Ghana Day

On Friday 13th, we celebrated Ghana Day at ISA. Our honoured guest, Nana Kwabena Ofori Acheampong, Kyidomhene of Kenyasi No. 1 Traditional Council, shared the rich history of Kenyasi – meaning under the Kanwe tree- and Mensah Kumta Village – named after the gallant warrior and hunter Mensah who famously killed two elephants with a single bullet.  We are excited to include a transcript of this fascinating history here for your information.

Settlement

The settlement of Kenyase in the Ahafo Region of Ghana was founded by Nana Appiah Mensah, then Kronithene of Denkyira Mmerayem, who migrated to Asante with his subjects during the reign of King Opoku Ware I (Katakyie: 1720–1750).

The Denkyirahene constantly harassed them, which culminated in their migration to seek refuge and peace in Asante. They first went to the Bantamahene, who introduced them to the Asantehene. The Asantehene ordered Bantamahene to accommodate them, which he obliged, and they lived peacefully with him. As years passed by, the Abiri Moro War broke out, and the Asantehene delegated Bantamahene to raise men to punish the recalcitrant Abiri Moro. Bantamahene also charged Nana Appiah Mensah, who was also a warlord, to accompany Akwaboahene’s troop. As gallant men, they chased Abiri Moro and defeated him.

The Title “Kumta”

On their way back home from the Abiri Moro War, Nana Appiah Mensah, who was also a skillful hunter, killed two (2) elephants with one shot. He removed the tusks, cut the tails and parts of the hides (“Banwoma”) of the elephants, and brought them to Bantamahene, who in turn handed them over to Asantehene Opoku Ware I. This earned Nana Appiah Mensah the accolade “Kumta.”

Kanwe Ase

Later, Nana Appiah Mensah and his subjects appealed to Bantamahene to seek permission from the Asantehene to enable them to settle at the place where he killed the elephants. His request was granted, and they built a hut under the species of a tree called “kanwe” as the hunting site. This was later corrupted to “Kenyase,” the present name of the area. The Asantehene instructed Nana Appiah Mensah that as a seasoned hunter, he should hunt for game for him. It became his traditional obligation that whenever he killed big game, part was sent to the Asantehene through Bantamahene.

Placement of Kenyase No.1 under Hiawu Stool

Since the founding of Kenyase, the occupants of the Mensah Kumta Ekouna Stool have been paying yearly homage to the Asantehene. During the reign of Asantehene Osei Kwadwo (Oko Awia: 1764–1777), Kenyase was placed under Hiawu Stool in the Gyase Division of Kumasi Traditional Area, and items sent to the Asantehene during festive periods were routed through the Hiawuhene instead of the Bantamahene.

Establishment of Kenyase No.2

The people of Kenyase and Hiawu Division became united and lived in peace for many years. As a matter of expediency, the Obaapanin of Hiawu, Nana Afia Kwartemaa, instructed her subject Kotokuo (as her representative) to stay with Nana Mensah Kumta so that he (Kotokuo) would collect snails for her.When Kotokuo arrived at the present-day Kenyase No.2, the place was a small cottage established as an extension of the original Kenyase to accommodate strangers under the caretakership of Nana Appiah Mensah’s brother-in-law.

The need for this separate cottage arose because Kenyase had a great deity called “Obour,” which did not permit the people to bring home small game such as rats, squirrels, or partridges for food since they were considered taboo to the deity. The cottage served as a segregation camp for people who chose such wild birds and rodents as a source of meat supply. With the influx of strangers for economic activities, the cottage grew into a large village, and one Appiah Bodei, a brother-in-law to Nana Mensah Kumta, founder of Kenyase, was made headman of the village. Thus came the founding of Kenyase No.2.

Elevation

From time immemorial, the Kenyase Stool has rendered loyal service to the Golden Stool. Otumfuo Opoku Ware II elevated the Stool to the status of Paramountcy on 22nd November 1982 during the reign of the late Nana Kwaku Acheampong I, Kenyasi No. 1 Manhene.

Occupants of Kenyase No.1 Stool

Chiefs

1. Nana Appiah Mensah (Kumta)
2. Nana Yaw Amoah
3. Nana Yaw Oppong
4. Nana Kofi Yeboah
5. Nana Akwasi Fosu
6. Nana Kwadwo Bonsu I
7. Nana Kwabena Asante
8. Nana Kwaku Acheampong I
9. Nana Kwadwo Bonsu II
10. Nana Kana Kwaku Acheampong II (Destooled and reinstated after the overthrow of Osaagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkruma’s regime in 1966)
11. Nana Osei Kofi Abiri (Present Occupant)

Queenmothers