Adanseman History: The Story of Adanse Akrokerri

Adanse is well known in Akan Cosmogony as the place God (Odomankoma) traditionally started creation of the world, hence the expression: ‘Odomankoma created Adanse after the world’.

The five principal Akan states in Adanse (i.e Akan,-man Piesie Num) in order of seniority were as follows:

  1. Adanse Akrokyere (Asakyiri clan),

  2. Akyem Abuakwa (Asona clan),

  3. Assin Fante-Nyankumase (Asene clan),

  4. Denkyira (Agona clan) and

  5. Asante (Oyoko clan).

Tradition claims that the early settlers in Adanse were the ancestors of Akrokerri, more properly known as AKYEREKYERE-named after the Akyerekyere stream which takes its source from Bonabuom and flows near the teacher training college at the skirts of the present–town.

Legend has it that the Asakyir clan ancestors originally lived at a place ‘’a long way north’’, most probably in the region south of the Niger Bend. In those days the Mohammedans made persistent attempt to convert their ancestors into Islamic religion. And as they resisted the Muslims embarked upon unprecedented persecautions and rampant torture, where upon their ancestors became desperate and immediately vacated the region in search of peaceful abode.

Consequently, they emigrated south westwards and took refuge in the vicinity of the Kong Mountains, north-eastern part of Cote d’ lvoire where they established KANKYEABO. They built their huts with stones, hence the new settlement derived its name from the practice of erecting hut with stones.

Later, they were joined by other related groups – the Akwamu and Nzema who settled on the Comoe (Kumbu) and N’Zi Rivers which gave them the name Akwamu and Nze-mba (Nzema).respectively.

Traditions relate that the incoming Wangara trading groups became boisterous and later warriors which gradually resulted in the conquest of the Kumbu and Kankyeabo States. The rapid operation compelled. The Asakyir clan ancestors to escape unnoticed and arrived in the portion of the dense forest under the leadership of Ofori Okae Boade and his sister Gyahema.

Their first place of settlement was (OBONYAMESO or BONATIFI) about 3km north of AKROKERI. Here they assumed the name ASAKYIRI for the first time- originally they were ASONA, until a kindred group came to settle at Adanse Adeboye. In those days it was considered a taboo for individual clan members to marry themselves, because they were brothers and sisters, so it was considered incestuous. The group of settlers, therefore, adopted a new name, ASAKYIRI.

While at Obonyameso there was an influx of immigrant who sought permission from Ofori Okae Boade to settle on the land. They were the ancestors of Bretuo clan who originally lived at Hwerebe Kwasaase and now Ayaase; the Asona family under the Bone and Akwaa came to settle came to settle at Kokobiante and Sebenaso in the same neighbourhood; soon the area became densely populated.

The myth is that Ofori Okae Boadi was presented with mystical sword known as AFENA KWAO by a strange monster (Sansabosam) for self-defence which became the Insignia of Authority. It was called Oko-gye-abo, that is the warrior sword that controls the direction of enemies’ bullets.

After a glorious long reign, the founding hero, Nana Ofori Okae Boade, died and was secretly buried at a place described as ‘Boade-da-so’ or BONASO, i.e. the sleeping place of Boade which later became the royal mausoleum.

List of kings:

2.         NANA ASARE ADEKYEE:  The eldest son of Ofori Okae Boadi who continued to rule at Bonatifi. He dispatched about 200 men to the coast to procure cloth and domestic wares from the white merchants.

3.         NANA ABU NYANSA:  Being a great teacher and a wise councillor he introduced great constitutional reforms;  other groups began to imitate him, so the word ‘abu-sua’ came to mean’ limiting Abu’ the honorary title ‘Nyansa’(wisdom) was added to his name, hence ABU NYANSA.  After many years at Bonafiti he moved with his people to another place and founded FOMASE, situated between Bekwai and Pekyi.  Here they built swish houses, which earned them the name ‘Adan-si-fo’ corrupted into ADANSE.

  1. NANA ASARE BEDIAKO

:   He was a warrior King with exceptional ability to organize his people for warfare; he conquered Ntiamoa Amankuo of the Beretuo family who lived at Abusa near Dompoase, and made him head of the Akwamu Wing – his descendants still enjoy this privilege.

5.         NANA ASARE BUTUO:    He was modest, and had the most peaceful reign.

  1. NANA ASARE KUMANIM: He evacuated with his people to ATUASE near the confluence of the Offin and Oda rivers (Adaboye); he introduced the musical play ‘amanmehwe’ or Atopre, performed for criminals awaiting execution; while at Atoase the Tekyiman under Ameyaw Kwakye (1712-1740) was attacked by Asante through Baafo Pim, the traitor,

  2. NANA ASARE MINTIM:   He spent most of his time on the battlefield, accompanied by his son, Awarade Basa.

  3. NANA OTIBREKO ASARE:   He amassed wealth and besides was so powerful that he fought the Denkyira hence, Mumumfi, without success. After his death the sword of Authority (‘Afena Kwao’) was handed to Awurade Basa thus all resident in Adanse transferred their alliance to him. The story is that Awurade had as his chief spokesman, Nkrafo (or Mfoafo) through whom he exercised his authority.  He was intolerant to his subjects who were apprehensive to mention his name except that of his Okyeame. This gave rise to the saying ‘Yekase Nkrafo (Mfoafo) nsoyene Awarade Basa’, meaning ‘We complain against Nkrafo (Mfoafo) but we mean, however, Awarade Basa himself’.  Be that as it may, Awarade Basa’s otherwise prosperous reign was marred by only one disaster.  He marched against the eight Denkyirahene, Boadu Akafu Brempon, who completely destroyed Adanseman.

  4. NANA OBEN ADUA:   This time matrilineal system was ushered in. He continued to rule at ATUASE.

10-26.              Little is known about the successive rulers.

  1. NTORI BONKYI:   He amassed great wealth, and he was able to pay ransom for his subjects in exile to enable them return home.  HE MADE SEVERAL REGALIA WHICH EARNED HIM THE HONOUR OF REFERRING TO THE PRINCIPAL stool of Adanse – ‘Ntori Bonkyi Agua’.

28.       DWAPANIN AFARI:  In his reign the Denkyira moved from Tutumbe to the western border of Adanse and founded their famous capital Abankesieso by the Oda River near the present village of Abuakwa; he also became of solid gold.

  1. ANTWI SAMPA PANIN:  Through the recommendation of his hunters he made exodus with his people from Nyantaso, and established on the bank of the Akyerekyere Stream. It is the name of this stream with has been corrupted to AKROKERI and from which the settlement derived its name.

Finally, the policy of Nana Owusu Sampa III was essentially the continuation and fulfilment of the wishes of his predecessors that the occupant of the “Ntori Bonkyi Stool” occupies his proper place in society of chieftaincy and to regain its lost glory. Apparently, the restoration of the independence of Akrokeri from the subordinate position under Fomena was the object of this progressive chief. To achieve this, he forwarded a Resolution dated August 16, 1910 to the Fomenahene Kwabena. Fori through the Provincial Commissioner, Kumase, since he is reckoned among the principal Stools of clans in Asante (qv. Busia K.A. “The Position of the Chief in the Modern Political System in Ashanti”, 1958. P. 215).

Subsequently, in February, 1958, the Kwame Nkrumah Government elevated the status of the Akrokerihene to that of paramountcy”. This, according to Nana Owusu Sampah III, was based on history and traditions of the people. But in 1966, immediately after the Nkrumah government was toppled by the “Armed Forces and the Police”, the National Liberation Council (NLC) deemed the elevation of some chiefs traditionally unconstitutional, and without precedence.   By decree, ‘Chieftaincy (Amendment) Decree No. 112 of 1966’, many Paramount Chiefs which included the Akrokerihene were degraded. He reverted to the subordinate rank of Ohene.

In pursuance of the Decree the Akrokerihene and his twenty-seven chiefs on December 22, 1966, petitioned the NLC through the Asantehene to confer upon Akrokeri State paramount Status to serve directly under the Asantehene.

Nana Owusu Sampah III, devoted much energy to the development of the state. In his reign was the establishment of a Teacher Training College in modern buildings. A Health Centre was built by the Government. He agitated for the insertion of the right of Akrokeri in the Ashanti Goldfield. Concession Agreement of 1987, and in pursuance of the Obuasi Concession, Nana Owusu Sampah III, in his capacity as the land owner, elected Kwasi Afoakwa as the Odikro of Obuasi.

Source: Kwame Ampene.

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