© University of Cape Coast https://erl.ucc.edu.gh/jspui UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST THE TWIFO: A POLITICAL, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC HISTORY, 1600- 1987 BY AUGUSTINE DUAH OSEI Thesis Submitted to the Department of History of the Faculty of Arts, University of Cape Coast in partial fulfilment of the requirements for award of Doctor of Philosophy Degree in History. MAY 2020 Digitized by Sam Jonah Library © University of Cape Coast https://erl.ucc.edu.gh/jspui DECLARATION Candidate’s Declaration I hereby declare that this thesis is the result of my own original work and that no part of it has been presented for another degree in this university or elsewhere. Candidate’s Signature: …………………… Date: ……………………… Name:…………………………………………… Supervisors’ Declaration We hereby declare that the preparation and presentation of the thesis were supervised in accordance with the guidelines on supervision of thesis laid down by the University of Cape Coast. Principal Supervisor’s Signature: …………………… Date: …………………. Name:………………………………………………. Co-Supervisor’s Signature:…………………… Date: …………………… Name:…………………………………………………. ii Digitized by Sam Jonah Library © University of Cape Coast https://erl.ucc.edu.gh/jspui ABSTRACT Using extensively oral sources through interviews and archival materials, this study examines the origins, migrations and settlements of one of the major Akan states, the Twifo, between the periods 1600 and 1987. Also examined is the Twifo factor in the political dispensation of the Gold Coast (now Ghana) in the 19th century as well as the economic impact the arrival of the Twifo had on the Central region and the economy of the Gold Coast as a whole. The aim is to bring to light the part the Twifo played in the political, social and economic evolution of the Gold Coast. As one of the Asante’s formidable allies in the Asante’s many wars of expansion, the Twifo contributed to the making of the Asante kingdom. In the same manner, their secession from the Asante kingdom and joining forces with the British, the Twifo contributed to the destruction of the Asante power in 1826. It was after the defeat of the Asante in that year that the process to settle the Twifo at their current location began. As a people basically engaged in the primary occupation of farming, a special interest was developed for the land-mass, and this in addition to their military prowess became the major factors for the domination of the lands around the River Pra area. iii Digitized by Sam Jonah Library © University of Cape Coast https://erl.ucc.edu.gh/jspui ACKNOWLEDGEMENT In preparing this thesis, many people assisted me in diverse ways and need to be acknowledged. First, I am most deeply indebted to my supervisors; first, to D.E.K. Amenumey (Emeritus Professor) for his substantial role, especially his meticulous reading of the chapters and providing pieces of advice which culminated in shaping this work. Second, I am equally grateful to Dr. K.B. Maison (Nana Kobina Nketsia V, Omanhene of Essikado Traditional Area) for his insights which were formative in doing this work. My appreciation also goes to Prof. Osei Kwarteng, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, UCC, for his encouragement and numerous support towards this work. The late Prof. B.G. Der encouraged my first effort in the history of the Twifo by providing me some rare primary documents on the topic. These documents provided a very good background information for the study. I am grateful for his efforts. My thanks to the Head of Department, Prof. De-Valera Botchwey, all senior members and the staff of the Department of History for their invaluable support towards this work. Several people in the Twifo area also helped to make my research there smooth, particularly, the Omanhene, Obrempong Appiah Nuamah II, who warmly received me the very first day I visited him and offered various forms of assistance. My sincere gratitude to you Nana. I also wish to express my gratitude to Nana Okofo Buabin (Chief of Buabin and Adontenhene of Twifo), Nana Baduo (Werempehene), Nana Boakyehene (Chief of Mampoma and Benkumhene of Twifo), Nana Kwame Baduo (Chief of Kayereku and Kyidomhene of Twifo), Nana Abena Antwiwaa II (Paramount Queen mother of iv Digitized by Sam Jonah Library © University of Cape Coast https://erl.ucc.edu.gh/jspui Twifo), Okyeame Anane (Omanhene’s linguist), Nicholas (secretary to the Omanhene), and all my informants in the Twifo area. At the Deptment of History and Archaeology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Norway, two professors made my semester stay there profitable and a happy one, particularly, Prof. John Osei Tutu and Prof. Jon Olav who directed me to some relevant sources for my research. Professor Osei Tutu was most helpful by putting at my disposal some of his own academic materials. Besides, he spent time to read aspects of the work and made very useful comments that helped to better shape the work. A special thanks and gratitude goes to Mr. Abdel Nasser-Owusu for his inspiration, understanding and most importantly, his financial support and resources he offered towards my education. A big thank you also goes to the following friends who contributed in various ways towards the completion of this thesis: Dr. Sarfo Sarfo Kantanka (HOD) Department of English, UCC, Mr. Frank Mensah of the English Department and Mr. Blessed Ashmond and Victor Angbah. Another special thanks also goes to my wife Dorothy, who besides sharing with me the depressions of research, often took care of the home when I was on the field gathering data. I also wish to show my appreciation to my only sister Ophelia and brothers; Michael and Martin who have supported me in all situations during my studies. Without them, this study would have been impossible. My gratitude to them is beyond words. v Digitized by Sam Jonah Library © University of Cape Coast https://erl.ucc.edu.gh/jspui DEDICATION To my children: Yaw Owusu Duah & Nana Nketsia Duah Osei vi Digitized by Sam Jonah Library © University of Cape Coast https://erl.ucc.edu.gh/jspui TABLE OF CONTENTS Page DECLARATION ii ABSTRACT iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT iv DEDICATION vi TABLE OF CONTENTS vii LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS xi CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION Background to the Study 1 Statement of Problem 6 Literature Review 7 Methodology 18 Organization of the Study 22 Significance of the Study 24 CHAPTER TWO: TWIFO TRADITIONS OF ORIGIN AND EARLY HISTORY The Denkyira Perspective 25 The Mokwaa Account 28 The Hemang Version 31 From the Horse’s Own Mouth 35 Twifo-Asante Connection 41 19th Century Twifo Migration 56 Subjugation of the States around the Pra by the Twifo Immigrants 63 vii Digitized by Sam Jonah Library © University of Cape Coast https://erl.ucc.edu.gh/jspui CHAPTER THREE: THE TWIFO/DENKYIRA/ASANTE AND THE BRITISH, 1818-1831 The Nsamankow War 66 Twifo/Denkyira in the Nsamankow War 76 The Akatamanso War of 1826 80 The Search for Peace, 1826-1831 82 CHAPTER FOUR: FROM MIGRANTS TO SOVEREIGNTY: TWIFO, HEMANG, MOKWA RELATIONS UP TO 1925 Mokwaa-Twifo Relations 92 Hemang-Twifo Relations 93 The Triple Alliance 95 Reorganization and Turmoil, 1925-1987 99 Secession of Hemang 105 Mokwaa’s Quest for Independence 109 Chief Kwabena Sarko’s Renewal of Mokwaa Protest 113 Mokwaa’s Final Petition & Independence 119 CHAPTER FIVE: TWIFO ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES Geology and Soil 130 Founding of Twifo Praso 134 Finding Food 139 Farming 142 Oil Palm 144 Twifo Oil Palm Plantation (TOPP) 150 Akpeteshie Distillation 155 viii Digitized by Sam Jonah Library © University of Cape Coast https://erl.ucc.edu.gh/jspui Palm Wine 155 Soap Making 156 Cocoa Production 157 Fishing 161 Part-Time Occupations 161 Mining 162 Trade 164 CHAPTER SIX: TWIFO POLITICAL ORGANIZATION & TRADITIONAL POLITICS UP TO 1987 Emergence of Two Gates in Twifo Politics 172 Destoolment of Appiah Nuamah I 176 Appiah Nuamah’s Second Destoolment 183 Twifo Political Organization 185 Installation of Omanhene 186 Creation and Redistribution of Divisions: 1925 up to Date 196 CHAPTER SEVEN: TWIFO FESTIVALS AND OTHER SOCIAL CUSTOMS Origin of Odwira Festival 214 Twifo Guakro Odwira Festival 216 Main Features of Twifo Guakro Festival 218 Monday-Visit to Apagyahina 220 Tuesday-Visit to River Obuo 221 Wednesday-Period of relaxation 222 Thursday-Visitation to Bosomkese 222 Friday-Yellow Friday 223 ix Digitized by Sam Jonah Library © University of Cape Coast https://erl.ucc.edu.gh/jspui Saturday-Grand Durbar 224 Sunday-Thanksgiving (Aseda): 227 Other Festivals 230 The Twifo Bosomkese 234 Other Twifo Social customs 237 Childbirth & Naming Ceremony 238 Initiation/Puberty Rites 240 Marriage 243 Death & Funeral 245 CHAPTER EIGHT CONCLUSION 249 BIBLIOGRAPHY 256 APPENDIX A 273 APPENDIX B 274 APPENDIX C 275 x Digitized by Sam Jonah Library © University of Cape Coast https://erl.ucc.edu.gh/jspui LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ARPS - Aborigines Rights Protection Society CRHC - Central Region House of Chiefs DC - District Commissioner DCO - District Commissioner’s Office DNA - Denkyira Native Affairs DWIC - Dutch West Indian Company KEEA - Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abirem LCD - Legislative Council Debates MSA - Mokwaa State Affairs NAO - Native Administrative Ordinanace NJO - Native Jurisdiction Ordinanace NRC - National Redemption Council PRAAD - Public Records and Archive Administration Department TNA - Twifo Native Affairs TOD - Traditions of Denkyira TOH - Traditions of Hemang TOPP - Twifo Oil Palm Plantations TSA - Twifo State Affairs TT - Twifo Traditions xi Digitized by Sam Jonah Library © University of Cape Coast https://erl.ucc.edu.gh/jspui CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION Background to the Study The Twifo Traditional State is currently in the Central Region of Ghana. It roughly runs south to Mampong (the seat of the Twifo Omanhene) while the left hand branch runs northwest to the town of Buabin and the right hand branch runs parallel to River Pra until it reaches the Asante frontier.