Centenary of Prempeh I’s Return Concludes with Historic Recognition in Seychelles
The Anglican Diocese of Seychelles has posthumously recognized the late Asantehene Agyeman Prempeh I for his unwavering Christian faith while in exile.
This recognition marked the conclusion of the centenary celebrations in Ghana and Seychelles, honouring Prempeh’s return after 27 years in exile.
On Monday, October 27, 2025, the 166-year-old Cathedral unveiled a significant concrete plaque featuring a marble imprint of salutation at the prominent garden site near its West Door.
The diocesan synod has officially declared that the third week of May each year will be observed as Nana Agyeman Prempeh I Memorial Day, celebrated with a Eucharistic Mass.
The Rt. Rev. Elizabeth Danny, Bishop of the Diocese, delivered the homily and noted that it was fitting for the centenary celebrations to conclude at the cathedral where Prempeh worshipped after his baptism at St. Agnes’ Church on May 29, 1904.
Praise
During the ceremony, Bishop Danny, alongside Ivor Agyeman-Duah, the Director of the Manhyia Palace Museum representing the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, praised the descendants of Prempeh living on the island for their exemplary lives in preserving the legacy of their great ancestor.
Prempeh I is the third individual to be honoured by St. Paul’s Cathedral, one of the oldest cathedrals in the Western Indian Ocean. The first honouree was its founding bishop, the English Sir John Thorp, whose memorial ceremony was attended by The Earl of Oxford and Asquith, Rt. Hon. Julian Edward George, in 1962. The Cathedral also honoured the late Archbishop Emeritus, French K. Change-Him, with a dedicated bell in July 2024.
Otumfuo shows gratitude
In a message delivered on his behalf by the Dean of the Cathedral, Father Byrian Volcere, the Asantehene expressed gratitude to the church for honouring his great uncle and regretted that he could not attend the service. He noted, “The Anglican Church in Asante and throughout Ghana owes much of its existence to the faith cultivated by Prempeh within the walls of this Cathedral. We feel fulfilled that the centenary celebrations have concluded here with the erection of this monument.”
He also praised both the former president and major Anglican priest, Wavel Ramkalawan, and the current president, Dr. Patrick Herminie, urging them to foster unity in addressing the challenges they face, similar to those in Ghana.
Additionally, the Cathedral received six cartons of communion wine and wafers, as well as a donation of $2,000 for the service from Agyeman-Duah on behalf of the Asantehene.
Descendants
One of Prempeh’s great-grandchildren, Suzy Prempeh-Marimba, who works in the tourism industry, mentioned that the narrative for visitors to the ancient Cathedral will change with the installation of the new monument.
The descendants are also celebrating an art collage titled “New Generation” at the ongoing Hands of Heritage exhibition at the National Arts Gallery in the capital, Victoria. This collage was created by a third-generation family member and UNESCO protégé, Andrya Prempeh-Marimba.
