never allow us to understand the white man who spent more time to understand us and use it wisely against our growth.
China is recognized by international community but they make sure China and her interest is first.

Who is protecting the interest of the Aasnte ppl?
And what benefit do they get materially from this one sided "INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION" which helped built white man's economy to the detriment to ours or in that matter ASANTEMAN?
Reason my brother.
The best Asante ruler who had stood for the Asantes was a woman named Yaa Asantewaa..
United Ghana 9 years ago

The modicum of unity and peace we in Ghana enjoy, relative to other African nations, is thanks to Nkrumah's non-tribalistic approach to politics. Had the tribalistic & secessionist UP won, things would be very different.

The modicum of unity and peace we in Ghana enjoy, relative to other African nations, is thanks to Nkrumah's non-tribalistic approach to politics. Had the tribalistic & secessionist UP won, things would be very different.
Ajoa 9 years ago

There is a lot to be learnt from our culture - Tete wo bi ka, tete wo bi kyere.........

There is a lot to be learnt from our culture - Tete wo bi ka, tete wo bi kyere.........

SENDERO 9 years ago

No one was more tribalistic than Nkrumah when he focused his attention on Asante. Fortunately for Ghana this did not work. All ethnic groups retain their identity yet are happy to be part of the whole called Ghana. It is her ...
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No one was more tribalistic than Nkrumah when he focused his attention on Asante. Fortunately for Ghana this did not work. All ethnic groups retain their identity yet are happy to be part of the whole called Ghana. It is here that we are strong as a nation
Yaw Yeboah 9 years ago

I fully agree with your comments regarding Nkrumah's non-tribalistic approach to politics. Only a blind fool would deny this fact.

I fully agree with your comments regarding Nkrumah's non-tribalistic approach to politics. Only a blind fool would deny this fact.
Hedzorleh 9 years ago

As usual, you take your library break from UEL and come to Ghanaweb to spew your colo brainwashed nonsense!

As usual, you take your library break from UEL and come to Ghanaweb to spew your colo brainwashed nonsense!
Yaw Yeboah 9 years ago

Please provide us with the names, titles of all of the Chiefs that were attacked & destooled by President Nkrumah, and the years that this took place. Your comments are a clear distortion of history that never occured. Parti ...
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Please provide us with the names, titles of all of the Chiefs that were attacked & destooled by President Nkrumah, and the years that this took place. Your comments are a clear distortion of history that never occured. Particularly when you consiser that the rural communities were the largest supporters of the CPP.
SENDERO 9 years ago

Nkrumah and the Chiefs by Professor Richard Rathbone gives an excellent detailed account of chiefs destooled all the way to Nana Okyehene Ofori Atta I. Happy (and paradoxically distressing) reading

Nkrumah and the Chiefs by Professor Richard Rathbone gives an excellent detailed account of chiefs destooled all the way to Nana Okyehene Ofori Atta I. Happy (and paradoxically distressing) reading
Ebo Letrik 9 years ago

Quote: "....chiefs destooled all the way to Nana Okyehene Ofori Atta 1."

Your Ghanaweb rep as a "historian" is SHOT, because Ofori Atta 1 died before Nkrumah became leader!

R U an "oral historian"?

Check:

Nana Sir ...
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Quote: "....chiefs destooled all the way to Nana Okyehene Ofori Atta 1."

Your Ghanaweb rep as a "historian" is SHOT, because Ofori Atta 1 died before Nkrumah became leader!

R U an "oral historian"?

Check:

Nana Sir Ofori Atta I (1881–1943) was the Okyenhene Akyem Abuakwa.
SENDERO 9 years ago

Forgive my typo. I meant Ofori Atta II. Not only was he destooled he was even exiled from Kyeb and forced to live in Accra. The CPP man who replaced him was a regent called Kena who was followed by a false Okyehene called Nan ...
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Forgive my typo. I meant Ofori Atta II. Not only was he destooled he was even exiled from Kyeb and forced to live in Accra. The CPP man who replaced him was a regent called Kena who was followed by a false Okyehene called Nana Akoto. Come 1966 and the coup, Ofori Atta was duly restored to his stool
SENDERO 9 years ago

NLC Decree 112 repaired the damage Nkrumah did to chieftaincy. More than 100 chiefs who were enstooled by the CPP through removing traditional leaders Nkrumah did not like were swiftly removed or demoted to their original sub ...
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NLC Decree 112 repaired the damage Nkrumah did to chieftaincy. More than 100 chiefs who were enstooled by the CPP through removing traditional leaders Nkrumah did not like were swiftly removed or demoted to their original sub-chief status. Since then of course no leader of ours has touched that institution.
ONUA 9 years ago

How old are you, Yaw? there were too many Chiefs to be mentioned here.

How old are you, Yaw? there were too many Chiefs to be mentioned here.
ELINAM 9 years ago

During the recent Uganda's Presidential Debate, (find it on YouTube) the only youthful lady on the panel of candidates raised a meaningful suggestion on what's going on in most African nations especially in Somalia and part o ...
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During the recent Uganda's Presidential Debate, (find it on YouTube) the only youthful lady on the panel of candidates raised a meaningful suggestion on what's going on in most African nations especially in Somalia and part of DRC and she claimed she travelled to these areas in her capacity as a daughter of Africa, and she realized that the tribal conflicts could be well managed if the kings are more involved to talk to each other in a genuine way to come to an agreement without outside forces who are more interested in what is in the land and pick one king against the other.
She claimed Africa kingdoms had never given any chance to deliberate their own unity and come out with what is good for their people when these kingdoms were forcefully put together.

In the US, different states came to the table with grievances and concerns that were hammered into the union - for instance Texas and Vermont. Even Maine had a especial agreement to be left alone in their MOTTO "Live Free Or Die"

In Ghana, we have National House Of Chiefs but it is not free to make agenda on how the various over lords of our lands want to utilize our natural and human resources. The rulers had never been allowed to come together on their own to even put their heads together for the sake of their own cultural survival.
Each time the government which is a caretaker of European interests make the decisions for them. As impoverished as most of them are, they became hostages and slaves to the European sub-contractors called Ghana Government.

Our regional paramount kings need to hold their very FIRST NATIONAL CONGRESS devoid of any Central Government influences to talk about what is holding the states down. They also need to negotiate a plan on how to harness their natural resources and how that will benefit the people.
They need to be talking and not through the TOP-DOWN National House Of Chiefs.

When was the last time Awomefia of Anglo or the The Ga mantse or even the king of the Guans in the Cape Coast areas ever visited the Asantehene or any PARAMOUNTCY north, south, east,west and central and vice versa to deliberate some important thing of concern to their own survival and identity and cultural purity? MIND YOU ALL AFRICAN TRADITIONS ARE ONE.

Do we ever sit up for once and question ourselves why this never being a regular occurrences ?
Why the OBAs of Nigeria do not visit us in Ghana but small European kings who lands are much more smaller than most of our traditional jurisdiction by far do visit each other and compare notes on how to exploit us here in Africa without even us knowing it what's going on?

Nii 9 years ago

Well said

Well said
United Ghana 9 years ago

Very illuminating piece.

Very illuminating piece.
ghanaman 9 years ago

Brilliant in factual narrative! Significant in context!

Brilliant in factual narrative! Significant in context!
BEN, US 9 years ago

Building inclusiveness also wins elections. Focusing just on Danquah/Busia tradition does him no good. He should learn from the true Asanti- Kuffour. His alliances with CPP and other parties helped him defeat the "mighty NDC ...
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Building inclusiveness also wins elections. Focusing just on Danquah/Busia tradition does him no good. He should learn from the true Asanti- Kuffour. His alliances with CPP and other parties helped him defeat the "mighty NDC" twice.
Onua Ben 9 years ago

Kwasi, I applaud your insightful, delibrative and brave speech full of wise counsel, intructions and advice. If any one reading your speech will see it an exercise of objective scrutiny, examination and introspection of that ...
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Kwasi, I applaud your insightful, delibrative and brave speech full of wise counsel, intructions and advice. If any one reading your speech will see it an exercise of objective scrutiny, examination and introspection of that experiment of nationhood called Ghana, the purpose for which it was intended would have been served. However, I shudder with chagrin that it will be added to the archives of great speeches and none of your good suggestions will see the light of formulation, execution and implementation. I weep for mother Ghana. "Cry, the beloved country.
Kwame Afreh 9 years ago

In a nation where Ewes regard themselves as being Ewes first and Ghanaians second,and where Asantes prefer to owe allegiance to their King instead of the President,true national identity is unrealistic.This is the plain tru ...
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In a nation where Ewes regard themselves as being Ewes first and Ghanaians second,and where Asantes prefer to owe allegiance to their King instead of the President,true national identity is unrealistic.This is the plain truth.
SENDERO 9 years ago

My brother, why can't all identities co-exist? One reason for the collapse of the Soviet Union was the suppression of national identity. The Communist government wanted all citizens to be Soviets and nothing else. The various ...
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My brother, why can't all identities co-exist? One reason for the collapse of the Soviet Union was the suppression of national identity. The Communist government wanted all citizens to be Soviets and nothing else. The various nationalities saw it otherwise and insisted that they were Armenian, Latvian, Estonian etc. When the central government in Moscow lost its legitimacy in the wake of a serious fiscal crises, those interests that had been suppressed for no reason other than ideology, emerged to the forefront. Given that there was no reconciliation of state and ethnic identity under Communist rule, appeals to the Soviet project fell flat. No one wanted to know! However in Ghana there is no suppression of ethnic identity. Language, dress, dance, etc all remain intact. Thus even though the state is in a desperate situation with corruption, low living standards etc, we are still happy with Ghana as our parent entity.
Kingsley Aidoo. 9 years ago

Thank you,your response to this lengthy article is the best.You have hit the nail right on the head.True national Identity is a dream with our deeply-rooted tribal sentiments,and you gave a very good example of Asantes and Ew ...
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Thank you,your response to this lengthy article is the best.You have hit the nail right on the head.True national Identity is a dream with our deeply-rooted tribal sentiments,and you gave a very good example of Asantes and Ewes.
T'pau 9 years ago

A dream indeed! How can a true citizen of a nation relentlessly hurl insults on the president elected by the people of the land, whilst graciously prostrate to the chief of his/her home town with infinite respect, and expect ...
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A dream indeed! How can a true citizen of a nation relentlessly hurl insults on the president elected by the people of the land, whilst graciously prostrate to the chief of his/her home town with infinite respect, and expect him/her to build a national identity?
S Adjei-Owusu 9 years ago

I have just read one of the best articles about our history and its application to the overall development of the Ghanaian identity. Whatever anybody may think, I think Kwasi Prempeh deserves to be congratulated for this thou ...
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I have just read one of the best articles about our history and its application to the overall development of the Ghanaian identity. Whatever anybody may think, I think Kwasi Prempeh deserves to be congratulated for this thought provoking piece. Well done!

Awudu 9 years ago

Which direction the Ashantis from.You failed to mentioned.Mali is where they originated.

Which direction the Ashantis from.You failed to mentioned.Mali is where they originated.
Director Boateng 9 years ago

Dear Professor,

The lessons from Asante kingdom are not the answer to the Ghanaian national identity. A way forward is for the current 216 districts to elect their own district Chief Executives and run their own districts ...
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Dear Professor,

The lessons from Asante kingdom are not the answer to the Ghanaian national identity. A way forward is for the current 216 districts to elect their own district Chief Executives and run their own districts up to a point leaving major functions to the National State. Your tribesman Kufour promised to do that when he was elected President of Ghana. After eight years of tasting power, he said no. The bottom line is that the Asante elites want power; unfortunately they and their allies do not have the numbers and are heading for a third straight defeat on 7 November 2016.
SENDERO 9 years ago

You never red his posting

You never red his posting
Yaw Yeboah 9 years ago

Director Boateng, in other words are you advocating that powers from Central Government be devolved to the Regions?

Director Boateng, in other words are you advocating that powers from Central Government be devolved to the Regions?
Albert Mawutor 9 years ago

"If you are a Kyirepon or Dagarti or Krobo or even Ga, you could go through a History of Ghana class without encountering any significant mention of your ethnic group or any of its heroes or founders. In my generation, the hi ...
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"If you are a Kyirepon or Dagarti or Krobo or even Ga, you could go through a History of Ghana class without encountering any significant mention of your ethnic group or any of its heroes or founders. In my generation, the history of Ghana I was taught in “cyto” taught me about Osei Tutu and Komfo Anokye and about Yaa Asantewaa and also about a whole lot of so-called “Asante-Fante” wars, which were, of course, more proxy wars against British interests on the Gold Coast. I never learned a thing about other groups, except a little bit about the Fante Confederation. You probably would grow to feel resentment toward Asantes, too, if all you’ve been taught as Gold Coast or Ghana history is Asante militarism and dominance; about Asantes always fighting this or that war or conquering this or that group or territory. The inescapable impression one gets in this kind of historiography is of Asantes as trouble-makers, as aggressors, as belligerent"

My Response

Thank you for a job well done. So far I have a good feeling of being a Ghanaian. What you said rings a lot of bells and I hope people will read this with open mindedness. Our history need to be retaught completely. Every group in the country has history that has to be told but has never been told. Unfortunately we all went through the same academic system without been any concerning the histories of the other groups. This might partly explain why I never liked so munch about the Asante history as you said. A lot of people like me felt it was over exaggeration and besides the Asantes were always being presented as warrior heroes who helped to save Ghana from colonial invasion and dominance. Not too good for the other Ghanaian child.
Also talking about the National Council, I strongly support your ideas and advice. A lot need to be done for the institution to be correctly recognized as an inclusive body of peace makers and wrong changers.
With regard to decentralization of government, you are again correct. Every state in America is unique. At the moment Ghanaians seem to be following a lot of Americans style. For example, The leader of NPP give an address after the president presented his uunion address to the nation which was typically American. Why then can't we practice decentralization as far as governance is concerned? Who need more help? Is it the people in Accra or the poor farmers in the rural areas? If the rural areas are better equipped who will run to the cities for better living when all is already at their doorsteps?
Finally I pray that Ghanaians will read this article with much understanding and call for the changes that you outlined. Good job. Lets hear from you again.
Kwame Antwi 9 years ago

Albert Mawutor, i share your sentiment. But look, event the Asantes didnt write their own history. It was written by the whites who were around during those days. Though the Asantes had theirs in oral! One being sentimental o ...
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Albert Mawutor, i share your sentiment. But look, event the Asantes didnt write their own history. It was written by the whites who were around during those days. Though the Asantes had theirs in oral! One being sentimental one this probably, could come from lack of maturity! Like you are saying that they were trouble makes; but in actuall sense were they? No! They werent! The writer is telling that, they had an agenda. And that agenda was to form a strong empire; Not necessarily made of only their kind but also all kind of tongue. Just that the name of that kingdom will be called Asante! How can you achieve this with out a fight. Because not will join you without a fight. The same thing happened i the Americas and even Briton that we cherish them so much!
When The British tried to annext us, didnt we resist? Yet did they leave us alone and said, if we dont want to be part of them we can go away! No! They fought us had us beaten to submission.
That is how it was done. So when you have an ambition, surely you will have to break boundaries. And that cant be considered as one being troublesome; No!
And perhaps that also contributes to why you are going through the trouble of always reading about them as if you dont have history of you own!
Yes! This shouldnt make you disgust them. That is their make. Ambitious!
And you cant also write your history now. I mean those ones that were not recorded. But you can start writing one from the happenings of now. So that your descendants can read about you in future.
Mandy TK 9 years ago

okonfo anorkye was actually the king of the oyoko or Anorfuo or Mandy mango(the present day Tampulma) from kadichaara or kpaya near mole game.okonfa anorkye together with Ameyaw(Tidoro) influence the formation another kingdom ...
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okonfo anorkye was actually the king of the oyoko or Anorfuo or Mandy mango(the present day Tampulma) from kadichaara or kpaya near mole game.okonfa anorkye together with Ameyaw(Tidoro) influence the formation another kingdom (Ashanti) from Gyaman (Bonomanso)as a results of divisions among Gyanam ,which was influence by Kola trade and wagara trade .Okonfo anorkye regarded him self as Tindana or Tohantiina. After the formation of Ashanti, he was attacked by Bonodwafs,zabarima and the whites but he made a promise never to be killed by any man and then tasked them to ever remove his sword if they feel they can defeat him.so Ashanti was actually formed out of Gyaman.
Fred 9 years ago

Very brilliant piece. I hv really been educated today. I hope your suggestions will be used to help us come together to build our nation.

Very brilliant piece. I hv really been educated today. I hope your suggestions will be used to help us come together to build our nation.
ELINAM 9 years ago

Everyone in Ghana needs to read this but the Ghana we know and live in, has been moved down to the "EQUATOR" by gang of thieves, and until we wrestle it back from them to the zero Meridien line which is its original position ...
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Everyone in Ghana needs to read this but the Ghana we know and live in, has been moved down to the "EQUATOR" by gang of thieves, and until we wrestle it back from them to the zero Meridien line which is its original position in the world, we must as well just forget it.
Nii 9 years ago

You are 59 years late because when Ghana was being formed with synergies from all for one purpose, the Asante resisted it because they were not at the helm and in control.

Today you want Ghanaians to model their identity a ...
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You are 59 years late because when Ghana was being formed with synergies from all for one purpose, the Asante resisted it because they were not at the helm and in control.

Today you want Ghanaians to model their identity after Asante identity? We are already a nation running as one people and proud to be Ghanaian. It is you Asantes that feel alien in the Ghanaian expiriment to join us and run with us. The truth too is we have always felt proud that Asante belonged to the Ghana experiment though reluctantly. Some of us pray that every Asante will join the experiment and bring to bear the true leadership of Asante into our fold. We expert Asante had every Ghanaian to embrace Ghana because Ghana is a an amalgam landmass of all her different people and bulk of that landmass belong to Asante
SENDERO 9 years ago

Until 1946 Asante was governed separately from the Gold Coast and it was to be given its own legislative Assembly. Go and find out the pressure brought to bear on the Asante to join the Gold Coast colony and to bring its imme ...
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Until 1946 Asante was governed separately from the Gold Coast and it was to be given its own legislative Assembly. Go and find out the pressure brought to bear on the Asante to join the Gold Coast colony and to bring its immense wealth to bear on the new entity. Asantes did not really want to join the colony and it took decades of persuasion
one ghana 9 years ago

This current asante hene is a big disgrace to the asante kingdom. He's a stomach king, a puppet to the ndcs

This current asante hene is a big disgrace to the asante kingdom. He's a stomach king, a puppet to the ndcs
SENDERO 9 years ago

He is neither disgrace, puppet nor NDC

He is neither disgrace, puppet nor NDC
S Adjei-Owusu 9 years ago

I have just read one of the best articles about our history and its application to the overall development of the Ghanaian identity. Whatever anybody may think, I think Kwasi Prempeh deserves to be congratulated for this thou ...
read full comment

I have just read one of the best articles about our history and its application to the overall development of the Ghanaian identity. Whatever anybody may think, I think Kwasi Prempeh deserves to be congratulated for this thought provoking piece. Well done!
Nana Osei Jimmy 9 years ago

What are Asante proffesionals doing in Accra?The educated elite in each region was to help build the nation regionally.The author is one of those pushing for nation to adopt one lanquage.Ideas like this never worked in places ...
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What are Asante proffesionals doing in Accra?The educated elite in each region was to help build the nation regionally.The author is one of those pushing for nation to adopt one lanquage.Ideas like this never worked in places like the former soviet union.Ghana don't need groups like Asante proffesionals.Everybody is now in Accra hustling.We cannot use tribal affiliation to progress.
David Kwaku Aboagye 9 years ago

Point of correction- Offinso is Asona not Agona as stated in your article.

Point of correction- Offinso is Asona not Agona as stated in your article.
Kofi Ata, Cambridge, UK 9 years ago

Prof, I enjoyed reading your piece. Regarding the historical explanation of the alleged hatred for the Asante ethnic group in Ghana, I doubt if this is real or perception? I say so for two reasons. The first is the war, conqu ...
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Prof, I enjoyed reading your piece. Regarding the historical explanation of the alleged hatred for the Asante ethnic group in Ghana, I doubt if this is real or perception? I say so for two reasons. The first is the war, conquest and other expeditions of the Asante Kingdom and how Ghanaian written history focused mainly on the heroic exploits of the Asante ethnic group (from the perspective of the writers). If that is true, the English or British also waged wars, conquered and colonised kingdoms, states and nations including Gold Coast. They also wrote the historical facts in their favour. Do we hate the British?

The second is a personal experience that made me believe that perception has more to do than just the historical antecedent. I wrongly assumed that my patriarchal ancestry was from Akwapim Mampong until two years ago when in an attempt to get to know that side of the family history from my late father's half brother, it was confirmed to me that our patriarchal great grandfather and great grandmother were from Asante Mampong and Kumasi respectively. Prior to this family history, my Ghanaian friends here in the UK considered me to me a real gentleman, respectful and courteous. They attributed these qualities of mine to my Akwapim ancestry. Now that the same people know that part of my ancestry is Asante, one recently mentioned that I sometimes come across as too confident to the point of arrogance so she is not surprise that I have Asante DNA. My question is, how can this same friend who adored me for my gentlemanly behaviour now claim that I now arrogant just because I have Asante ancestry when in reality I am too old to change my behaviour. Is that not just perception more than reality?

Regarding the share of the national cake, whilst I agree with you on the need to increase the share for rural Ghana, that is unrealistic when even the current 5% is not been delivered for lack of resources. I think the priority should be to make sure the 5% share is achieved before thinking about an increment.

The argument over the election of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives is as dead as a dead goat. This is because both NDC and NPP are not interested in giving the people that power for various reasons. Chief among them is political patronage. The Executive in Accra and party hierarchy would not want to give that power away. It would be regarded as a threat to their very existence and survival. It is also one of the blunt instrument at the disposal of the Executive to call the party in line and to maintain their authority. Political leaders and parties only make the commitment to allow MNDCEs to be elected when in opposition. When they come to power they see that as a threat.
MARCUS AMPADU 9 years ago

Krakye Panin Kwasi Prempeh, you argued well for the position you've taken to defend the Asante weltanschaung and its model for a future Ghana; you were careful, however, not to remind us of the NLM matemeho days of Baffour A ...
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Krakye Panin Kwasi Prempeh, you argued well for the position you've taken to defend the Asante weltanschaung and its model for a future Ghana; you were careful, however, not to remind us of the NLM matemeho days of Baffour Akoto. A period in our history, which majority of Ghanaians would rather forget. Many Ghanaians, especially, in Nkrumah's CPP felt that the feisty Asantefuo were trying to shove their kingdom down their throats.

Dr. Prempeh, you should have gone on to call for a federal form of constitutional arrangement for Ghana to rescue us from the Accra-centric excesses of the executive presidents of the fourth republic.

I don't think a nation has to be big like US, Canada, India, or Nigeria to be federal.

Let's revisit the notion of federalism in a referendum to see how Ghanaians want their national cake divided.
OMANNI 9 years ago

Born and live at Kumasi as Asante but never being told where my decent actually came from ,thanks to this Asante history i can now breath to know myself that Denkyira may l originated.

Born and live at Kumasi as Asante but never being told where my decent actually came from ,thanks to this Asante history i can now breath to know myself that Denkyira may l originated.

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Building a Ghanaian national identity - Lessons from the ancient Asante kingdom

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