ASANTE NATION UNDER OTUMFOƆ OPOKU WARE "OKATAKYIE" (2nd Occupant of the Golden Stool)



When Nana Osei Tutu was called on eternity,  he was succeeded by his grand nephew, Opoku Ware l.

According to oral tradition, he had his own peculiar way of warfare and annexation. On his march, he would, always send messengers to the Chief of any state he got to, and ask him to join him for war.

If the Chief agreed, he would join hands with him and give him the necessary ammunition. If he refused, Nana Opoku Ware and his army would march on him, conquer him and annex his territory to the Kingdom.

Before his death in 1750 he had added Sefwi, Bono and Gyaman States to Asante Kingdom. He fought the Akyems on two occasions and defeated them, took most of their lands and added them to the Asante Nation. Otumfuo Opoku Ware declared, "From today going, you are no longer Akyem people but Asante - Akyem people" and that short paraphrase constituted the Asante - Akyem Province being part of Asante Kingdom.

This was done to avenge Otumfuo Osei Tutu's death when crossing river Pra. It was during one of his wars with Akyems that Ebirimoro, Chief of Sefwi, and his troops invaded Kumasi and took many of the women and children as captives

When the King heard the news he immediately despatched Amankwaatia, Chief of Bantama and his troops to rescue the situation. Ebirimoro was chased and beaten. Ahafo, which was their land was annexed to the Asante land.

This incident brought about the creation of Home Guard in the Asante Military build up. This was created so that there would always be soldiers guarding the home whenever she was at war. According to W.E.F Ward, the boundaries of Asante Kingdom extended to the;

1. West to River Bia.

2. In the North to River Tain.

3. In the East to River Volta.

4. And in the south to River Pra and Tano before the death of Nana Opoku Ware. The success of Otumfoɔ Opoku Ware's reign could be attributed to the following factors:

1. That he successfully subdued internal revolt. First it was odd for a grand nephew should ascend the throne whereas the nephews of Nana Osei Tutu like Kusi Obodum, who later ascended the stool after Opoku Ware's death were there. This might caused some revolt among royals but since Nana Osei Tutu has willed that the grand nephew should be enstooled, and since Opoku Ware proved himself capable, he was better qualified to be the king.

This initial problem of who should be the King spurred the conquered states on to fight and crush the new Nation. The Akyem Kotokus took this opportunity to crush the state but they were again defeated on occasions. This earned Nana Opoku Ware the papers of the three Accra Forts. 

2. That his grand uncle had expanded the Asante Nation spurred him on to continue with the war of expansion.

It could be said that Nana Opoku Ware had the following to his credit:

a. He consolidated the foundation laid by Nana Osei Tutu by subduing internal revolt. 

b. He continued the war of expansion and annexation started by Nana Osei Tutu, therefore by the end of his reign he had tripled the length and breadth of Asante.

c. He earned the papers of Accra Forts for Asante Nation when he defeated the Akyems.

d. He created the Ankobea Flank or Home Guard, to guard women and children who would be left at home when the Nation was at war with another state.

However, he too left the conquered states to be on their own without direct interference in their internal affairs.

Piawwwww

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