A BRIEF HISTORY BEHIND THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TAKWA (AKYEM ACHAISE) AND AKYEM ABUAKWA

In traditional circles, the present-day Akim Achiase town located in the Eastern Region of Ghana was known as Takwa Akyease. The first settlement was at a place where a lot of “Akye” trees abound hence “Akye ase” (under the Akye tree). Many animals eat the fruit of the “Akye” tree so hunters went to hide there for hunting.

In the local language, to hide is “te” and free from hiding is “ate kwa”. Hunting under the “Akye” tree became the pastime of the hunters, so the area became the “Tekwa Akye-ase”. With time this was pronounced as Takwa Akyease.

Aduasa and Oponsowa (now called Osorase) were in existence. Nana Aforaban, the first Achiasehene sent messengers to Adakuma to inform them of his arrival, and because of their clan affinity (Oyoko) they were warmly welcomed. The early chiefs were on friendly terms with nearby settlements. It was a period when it was vital for any settlement to have faithful allies if it is to survive.

Migrants were therefore welcomed with open arms to settle permanently. This policy was aimed at increasing the numerical strength of the people in order to ward off attacks from any hostile tribe. It is on record that Akyease never had war with any of her neighbors. Consequently, Akyease extended her rule over most of the neighboring towns of Kokooso Owane, Aperade, Aduasa, Ayirebi, Ofoase, Anyinam, and Anamase.

Before the arrival of the Bosomes in 1818 and Kotoku’s in 1860, Takwahene was an Omanhene in his own right and was not under any other authority.

The traditional boundaries were Okyi and the East Osorase at R. Aworo. The arrival of the Aperade people from Adwumau in Ashanti coincided with the reign of Gyenin Kantan I who offered them a place at their present site.

Aperade later held the position of Gyaasehene (in the Akyease Traditional setup) until the arrival of the Bosomes when they decided to switch allegiance to Akyem Swedru because they were their fathers.

During the reign of Barima Afful Awuakye, the Omanhene of Denkyira sent his captain Anansi to fight against Adakuma, Owane (Amanfopong), and Asanteman. The three were captured in one day. Osahene Anansi entrusted the care of the towns and land to Akyeasehene.

Other chiefs like Darko II took part in the Odwokwaa War and Barima Kofi Asiedu also took part in the Yaa Asantewa War of 1900.

As a step towards securing protection and peace, Takwa Akyease placed herself under over lordship of Akyem Abuakwa State on or before 1831. This was during the reign of Queen Dokua whose achievement in routing the Asante Forces in the Akatamansu War of 1824 also led to several settlements placing themselves under the suzerainty of Akyem Abuakwa State. This decision of Akyease led some towns such as Kososu, Ayirebi, and Ofoase to withdraw their allegiance to other states.

Like Akyease, those settlements Osorase, Gyadam, Aduasa, Kokoben, Adakuma, Batabi, and Nyankomase are referred to as Abuakwa “Islands”. They lie outside Akim Abuakwa proper and among Kotoku and Bosome towns. Akyease is the largest town and the traditional head of the Islands.
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Picture: Daasebre Gyenin Kantan II (Okyeman Takwahene and Achiasehene)