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The Elmina Prince who travelled to Sierra Leone to free Nana Kobina Gyan I

In 1867, the English and Dutch agreed to redistribute forts and castles along the Gold Coast. This agreement resulted in the Anglo-Dutch Gold Coast Treaty of 1867. These parties redistributed forts along the Dutch and British Gold Coasts to concentrate the parties’ areas of influence. The Netherlands were given forts to the west, while Britain got forts to the east of the Elmina Castle. 

This exchange did not suit the interest of the people of Elmina as they preferred to be under the Dutch rather than the British. The people then requested their leader to resist this exchange. The inability of the King of Elmina to resist this exchange got him deposed in January 1869. 

In June 1869, Kobina Gyan was made King of Elmina. The people of Elmina wholly supported Nana Kobina Gyan I in resisting the Anlo-Dutch exchange of forts. He opposed the British by refusing to pay allegiance and fly the British flag. He was arrested and sent to Cape Coast and later Sierra Leone in 1873. 

The Rescue Attempt 

After 11 years of Nana Kobina Gyan I being exiled in Sierra Leone, Prince Anowie, a kinsman of Nana Kobina Gyan I, left Elmina later in 1884 with the ostensible purpose of selling gold trinkets but purposely to find out about Nana Kobina Gyan and rescue him. 

After six months, Elmina was thrown into jubilation over rumours of the success of Prince Anowie’s mission. There were rumours of the soon arrival of Nana Kobina Gyan I and his outright reinstatement. Chief Andor, who was ruling Elmina, had become unpopular among the indigenes who longed for the day he would be deposed. 

Numerous Steamships arrived in Elmina without their noble Nana Kobina Gyan I, their hope dwindled as each day flew by without the return of their King. The story of the success of the mission of Prince appeared to be a rumour. However, he deserves to be remembered for such a bold attempt. 

The story of Prince Anowie shows how the people of Elmina cherished Nana Kobina Gyan and appreciated his effort to stand up for his people even after many years away from Elmina. 

Nana Kobina Gyan’s exile lasted 21 years. The Elmina District Commissioner, Hendrik Vroom, enabled his from Sierra Leone. Nana Kobina Gyan again set foot on Elmina soil on 17 May 1894 and was proclaimed King of Elmina.

However, in less than two years, Nana Kobina Gyan died. He was buried in the Dutch Cemetery of Elmina.

Written By

Stephen Baidoo is a writer who loves to research about Ghana's past. He brings Ghana's history to life with each unearthed fact and forgotten narrative, transforming dry dates into passionate stories.

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