Asante Rule as a Factor in the Emergence of the Brong-Ahafo Region of Ghana

Abstract

This paper is a study of the nature of Asante’s relations with states in the Bono part of the Bono Ahafo Region. The paper also examines the consequences of Asante rule on its vassal states. The study reveals that prior to the Asante invasion of the Bono states in 1712, Asante traders bought kola, livestock and pottery from settlements in Bono. The Asante invasion of 1712 notwithstanding, economic relations between the two increased. During the nineteenth century, Atebubu and Bonduku, Kintampo and Wankyi became important market centres visited on a regular basis by Asante traders. Politically however, Asante conquest of Bono soured relations between Asante and the Bono states as a result of the capture and often, the murder of Bono chiefs and their subjects; looting of gold resources of the states and the replacement of legitimate Bono rulers by persons without any claim to legitimacy. Asante rule resulted in the polarization of Bono society, between pro-Bono and pro-Asante states. These factions became antagonistic towards each other and fought each other on a number of occasions. Anti-Asante sentiment grew in intensity from the late nineteenth century. In pursuit of freedom and independence from Asante rule, the Bono identified with the Convention People’s Party (CPP) in the 1950s. In consideration of their support for the CPP in the general elections of 1954 and 1956, the Nkrumah regime rewarded the Bono by constituting their states into an autonomous administrative region in 1959. Though the Bono states were significant in the disintegration of the Asante kingdom, scholars have given little attention to studying how they contributed to Asante’s disintegration and that is what this paper seeks to study.

Keywords: Bono, Asante, North-western District, Asantehene, Vassal, ahwesofoo