Queen Elizabeth II passed on yesterday after reigning for 70 years and 214 days. She is the longest serving monarch in the history of Great Britain. During her reign, she visited many Countries and forge relationship with many kingdoms.
One of this Kingdoms is the Ashanti Kingdom. This article gives note on the relationship between the Great Britain which was headed by Queen Elizabeth II and the Ashanti Kingdom.
1. The relationship between Great Britain and the Asante Kingdom dates back to over 200 years. This was particularly crystallized when a British delegation led by Thomas Bowditch visited Kumasi in 1817.Â
2. This show of friendship was then exhibited when a British Ambassador named Joseph Dupuis was posted to Kumasi in 1819.Â
3. Ironically, five (5) Anglo-Asante Wars have since occurred, as a result of concerns about breaches of trust and imperial activities by the British.Â
4. In 1844, when Commander Hill became Governor of British Settlements, the Asantehene sent a ‘reminder’ on Hill’s delay to pay homage to Kumasi.Â
5. The tragic and infamous exile of the Asantehene Prempeh I in 1896 and Annexation of Asante in 1902, remains an unforgivable blot in Anglo-Asante relationship. Nonetheless, the resolve of Asanteman never diminished.Â
6. In 1935, the British granted ‘Autonomy’ to Asanteman, somehow similar to the status of Monaco of France.Â
7. In 1961, Queen Elizabeth II visited the Asantehene, during which a durbar of Nananom was held in Kumasi.Â
8. Then in 1972, just two years after becoming King, the Asantehene Otumfuo Opoku Ware II was officially invited to visit the Queen.
9. Another official invitation to visit Buckingham Palace was extended to Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II in 2000, a year after becoming King. This was the first official foreign visit by the Asantehene.Â
10. Kumasi continues to receive delegations from the British Royal Family.Â
Indeed, the relationship is mixed with sweet and bitter memories.
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