When Nana Osei Tutu was called to eternity, he was succeeded by his grand nephew, Opoku Ware l. He also continued the work of his grand uncle and waged wars to extend his kingdom. According to oral tradition, he had his own poculiar way of warfare and annexation.
On his march, he would, always send messengers to the chief of any state he got to, and ask him to join him for war. If the chief agreed, he would join hands with him and give him the necessary ammunition. If he refused, Nana Opoku Ware and his army would march on him, conquer him and annex his territory to Asante Nation.
Before his death in 1750 he had added Sefwi, Aowin, Bono and Gyaman states to Asante kingdom. He fought the Akyems on two occasions and defeated them. It was during one of his encounters with the Akyems that Ebirimoro, chief of Aowin, and his troops invaded Kumasi and took many of the women and children as captives. When the king heard the news he immediately despatched Amankwaatia, chief of Bantama and his troops to rescue the situation.
Ebirimoro and his troops were chased and captured at the bank of River Tano. Ahafo, which was their land was annexed to the Asante kingdom. This incident brought about the creation of Ankobia Stool (Home Guard) in the Asante Military build up. This was created so that there would always be soldiers guarding the state whenever Asante was at war with another state.
According to W. E. F. Ward, the boundaries of Asante Kingdon extended in the west to River Bia, in the north to River Tain, in the east to River Volta and in the south to River Pra and River Tano before the death of Nana Opoku Ware.
The success of Nana Opoku Ware’s reign could be attributed to the following factors:
- That he successfully subdued internal revolt. First it was odd that a grandnephew should ascend the throne whereas the nephews of Nana Osei Tutu like Kusi Obodum who later ascended the stool after Opoku Ware’s death were there. This might have caused some revolt among the royals but since Nana Osei Tutu had willed that the grand nephew should be enstooled, and since Opoku Ware proved himself capable, he was better qualified to be the king.
- This initial problem of who should be the chief spurred the conquered states on to fight and crush the new Nation. The Akyem Kotokus took this opportunity to crush the state but they were defeated on two occasions. The defeat of the Akyems earned Nana Opoku Ware the papers on the three Accra Forts.
- That his grand uncle had expanded the Asante Nation spurred him on to continue with the war of expansion. It could be said that Nana Opoku Ware had the following to his credit:
(a) He consolidated the foundation laid by Nana Osei Tutu by subduing internal revolt.
(b) He continued the war of expansion and annexation started by Nana Osei Tutu therefore by the end of his reign he had tripled the length and breadth of the state.
(c) He earned the papers of Accra Forts for Asante Nation.
(d) He created the Ankobea Flank or Home Guard, to guard women and children who would be left at home when the Nation was at war with another nation.
However, he too committed the mistake of leaving conquered states to be on their own without direct interference in their internal affairs. This again created problems for his successor, Nana Kusi Obodum.
We end the reign of Opoku Ware I here……. However for a more clearer understanding, we will delve deeper into what happened between 1717 to 1720 that caused the three-year delay of Asne Opoku Ware Katakyie tomorrow.
