The Akyem Abuakwa State
The name “Okyeman” is derived from the Akan word “Okyem”. Okyem refers to the Leopard, which is variously called Etwie, Kurotwiamansa or Osebo in Akan. It is known to be a wild animal but a good parent ever ready to protect its offsprings.
The first leader of the Asona people, Nana Apeanin Kwaframoa was known to be a brave, shrewd and courageous leader whose reputation was likened to that of a Leopard. With time, the subjects of Nana Kwaframoa came to be known as Okyemfuo or “Okyem” meaning, people who are dreaded and not to be provoked.
The name “Okyem” is now corrupted into “Akyem” from which the title “Okyemhene,” is derived. This with time and use, came to be modified as Okyenhene.
Later, Nana Kuntunkununku I, due to public recognition of his martial ardor and administrative skills and competence earned the appellation ‘Obukafuor’. This was later corrupted to ‘Abuakwafuo’.
Around 1300, the ancestors of Okyeman moved from Adanse Akrokyere Kokobeante in present day Asante Region to their present location where they became known as Akyem Abuakwa, from the words ‘Okyem’ and Obukafuo.
The title Osagyefuo means the valiant redeemer of liberator who fights for the oppressed to redeem them from the clutches of the oppressor. This title was conferred on the Okyenhene after the historic war of liberation of the Akuapem in Circa 1730.
Okyeman has had 35 kings. Osagyefuo Amoatia Panin is the 35th occupant of the Ofori Panin Stool.
Akyem Abuakwa is one of the greatest and earliest pioneer Akan States. It is the single largest traditional area in Southern Ghana straddling over 5/8th of the entire Eastern Region. It has 940 towns and villages. The Kingdom is divided into five major divisions – Adonten, Benkum, Nifa, Oseawuo, and Gyase.
The Adonten division is the second in command in the institutional hierarchy of Akyem Abuakwa. Traditionally, the Adontenhene assumes responsibility over the administration of the Akyem State whenever there is an interregnum.
It is one of the largest divisions in the Akyem Abuakwa State Structure with 155 towns and villages. Some of the towns and villages within the Adonten Division includes: Kukurantumi, Tafo, Asuom, Apapam, Takyiman, Osiem, Adoagyiri, Nkronso, Akooko etc.
The Authority of the Okyeman Council which can be called into session by the Okyenhene is vested with the Five Divisional Chiefs (Mpakanfo). The Adonten Stool resides in the Asona family of Kukurantumi. Daasebere Boamo Darko is the occupant of the Adonten Stool.
The Benkum Division is the second largest division within the Akyem Abuakwa State Structure. It has over 300 towns and villages. Within the Akyem Abuakwa State hierarchy, the Benkumhene also known as the Fanteakwahene is the commander and chief of the left wing of the army with his permanent presence at Begoro, the capital of the division.
The Benkum division share borders with Asante, the Kwahu, the Akwamu, the Krobo and parts of the Volta Region. The Benkumhene’s dress and coronet are the same as the Nifahene’s, both of them being equal in rank.
The principal chiefs in this division are the Odauhene of Osenease and Otwereso, equal to the Benkumhene and share all things equally. Some of the principal towns within the division are Apinaman, Osino, Suhum, Amanase, Sawirako and Apedwa.
The Benkum stool resides in the Asona family of Begoro. The Etweresohene, Daasebere Ayebeahwe Ofosu Kwabi is the current regent of the Benkum.
The Nifa stool is the leader of the right wing of Akyem Abuakwa Military Structure. Asiakwa is the capital of the Nifa Stool. The Nifahene is equal in rank with the Akyease Stool.
Some of the principal towns within the Nifa Division are Akyease, Bunsu, Anyinasin, Maase, Okumanin, Daaman, Nsutem, Sagyimase, Tumfa, Akakom, Batabi etc. The Nifa Stool resides in the Oyoko family of Asiakwa. The current occupant of the Nifa Stool is Daasabere Twum Ampofo II.
The Oseawuohene or the Wankyihene, is the Chief of the rear guard. The privileges and powers of the Oseawuohene are equal to those of the Nifahene and Benkumhene. The Oseawuo Division is the largest of all divisions.
Some of the major towns under Oseawuo division are Akwatia, Abomosu, Kade, etc. The Oseawuo Stool resides in the Asona family of Wankyi. Daasebre Asumadu Nyarko Appiah is the current occupant of the Oseawuo Stool.
The Gyase Stool of Akyem Abuakwa has its permanent residence at Kwaben. He is the commander or general of the Royal Household. The Abontendomhene of Kyebi, the first councilor in the Kyebi Executive Council belongs to the Gyase Wing with all the other members, Ankobea, Apesemaka and Kyidom.
Some of the towns under the Gyase Division include; Akrofufu, Muoso, Tweapease, Asaman Tamfoe etc. The current occupant of the Gyase Stool is Daasebere Ayimadu Kantamanto.
Structure & Administration
Akyem Abuakwa is a unitary state or ” Oman “. The supreme Lord and ruler is the Okyenhene. He beats the fearsome appellation, Osagyefuo. He is assisted in his ruling by a hierarchy of ahenfo (chiefs).
For defense and administration purposes, Okyeman is structured in war formation with five divisions : Adonten, the advance guard (capital Kukurantumi); Nifa, the right wing (capital Asiakwa), Benkum, the left wing (capital Begoro), Oseawuo, the rear guard (capital Wenchi) and Gyase, the home guard (capital Kwabeng).
Each division is headed by a principal chief, an Osabarima. This military and political structure is replicated in all the Akan states in Ghana.
The Amantuommiensa is however, a unique institution in Akyem Abuakwa. The Amantuommiensa are the “Ofori Nkongua Asraafo” soldiers of the Ofori Panin Stool. In modern usage, they are akin to the presidential guard, a standing army.
Because of their unique position, the Amantuommiensa have a role of intervention in all matters which in their judgement have a bearing on the security and stability of Akyem Abuakwa.
Amantuommiensa, soldiers of the Ofori Panin stool and the Council of Three Counties, was institutionalized by Ohemaa Afia Dokua, the only woman to be installed the Okyenhene, to protect the counties and state from invasions.
Its official members were drawn from the three main counties of Okyeman; Apapam, Apedwa and Asikam. These counties stand on the three main pathways to Kyebi. Later, the towns of Afiesa, Ahwenease, Pano and Wirenkyiren were added to their ranks.
Judicial System
The Okyeman Council adjudicates cases between the Okyenhene, Chiefs, and citizens of Akyem Abuakwa. It is the supreme court. The council has unlimited jurisdiction and can impose fines and fees. The Okyenhene is the President of the Council.
However, if Okyenhene is a party to a case before the Council, the Adontenhene, Nifahene, or Benkumhene are appointed acting President.
Okyenhene presides over the Ankobea, Apesemaka ne Kyidom i.e. the Kyebi Executive Council. It has jurisdiction to hear all civil cases. The Divisional Council can sit on all cases in their areas except those involving ntamkokoo, the Okyenhene’s personal oath.
To file an action, the plaintiff can either issue a verbal summons; approach an okyeame (an appointed spokesperson) and pay a small fee to summon the defendant; or swear the Wukuada ne Kwanyako oath.
Swearing the oath makes the dispute a criminal issue. If the other party does not respond to! the oath; it is a tacit admission of guilt. In court, both parties must provide surety, swear to the gods and take the Okyenhene oath.
After both have been heard, the court goes into deliberation (ko agyina), recess and delivers the verdict. The okyeame whispers the verdict to the Okyenhene. After that he stands facing the loser and declares the court’s judgement.
The winner is smeared with hyire (white ochre). The okyeame takes aseda, an amount fixed by the court from the winner. The aseda is later recovered from the losing party. Other court charges include mpata, (monetary compensation) are paid to the victor.
The Modern State
Modern Akyem Abuakwa is the single largest area in Southern Ghana. It is bound to the North by Kwahu and in the south by Agona. Akuapem lies beyond its eastern borders. Its western borders are demarcated by Akyem Kotoku and Bosome.
Okyeman is watered by two large rivers, Birem and Densu. They flow from their source in Dokyi Hills, near Apapam, 7 miles from Kyebi. The Birem is a sacred river.
State Emblem
Akyem Abuakwa State emblem is Susubiribi. The emblem depicts a stool and a crown resting on the broad back of an okyem (leopard). They are the symbols of the Okyenhene’s authority. The red snake of Asona, a symbol that the ruling dynasty are members of the clan, stands beside the stool.
In the background stands an Odade tree, symbol of the dense forest, kwae of Okyeman that has earned its kings the appellation, Kwaebibiremhene, King of the Forests.
A pan for prospecting gold, once the premier export of Okyeman, stands between the stool and the Asona snake. The yellow background is evidence that Akyem Abuakwa is rich in gold, bauxite, diamond and other mineral resources.
Inside the circle appears the motto Susubiribi, which translates to “man must be respectful and think of worthwhile deeds!”