Awiaso: King Kaku Aka III, the Paramount Chief of the Awiaso Traditional Area, has endorsed President John Dramani Mahama's call for reparatory justice from the British colonial administration over its role in the Trans-Atlantic slave trade. In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Egya Annor Kwasi, and copied to the Ghana News Agency at Awiaso in the Ellembelle District of the Western Region, King Kaku Aka III said the lasting effects of the slave trade demanded restitution.
According to Ghana News Agency, King Kaku Aka III emphasized that the detrimental effects of the slave trade necessitate proper restitution, as it significantly contributed to Africa's developmental challenges. He praised President Mahama's advocacy for reparative justice in his role as the African Union's Advocate, describing it as a necessary step towards addressing historical injustices.
The chief highlighted the impact of the forced removal of Africa's workforce, which, along with the complicity of some local chiefs, undermined the continent's moral, spiritual, and economic foundations. He commended his ancestor, King Kaku Aka I, for resisting the British colonial administration by refusing to sign the Bond of 1844, viewing it as an act of resistance against the slave trade.
King Kaku Aka III further accused the British colonial administration of distorting Ghana's historical records and argued that the British lacked the moral authority to install Paramount Chiefs in Nzema. He called for the reinstatement of the office of King Kaku Aka I, who opposed servitude and bondage, asserting that his resistance was justified.
The Paramount Chief urged the National House of Chiefs to review historical archives to identify the legitimate Overlord of Nzemaland, which he believes would help resolve ongoing disputes over land and succession. He also expressed concern about the removal of historical texts from school curricula, emphasizing the importance of educating future generations about their heritage.
King Kaku Aka III's statement underscores the continued impact of colonial interference on traditional leadership and calls for a reevaluation of historical narratives to restore the dignity and historical memory of African societies.