About Cape Coast
Before the Gold Coast Colony and the Republic of Ghana, there was a nation called the Fante Confederacy
It was the first modern nation in Africa and it produced the most prominent anti-colonial figures in the history of Africa.
The FANTE CONFEDERACY
it was a beautiful marriage of different Kingdoms. It isn't a tribe or a language, it's a Union! Let us give you a list of kingdoms in this Union.
Borbor Fante:
The descendants of Obunumankuman, Odapagyan and Osun. The holders of the Fante Sceptor of power and the only ones who had authority over the "white man" for centuries during their stay and trade on the coast. The conquerors of the coast from the borders of Nzema to the borders of Sakumono.
Denkyira:
The great instigators of many of Akan traditions and civilizations. It was the only Akan state to form a true empire of the sense and initiated many of the Akan traditions we see today especially among the Twi speaking Akans.
Wassa:
Wassa was the greatest kingdom in the Western Corridors, having influence over vast lands. They migrated together with the Fantes but moved westwards to establish their Kingdom. They rose to power in the same period as Denkyira and Akwamu.
Gomoa:
The great land of the great Fante hero and astrologer, Egya Ahor. Gomoa was known as the Great Akron Kingdom and they're direct siblings to the Borbor Fante. So Akron (Gomoa) together with Borbor Fante is known as Boka Fante.
Twifo:
Twifo is a subset of the Denkyira but they're a kingdom of their own. They were very powerful and they carved the Twi language. As Denkyira carved the traditions of the interior Akans, Twifo people carved the dialect of Two from the original Akan (Bono).
Eguafo (Etsii):
The powerful Eguafo stretching from the lands of Elmina all the way to Shama in the Western region. Eguafo were an ancient kingdom that thrived until instability ensued due to the presence of the Dutch. The Dutch controlled Elmina and tried to suppress the remaining Eguafo towns. Ahanta in the Western Region became a Dutch colony for 200 years and this became a threat to the Fantes. This is why the Fante waged 2 major wars against the Dutch. The Komenda wars contributed to the weakening of Eguafo and most of the slaves picked from the Fante enclave came from the stretch from Kormantse, Moree to Komenda area. Jamaicans, Surinamese, Guyanese and many more will trace their ancestry here. "Borbor bɔ tu Etsii" - the Borbor came to meet the Etsii.
Fetu:
Fetu country or kingdom was an Aboriginal kingdom that controlled vast areas. Unfortunately, the kingdom fell in the North but it was revived in the south and today it has been transformed to what we know as Oguaa or Cape Coast. Cape Coast is a mixed blood of Borbor Fante and Fetu remnants. Cape Coast is the Pride of Mfantseman, establishing the first school and secondary school in Ghana and naming it after the Great Fante Nation; Mfantsipim - Mfantsefo Apem! It's the city of firsts and stands tall as the historical, tourism and education Capital of Ghana.
Asebu:
This was a powerful kingdom ruled by a powerful giant known as Asebu Amenfi. This kingdom controlled lands all the way to the borders of Ashanti Region. Today, Asebu stands as a symbol of resilience and cultural transformation.
Simpa/Efuttu:
Winneba as we all know it is traditionally known as Efuttu State. It's the land of the great King Ghartey who was the leader of the Fante Confederacy for a short period. They are remnants of the kingdom of Fetu, establishing their Kingdom in the eastern sides.
Edwumako:
Ajumako people trace their lineage to Obaatan (Grand Matriarch) Gomoawa who led the Gomoa people from Takyiman (in present-day Brong Ahafo region) to Mankessim. When Obaatan Gomoa died, three of her children: Abora, Andam and Asan became the leaders of the Gomoa people. When Gomoaman became overpopulated, Asan and his family left to find a new settlement known today as Gomoa Edwumako (Gomoa-Ajumako). A rift between Efuwa and Mensa Ajumako made Efuwa Edwumako and her people leave Gomoa Edwumako (Children of Asan). She moved east with her people. After trekking for some time, they found a new settlement and named it Efuwa Edwumako, which is the present-day Ajumako town in Ajumako Enyan Esiam Constituency. Efuwa Edwumako founded another town, Edwumako Esiaman (Ajumako Asiaman) which is their capital town.
Assin:
The Assin were often embroiled in wars over coastal trade routes, particularly in the late 17th century, and by the early 1700s, they were closely allied with and largely dominated by the Fante Confederacy. Assin used to be divided into two Chiefdoms but now have 3 Traditional areas namely; Assin Apimanim Traditional Area, Assin Attandasu Traditional Area, and Assin Owirinkyi Traditional Area.
Agona:
Agona, a state within the Fante Confederacy, has a history rooted in the Fante culture. Agona is made up of Etsii people, Boka Fantes and migrants from Denkyira/Nsuta in the 1600s. Nyarko Eku I was a warrior leader who conquered the lands and established Agona as his kingdom. Unfortunately, he led war campaigns against several groups such as Akwamu, Gomoa, Breman Asikuma and was killed and beheaded. Boka Fante forces (Borbor, Gomoa) dealt the final blow in the Sasabor War which made Agona become a Fante vassal.
Breman State:
Also known as Essikuma or Breman Asikuma, the Breman State like all other Akans migrated from Bono through the forest regions to Breman in the middle belts. They established Breman just as the Borbor established Kwaman but they didn't stay there. They moved southwards like the rest of all other Fante groups and founded the Breman State. They conquered the great Nyarko Eku I and also conquered lands around Assin. Assin Manso is the property of the Breman King. It's a land rich in fertile lands for agricultural projects.
