Prince William Ansah’s family was one of the most influential in the 18th-century Gold Coast (now Ghana) and they engaged in human trafficking with the English, French, Dutch, and Portuguese. It was a booming business around that era.
Prince William Ansah Sessarakoo was born a Fante in c1736. His father, John Corrente was a very wealthy businessman and Chief of the kabassers, those in charge of the slave trade in Annamaboe. He was well known by the African traders on the interior and the European traders around the coast. He traded slaves majorly with the French and English, who were trade competitors for slaves in Annanaboe.
John Corrente was very successful in the transatlantic slave trade and to have a diplomatic relationship with the French, he sent one of his sons to school in France, to learn the ways of the French. His son returned more knowledgeable about French culture and trade practices.
The English, not wanting to fall behind in business dealings, offered a similar opportunity. Eager to also strengthen diplomatic relations with the English, he sent his other son, Prince William Ansah, to England. Ansah had already gained considerable knowledge of the English while living in the forte of the Royal African Company but this journey was meant to deepen his understanding and be the eyes and ears of his father in England.
He boarded the ship to England but upon reaching Barbados, the captain of the ship betrayed his trust and sold him into slavery. He was a slave for years. Meanwhile, his family thought him dead until a Fanti trader recognized him in Barbados and sent word to Ansah’s Father In Annanaboe that his son was indeed alive.
John Corrente was unhappy with this news, so the Royal African Company, realizing this would cause a sour relationship with him and wanting to maintain a good trading relationship with Chief Corrente, amended the situation by locating Ansah, and ensuring he could continue his journey to England.
On getting to England, Ansah was recognized as royalty. They even made a portrait of him. He was treated specially and earned the title “Prince Ananaboe”. His story of enslavement and rescue inspired several dramas, publications, poetry, and art. He even attended a play about a Prince who was wrongfully enslaved and later released. He was moved to tears as it reminded him of his own experience.
After returning to the Gold Coast, he worked as a writer on the Cape Coast Castle until 1761. However, he had a conflict with the governor and was expelled.
Prince Ansah William later joined the slave trade business alongside his family.
He died in 1793 on the Gold Coast.
According to history, the details of his death are unknown.
