Otumfuo tours Fort George in Trinidad and Tobago

“I’m gladdened to be here to see this edifice and as the occupant of the Golden Stool standing here, I say I’m proud that my son designed and built this edifice.” These were the words of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene when he paid a visit to Fort George, St. James in Trinidad and Tobago on Wednesday.

The King , who is in Trinidad and Tobago as the Guest of Honour for the country’s Emancipation Day celebrations took time to visit Fort George, St. James, which was designed and built by Kofi Nti, a son of the 10th Asantehene, Kofi Karikari.

History
Delving into history, Otumfuo Osei Tutu said during the Anglo-Asante war of 1874, the British took two sons of the then Asantehene Kofi Karikari to England where one of them died , while Kofi Nti was later sent to Trinidad.

Kofi Nti who had received Western education became a household name in the country when in 1883, he designed and built Fort George in Trinidad which was used as a signal station for the British. “In 1881 Kofi Nti, my son, was taken to Britain where the British said they were going to take him to school, to come back and educate my people as if we didn’t know what we were doing.

“One of the two sons died and they decided to send Kofi Nti, the surviving son to Trinidad because the weather was similar to Ghana. And this is the edifice I see here that he came to design and built,” Otumfuo Osei Tutu stated.

“When they took my people away from Africa through the gate of no return, they thought I was not going to come back, and here I am,” Otumfuo said to rapturous applause from the gathering, which included the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr Keith Rowley.

“The name Kofi Nti will stand forever , the Asante Kingdom will stand forever with Trinidad and Tobago and I can assure you that I’m here with pride standing under this roof which was designed and constructed by my son,” the King stated.