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Manhyia Archives

The Manhyia Archives (formally Manhyia Records Office) was established as part of the Ashanti Research Project by the Institute of African Studies, University of Ghana in May 1963.

The then Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Agyeman Prempeh II, expressed active interest in the Project. As a mark of appreciation for the project, Otumfuo Osei Agyeman Prempeh II made available valuable archival materials in his custody to the Institute of African Studies. These materials included files of the old Native Authorities and State Councils, the records of the Native Tribunals and Native Courts, records of the Ashanti Confederacy (later Asanteman) Council etc.

Nana Osei Agyeman Prempeh II’s desire was to make these materials available to scholars in Kumasi and others who may wish to study them in their social and cultural context. To this end, he gave the building formerly occupied by his Lands Department to the Institute of African Studies in 1964, so that it could be developed as a Record Office for the Ashanti Research Project. This is what has been transformed into the Manhyia Archives today.

Mission of the Archives

The mission of the Manhyia Archives is to provide efficient and reliable professional records and archives management services to promote democracy, human rights, justice, accountability, good governance, development and the study of our history, culture and national identity.

Working Hours

The Manhyia Archives is opened to the general public from Monday to Friday between the hours of 8:30 am and 5:00 pm

Facilities

  • Search rooms (Reading rooms): There are two rooms designated for searchers (readers) with a total seating capacity of 20 people.
  • Repositories (Storage areas):The archive has three repositories or storage rooms. It is in these rooms that all the archival materials are preserved and extracted for readers on request. All the bound volumes of Daily Graphic and the Ghanaian Times since 2000 can be found here.
  • Reprographic room:The reprographic room otherwise called the photocopying room accommodates only one heavy duty canon photocopier for the production of copies of records for readers/searchers. This room also accommodates comb binding and laminating machines for office use as well as for serving searchers.
  • Website (www.manhyiaarchives.org): The Manhyia Archives has a website where some of the finding aids can be accessed. It is important for searchers to note that the actual records are not online for consultation. Searchers will therefore have to visit the archives personally to view the documents or alternatively send in their request to the Senior Archivist for processing. However, searchers will be responsible for all the charges that will be incurred in the course of processing and onward transmission.
  • Photo Gallery: The photo gallery has six exhibition cases where photos and or archival materials are displayed during exhibitions.

Holdings

  • Kumasi Traditional Council records
  • Asante Confederacy Council/Asanteman Council records
  • Government Publications
  • Ashanti Stool Histories
  • Ewe Traditions
  • Court dockets and record books
  • Records donated by individuals – Joe Appiah’s Papers

Government Publications

Owing to the relationship that existed between the Asantehene and the colonial administration, complementary copies of various government publications were sent to the Asantehene. This explains why this group of records has come to be part of the collection of Manhyia Archives. Some of these publications include: Gold Coast/Ghana Gazette – 1928-1950, Ordinances/Decrees/Acts of Parliaments – 1934 – 1986, Commissions/Committees of inquiry – 1969 – 1980, Local Government Bulletin – 1960 – 1980, Commercial and Industrial Bulletin – 1960 – 1980, Land and Concession Bulletin – 1960 – 1980, Legislative Council/Assembly  and Parliamentary debates – 1948 – 1971 and so on.

Rare Collections

  • Personal letters of Nana Prempeh I
  • The personal letters of Nana Prempeh I have been compiled into three volumes
  • Volume I 1912 – 1915
  • Volume II1916 – 1919
  • Volume III1920 – 1927

Records donated by individuals – Joe Appiah’s Papers

Joe Appiah a seasoned Ghanaian Lawyer who was a friend to the archives donated some of his papers to the facility. These papers include; papers and reports of the Ghana Bar Association (1956-1986), records on the General legal Council (1969-1971) and the State Textiles (1966). Others include; Journal of the International Commission of Jurists, Bulletin of the International Commission of Jurists, Ghana Law Reports, Review of Ghana Law etc.

  • Conspiracy against Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Agyeman Prempeh II
  • List of Amanhene and Chiefs who signed for Prempeh’s repatriation
  • List of Ashanti political prisoners (including people under Nana Prempeh , other chiefs and people and list of their children born in Seychelles)

Newspapers

The Manhyia Archives started subscribing to the Ghanaian Times and the Daily Graphic since the year 2000. So far, all the newspapers have been bound into volumes and preserved in the archives.

Services

  • Reference services
  • Production and reproduction of documents
  • Certification/Authentication of documents
  • Referral services

Contact

Manhyia Archives, Box AS 477, Asawase-Kumasi

Website: www.manhyiaarchives.org

Tel: 0322398511