A symposium commemorating the 150th anniversary of the British invasion and brutality on the Asante kingdom was held at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). The event was part of the silver jubilee celebrations of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the 16th occupant of the golden stool.
The symposium shed light on the Sagrenti War, fought in 1874, between British colonial soldiers led by Sir Garnet Woseley and the Asantes. This war resulted in the burning of the palace of the then Asante king, Kofi Karikari, and the looting of priceless objects, regalia, and gold ornaments.
Professor Thomas C. McCaskie, Professor of Asante History at the Center of West African Studies, Birmingham University, traced the history of the war. He highlighted the impact of the industrial revolution in Europe, which gave the British forces a technological advantage.
During the symposium, a book on Asante history, written by Sir Osei Agyeman Prempeh II, the 14th occupant of the golden stool, was launched. Additionally, some looted objects have been returned from American and British museums, with more expected to arrive at the Manhyia palace on February 8, 2024.
The returned artifacts will be presented to Otumfuo Osei Tutu during the ‘Kuntunkuni' durbar of chiefs and people of Asanteman, marking the 150th anniversary of the Sagrenti War. Prof. McCaskie urged Ashanti leaders to continue advocating for the restoration and repatriation of all looted treasures of the Asante Kingdom.