Manhyia Palace – Ashanti Kingdom

Manhyia Palace is located in Kumasi. It is the official residence of the Ashanti King which today is the only place in Ghana that still has a king.

The Palace was built in 1925 by the British. The Palace itself is now a museum with relics of days gone by.

These included of all things a working refigerator. Sadly you can only visit the museum with a guide and you are not allowed to take photos. The current king Osei Tutu II has his residence in a sealed part of the grounds next door.

One of the most famous Ashanti kings was Nana Prempeh who in 1893 went to war with the British, who consequently exiled him to the Seyshelles where he spent his time in a villa. Hardly a gulag style destination.The Ashante Kingdom became a semi autonomous region of the British Empire.

Between 1900-01 the Ashantis went to war with the British again in the Yaa Asantewaa War.  It became known as the war of the “Golden Stool”., which was an important symbol to the Ashantis. The British were again victorious and Asentewaa and some of the other leaders were also send to the Seychelles to join Prempeh. In 1935 the kingdom was restored to independence.  

A stroll around the grounds will turn up such delights as the Wold Peace Bell which was installed to honour Kofi Annan and the 20th anniversary of King Otumfuo Osei Tutu ll