The Legendary Kwasi Akuffo: King of Akuapem, Gold Coast (Ghana) - Paperback

by Kofi Ayim (Author)

Kwasi Akuffo of Akuapem, Gold Coast (present day Ghana), was the first King to have had Western education through the Basel Mission in mountainous Akuapem. As a king in a heterogeneous community, the educated traditional leader was faced with two-pronged problems: the Christian missionaries who abhorred most indigenous culture, custom, and traditions, and the natives who consider the paramount king and his royal predecessors as "outsiders." The greatest challenge and threat to King Akuffo came from the newly Christians converts, including from within his own royalty. The converts had security and safety protection in their newly-found faith. They could flout traditional laws with impunity and looked up to the Basel Mission for help. The King was eventually removed but reinstated after more than ten years. In the midst of acute trials and tribulations, King Akuffo's diplomacy and wisdom earned him some degree of respect even from the colonial government. His tactics and zeal guided him to rule and created a legacy that has survived to this day and unlikely to be surpassed in contemporary royalty in present-day Ghana.

Author Biography

Kofi Ayim is well versed in his African heritage, especially the history and culture of the Akan people of Ghana. A one-time cultural columnist of Asenta, an African community newspaper in the New York Metro Area, he is currently the editor of Amandla, an African community newspaper in the New York Area. This is his third book; Jack Cudjo: Newark's Revolutionary Soldier & First Black Businessman was his first, followed by The Akan of Ghana. Aspects of Past and Present Practices. Kofi lives in New Jersey, USA.