Ahantaman to make preparations to receive Head

Kumasi, March 24, GNA - Manhyia Palace has denied reports that Badu Bonsu II, a Ghanaian Chief, beheaded by the Dutch Colonialists in revenge attack in the 1730s and had since been kept at Leiden Museum, was an Asante.

Mr George Osei Antwi, Media Relations Manager, told the Ghana News Agency that the Asantes throughout history never went to battle with the Dutch. Indeed the Dutch were the allies of Asantes, supplying them with arms and ammunition during the Anglo-Asante Wars.

The British, he said, were the only European Colonialists, they engaged in battles with.

Mr Antwi said the Palace did not have anything to do with the decapitated King, who the Dutch authorities have signalled they would be returning to Ghana for dignified burial.

Otumfuo Badu Bonsu XV, Ahantamanhene, told the GNA on Tuesday that the Ahanta Traditional Council has scheduled a meeting with the Western Regional Minister for Wednesday April 1 2009, at which plans for the receipt of the Head of King Badu Bonsu II would be discussed.

In 1837 King Badu Bonsu II (Baidoo Bonsoe II) of Ahanta rebelled against the Dutch Colonialists and killed several Dutch Officers including the Acting Governor Tonneboejer.

Using a treaty they had signed with the Ahanta State in 1656 as the basis for military action, the Dutch sent an expeditionary force to Ahanta. In the war, King Badu Bonsu II was decapitated and his head was sent to The Netherlands.

The Dutch reorganised the Ahanta State appointing the Chief of Butre as regent and keeping the State under close control. When the Dutch transferred their possessions in the Gold Coast to the British on 6 April 1872, the treaty of 1656 was still in effect, having regulated political relations between the Dutch and the Ahanta State for more than 213 years.