Drobo, Ghana
Drobo is a town located in the Jaman South Municipality, one of the twelve administrative districts in Bono Region of Ghana. It shares common borders with Berekum East District to the south-east, Jaman North District to the North, Dormaa Municipal to the south and La Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) in the west. The Municipal with its capital at Drobo has a total land area of about 700 km and about 130 settlements most of which are rural and have a population less than 400. It has a total land area of 1,500 square kilometres.[1][2]
History of Drobo State
The original home of the Drobo Stool was Akwamu Awanweneso in the Eastern Region and the founder of the Drobo State was Nana Twene Adu Asare around 1500 AD. The Drobo Stool constituted the Adonten Division of then Jaman (Bono) Kingdom. Around 1600, the Jamanhene (Bonohene) and his kinsmen the Dormaahene moved out of Akwamu (in the now Eastern Region) in search of a new settlement as a result of chieftaincy dispute. The Drobohene, being the Adontenhene of the Jamanhene joined the entourage of the Jamanhene.
From the then-Akwamu which covered the areas stretching from Nsawam to Asamankese, the Drobos moved to the Asin Fosu area of the Central Region. From there they continued their journey to Abanpredease near Bomaa in the present Ahafo Region. The Drobos continued to Ayakomaso between Sunyani and Nsoatre, spreading to Odumase near Sunyani. The Drobos moved further to Droboso and Anantase both near Wenchi, from where they moved to settle at their present location.[3]
The Drobohene was the Adontenhene of the Jamanhene who now resides in the Republic of La Côte d'Ivoire. The demarcation of the boundary between the colonial powers Britain and France, which took place in 1896 kept the Jamanhene on the French side, while Drobos remained with the British in the Gold Coast, now Ghana.
It is relevant to say that Sumahene was the Nifahene of the Jaman(hene) throughout the journey from Akwamu. The Drobohene being the senior chief among the chiefs who fell to the British side of the boundary, was elevated to the status of paramountcy in 1896. The British Government further conferred on the Drobohene British Jamanhene in 1898 in recognition of the good services of the Drobohene and his subjects to the British Government. The British Government also placed the following Chiefs under the Drobohene for administrative purposes.
- Nana Sumahene
- Nana Kwatwomahene
- Nana Seikwahene
- Nana Baduhene
- Nana Nsawkawhene
- Nana Takyi K Stephen
The above chiefs are now paramount Chiefs and independent of the Drobo State.[4]
List of previous occupants
- Nana Twene Adu Asare
- Nana Koranteng Afare
- Nana Twumasi Agyei Nkrawiri
- Nana Kumi Akyeaw
- Nana Adofo Kankam
- Nana Feka Ahenkora
- Nana Kyereme Duodu
- Nana Bae Mpeahi
- Nana Kwasi Tano
- Nana Sakyi Ako
- Nana Feka Ahenkora Mari
- Nana Kyereme Duodo Kokor
- Nana Feka Ahenkora II
- Nana Kyereme Duodu Tumtum
- Nana Kwasi Kwang
- Nana Kwasi Bosea I
- Nana Adinkra Agyaako Kosopre I
- Nana Kwadwo Bosea Gyinantwi II (Drobo Elevated to Paramountcy in 1896)
- Nana Kwame Adinkra Kosopre II
- Nana Kwame Bosea Gyinantwi III (Alias Nana Kwame Donkor) (De-enstooled)
- Nana Kwaku Bosea Gyinantwi III (Alias Nana Kwaku Nketia) (De-entooled)
- Nana Kofi Bosea Gyinantwi III
- Nana Kwadwo Adinkra Kosopre III
- Beyeeman Bosea Gyinantwi IV (Alias Major J. Asiedu-Taku, Retired)
- Okokyeredom Sakyi Arko II
Chronology of the paramount chiefs of Drobo
1. Nana Twene Adu Asare lived and ruled at Abankesieso with other tribes and members of other clans. During his reign, there was no Twenesin (Drum), and so "ETWIE" was in traditional use at that time, this was because Etwie or Krotiwamansa. Leopard was believed to have been the carrier of the stool and so Etwie (Leopard) is still represented on the State Umbrellas. He died at Denkyira.
2. In the year 1560, he was succeeded by his brother Koranteng-Afari, there was a war between Nzima, Senfi, the Aowin speaking people and the Akwamu people, he died during the war when the Aowins were defeated.
3. In 1750, Nana Twimasi Agyei Nkrawiri was enthroned, during the said Aowin War, many people were mixed up with other clans got lost without seeing where their leader was, and so ‘Twenesin’ Drum came into use because the chiefs wanted to be recognized by their subjects, and so Nana Twimasi was the first Drobohene to introduce ‘Twenesin’ into the Drobo State, and his Twenesin sounded ‘Krotwiamansa Nkrawiri, Krotwiamansa wommu no akora. His Abentia (Horn) also sounded ‘Twieduampon Nyame medan won a medidi, Okwantempon mu hene (barima) kasa a okasa tempon me.
4. In 1589, Nana Kumi Akyeaw was enstooled, he died and was succeeded by Adofo Kwaagyebiri Kankanfo. During his time, the white men were at the Coast, he used to urge his people to kill the white men so that he would succeed them, this attitude made him popularly known in ‘NTAHERA’ which sounds today as ‘Adofo ee ogyina mpoano oo, Abrofo bewu ama wadi won ade.’
5. In 1600, Nana Ferkah Mari Succeeded Nana Adofo and founded Akwamu-Anwaaweneso where he died. During his reign, a civil war broke out in Akwamu. He led his people from Akwamu to Assin Fosu, he allied himself with Gyase people and moved with them to Feyiase. He died and was succeeded by Nana Baehene Kyeremeh Duodu. He was so bold that his name is still remembered in songs dinges as ‘Nana Baehene Kyeremeh Duodu a odi sika atomprada, basa tenten a adoye wo mu’. During his time, his brothers (Dormaas) were at Asuwingya-Asantemaso. He met his brothers and stayed with them at Bantama and Suntreso where they fought and conquered the Ashantis.
6. He died and was succeeded by Nana Bea Mpeahi in 1700. He was pushed by Osei Tutu to leave Suntreso for Abamprediase. Osei Tutu attached them again so they moved to Abesim. They met the Nkonas at Nsoatre and drove them away. The Drobos settled at Ayakomaso. It was Bea Mpeahi who founded Drobos near Wenchi B/A. At this time all the people were known Dormaas (a name which took its origin after the Akwamu Civil war). They met the people of Techiman who wanted to subdue them, but because of the help of their God called ‘APEE’ they brought with them, the people of Techiman found the newcomers to be as heavy as or as hard as a stone (DUROBO) ‘wo duru tese Obo’ and so the messengers as heavy as a stone. Hence the name DUROBO became Drobo.
7. Before then, the Drobos had fought and conquered the people of Nkwanta. The Ashantis fought and conquered the Techimans and so the Drobos joined the Ashantis Empire. Bea Mpeahi was so bold enough that his people rebelled against him and had wanted to kill him at Abampradiase, and so one day his people planned when they were celebrating their Festival to kill him at the river side when he goes there to wash the Stool. His son Topea heard this and reported to his father. As he did not go to the river side on that day, those who planned to kill him came from the river side where they were hiding with their guns. This made Bea Mpeahi know that his son was right and so deputised his son Topea to go to the river-side with the Stool to wash it according to the custom. This is the main reason why any Drobo Chief is not allowed to accompany to follow the Stool when going to wash it at the river-side during the celebration of the Annual Yam Festival. He also died and was succeeded by Nana Kwasi Tano who left the Ashanti empire because of quarrel which arose between his sons and the son of Bantamahene when the two young Prince were playing the game of ‘AWARE’ in which Tano's son won the game and told his opponent that ‘Makuno’ I have killed him. His opponent at hearing this insulted him and told him that if he could kill or conquer people, he should have gone to help his people who were being pressed by the Nkonn people. Tano who had already been invited by his brothers to come to their aid swore to the Ashantihene and left the Ashantis to help his brothers. He was the one who founded the Serebuoso. He sent his Krontihene Ankama Kwaku, his son Topea and his Nephew Sakyi Akomea to search for his brothers who were not to be found, they came and found them at Sebreni. Nana Tano met his brothers under a Dwene tree where they were planning to attack their enemies, hence Dwene originated from that meeting under the ‘DWENE TREE’. Nana Ntow Kokroko was the one who came from Dua Yaw Nkwanta. Brokos were the stronghold of the Nkonas. The Drobos and the people of Nkwanta offered to concentrate on that area. They met the Brokos and exchanged gifts but on their second meeting, the people of Nkwanta and Drobo attacked and subdued the people of Brokor. Tano sent Akomeah, Ankama Kwaku, Kosuno and allied with the people of Ponkor and so, Kosuno befriended Afua Daa who was a daughter to the Ponkorhene Diaboah. Sakyi also befriended Adwoa Koare. Drobo Allied herself with Ponkor and tried to fight the people of Nkonn with the help of the people of Ponkor. The People of Ponkor helped the Drobos to fight the others and when they had pressed the Nkonas as far as to a place called ‘Kyekyewere’ meaning the Drobos were now comforted, they still call the place ‘Kyekyewere’.
8. The Drobos fought the Nkonas at Abrokuruwase near Asuofiri. The Captain of the Nkonas was called Sardes Mponkohene (The Chief of Amamfoso) near old Drobo. The Nkonas were defeated. As Nana Tanso was so old and always sent his Nephew and Akomea to lead the forces whenever there was war, he could say sakyi go and fight the enemies, hence Sakyi Ako ee Koto won ne won nko, which is the sound of Nana Drobohene's Abentia (Horn) today. He was not interested in booty so he always said ‘Let them take them and share for I don’t like booty, and so he introduced his Twenesin which is even today in use sounding ‘BENKYE BENI MEMPE BI.’ Nana Tano led his people against the people of Sapea who were then defeated after a battle of heavy loss at both sides. Nana Tano met Wuro who was the Chief of Wuro Bedi who had thousand Black Smiths, thousand Spear men, thousand Bow men, thousand guns and thousand men, he was made Adontenhene by Jamahene for the reason his forces were so strong. Tano captured Wuro Dabia and so to his appellation the Drobo still have ‘WURO’ hence Kwasi Tano Wuro.
9. After the death of Tano Wuro in 1740, there were many claimants to the Stool and so the King-Makers gave the Stool to Sakyi Ako (meaning Sakyi the fighter) in the same year, Sakyi Ako found a village and called Sakyi Ako Hwediem between Kokosua, Amanfoso, Old Drobo and Ponkor. He lived there with the people of Suma and Kwatwoma. A quarrel arose between the people of Suma and Kwatwoma over the fall of a Bull which both sides were claiming the ownership of the said tail. Sakyi Ako who was the owner of the tail tossed it and was won by the people of the Kwatwoma. The people of Suma in anger left and settled at a place now called NWENEME (NWENEMU) meaning the Drobohene had favored the people of Kwatwoma. The people of Kwatwoma too told Sakyi Ako that they were going to settle at a place just near him, they left and settled at a place now called SEKETIA (SAN AKYI TIA) hence the name Seketia. They were then led by Sakyi Ako (the Drobos) to fight the people of Derbango, the wife of the chief of the Derbango was making an ostentations display of gold, she made a golden stove (Bokyia) on which she cooked. Sakyi Ako fought the people of Tampi and so was feared by the Jamanhene who visited medicinal men and weakened Sakyi Ako because the former feared that the latter would displace him, The Jamanhene prevented to say that his wife had vanished, and so all the other Chiefs were summoned to a meeting by the Jamanhene, when Sakyi Ako got into the river Kommor, he found that he had been Charmed by the Jamanhene because he was suddenly attacked by smallpox and died three days after. In 1750, the Jamanhene placed a child on the Stool and named him ‘Ferkah Ahenkodaa’ which meant Fekah the young chief. During his minority, Jamanhene took some of the towns belonging to the Drobo Stool such as Broko, Mmra, Ntwiano and window of the deceased. He promised to give them back to the young chief when he came to an age. In view of this, the Jamanhene and the Drobohene continued to exchange windows until the Gold Coast (now Ghana) and the Ivory Coast boundary was created by the white men. Opoku Ware made war on the people and so there was separation against the enemies hence some of the people left for Kong. During that time, there was a war between the people of Kong and the Jamans because a Kong woman insulted a subject of the Jamanhene and told him that if the Jamans were bold enough, they should not have been pushed by the Asantehene Opoku Ware. The woman's statement was the verdict of the whole of Kong. The Jamans made a war on the Kongs and defeated them. From this Ferka got his appellation ‘AHENKODAA MARI’ akokono betebete an owe brobe, akokono betebete an owe abe!.
10. He died in 1781 and was succeeded by Baehene Kyeremeh Duodu Korkor in the same year. He also made war on the people of Gyamera Kommor-agya. He died and was succeeded by Fekah Ahenkora in 1795. He reigned until the time of Jamanhene Agyeman Panin. He wanted to take the widow of the Jamanhene when the latter died, but all the wives were old and so a granddaughter of the deceased who was called Dapaah was given to him in marriage instead of the old windows. They brought forth a male child called Fofie Akromah who later on became the Jamanhene. He led his people against of intense and the people of Broko, but as his people did not support him with whole heartedly, he committed suicide, and so the Jamanhene took away all the Sub-Chiefs and others from the Drobos so the pure Drobos were left alone, hence the appellation’ DROBO ADU AMPOFORO ANTWI KRONKRON’ (meaning the indigenous Drobos). All most all the conquest of the Drobohene were seized by the Jamanhene remaining the original people who came from Akwamu. Therefore, to commemorate the occasion, the Talking Drums of Drobo still sund ‘Drobo Adu Ampofor Antwi Kronkron’.
11. He died and was succeeded by Baehene Kyeremeh Duodu Tuntum in 1827. This was during the time of Nana Adinkrah Karikari of Jaman. A war broke out between other people of Bona and the Jamans in which the Bonas were conquered. Nana Baehene Also defeated Nkoranzahene Danso. During the war against the Ashantis the Jamans suffered a great defeat and the Adontehene who was the Drobohene committed Suicide. He was succeeded by Nana Kwasi Kwang and Fofie Akromah defeated Nansia, Barebo and Kuronza people. The people of Anno used to send money to the Jamans during the war of the Ashantis, the result of which made Nana Baehene committed suicide. After the war, the Jamans tried to kill the people of Anno so that the Annos could not or no more claim the money they sent to the Jamans. The Drobohene advised his people against such idea but nobody paid heed to his advice. In the course of campaign against the Annos perstilence, fame and poisonous creatures fell on the Jamans and many of them died. About 767 men died in the Drobo Camp in one day. Fofie Akromah and Nana Kwang were lost in the campaign. Nana Kwasi Yeboah was enthroned on the Jaman throne and Adofo of Jankufa was elected to be the Drobohene but he declined the offer. Jamanhene made war on Kwasi Tiesiyo of Bona, but as there was no Adontenhene, the Jamanhene could not go to war. Since Adofo refused to occupy the stool of the Drobos and because there was an urgent need for an occupant of the Drobo Stool, it was offered to Nana Kwasi Busiah I, who was called Busiah Korkor, this was in the year 1864. He led the Jaman forces against Bona where he met Bonahene Kwasi Tiesiyo in a single combat, he captured and said ‘Mede wo bari (I have taken hold of you) hence the appellation (BAIN A ODE BARI). He sent the captive to the Jamanhene Kwasi Yeboah who killed the Captive, took his head and gave the legs to the Drobohene. Hence the appellation ‘KWASI A OKYERE KWASI MAA KWASI’ the two legs are still under State Umbrella commemorating the incident. He died and was succeeded by Adinkrah Gyaako Kosopre in the year 1880. There was a war against the Bandas during his reign, there was also a war of the people of Dormaa but the Jamanhene forbade him not to fight his own brothers. Gyaako had made a camp at the present Japekrom where was making preparation for the war. Gyaako said he would never go back to his wives if he was allowed to fight the Dormaas and so he committed suicide at Japekrom. Because of this reason, every Drobo chief is never allowed to stay at Japekrom. Nana Busia Gyinantwi II was place on the stool in the 1903, and it was during his time that Samori arrived in the Country.
12. Busiah Gyinantwi II fought against Samori and sent three skulls to the Jamanhene who congratulated him on his bravery but argued him to put a stop to the war since all the Jamans did not really against the enemy. Busiah complied but vowed not to go to Bondougu again if he was not allowed to fight the war. He kept his vowed and never saw the face of Samori and also did not go to Bondougu until Samori was killed by the white men. It was Nana Busiah's time that the Gold Coast and Ivory Coast boundary was created by the French and English. The Chiefs of Suma, Kwatwoma, Seikwa met the English and confirmed the Drobohene statement that he Drobohene was the head of all the other chiefs present. The Drobohene was then recognized as such and so was remained as head until the other chiefs separated from Drobo during the formation of the Ashanti Confederacy in the year 1930s. When Busia died in the year 1922, Kwame Adinkra Kosopre was placed on the stool, he later on died and was succeeded by Nana Kwame Busiah Gyinantwi III in the year 1930, during his reign, the Ashanti Confederacy split the Drobo State. He was destooled and was placed by Nana Kwaku Nketiah Pramire in the year 1937, he was also destoolded and was replaced by Nana Kofi Busiah Gyinantwi IV in the year 1938 (the first President of the Former Brong Kyempim Council) and now a member of Brong House of Chiefs. The Drobohene was not an Omanhene or Paramount Chief while at Akwamu, but was a sub-chief to the Akwamuhene. After the Akwamu Civil War, he led his people from Akwamu. He made his way to Feyiase and Jaman as paramount Chief. He was found powerful and strong as such, the Jamanhene made him an Adontenhene of Jaman forces. His strength was testified by the Techimans who he met there and said ‘the people (the Drobos) are as heavy as a stone’ (WO YE DURU TE SE OBO) hence Drobo. The Jamans also recognized the power and the might of the Drobos, and so the Jamanhene made the Drobohene and Adontenhene of the Agyeman military set up.
The Drobohene was the Adontenhene of the Jamanhene who now resides in the Republic of La Côte d'Ivoire. The demarcation of the boundary between the colonial powers Britain and France, which took place in 1896 kept the Jamanhene on the French side, while Drobos remained with the British in the Gold Coast, now Ghana. it is relevant to say that Sumahene was the Nifahene of the Jaman(hene) throughout the journey from Akwamu. The Drobohene being the senior chief among the chiefs who fell to the British side of the boundary, was elevated to the status of paramountcy in 1896. The British Government further conferred on the Drobohene British Jamanhene in 1898 in rcognition of the good services of the Drobohene and his subjects to the British Government. The British Government also placed the following Chiefs under the Drobohene for administrative purposes. Nana Sumahene, Nana Kwatwomahene, Nana Seikwahene, Nana Baduhene, Nana Nsawkawhene The above chiefs are now paramount Chiefs and independent of the Drobo State The British Government further conferred on the Drobohene British Jamanhene in 1898 in rcognition of the good services of the Drobohene and his subjects to the British Government. The British Government also placed the following Chiefs under the Drobohene for administrative purposes. Nana Sumahene, Nana Kwatwomahene, Nana Seikwahene, Nana Baduhene, Nana Nsawkawhene. These chiefs are now paramount Chiefs and independent of the Drobo State.
Appellations of the Drobo Stool Which were Acquired by the Brave Deeds of some of the Past Rulers of the Drobo State.
1. Twimasi Agyei Nkrawiri, Krotwiamansa Kwadwo an ofiti krotia a neho bon afiemu, krotwiamansa a nkwaenoma di no nyegyeso wo kwae bretuo mu.
2. Baehene Kyeremeh Duodu an odi sika atomprada, Abasa tenten an adoye wo mu, Okoto yiri firi an onim sika dabre.
3. Adofo Kwaagyebiri Kankanfo, Nkakraboa an odi atua, onwam kese breku an odi nakonode.
4. Fe ja Miri, dotobrisie ase hwiren a wonni mu ahurusie, Ateko a sere nana, Akokono bête bête a owe brobe, akokono bête bête a owe abe.
5. Ohene Tano, Bosom kese an odi aboadie, okyeree Wuro Dabea an ote Wuro-bedi gyee ne din kaa ne de ho.
6. Sakyi Amprofi kwao, an opono dade amono, ako tware asuo, oko for buo, ateko a sere.
7. Busiah Gyinantwi Opaaduo, Kyeremeh, Banin an ode bari, sum sre, Otuo an oyere Akantama, Gyeene Duasarehene, Kwasi n okyere Kwasi okyere Kwasi Brepon de no maa Achiempong Kwasi, kum no faa neti dene nyaawa maa no.
8. Adinkrah Kosopre Gyaako, Kosopre kron kron, Banin twerebo a neho bon atu duro, kotosabrakwa te se koropon an anka ode abogye na enwene prebuo. Basa kraka ayentumi nto a yefre no abasa krakro. Asomfena Katakyie an onyame ama no ahodan nnane. Akum mpanin a mmofra suro no, Okyereben koko a wodin ne honam se, Ohene ko, Ohene guan sen? Drobo Aduampoforo Antwi woye Katakyie, wo ye Barima.
References
- "Jaman South District Assembly". BusinessGhana.
- "Jaman South Assembly elevated, president urges grassroots to take charge of their own development". www.ghanaweb.com.
- Ghana Year Book. Graphic Corporation. 1978.
- "Droboman.com". droboman.com.
