Asante Nation under OTUMFOƆ OSEI YAW AKOTO. 1824 - 1838.(8th Occupant of the Golden Stool)

ABAKƆSƐM BRƐ: Asante Nation under OTUMFOƆ OSEI YAW AKOTO. 1824 - 1838.

(8th Occupant of the Golden Stool)

Otumfoɔ Osei Yaw Akoto succeeded Nana Osei Tutu Kwame Asibe Bonsu.

In January 1826, it came to his notice that the coastal states wanted to break away from the kingdom. He therefore decided to march to the coast and put a stop to their plan. But when he got there he saw that there was no rebellion.

In order to be sure that everything was calm, he remained there with his troops for seven months but nobody raised a finger at him. He therefore decided to march his men to Accra to punish the Gas for breaking their old alliance with the Asante Nation.

Mpanimfoɔ se: "Sɛ wo pamo ohufoɔ a woto ne bɛrimah" to wit "If you continue chasing a coward and don't stop, you at last meet his manliness" Hmmmmm 

and that was exactly what happened to Nana Osei Yaw Akoto and his men.

When the coastal states heard of the King's intention they all gathered courage and armed themselves to go and defend the Gas. The coastal forces consisted of the Gas, Fantes, Denkyiras, Akyems, Akwapims etc. 

And soldiers called from the British West Africa States. The combined forces outnumbered that of Asante forces.

The Asante forces were in two divisions, a half under Opoku Frefre, Asante Gyasehene and the other half under Otumfoɔ Osei Yaw Akoto himself. A fierce battle was fought at Dodowa, called the Akatamanso war. The Asante forces were defeated and they nearly lost the Golden Stool which was carried to the battle field.

Asantes biggest humiliation in their history of wars and conquest. 

Had it not been the fierce fight put up by Nana Kwasi Boateng, Dwabenhene and Kontanasehene, Nana Antwi Panin, who went to recapture the stool, it would have been taken away by the coastal states.

The defeat of Asante resulted in the separation of the coastal states from Asante. The war was the third British and Asante War. The Asante Nation was defeated. 

They also lost the documents on the coastal forts to the British and the British became the owners of the forts. Payment of rent of the forts to Asante stopped and this left the Asante Treasury virtually empty. 

After the war, a peace treaty was made between the Asante Nation on one side and the British and Coastal states on the other side.

The treaty demanded that:

1. The Asante Nation would not wage war on the coastal states for a period of six years. 

2. Asante was to pay 600 ounces of gold as security and if peace prevailed for the six years the money would be returned untouched.

The money was to be deposited at the treasury in the Cape Coast Castle. 

3. In addition to the money, to royals were to be given to the British Government as hostages to be sent abroad and educated.

The two young men given as hostages were Nkwantabisa and Ansa. 

The Asante Nation really honoured this treaty and therefore after six years the money was returned to them intact and in the same wrapper used to wrap it.

This behavior of the British developed respect, and confidence in the eyes of the Asante Nation for the British. The treaty was drawn during the time of Captain George MacClean.

Though peace prevailed between the Southern states and Asante, in Asante itself there was a civil war between Kumasi and Dwaben state.

The other Asante States went to help Kumasi to quell down the rebellion. Nana Kwasi Boaten and his people fled from Dwaben to Akyem Abuakwa where they were welcomed by Okyenhene and given land to stay.

They were there when Otumfoɔ Osei Yaw Akoto was called to eternity in the year 1838.

Piawwwww!!!

On this note, we wrap up tonights history.

We will continue on Wednesday.

All questions are welcome.

Mema mo nyinaa dayie 🙏

Piawwwww