The Battle of Katamanso 1826: When the Guns of Ashanti Fell Silent

In 1826, the Asante Empire faced its first major military defeat at the hands of a coastal alliance backed by British rockets. The Battle of Katamanso, fought near the Pra River, was a turning point in the Gold Coast's history. It shattered the myth of Asante invincibility, gave the Fante and their allies a temporary upper hand, and forced the Asantehene Osei Yaw Akoto into a bitter peace that included ceding claims to Elmina. This episode unpacks the battle itself: the coalition of Fante, Ga, Denkyira, Akyem, and British forces under Governor John Hope Smith, the devastating use of Congreve rockets, the death of the Asante general Amankwatia, and the war's long-term consequences — including the eventual British retreat from direct involvement until the Bond of 1844. We also explore the role of Osu Castle, the political aftermath for the Asante Confederacy, and why this battle remains a contested memory in Ghanaian history. #BattleOfKatamanso #AsanteEmpire #GoldCoast #Fante #CongreveRockets #OseiYawAkoto #JohnHopeSmith #PraRiver #OsuCastle #BritishColonialism #Elmina #Denkyira #Akyem #Ga #GhanaHistory #WestAfrica #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo