As you approach from the main highway, you are greeted by an arch with an inscription inviting you to Assin Kushea. Located in Assin North within the Central Region is a community known as Assin Kushea. The town is positioned 12 kilometers off the Assin Fosu highway.
Assin Kushea has gained the reputation of being the cleanest town in Ghana and also the home to a huge palace, recognized as the largest in West Africa In today’s video, we explore the splendor of the biggest palace and investigate if the town lives up to it praise.
The Assin Kushua palace was constructed by Nana Prah Agyinsaim VI. He is the Paramount Chief of the Assin Owirenkyi Traditional Area in the Central Region and a Member of the Central Regional House of Chiefs. Nana holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Law from the University of London and is also a Barrister at –Law and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Ghana having been called to the Bar in 1995.
Beyond the main gate lies an area reserved for ceremonial gatherings. It is decorated with sculptures depicting traditional African motifs. An elevated platform within this area serves as the seat for the chief during organized functions. Adjacent to the park stands a summer hut that shelters the chief’s carriage.
Facing the second gate, close to the entrance to the palace are two imposing statues, equipped with spears and shields acting as formidable guards. The wide compound encompasses not only the palace but also a garden, a fish pond, and a menagerie.
The grand building features sculptures carrying profound symbolism positioned at the front and some elevated on pillars.
Within the palace, long corridors decorated with lantern lamps create a pleasing atmosphere. Because of Nana’s vision to enhance both local and external tourism in Assin Kushea, there are guest rooms available for those who wish to stay and immerse themselves in the peaceful environment that the town has to offer. A staircase leads to the rooms on the first floor.
At the center of the palace is an open area with two canine sculptures. Any observant visitor may notice an abundance of similar dog statues throughout the premises and there’s a meaningful explanation behind this artistic choice. The dog serves as the revered totem of the Aduana clan, one of the largest families among the Akans to which Nana Prah Agyinsaim VI belongs. According to legend, a dog played a key role in guiding the clan during their migration, lighting the path with fire emanating from its mouth. The totem represents honesty and industriousness and the abundance of dog sculptures is a testament of this cultural narrative.
Behind these statues lies the area where Nana and his elders receive guests and preside over functions. This area is further boosted by the presence of Adinkra, a set of visual images that capture pithy sayings in the Akan culture.
Directly across the palace is a decisively constructed fishpond. Nana initiated the creation of this pond as a proactive measure to address potential shortages of fish in the future. The decline in fish population in the Pra River is attributed to illegal mining also known as galamsey that has been a major concern. Hazardous chemicals discharged into the water during these operations have led to a substantial reduction in the river’s fish population. In response, Nana took the initiative to build the fishpond, ensuring a sustainable source of fish for the community during challenging times. Additionally, he has been actively involved in leading efforts to eradicate illegal mining in the region and throughout Ghana.
Nana’s visionary leadership extend beyond the palace. A few kilometers away from the palace is the Assin Kushea Township, celebrated as the cleanest town in Ghana. The primary occupation of the community is agriculture. The streets are tarred and dustbins are a common sight. According to the individuals we interviewed, Nana personally engages in regular visits to communities and schools, highlighting the importance of personal hygiene. It is through his initiative that all these dustbins were provided. The town stands out for its cleanliness.
When discussing the cleanest countries or cities in Africa, Rwanda often comes to mind for its notable achievements. In the year 2021, the Ghanaian government sent delegation to Rwanda to study their waste management system and good environmental and sanitation practices.
The president had pledged in 2017 to make Accra the neatest and best city in Africa by the end of his first term in office.
“The commitment we are making and which I want you all to make with me is that by the time we end our four-year term, Accra is going to be the cleanest city in Africa.”
Unfortunately, that is yet to happen but I can confidently say, that there’s no need to look beyond our borders for inspiration, Nana Prah Agyensaim VI and the people of Assin Kushea have demonstrated commendable achievements we can learn from.
I extend my sincere appreciation to Nana Prah Agyensaim VI for the outstanding efforts he is making in Assin Kushea, especially at a time when local chiefs are facing diminished popularity. I hope others can draw inspiration from Nana’s example.
