Okofrobour Dr. Obeng Nuako III, the Chief of Dunkwa-on-Offin in the Central Region, has offered a comprehensive account of the true origins of the people of Dunkwa, tracing their ancestry to an ancient settlement that has long disappeared from Ghana’s map.
According to him, the original inhabitants of Dunkwa migrated from a village called Maase, which was situated between Adanse and Amansie.
Though Maase no longer exists, it remains a significant part of the identity of the Dunkwa people and their ancestral story.
Okofrobour Dr. Obeng Nuako III narrated that in earlier times, the chiefs and elders of Maase frequently travelled to Obuasi Nyinam for farming activities.
Over time, their continuous movement to the area influenced a major decision to migrate permanently.
This relocation eventually led them to the land now known as Dunkwa-on-Offin.
Upon reaching the River Offin, the Maase leaders and their people crossed to the other side and established a settlement which they named Offinso.
However, they soon discovered that portions of the land were already occupied by the Aowin people, leading to a fierce battle for territory.
The Maase warriors prevailed, defeating the Aowins and taking full control of the land.
The Chief identified the leaders who spearheaded this historic migration and conflict: Nana Obeng Nuako, Chief of Maase, and Nana Amo Kusi Yiadom, Chief of Meradan.
Together, they led their people into the area that would eventually develop into Dunkwa.
After some days of settlement, Nana Amo Kusi Yiadom advised Nana Obeng Nuako that their new location was too close to enemy territories and posed serious security risks.
As a result, he chose to migrate further inland with his people, eventually establishing a new community named Meredane also known as Meradan meaning (Time changes).
Okofrobour Dr. Obeng Nuako III emphasised that these historical accounts form the foundation of Dunkwa’s identity—highlighting the resilience, courage, and determination of their ancestors.
Clarifying Dunkwa’s relationship with Denkyira
The Chief further explained that during the battles between the Maase settlers and the Aowin people, Denkyira was not involved.
The conflict was strictly between the Maase people and the Aowins.
He revealed that during that period, the Denkyira people were based at Dwokwaa. It was only in the 1940s that the then Denkyirahene, Nana Owusu Bore II, visited Dunkwa and admired the community.
He subsequently approached the then Dunkwahene, Nana Kwaku Ofori, to request a place to settle.
After consultations, the then Dunkwahene and his elders agreed to offer the Denkyirahene a settlement area that would not be too close to the main Dunkwa township.
They allocated land known as New Dunkwa, which is where the current Denkyira palace stands today.
Before the completion of the Denkyira palace, Nana Owusu Bore II and his entourage were hosted in the palace of the Dunkwahene—a gesture symbolizing unity, hospitality, and alliance.
Okofrobour Dr. Obeng Nuako III noted that it was only after the death of Nana Kwaku Ofori that the Denkyirahene changed the name of the area from New Dunkwa to Abankesieso.
He stressed that official land records still identify the area by its original name, New Dunkwa.
He added that Dunkwa embraced the Denkyira people because they needed allies who could support them in times of war.
However, historically, Dunkwa was never part of Denkyira; rather, Dunkwa welcomed Denkyira for the sake of mutual assistance against potential enemy attacks.
Okofrobour added that relations between Dunkwa and Denkyira was peaceful even after Nana Owusu Bore II abdicated his throne. According to him, Nana Owusu Bore II first visited the Dunkwa palace to present himself to the then Dunkwahene, after which he proceeded to Abuakwa to also inform the Chief of Abuakwa about his abdication.
The chieftaincy dispute with Denkyira
Okofrobour Dr. Obeng Nuako III explained that peaceful relations between Dunkwa and Denkyira continued until the late Denkyirahene, Odeefuo Boamponsem II, summoned him about a year after his enstoolment as Dunkwahene.
According to Okofrobour, the Denkyira Chief requested that Dunkwa allow their half-siblings—children of the same father but a different mother—to be part of the Dunkwa stool.
However, the Dunkwahene and his elders rejected this request, stating that by tradition, rival children cannot inherit another woman’s stool.
Only descendants from the stool mother’s lineage are eligible to inherit that particular stool.
After Dunkwahene refused the request, the then Denkyirahene, Odeefuo Boamponsem II, attempted to destool him.
In response, Okofrobour Dr. Obeng Nuako took the matter to the High Court. The High Court ruled in his favour, affirming his rightful position as Dunkwahene. Unsatisfied with the ruling, Denkyira appealed the case at the Court of Appeal.
The Appeal Court also upheld the High Court’s decision and ruled again in favour of Dunkwahene.
Okofrobour Dr. Obeng Nuako concluded by emphasizing that Dunkwa is a stool land belonging to the Dunkwahene and not to Denkyira.
