Jessica Opare Saforo, Akosua Hanson and Chantelle Asante
Pundits of Ghana’s most influential celebrity and lifestyle show, Celebrity Fanzone, have made a passionate appeal to the State to restore Yaa Asantewaa’s image back on the Ghana Cedi note.
Jessica Opare Saforo led the charge for this initiative, and was supported by co-hosts Akosua Hanson and Chantelle Asante last Saturday on Viasat1.
Yaa Asantewaa, who was featured on the Twenty Cedis note of 1986, has since been taken off after several changes and redenomination of the note.
Yaa Asantewaa (1830 -1921), was Queen mother of Ejisu, is famous for her leadership role in the last Anglo-Asante conflict (1900-1), and now internationally celebrated as an embodiment of African womanhood and a symbol of resistance to external domination and exploitation.
Despite losing in the famous battle of 1901, the ideals that propelled Yaa Asantewaa to put her life on the line for her constituents are very much needed today- to inspire a generation of young men and women who will be prepared to build a nation anchored on justice, equity and respect for human rights.
The #BringBackYaaAsantewaa initiative was ignited when the US Treasury last Wednesday proposed the replacement of the Former US President Andrew Jackson on the $20 bill with Harriet Tubman, the former slave and abolitionist.
Harriet Tubman together with Yaa Asantewaa, are among the many courageous women throughout history who refused to subject themselves to repressive and discriminatory regimes even when it appeared their very lives were at risk.
All pundits on CFZ show last Saturday were unanimous in their conviction that restoration of Yaa Asantewaa’s image on the Cedi note would be a decision in the right direction.
Also on the show was celebrated film producer, Shirley Frimpong-Manso, who disclosed that the main philosophy behind her productions is the empowerment of women in Africa.
It is unclear how the State will ultimately respond to this call but one thing is certain moving forward, the conversation about #BringBackYaaAsantewaa has only begun.
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