The Akwamu State is one of the oldest Akan States, known for its well-organised army during the pre-colonial days. In the 16th century, they conquered many Ghanaian and Togolese tribes and territories to control the trade routes along the Gulf of Guinea.

Key among the exploits of the people of Akwamu in the late 1960s was when the Akwamuhene Ansa Sasraku II planted a warrior and a royal by name Asameni, at the Christiansborg Castle (Osu Castle), who by way of cunning ruse attacked and captured the Danes.

After gaining control over the Castle, Akwamus dictated trade terms between themselves, African traders from the interior, and Europeans on the coast.

Asameni appointed himself 'Governor' of Christiansborg Castle. He replaced the Danish with the Akwamu flag. The Akwamuhene kept the castle’s keys as a stool relic and trophy.

The Akwamu Kingdom is the home of one of the most serene, well-planned and picturesque towns in Ghana, Akosombo. It is the place that houses Ghana's first hydro-power station and dam built by Kwame Nkrumah.

It is a popular weekend destination for the more adventurous Ghanaians because of the rather superlative tourist sites and hotels.

The Akwamufie is the seat capital of the Akwamu state, located along with the Akuapim-Togo range, the Volta River and in the Eastern Region.

It is the town where the Paramount Chief, Odeneho Kwafo-Akoto III and Queen Nana Afrakoma II rule.

About 100 meters away from the Akwamufie is yet another special house. It is the second in command that administratively rules Akwamu.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrHJRNc0QtY

In the maiden episode of Joy Prime Explore, which focused around the Akwamu State, one of the oldest Akan monarchies, the Chief of Staff and Curator of Akwamu Museum, Nana Samanhyia Darko II, told Kojo Yankson, that President Akufo-Addo - contrary to popular belief - is not an Akyem, but an Akwamu.

"Akufo-Addo is a royal in that house. The aunty was the queen mother before, and the sister is now a queen mother here. In the Akan system, we go seriously matrilineal, so Akufo-Addo, by all intent and purposes, is an Akwamu, a typical Akwamu.

"The grandmother migrated from here to marry in Akyem; so to Akyem he is a grandson to the stool, but here [Akyem] he is a royal. So I say emphatically he is not an Akyem," he insisted.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZ_rdujLFUA

He also said that the Akwamu historian also revealed a fascinating familial link between President Akufo-Addo and the late Former President, Jerry John Rawlings.

The Akwamu Chief of Staff also claimed that former President J. J. Rawlings' mother, Victoria Agbotui, hails from the same royal house as President Akufo-Addo's maternal grandmother in Akwamu.

He indicated that "Rawlings' mother is from the very house as Akufo-Addo's grandmother. The Agbotui, Kugblenu and the Hayman's from Keta are all from this royal house [in Akwamu]. It is a fact...I saw Rawlings, and I asked him. Are you not an Akwamu and he said, 'I am an Akwamu." he added.

Former United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Atta Annan, is another distinguished Ghanaian from the Akwamufie.

According to Nana Samanhyia, the Akwamu State can boast of leading the emancipation of black Africans through the Asamani who captured the Christiansborg Castle during the colonial era.

Joy Prime Explore is a travel show to showcase the hidden and little-known tourist and cultural attractions from all across Ghana and abroad.