Renowned lawyer and historian, Professor Yaw Anokye Frimpong, has called for renewed national and international recognition of the historical injustices suffered by the Ahanta people, urging the government to prioritise the development of the Western Region while seeking justice over the legacy of King Badu Bonsu.
Speaking to 1960news.com on the sidelines of the launch of Ahanta Heritage Month, Prof. Frimpong described the history of the Ahanta people as one of the clearest illustrations of the brutality of European slavery and colonialism in Africa.
According to him, the experiences of the Ahanta people under Dutch colonial rule remain one of the darkest chapters in Ghana’s history and deserve greater attention both nationally and internationally.
Prof. Frimpong explained that unlike the relationship between the Portuguese and the people of Elmina, which was based on negotiated agreements when Elmina Castle was established in 1483, the Dutch approach to the Ahanta people under the 1656 Butre Treaty was fundamentally different.
He said the treaty effectively subjected the Ahanta people to Dutch domination, enabling the colonial authorities to exercise extensive control over their lands and people.
“The history of Ahanta represents one of the greatest examples of man’s inhumanity to man during the era of European enslavement and colonisation in Africa,” he stated.
Prof. Frimpong paid tribute to King Badu Bonsu, describing him as one of Ghana’s greatest anti-colonial heroes whose courage continues to inspire generations.
According to the legal scholar, after ascending the Ahanta stool around 1830, King Badu Bonsu embarked on a determined campaign to overturn the Butre Treaty and restore the sovereignty and dignity of the Ahanta people.
He noted that the king resisted Dutch influence by preventing the sale of firearms to neighbouring groups that frequently attacked Ahanta communities and succeeded in reclaiming portions of Ahanta lands that had been taken by the Dutch.
The historian further recounted that King Badu Bonsu’s resistance culminated in a fierce confrontation at Butre, where his forces defeated the Dutch and killed the governor of Fort Batenstein.
The incident, he explained, angered King William of the Netherlands, who reportedly assembled hundreds of mercenaries and allied local forces to launch a major military campaign against the Ahanta kingdom.
Following intense fighting, King Badu Bonsu was eventually captured and publicly executed on July 27, 1838.
Prof. Frimpong expressed outrage over what happened after the king’s execution, explaining that a Dutch military doctor allegedly decapitated King Badu Bonsu and transported his head to the Netherlands, where it remained for approximately 170 years before being returned to Ghana in 2009.
He argued that the removal and prolonged retention of the king’s remains symbolised the dehumanising treatment Africans endured during the colonial era.
According to him, the return of the remains should not be regarded as the end of the matter, insisting that the Netherlands must be held accountable for its actions.
Prof. Frimpong proposed that Ghana and the Ahanta people should pursue compensation from the Dutch government for the prolonged possession of King Badu Bonsu’s remains, describing the incident as one of the most disturbing examples of colonial injustice.
He further suggested that the commemoration of King Badu Bonsu should become an annual national event involving Ghanaians, Africans and members of the African diaspora to honour those who resisted colonial oppression.
The renowned historian also traced what he described as the long-standing marginalisation of the Ahanta people following King Badu Bonsu’s execution.
He said many Ahanta families were displaced, with some settling in Elmina while others were transported to Suriname during the colonial period.
According to him, the displacement forced many Ahanta people to identify themselves as Fante over generations in order to survive, resulting in the gradual erosion of Ahanta identity and heritage.
Beyond the historical injustices, Prof. Frimpong lamented what he described as the continued neglect of the Western Region despite its immense contribution to Ghana’s economy through mining, agriculture, tourism and other natural resources.
He called on successive governments to improve infrastructure across the region, particularly roads linking major historical and tourist destinations.
He mentioned Princes Town, home to the historic Gross Friedrichsburg Castle, the only former German-built castle in Africa as well as Butre, Busua, Nzulezu and Nkroful, the birthplace of Ghana’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, as communities whose tourism potential continues to be hampered by poor road networks.
“The Western Region contributes significantly to Ghana’s economy, yet many of its important historical and tourism sites remain inaccessible because of bad roads. This situation is unfair and must be corrected,” he stressed.
While describing the people of the Western Region as peaceful, tolerant and patriotic, Prof. Frimpong cautioned against taking their patience for granted, urging authorities to ensure that the region receives its fair share of national development.
He maintained that Ahanta Heritage Month should serve not only as a celebration of the culture and traditions of the Ahanta people but also as an opportunity for Ghana and the international community to acknowledge historical wrongs, honour the sacrifices of King Badu Bonsu and pursue justice while promoting equitable development across the Western Region.
By 1960news.com
