One State, Many Origins: Peopling of the Akuapem State, a Re-examination

Abstract

In 1994, the Akuapem paramountcy of south-eastern Ghana was engulfed in communal violence resulting in the death of one person, several severe injuries and property damaged estimated in thousands of Ghanaian cedis. When calm was eventually restored, a number of chiefs and their people announced their secession from the state established in the 1730s. A revealing development which emanated from the “break-up” was the rise to prominence of the people of Akropong, Aburi, and also those of Adukrom and Larteh, both Guan communities. This was achieved at the expense of other groups within the state, including those of Krobo emigrant origin. Yet, lesser known groups, which included Akan merchants from elsewhere, participated in the state foundation process, with some of them occupying important stools. This paper seeks to re-examine the foundation history of the Akuapem state with the aim of “restoring” the voices of the hitherto silenced groups. In doing this, particular attention is attached to the arrival and place of these least-mentioned groups. It is argued that Akuapem, though a “unitary” state, was made up of peoples of diverse origins.