Bagbin to attend 150th Sagrenti war anniversary

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, will be attending the commemoration of the 150th Anniversary of the 3rd Anglo-Asante War, also known as the Sagrenti War at Manhyia, Kumasi.

This follows an extended to him by the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu ll.

In accepting to honour the invitation, Bagbin expressed his appreciation to the Asantehene and noted that it would be a delight to witness the regalia and the many cherished royal artefacts the British took away during the Sagrenti War.

He used the opportunity to narrate how important the “Sagrenti War” which was coined by Sir Garnet Wolseley meant to the Ashanti Kingdom. He was also in agreement with the assertion that the Ashanti Kingdom and for that matter Ghana, must use negotiations to ensure the return of Asante’s royal regalia taken during the War.

He proposed to the delegation to organise similar programmes to teach the youth about the history of the Ashanti Kingdom to break the level of inferiority complex in the youth and how they can explore opportunities in other African countries and beyond.

Briefing the Speaker about the 150th Sagrenti war anniversary at Parliament House, Nana Nsuase Poku Agyeman III noted that, the Sagrenti war which was fought in 1874 led to the burning and looting of the palace of the then Asantehene, Kofi Karkari as well as the death of many Ashanti’s.

He indicated that the commemoration also coincides with the Silver Jubilee of the coronation of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II. In view of that, a number of activities have been lined-up. He disclosed that the anniversary will be marked with a symposium on Tuesday 6th February, 2024, and a durbar on Thursday 8th February 2024.

He explained further that even though the 150th anniversary falls exactly on Tuesday 6th February, it had to be scheduled to Thursday because of the black colour attire and cloth to be worn on that day to signify the number of lives lost during the war. Traditionally the Asanteman Council forbids black cloths and attire to be worn on Tuesday for official programmes.

Nana Nsuase Poku Agyeman III, who was accompanied by Otumfuo Kyeame, Baffour Osei Kwame, and Mamponghemaa Nana Agyakoma Difie II, indicated that a 700-page book on the history of the Asante Kingdom would be launched.