King Prempeh I’s Surrender Was No Act of Cowardice – Prof. Adu Gyamfi
Prof. Adu Gyamfi dispels myths surrounding the 13th Asante Monarch’s exile, highlighting the foresight and diplomacy that safeguarded the Kingdom’s future
- King Prempeh I’s surrender was a calculated move to preserve the Asante Kingdom
- The decision exemplified Asante’s commitment to diplomacy
- Prof. Adu Gyamfi credits this choice with maintaining Asante’s vibrant cultural and historical identity today
Prof. Samuel Adu Gyamfi, an Applied Historian at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), has described Otumfuo Agyemang Prempeh I’s surrender to the British in 1896 as a deliberate and strategic move rather than an act of cowardice or collaboration with colonial forces.
During a lecture on the events leading to Prempeh I’s exile, at Manhyia Palace on Friday, Prof. Adu Gyamfi refuted conspiracy theories, asserting that the King’s decision was guided by a keen awareness of the prevailing geopolitical and military landscape.
“The Asante Kingdom was grappling with internal strife, the devastation of continuous wars, and the superior military technology of the British. King Prempeh understood that ensuring Asante’s survival was paramount, even if it meant yielding temporarily,” he explained. This decision, he noted, safeguarded the Kingdom, enabling its endurance and vitality in modern times.
He further emphasized Asante’s longstanding resistance to foreign domination, which had drawn significant attention during the era of European imperialism in Africa. However, this resistance often led to severe repercussions, including the British invasion in 1896.
“The exile of Prempeh I symbolized the complex interplay of economic, political, and strategic colonial interests,” Prof. Adu Gyamfi remarked, noting that it was the culmination of intricate diplomatic relations between Asante, neighboring African states, and European powers.
King Prempeh I, accompanied by 52 others, including chiefs, women, children, and attendants, arrived in Seychelles on November 11, 1900. Nana Yaa Asantewaa’s later arrival brought the total number of exiled Asantes to 75.
Prof. Adu Gyamfi praised Prempeh I’s foresight, attributing the Kingdom’s enduring legacy to his actions. “Today, Asante remains strong, resilient, and poised to navigate its challenges while embracing new opportunities,” he concluded.
