Ghana is the second most populated country in West Africa. Within it are a plethora of vibrant cultures and traditions. In 1957, the country gained its independence from the United Kingdom, but the history of Ghana and its people began long before the 20th century.
As reflected in its current chieftaincy institution, Ghana retains vestiges of its states’ traditional forms of government. Kings and chiefs ruled various regions in the country from the kingdoms of the Ashanti Empire and the Fante Confederation, amongst others. These royal lineages maintain power through traditional practices and beliefs and are supported by Ghana’s wider government.
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Origins of the Ghana Royal Families
Every royal family has an origin story: the tale of a predecessor on a grand scale. Some of these myths have fantastical qualities that blur the lines between the real and the make-believe. Others have been passed down within the family unit by word of mouth for generations until the current iteration contains nothing but original scraps.
Ghana’s royal families date back to the 11th-century kingdoms of the Dagomba states. From then on, the Ashanti Kingdom emerged, which remains one of the most prominent royal families in Ghana. These early kingdoms set the precedent for the way various Ghanaian states formed and functioned. An example would include the Asafo of the Fante, warrior companies that emerged in defense of the nation against colonial powers and enemies (such as the Ashanti). Between territorial expansion, warfare, betrayal, and unions – all with the looming threat of colonial powers behind them – Ghana’s royal families have come a long way from their origins.
The Ashanti Royal Family
The Ashanti (Asante) royal family ruled over the Ashanti Kingdom, alternatively known as the Ashanti Empire, or the Ashanti Confederation. The kingdom itself was founded in 1695, after which it rapidly grew out of the Ashanti Region, later incorporating most of Ghana, parts of the Ivory Coast, the Gold Coast, and the Togolese Republic. The Kingdom of Ashanti grew into the Ashanti Empire in 1701 after military successes and expansion into the Gulf of Guinea.
The monarchs of the Ashanti are known as Asantehene. Their reigns are symbolically tied to the Sika dwa, the Golden Stool that dates back to the kingdom’s founding. The Sika dwa embodies the Ashanti’s spirit and their sovereign’s just leadership. Nowadays, the ceremonial leaders of the Ashanti in Ghana are known as the Asantehene under the nation’s chieftain institutions.
Key Asantehene of the Ashanti have been members of the Bretuo and Oyoko Dynasties, including…
- The Ashanti founder, Osei Kofi Tutu I
- Opoku Ware I, the successor of Osei Tutu who expanded Ashanti territory
- Osei Kwadwo, whose Kwadwoan Revolution led to major bureaucratic reforms in the kingdom
- Konadu Yaadom, an Asantehemaa (Queen Mother) renowned for her political cunning, which is reflected through her igniting a rebellion against Osei Kwame Panyin
- Osei Bonsu expanded the Ashanti Empire to the Gold Coast
- Otumfuo Nana Prempeh I saw the annexation of Ashanti by the British Empire
- Otumfuo Prempeh II (Asantehene under the British government) established Prempeh College, reflecting his value of education
Many of the above Asantehene ruled during the Anglo-Ashanti wars, five major confrontations that arose between 1824 and 1900. During this period there were frequent battles between the Ashanti Empire, which attempted to maintain its imperial hold over regions around the Gold Coast, and the British Empire, which had colonized the Gold Coast. During this extended conflict, many Ashanti monarchs and rulers were exiled to the Seychelles Islands.
Osei Tutu
Osei Kofi Tutu I (1660–1717) was the founder of the Ashanti Kingdom alongside the priest Okomfo Anokye. He was born to a noble family within the Amantoo nation (the Akan) and was in line to the throne of Kwaaman, where Kumasi, Ghana, stands today.
Once he became Kwaamanhene, Osei Tutu sought a means to combat the Denkyira that lorded over his people. He knew that he had to unite the Amantoo nation to achieve this and thus, with Okomfo Anokye, he organized a sacred event where various henes would gather. The gods and ancestors would then select the most fitting hene to unite the tribes.
Legends suggest that it is during this massive gathering that the Golden Stool descended from the Heavens and landed in the lap of Osei Tutu. Thus, Osei Tutu became not only Kwaamanhene but also Amantoohene and Kumasehene. With the Amantoo chiefs rallied behind him, Osei Tutu had the forces necessary to challenge the Denkyria. The aftermath of the rebellion saw the Denkyrians become subordinate to the Amantoo, which Osei Tutu renamed to Asante.
Nana Yaa Asantewaa
Nana Yaa Asantewaa was an Ashanti Queen Mother, farmer, and warrior in the War of the Golden Stool. She was the sister of Nana Akwasi Afrane Okpase, who held enough sway within the Ashanti Empire to have her appointed to the prestigious position of Queen Mother. After a series of Ashanti royals went into exile in 1896, including her grandson and the Ashanti King Prempeh I, Yaa Asantewaa became regent of Ejisu. At this time the British Governor of the Gold Coast, Sir Frederick Mitchell Hodgson, insisted on the Golden Stool being brought to him.
Hodgson’s request was not only absurd but highly offensive from the perspective of the Ashanti. Hodgson’s demand to obtain the Golden Stool started a war.
Nana Yaa Asantewaa was elected to lead the remaining Asante forces against the British Empire and their allies. With an army of 5,000 strong, Yaa Asantewaa led the Ashanti into their final rebellion. Unfortunately, it was unsuccessful, and Nana Yaa Asantewaa was sent into exile for the remainder of her life.
Fante Royal Family
The Fante (Fanti) are one of the largest groups in modern Ghana, second only to the Ashanti. By the 17th century, the Fante settled as a primarily coastal people and controlled the flow of trade in and out of portions of the Cape Coast. For this reason, the coastal Fante tribes gained a significant amount of wealth and influence across the Gulf of Guinea – something that the Ashanti Empire desired.
The royal families of the Fante date back to the Fante Confederacy, formed in the 16th century. Each Fante state has remained independent throughout Ghana’s history, with none uniting under a single ruler. Instead, a large city or region would be ruled by an Omanhene (Amanhene). In this case, queen mothers are known as Ahemma. Early years of the confederation saw that a “High King” (brafo) wielded executive powers, although other local Fante chiefs didn’t always accommodate their demands.
The Fante Confederacy was reformed in 1868 with Kwamena Akyempong (King Ghartey IV of Winneba) being named the first President of the confederation. This new confederation of Fante states was formidable yet short-lived. By 1874, the tribal lands that would make up Ghana were annexed by Great Britain as the Gold Coast Colony.
The Mankessim Kingdom
The Mankessim Kingdom was founded by the Fante people in the 13th century with the aid of three legendary heroes: Obrumankoma, Odapagyan, and Oson. The city would become the capital of the Fante in Central Ghana and the home of a sacred grove, Nananom Pow, where Obrumankoma and Odapagyan are buried. The Omanhene of Mankessim rules from here.
Other Notable Royal Families
The country of Ghana has over 100 ethnic groups and tribes, with other royal families removed from the Ashanti and Fante. The Ashanti and Fante are merely the two most populous tribes within Ghana proper, and both are Akan people. Before the expansion of the Ashanti Empire and European colonization, other kingdoms existed and flourished within Ghana.
Here we briefly cover other Ghanaian royalty from the country’s northern and southern regions.
The Kings of Elmina
Elmina is a port city in Ghana and the first European settlement in West Africa. It grew from a 1482 Portuguese castle, Castelo de São Jorge da Mina.
Now, there were kingdoms along the Cape Coast pre-European colonization. These kings had established trade with merchants from all walks of life, consequently creating an efficient and stable economy. The region where Elmina was constructed was ruled by a chief named Kwamin Ansah, who (very) reluctantly gave the Portuguese his blessing to construct their castle outpost.
As time progressed, Elmina became a leader in gold exports and began to dabble in the West African slave trade. The castle, by then simply known as Elmina Castle, caught the attention of the Dutch, who tried to capture the port city in 1596. By 1637, the Dutch captured Elmina Castle in the Battle of Elmina.
Kweku Andoh (1836–1898)
Kweku Andoh became the monarch of Elmina in 1873 under the British. He worked under the previous chief, Kobina Gyan, until that king was exiled to Sierra Leone for not swearing fealty to the British. It turns out that Andoh didn’t have such reservations, since he later aided British forces against Asantehene Otumfuo Nana Prempeh I.
The Dagomba Royal Family
The Dagomba royal family comes from the Kingdom of Dagbon, founded in the 15th century in northern Ghana. The founder of the kingdom, Naa Gbewaa, unified the Dagomba people and their many states. Before centralization by Naa Gbewaa, the rulers of Dagbon were known as the tindamba. The sovereign king of Dagbon is known as Yaa Naa; sovereign queens are Gundo Naa.
It is said that the descendants of Naa Gbewaa have had a role in establishing other African kingdoms, such as the Mossi Kingdoms of Burkina Faso and others that fell under Dagbon Empire jurisdiction. Accordingly, many chiefly lines can be traced back to Naa Gbewaa as an ancestor. The Dagomba royal family belongs to the Mabia ethnic group, which is spread across Benin, Burkina Faso, Ghana, the Ivory Coast, Mali, and the Togolese Republic.
The Royal Families of the Anlo Ewe
The Anlo Ewe reside in the southwestern Volta Region of Ghana. Their kings are selected from one of two royal lines, the Bate or the Adzovia clans. Anlo Ewe monarchs are elected by a council of elders, who consider lineage and Ewe traditional values during their elections. For example, the Anlo Ewe believe that the people grant the king powers – a person with a tyrannical streak would do poorly in this role.
The Ofori-Atta Family
The Ofori-Atta family descends from royalty in southeastern Ghana. Their name comes from the Akyem king, Nana Sir Ofori-Atta I, from whom they claim descendance. While the Ofori-Atta family has an impressive history, the most famous figure is Ghana’s current president, His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
Cultural Impact of the Ghanaian Royal Families
The royal families of Ghana remain a crucial force in maintaining and understanding Ghanaian practices and traditions which are totally unique from tribe to tribe.
Most Ghanaian royal families have a hand in the government through their paramount chief, who would become involved with the National House of Chiefs. Occasionally, a queen mother fulfills this role. There also exists a Regional House of Chiefs, who function alongside their respective councils.
Traditions and Ceremonies
There are several important traditions and ceremonies where the respective royal families of Ghana play a significant role. These ceremonies, celebrations, festivals, and traditions vary between regions – very few are observed across Ghana. The ceremonies where Ghanaian royal families may participate are the…
- Aboakyer Festival
- Akwasidae
- Bakatue Festival
- Damba Festival
- Fetu Afahye
- Hogbetsotso Festival
- Yaa Asantewaa Festival
Within the Ashanti Kingdom, the Golden Stool continues to hold spiritual and cultural significance. During crowning ceremonies of new kings, the Golden Stool has a pivotal role in the festivities. After all, the Sika dwa kofi is the Ashanti and without the Golden Stool, the king isn’t really a king.
Modern Influence
The royal families of Ghana continue to influence the politics and society of the country. Since Ghana retained a chieftaincy institution after gaining independence, Ghanaian royal families have been able to maintain the privileges vested upon them by their bloodline. Most royals in Ghana are heavily involved in the economy and the tourism industry, managing banks and hotels. If they are not working to improve the country through those means, they are directly involved in politics. Most royal family patriarchs (and on occasion, matriarchs) have been in service to the nation’s National House of Chiefs.
Connections with Other African Royal Families
The royal families of Ghana most certainly bear connections with other African royal families. Most significantly, given traditional lands, quarrels, and boundaries, royal families like those of the Ashanti have built lasting relationships with the Ga people of Accra and the Akwamu.
Inter-Marriages and Alliances
Royal intermarriages happened just about everywhere throughout history. Noble marriages between Ghanaian royal families were a matter of diplomacy and were the social standard. Alliances were occasionally struck with a well-planned marriage, but they more often than not sprouted from the threat of a common enemy. An example is the discord between Fante states until they become threatened by the Ashanti, or the early Amantoo nation banding together against the Denkyira.
Historically, the Ashanti people sought allies with the Akwamu against the common enemy: the Denkyira. When they began war with the Fante, they allied themselves with the Ga.
Influence Across Africa
The royal families of Ghana act as representatives for their people on regional and international levels. Their sway extends beyond the boundaries of their nation as they have built steadfast bonds with other African monarchies. Such is especially felt in politics, where members of royal families can truly flex their influence.
Wrapping Up the Ghana Royal Family Tree
The royal family trees of Ghana, particularly those of the Ashanti and Fante, have played a major role in shaping Ghana today. They dominate politics and the economy in this modern day and age. Although the Ashanti and Fante royalty haven’t always seen eye to eye, their legacies have left a lasting imprint on Ghanaian culture, society, and politics.
If history has taught us anything, the perseverance of the traditional leaders of Ghana will continue to inspire and propel forward the West African nation for years to come.