23/05/2026
Uniting the family: Berekum and Asanteman Council.
(The history of late chief and incoming chief of
Berekum — Bre a -na -wakum)
Brekum is part and parcel of Asanteman and served Otumfuo Asantehene via the Kumase Konti Division led by Baafuo Bantamahene.
Upon his elevation as Omanhene, Nana Brekumhene swear directly to Otumfuo Asantehene on Mponponsuo. The Omanhene is a medical practitioner and surgical specialist by profession.
Upon defeating Domaa and Gyaman, Asantehene Opoku Ware Katakyie decided to settle some of the captured people and some fighters in the area. The intent was to check, especially, the Domaa (Wam) whose political resentment of Asante at that time, continues to this day. The group was reinforced by settlers sent from Asante Asokore, and other areas such as Adanse to serve as a buffer and serve as surveillance on the Domaa and Gyaman.
The royal family of Berekum is connected to that of Asante Asokore....both Ekuona Abusua.
Without getting engrossed in the relationship between the Asokore and some other Berekum settlers pertaining to several succession disputes, suffice it to say that the Asokore immigrants prevailed and have held the chieftaincy position through reference to the first Chief Amankona Diawuo. The etymology of Berekum pertains to the difficulty the settlers encountered in trapping and killing game as pointed out by Professor Kwame Arhin (Arhin Brempon) “Bre na w’akum,” eventually becoming Berekum. The original name “Asokore Domtene Berekum" [long column of people], simply became Berekum.
As a matter of astute Asante public policy and political calculations, from the 1750s under Asantehene Osei Kwadwo Koawia, some towns and their dependencies such as Odumase, Bechem, Nsoatre and Dua Yaw-Nkwanta (Adu Yaw Nkwanta) were incorporated into the Berekum as a sub-division (though still under Kumase Konti Division).
The goal was to strengthen Asante military and political defence against the surrounding enemies of Gyaman and especially Domaa, whose intermittent forays against Asante interests continue to this day.
It must be noted, however, that none of the towns ‘incorporated’ into the Brekum sub-division owed allegiance to Nana Brekumhene. It was purely a political and military exigency to shore up the defences of Asanteman.
As mentioned previously, Berekum’s role as surveillance outpost for Asante annoyed Gyaaman and Domaa, both of whom resented Asante suzerainty.
After the SAGRENTI War and the defeat of Asante in 1874, Asante was thrown into a political crisis which eventually led to a civil war from 1884-1888. The supporters of Asantehemaa Nana Yaa Akyaa won the civil war, and her son Kwaku Dua Asamu was sworn in as Asantehene Kwaku Dua III (also known as Prepmpeh I).
Meanwhile, several vassal states took advantage of the instability and European interference, to break away from Asante Confederacy. Domaa and Gyaman took advantage of the unsettling Asante situation, to attack Berekum and Nsoatre. The combined forces utterly defeated Berekum. Asante forces did not arrive on time to assist Berekum and Nsoatre.
That defeat on a Tuesday occasioned Nana Brekumhene’s and Nana Nsoatrehene’s OATH of NKYIBENA.
It must be noted that a larger part of the Gyaman Kingdom came under French colonial administration and is now part of the Ivory Coast….Bonduku/Bontuku where Asantehene Osei Tutu Kwame (Osei Bonsu) had defeated Gyamanhene Kwadwo Adinkra (of Adinkra Cloth fame) is now part of the Ivory Coast.
After the Yaa Asantewaa War, in 1901, the British sent an emissary to conclude treaties with various Chiefs to signify their independence from Asante, and British control. Berekum signed such a treaty.
Thus, in 1935, when the British accepted the obvious by restoring the Asante Confederacy, and the position of Otumfuo Asantehene, Nana Berekumhene and the towns and villages under him refused to be part of Asanteman. Instead, aided and abetted by Domaa, Berekum became a signatory to Bono Kyempim formed on 9th February 1951, at Techiman....it was the brainchild of Nana Techimanhene to counter prevailing Asanteman influence in the Bono-speaking areas, as well as to control the Asante enclaves in the Bono-speaking areas.
Later, Nana Brekumhene decided to come home to Asanteman; Sikadwa; and Otumfuo Asantehene, that is, for Berekum to be part of the ASANTE TRINITY, as previously. It just felt like they never left.
In the picture, after swearing allegiance to Otumfour in 2013.
Following the death of Dr. Amankona Diawuo II, a two-year vacancy led to the selection of the current successor.Dr. Amankona Diawuo II: A German-trained medical practitioner whose reign saw significant infrastructure developments, including a major water project.Succession Dispute: The selection process resolved long-standing tensions between rival royal gates, culminating in the presentation of Odehyie Kofi Asante Krobea to Otumfuo Osei Tutu II at the Manhyia Palace in May 2026….
𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗸𝘂𝗺 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗡𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.
Under the supervision of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the process of selecting a new chief for the vacant male stool was finalized.
𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐩𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐬
Some kingmakers initially failed to attend the nomination meeting, citing travel, short notice, and fear of the atmosphere. Grievances were also raised about the Queen’s handling of royal eligibility. Otumfuo addressed each concern, ensuring fairness by expanding the list of nominees to four.
𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
The Queen chose Kofi Asante from among the nominees. The absent kingmakers later affirmed they had no objections, and the Asantehene directed the enstoolment process to begin.
𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐥 & 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞
Otumfuo emphasized humility for the nominee, urged patience among those whose preferred candidates were not chosen, and reminded all that the stool can only be occupied by one person at a time.
𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐝
The Asantehene stressed that the process produced no winners or losers—only peace. He condemned attempts to override Berekum’s traditions and warned against insubordination once the new chief is enstooled.
𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞
The peace pipe was smoked, grievances were settled, and all parties embraced the nominee, marking a return to harmony in the Traditional Area.
