The Abotakyi Accord of 1733 was permanently replaced with the Larteh Accord on May 8, 1994. The new Accord, which was signd by Nana Asiedu Okoo III, Nana Otutu Ababio IV and Nana Gyan Kwasi II, created the following autonomous Akuapem Paramountcies:

Akuapem Guan – with the Paramount Chief, Osabarima Asiedu Okoo Ababio III, in Larteh.

Akuapem Okere - with the Paramount Chief, Nana Otutu Ababio V, in Adukrom

Akuapem Anafo - with the Paramount Chief, Nana Otobour Gyan Kwasi, in Aburi

Akuapem Akropong - with the Paramount Chief, Nana Addo Dankwa III, in Akropong

The Chiefs and Elders, who designed the Larteh Accord, wisely included the following provision in it to ensure ongoing consultation with all stakeholders in managing overall interests and affairs of all Akuapem citizens.

“Establishment of a Council of Akuapem Paramount Chiefs with a two-year rotating presidency”.

BACKGROUND:

Many unpleasant events led to the replacement of the Abotakyi accord. On May 8, the indigenes (Guans, Kyerepongs and Akan Kamanas), owners of Akuapem lands, told the Akyem immigrants, whom they had kindly and generously settled at Amanprobi, Nsorem and Mpenease, that enough is enough.

The Akuapems then known as the Hill Guans were living very peacefully with their neighbors; Agonas, Gas, Krobos, Akyems and the Ductch until the Akwamus came to the scene and started brutalizing them. When the Akwamu brutalities on mainly the Guans, and the Kyerepongs on the Hills had gone beyond control and intolerable the leadership had these settlers summon a meeting to chart and discuss a way out of their predicaments. Gyedu Nkansa, then the King of the Guans and in that capacity the leader of Akuapem in whose old age and at his hour of death just at the beginning of his successor Ohene Berentiri initially thought those maltreating them were Asantes and so sent a message to Asante Mampong, then the capital of Asante to enquire whether they were those carrying out the atrocities. They responded negative and to show their commitment sent a delegation including troops to Akuapem. They are the present day Akuapem Mampong. Later Gyedu Nkansa gave authority to Ofei Agyemang, chief of Gyakiti and Sediesa (Asare Diedsa), chief of the Kyerepongs to extend an invitation to the Akyems for assistance to fight the Akwamus. The delegation to Akyem was led by Opanyin Ayeh Kissi, an elder of Nana Offei Kwasi Agyeman. The Okyenhene and elders readily agreed to help. He therefore dispatched his warrious led by his nephew Safori to join the bandwagon of the Guans Agonas, Gas, Krobos, Kyerepongs and the Dutch. A thousand forces (Akuw apem) thus swooped down the hill unto the hopeless Akwamus regiment at Nsakye as they advance. Unable to withstand the shock of this highland change, the Akwamu forces broke, scattered and fled away from Nyanawase, their capital across the Volta river to the present day Akwamufie.

This was the famous battle of Nsakye (1730) after which the Akwamu’s unspeakable acts of cruelty and depredation on the highland community came to an end. After the defeat of the Akwamus, the Akyems connived and convinced the Akuapems to allow them to permamnently stay on their land so they can avail themselves to help ward off potential Akwamu resurgence. Given the loose settlement set-ups of the Akuapems, the Akyems used their chieftaincy and political skills to their advantage when the Abotakyi Accord was signed in 1733. Since then, the Akyem rule, under the leadership of Ofori Kuma Stool, was never different from that of the Akwamus, if not worse.

The Akuapem State never tasted peace and tranquility. To the Akyems, the name of the game was “Divide and Rule” compounded by suspicion, frustration, corruption, selfishness, arrogance, territorial expansion and putting the Guans and the Okeres down.

The seemingly peace and tranquility on the Akuapem Hill was brought about by the timely arrival of Christianity and fear of God. The Akyems’ obnoxious attitudes and nasty treatment of the Guans and Okeres generated many protests. The Benkum, Nifa and Adonten divisions revoked their allegiance from the Omanhene at Akropong repeatedly in 1770, 1885, 1896, 1906, 1915 and finally in 1994. In 1915 for instance, the Secretary for Native Affairs was instructed by the British to settle the nagging differences between the Omanhene and his divisional Chiefs. A mediating meeting was held by the Secretary in Amonokrom. In 1994, all the bottled-up and pent-up bitterness, coupled with the violent clash between Abiriw and Akropong over a disputed land resulting in loss of lives and properties, became the final straw that broke the camel’s back. The Larteh Accord was born.

Akuapem Guan covers Larteh, Obosomase, Tutu, Mampong, Abotakyi, Mamfe, Tinkon, Mangoase, Koforidua Okorase and Kofridua Adweso.

Akuapem Okere covers Adukrom, Apirede, Awukugua, Dawu, Abiriw, Abonse and Asesieso.

Akuapem Anafo covers Aburi, Ahwerease, Atweasin, Berekuso and Nsawam.

Akuapem Akropong covers Akropong, Amonokrom, Adawso