Origins & Geography
The present day Asebu Kingdom is situated along the Gulf of Guinea about 15 minutes drive from Cape Coast. It shares boundaries with Nkusukum Traditional Area to the South-East, Anomabo Traditional Area to the North-East, Abura to the North, Denkyira to the North-West, and Ogua Traditional Area to the South-West.
Oral history has it that the exodus of Jews from Egypt precipitated the intriguing, complex and sometimes mystical history of the founding of Asebu Kingdom. It is believed that Asebu Kingdom (originally called Sabou) was founded by two brothers, Asebu Amenfi and Kwegya Amenfi, who were direct descendants of a great Prince and General in the army of Pharaoh during the time of the exodus. Asebu Amenfi and his group reached and settled at the present day Asebu in and around AD 1205.
According to historical accounts, General Amenph was one of the Generals sent to pursue the fleeing Israelites. As the Red Sea parted and the Israelites streamed across, the pursuing army was swallowed by the rising tides. Overwhelmed and unable to face Pharaoh, Amenph led his battalion south-west across the Sahara desert, eventually settling near River Sabou — a tributary of Lake Chad. In recognition of the river's succour, he pledged to name his first son after it. Over generations the name Amenph was corrupted to Amenfi.
After about ten generations, a succession dispute caused two of the eldest princes — Sabou and Kwegya — to journey southwards toward the Gulf of Guinea, carrying with them the waters of River Sabou and cannons from the Egyptian army of their ancestor.
Arrival on the Gold Coast
The travellers eventually reached present-day Ghana, stayed at a place now called Nugua, took to the sea, and arrived at Fumfumpowmu near Moree. After reconnaissance, the brothers chose Asebu Amantsendo and Moree as their primary settlements. Asebu Amenfi farmed at Asebu while Kwegya Amenfi fished at Moree — the two communities exchanging fish and food, and raising a common army in times of war.
Over the decades, the Amenfi brothers expanded their territory as far north as the River Pra and across most of the area now known as Cape Coast. Asebu Amenfi left lasting evidence of his super-natural powers, including a sword planted in the ground at Abura Dunkwa, a cave that could only be opened by him, and finger and buttock marks on rocks at Asebu. The people of Asebu traded and intermarried with the Etsii and the Fantes, gradually evolving the common language now known as Fanti.
The Treaty of 1612
The Treaty of Asebu was signed in 1612 between the Dutch Republic and the chiefs of Asebu. It was the first treaty between the Dutch and the peoples of the Gold Coast and allowed the Dutch to build Fort Nassau at Moree — marking the beginning of a 260-year Dutch presence on the coast.
Fort Nassau, the first Dutch fort on what would become the Dutch Gold Coast, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1979 along with several other castles and forts in Ghana, in recognition of its testimony to the African gold trade and the Atlantic slave trade.
Kingship
According to oral history, Okraban Amenfi — popularly called Asebu Amenfi — was a Warrior King who founded Asebu Kingdom around AD 1205. It is believed he possessed a magical rod, stood about 12 feet tall and was ten times stronger than the Biblical Samson. He went into hiding after being afflicted with guinea worm disease and has not been seen since. His unexplained disappearance left the Kingdom without a succession plan for many decades, with three notable Caretaker Kings: Omanhen Kwesi Ankumah, Nana Kwesi Abonyi, and Nana Kwesi Edumakoh.
The Measa Declaration (~1800)
The Native Council met at Measa and officially declared the Odomankoma Stool a Republican stool. Kingmakers — Tuafo, Adontsin, Nyimfa, Benkum, Gyase, Akwamu and Kyidom — would henceforth select occupants from among the citizens of Asebu Kingdom irrespective of family lineage. It was decreed that all future Kings would bear the name of the founder, Okraban Amenfi.
Nana Amenfi II
Selected from Apwosika, Amenfi II worked to secure the Kingdom's boundaries — coming into conflict with Anomabo, Nkusukum and Abura — and constructed a permanent Palace at Amantsendo.
Nana Amenfi III (1930 – 1951)
Known in private life as Eric William Ashun, a Political Scientist and Civil Servant. He consolidated the seven divisional chiefdoms, established the first schools at Amantsindo and Moree, and facilitated the founding of Aggrey Memorial Zion Secondary School at Brafoyaw. He offered land to the British firm L. Rose Company, whose Asebu lime factory became the world's leading producer of lime products in the 1970s. He served three times as President of the Provincial Council of Chiefs of the Gold Coast and was a Knight of the British Empire.
Okatakyi Amenfi IV
Known as Mr. Abakah. His enstoolment was widely perceived as imposed by President Kwame Nkrumah, and he was destooled immediately after the 1966 coup.
Okatakyi Amenfi V (1968 – 1982)
Benjamin Christian Ashun, an Agriculturist and younger brother of Amanfi III. He had earlier acted as Regent following his brother's death.
Okatakyi Amenfi VI – Nana Abban (1985 – 1993)
A businessman from Moree. He initiated construction of the new block at the Palace, served as Vice-President of the Central Region House of Chiefs (1986–1990), and worked to resolve the long-standing chieftaincy dispute at Asebu Ekroful.
Okatakyi Prof. Amenfi VII (2000 – present)
The reigning King of Asebu, who continues the legacy of unity, restoration and development for the Asebu people and the African diaspora.