Ex-President John Agyekum Kuffuor, the former President of the Republic of Ghana, made a statement that he is a Denkyira during the funeral rites of the late Denkyirahene, Odeefuor Boa-Amponsem III. Many Ghanaians did not understand why he said he is a Denkyira.
The Denkyira Kingdom was the most powerful Akan Kingdom that ruled middle Akan from 1500 to 1698. Kwaman, Assumegya, Kokofu, Manpong, etc. and many states were servants of Denkyira. This brought about the saying, “Kotoko (Asante) som Amponsem (Denkyira),” trans, “Kotoko is the servant of Amponsem (Denkyirahene)”. Denkyira Kings initiated traditions such as the use of Palanquin, Ntahara, Asasaa drums, Adowa dance, Odwira Festival, Akwasidae, Awukudae and all the other sacred day celebrations. These traditions were passed unto all the Denkyira states and servants of Denkyira as it was mandated that all royals from Denkyira states were supposed to learn traditions from Denkyira Palace (Abankesieso). This is why Osei Tutu I, had to go to Denkyira Palace to serve and learn Denkyira customs and traditions.
Ex-President Kuffuor is a royal of Denkyira from Nana Assenso Kuffuor’s bloodline. His great-great-great grandfather, Nana Assenso Kuffuor, was the rival of Odeefuor Ntim Gyakari who competed for the occupancy of Denkyira Bankam Dwa in 1692 after the demise of the Great Odeefuor Boa-Amponsem I. However, Odeefuor Ntim Gyakari was given the stool and he became Denkyira King.
In 1698, a conflict ensued between Nana Assenso Kuffuor and Odeefuor Ntim Gyakari. This caused Nana Kuffuor to move much of the Denkyira royals from Denkyira to present-day Nkawie in the Ashanti Region. Other members of the various Denkyira Traditional divisions followed him because he was loved by many. These people included chiefs of the Denkyira Asokwa, Gyaase, KronKor (Kronti), Atwima people, Dadiesoaba people, Asuoyeboa people, etc. Nana Abora-Sika, a Denkyira Queen and royal also moved to join Nana Kuffuor. Later, Nana Abora-Sika married Osei Tutu I and supported him with her gold and servants. Benten land was given to her and the proverb, “Benten disease nda ho kwa,” emerged after a series of conflicts over who owned that piece of land. The proverb has currently been corrupted to, “Pintin/Peteem asaase nda ho kwa.”
In 1931, the maternal grandfather of President Kuffuor became the king of Denkyira. His throne name was Odeefuor Kwabena Kuffuor and he was enstooled as the 23rd King of Denkyira. President Kuffuor is a Denkyira royal who can ascend the Great Bankam Dwa through the Assenso Kuffuor lineage. So when President J. K Kuffuor said he is Denkyira, he was right and he is not just any Denkyira but a royal from the Assenso Kuffuor lineage.
Denkyira had been the formidable centre of culture and kingship for over 200 years before Asante even became a Twi word in 1701.
Adawu Dawu Denkyira, Pentemprem Mene Sono.
Pan-African History Panel The Denkyira Kingdom Denkyira Adehyeɛ.
National Commission on Culture-Accra Ghanapage Bodwesango community.
