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Historical Background of Acherensua: Origins, Location, and Early Settlers

Acherensua, the anglicized version of the name “Akyerensua”, is a major town in Ahafo and lies between geographic latitudes 6° and 7° North of the Equator and longitudes 2° and 3° West of the Greenwich Meridian. Its bearings in relation to other important landmarks are as follows: It lies some 50 kilometres south-west of the Brong Ahafo Capital, Sunyani, 105 kilometres west of the Ashanti Capital, Kumasi, and 370 kilometres north-west of the Ghana Capital, Accra. The pioneer settlers, all Asantes from the Kumasi traditional area, came in two main batches. The first exodus was led by Nubin and Dankwa, who belong to the Bammu subdivision of the Kontire division of Kumasi.

This group, consisting of some members manning the outposts established to keep surveillance of the area after the defeat of Abrimuro, settled there permanently. Another batch of settlers, also members of the Bammu Group, were veterans of another war—the Techiman War. A third small group of settlers came from Anon, a suburb of Kumasi. They belonged to the Hyiawu subdivision of the Gyase Division of Kumasi. The descendants of Nubin and Dankwa are referred to as “Kontirefo” to this day. The Acherensua settlement followed the general pattern by which the whole of Ahafo was inhabited by hunters and farmers, probably because of the fertility of the land and the abundance of game.

The next important exodus of settlers consisted of members of the Nkonson subdivision of the Gyase division of Kumasi. They were led by a woman called Fobi Akokoa and Atuahene Panin, about whom much will be heard later. There are two main versions on the origin and history of the name, Acherensua. The first version claims that the name was derived from “Okyere” (a person’s name) and “Asuwa” (a river), meaning literally ‘the River of Okyere’. It might be helpful to mention that rivers and such natural resources are named after persons who first ‘discovered’ them. Okyere Asuwa therefore became the name of the settlement near the river discovered by Okyere. This name became compounded into ‘Okyerestawa’ until it assumed the present name, Acherensua (Akyerensua) when documentation of places and objects began.

Another tradition has it that the detachment to Ahafo to fight Abrimuro took too long to return to Kumasi. The Asantehene therefore, sent a small force led by one of the Kumasi Chiefs to find out the reason for their long absence. It is claimed that the returning and the search forces met at a river, whereupon the leader of the search party exclaimed in an overjoyed welcome in Asante Twi:

“Akyeremu y’ahyia” and later “Akyerem-ahyia”, which was eventually corrupted to Akyerensua (Acherensua).

The Origins of Ahafo

Certain events took place in the reign of either King Opoku Ware I (1731-1752) or King Osei Kwadwo (1752-1781) that have bearing on the migration of people to Ahafo. The Asantes fought and defeated the Techimans. Their leader Ameyaw and his queen mother, Gyameraa, were captured and sent to Kumasi. Their state and surrounding areas were put under the occupation of the Asante warriors around 1722.

While King Opoku Ware was on a war expedition in the land of the Akyems (Akims), the paramount chief of Sefwi (Aowin) called Abirimuro came, invaded, and plundered Kumasi. He devastated a number of towns and villages and destroyed valuable property. A team led by the Bantamahene was sent after him. Abirimuro fled through Ahafo. According to their military practice, some Asante warriors were left to guard the area Ahafo. The occupation of the warriors was widespread.

There is another war that has historical connections with the migration of people to Ahafo. A paramount chief of Gyaman (Jaman), Abo Kofi, claimed to be equal in status to the Asantehene because he had allegedly made a golden stool for himself. This was sufficient to constitute an invitation to war. The Asantes went and defeated the Jaman people and brought them under their rule.

Acherensua Aerial View in the Asutifi South Ahafo Region of Ghana

Acherensua, located in the Asutifi South District of the Ahafo Region, offers a breathtaking aerial view of its scenic landscape, vibrant communities, and lush greenery. As a historically rich town, it stands as a key settlement in the region, reflecting both cultural heritage and modern development.

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