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 which resulted in the death of one person, several severe injuries and property damaged estimated at millions of Ghanaian cedis (thousands of dollars). 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” of the 1730s polity was the elevation of the people of Akropong, represented by the paramountcy, Aburi, and Guan of Adukrom and Larteh at the expense of other groups including the Krobo emigrants. Yet, less known groups, including Akan merchants from elsewhere, were part of the foundation process with some 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, I pay particular attention to the arrival and place of these least-mentioned groups and argue that Akuapem, though a “unitary” state, was made up of people of diverse origins.