A Guide to the historical records of the Asante people of Ghana at the Manhyia archives

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2006-10

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African Research & Documentation

Abstract

The establishment of functional records management systems in Ghana to manage the records of some traditional authorities is a recent development. After independence some parastatale, financial institutions, corporations and private business firms began to recognize the importance of recorded information as a vital organizational resource. With this realization came the recognition that a system for managing this resource is essential. This awareness led to the establishment of what is usually referred to as special archives. In the case of the traditional authorities the archives were set up with the aim of preserving the cultural and historical heritage of their traditional areas. As noted by Adams (2005) in a study on the management of chieftaincy records in Ghana, the chiefs perform administrative, judicial and advisory roles to government on traditional issues. These functions are performed through committees and this leads to the generation of very valuable records which require professional management and preservation. There are already some developments in this direction: the Manhyia Archive in Kumasi; the Akim Abuakwa State Archive located in the Paramount Chief's Palace at Kibi (Ofori Panyin Fie); the Konor's Depository (Krobo Odumasi Traditional Council Collection) and the Ga Mantse's Collection in Accra. They serve as sources of material for conflict resolution, records on judgements, customs, inheritance or succession to stools and stool land demarcation. Maps demarcating boundaries of lands in dispute and photographs of chiefs and important events in the society are also preserved. Very few works have been carried out on chieftaincy records in Ghana (Adams, 1998; Acheampong, 2003). The main aim of this article is to bring to light information on the wealth of archives in the Manhyia Archives. The holdings constitute valuable sources for research into Asante history and culture as well as materials for dispute and conflict resolution, particularly on matters relating to chieftaincy, stool lands and properties in the Ashanti and Brong Ahafo Regions of Ghana

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Adams, M. (2006). A Guide to the historical records of the Asante people of Ghana at the Manhyia archives. African Research & Documentation, (101), 9

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