Ghana @ 50, the Akwamu historical perspective

I wish to remind the Ghana at 50 programme not to forget or neglect the people of Akwamu, the custodians of the original Osu Castle keys, in their programme of activities.

As a son of the Akwamu state in the Asuogyaman District, I felt very proud the day my uncle, Nana Ansa Sesraku Brempong, Chief of Apenkwa, narrated the history about the seat of government, the Osu Castle, to me. I listened enthralled by my uncle’s account of the event.

When this same history was narrated by my then class five teacher (Teacher Ankamah) at the Akwamufie Presbyterian Primary School about thirty years ago, I could not help rejoicing.

Both my uncle and teacher described the intelligence and bravery with which the Great King Asamani of the Akwamu state, managed to take possession of the keys to the then Christiansborg Castle (now Osu Castle) and drove away the white man (the Danes) who were ruling the then Gold Coast.

This history is not new in Ghana and I am very sure that every Ghanaian who schooled in Ghana might have read about the Great King Asamani of Akwamu either once or twice during their school days.

In fact, I can confidently say that just as the name of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah is associated with the independence of Ghana, so is that of King Asamani of Akwamu associated with the freeing of the Osu Castle from the Danes.

At the moment the original Castle keys, one of our historical relics, are in the custody of the Akwamu State at Akwamufie, our Traditional Capital.

It is against this background that I wish to remind the secretariat of the Ghana at 50 programme not to leave out the people of Akwamu in their programme of activities.

It is therefore my expectation that the organizers of the programme will liaise with the Chiefs and opinion Leaders of Akwamu on the above, in order to make this anniversary very successful and all inclusive.

Kwaku Adu-Owusu,

The Ghanaian Times     -       Tuesday, February 13, 2007                   Page: 9