In Ghana, descendants of enslaved people are coming closer to themselves

Ashanti

Ghanaians generally do not feel animosity towards the Ashanti. This group conquered other tribes and sold slaves to European settlers to expand their kingdom. But Ghanaian resistance to the slave trade has not been given much attention in the West, says Samuel Ndewusu, a professor of African studies at the University of Ghana in Bilza, Ghana, for example. It’s all a story Leaders They are adamant that they have sold out their own people. But the Ashantis did not hide their involvement. As early as 1992, Ghana’s traditional leaders apologized for their contribution to slavery.

And that helps give Ghanaians a place in that history, says Adu-Ampong. “It is frustrating when the pain of slavery is not acknowledged, as it has been for a long time in the Netherlands. It is precisely through recognition that people can get their lives. During his visit to the central region of Ashanti, Agyeman Hin heard that the group of the same name considers it very important to receive accurate information from immigrants. “They are history. They want to do justice, they want to restore connection. Ashanti King Otumfuo Nana Osei Tutu II has been involved in global conversations on slavery.

What also helps the acceptance of the past is that Ghana’s first president, Kwame Nkrumah, was able to reunite the country, which had been strongly divided by the British after colonialism, and allowed the separated people to live together. “For example, he introduced the policy of sending high school students to schools across the country. Children interact with others at an early age. This creates a common vision of the past.

Apart from colonial history, Stark and Agyeman Hin want to know more about the period before that. Agyeman Hin: “The history of Ghana did not begin with colonialism. The country was not ‘discovered’, it already existed. Stark: “I do not know my African name. Names are very important here. These are determined by, among other things, your clan, your people, your place in your family structure. And Take on a mission in life.For example, Irene’s full name is Irene Efua Agyeman Hin, which means: the liberator who reclaims her land.

The Dutch cabinet wants descendants of enslaved people to change their name to a name that reflects their African ancestry from 2024. “Not having that name is a huge loss for immigrants,” says Stark. On the next visit, he wants to restore his ‘original name’ and perform the traditional naming ceremony.

In Accra, the women visit the WEB Du Bois Memorial Center for Pan African Culture, named after the American ‘Father of Pan-Africanism’ (1868-1963), who spent his last years in Ghana. On the way back, Stark says his search isn’t over yet. “On this trip I learned that a large part of the migrants are from the north of Ghana. A good reason to visit the area next time and see more.