The Manhyia Palace

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THE MANHYIA PALACE On the West Coast of Africa, located in Ghana’s second largest city, at the heart of Kumasi, the capital of the Ashanti Region is the Manhyia Palace; the official residence of the paramount chief of the Ashanti people. The Manhyia Palace is really special to me because it houses over eighty-five years of unique history of my people- the Ashanti tribe. The original palace has an interesting history. In the early 1900s the British and the Ashanti were enemies because the Ashanti didn’t want to be colonized by the British. However, the British built it for the Ashanti king when he returned from exile. The two-story building has a large courtyard which showcases the statues of former kings and queens of the Ashanti Kingdom. The spacious verandahs give a beautiful view of the palace's environs. The palace was later turned into a museum in 1995. Some of the artifacts on display are furniture used by the Kings, the bronze head of a famous brave king Nana Sir Osei Agyeman Prempeh II, a sketch map of the Ashanti Kingdom as well as life size wax effigies of some of the kings and queens of Asanteman. One of the treasuers that can be also found there is the first television set that was ever used in the Ashanti Kingdom. It would be an honour to meet the current paamount chief of the Ashanti Kingdom; Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and his lovely wife Lady Julia. He is a very influential and learned leader from whom I can learn a lot. I would be delighted to witness firsthand the Adae Festival which is a major festival celebrated by the Ashantis to commemorate and re-inforce the independence of the Ashanti people. I believe that a year long stay at the Manhyia Palace would help me to truly understand my

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