The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, and the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, on Friday jointly inaugurated the Kumasi International Airport, which has been christened Prempeh I International Airport.
They were joined by the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Keith Rowley, at the inaugural ceremony.
Otumfuo Sir Agyemang Prempeh I was the 13th King of the Asantes who ruled from March 26, 1888 to 1931.
He fought against the British in 1895-1896.
Speaking at the event, the President explained that the renaming of the airport was meant to honour the late king for his significant contributions to shaping the destiny and future of the Ashanti people.
He mentioned that the late king streamlined governance and enhanced the kingdom’s ability to respond to external threats and internal challenges, with his leadership leading to periods of territorial expansion, bringing more communities under Ashanti rule and influence.
“Overall, Otumfuo Agyeman Prempeh I’s leadership, during tumultuous period in Ashanti history, helped to reinforce the foundations of the resilience and endurance of the Kingdom. It also marked a period of Ashanti resistance led by him and the celebrated Ejisu Hemaa, Yaa Asantewaa, to fight colonial annexation of Ashanti,” the President said.
He further stressed that renaming the airport signified his government’s deep respect for Ghana’s traditional institutions.
The President referred to the famous Sagrenti War between the Asantes and the British, which resulted in Prempeh I’s exile, noting that the current airport premises were once Prempeh I’s final residence in Kumasi, and, therefore, tasked the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) to ensure the preservation of the premises as a historic site.
“Prempeh I is revered as a symbol of Ashanti pride, independence and sovereignty and today through this ceremony, we are paying tribute to his legacy,” he said.
The Juabenhene, Nana Otuo Serebour, indicated that November 24, this year, would be 100 years of the return of Prempeh I from exile in Seychelles.
He said Asanteman was grateful for the renaming of the airport after the great king as it marked the remembrance of a very significant part of the history of the Asantes.
He said for 28 years the kingdom was without a monarch and the people had to show resilience and tenacity to get going.
The Paramount Chief thanked the President for the honour done Asanteman and expressed the hope that whatever was left to make the airport fully operational would soon be done.
In June 2018, President Akufo Addo cut the sod for the commencement of the phase two of the facility involving the extension of the runway from 1,981 metres to 2,300 metres to accommodate Boeing 737-800 series aircraft; and the construction of a new terminal, additional aprons and other ancillary works.
FROM KINGSLEY E.HOPE, KUMASI
