Name Osu Castle after late Akwamu Chief

A descendant of Nana Asamani, the Akwamu chief who seized the Christianborg Castle from the Danes 320 years ago, has made a passionate appeal to the government to rename the edifice, Nana Asamani Castle.

Nana Kwadwo Asamani VI, who made the appeal during the unveiling of a statue of the warrior at Atimpoku, near Akwamufie in the Eastern Region, said that had become necessary since the castle was no more the seat of the government.

He said the change of name of the edifice would also bring into focus the bravery of Ghanaians, especially Akwamus, in resisting foreign domination during the colonial era.

The unveiling of the statue was co- sponsored by the Akwamu Gorge Conservation Trust, a body dedicated to the preservation of the ecology of Akwamu and the Royal Senchi Hotel, all based in the Akwamu Traditional Area.

The ceremony, which was attended by dignitaries such as the Danish Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Carsten Nillaus Pedersen and his wife, as well as the District Chief Executive for Asuogyaman, Mr Johnson Ehiakpor, witnessed the handing over of the original keys of the Castle by Nana Asamani VI to the Omanhene of Akwamu, Odeneho KwafoAkoto III.

According to Nana Asamani VI, what his great great grand-uncle did over 300 years ago, inspired Africans, especially Ghanaians, to rise up against foreign rule, culminating in the fight for independence, should not be forgotten and the only way to immortalise him was to name the castle after him.

Nana Asamani also requested the Danish Government, to pay the remaining amount which was a compensation demanded by the Akwamus, before the keys to the Castie were handed over to the Danes. He indicated that the amount would be used to improve tourism in the area.

Odeneho Kwafo Akoto extolled the bravery of the Akwamus, especially Nana Asamani I, and said what happened at the Christianborg Castle in 1693, although a tragedy, should rekindle the good relations between Ghana and Denmark.

For his part, the Danish Ambassador, Mr Carsten Nillaus Pedersen said it was unique that after seizing the castle, it was later returned to them and added that the longstanding good relationship with the Akwamus after that tragedy would continue.

He also said a Danish investment in the country, especially in aqua-culture in the Akwamu area was a testimony for his country’s preparedness to assist Ghana in diverse ways.

Mr Ehiakpor said the unveiling of the statue, together with numerous historical artifacts and documents at Akwamufie, the seat of the Akwamu paramountcy, would attract more foreign tourists to the area.

Mr Kwame Yeboah-Afari, Managing Director of the Akwamu Gorge Conservation Trust, and Mr Roman Krabel, General Manager of the Royal Senchi Hotel, said they funded the installation of the statue to highlight the prowess of the late Akwamu warrior and also to help boost tourism in the area.