Larteh Akuapem
Larteh Akuapem is the capital of the Benkum Division of Akuapem Traditional Council in Ghana. It lies on the east of the ridge on the Akonnobepow.[1] The name Larteh was derived from the GA words "La" which means fire, and "te" which means stone. In English meaning "fire-stone".[2]
The Benkum Division of Akuapem comprises the following towns and their villages; Larteh, Mamfe, Abotakyi, Mampong, Tutu, Obosomase, Mangoase, Tinkong, Okroase, Adweso. The towns of Akuapem are in the Eastern Region of Ghana and situated between longitude 0°15 W - 0°00 and latitude 5°45 - 6°00 N. These towns are located on the Akuapem Ridge, which runs northeastwards across the Volta Region of Ghana and extends further into the Republic of Togo.
Larteh is a twin town comprising Larteh Ahenease and Larteh Kubease. The language spoken is Gua which is a stock of the Kwa.
The oral tradition of Larteh Kubease claims that they came from inland and settled west of the mouth of the Volta among the Kpesi, aborigines of Guan extraction. When the Ga Boni met them, the two groups settled temporally on the banks of the Laloi Lagoon at Podoku near Tema. Larteh Kubease were led by Fianko Adeyite . On the hills they first settled at a place called Afianko. The Afianko sojourn seems to have been the briefest, since no living structures were created there. They moved to present Larteh Kubease.
Notable personalities
Larteh is the birthplace of, or home to, several notable people, including:
- Matilda J. Clerk - Ghanaian medical pioneer and science educator
- Theodore S. Clerk - Ghanaian architect and urban planner
References
- "National Commission On Culture". www.ghanaculture.gov.gh. Archived from the original on 2018-04-20. Retrieved 2018-04-19.
- "National Commission On Culture". www.ghanaculture.gov.gh. Retrieved 2018-04-19.