Nyanke Bolo -The Man Who Ruled Ahanta With Iron Fists

It is said that he ruled Ahanta with iron fists and it is also said that during his days, a lot of fugitives were executed and their heads were placed on spikes along the coast at "Owulosua" - the village of death.

Some said he was a just man who dispensed justice irrespective of who was involved, whether it is his family members or not. Others also said he was just a wicked man who drained the blood of people for pleasure sake. In fact, it was said that he drunk human blood considering the rate at which people were executed under his watch.

After the years of Kojo Nda, there was calm in Ahanta because the people of Adom were not unleashing attacks on Ahanta as they used to. There were speculations among the neighbouring tribes that Kojo Nda was still alive and any attempt to attack Ahanta, he would come to their defense with his bees.

Ahantas themselves went to their old ways of life also having the belief that Kojo Nda would always come to their defense if anybody comes to attack them. For many years they held on to this belief until the Adoms resumed their attacks once again and this time it was deadly.

The Adoms invaded Ahanta from the far west and were ravaging the villages and so a messenger was sent to "Owulosua" that they should come to their aid else they and their would descendants perish. At that time, all efforts made to get in touch with Kojo Nda failed. This resulted in old Ahanta saying that "we had put all our hopes on Kojo Nda but when we needed him most and called him, he didn't respond".

Out of desperation, a new leader emerged - Nyanke Bolo -the man who has strength of thousands. He was the one who volunteered to lead Ahanta to the battle of 1415 with the people of Adom. Not so much is known about him at the time but it was said that he came from one of the villages near present day Sekondi. Some also said he was a native of Owulosua but stays in one of the villages near Sekondi but whatever the case was, his emergence saved Ahanta.

With mobilised forces from all the villages and towns, he headed to battle with the people of Adom and we are told that his giant nature made a lot of Adom people to start running upon seeing him.

In the end, he succeeded in chasing Adom people away and restored peace to Ahanta. Upon his return to Owulosua, there was a consensus that he should become the ruler of Ahanta. He initially refused but the great oath of Ahanta was invoked on him and he agreed to rule Ahanta as the people wanted.

But governance comes with its own challenges so sooner than later he started having opposition from within and then he would go on execution spree on people he perceived to be his enemies and a threat to his throne. It is said that upon his orders, a whole village was put to death because they refused to bring first fruits of their maize to his palace at Owulosua. In another instance, he ordered the killing of one of his subchiefs to pacify the gods for very unknown reasons.

Even members of his own household were put to death for refusing his orders. This also resulted in old Ahanta saying that" Nyanke Bolo said he didn't want to be a king but we forced him to become a king and now we are regret it". But in all these he kept Ahanta safe from her enemies especially the people of Adom who were constantly unleashing attacks on Ahanta.

Nyanke Bolo like Kojo Nda also disappeared without a trace and till today, no one knows what happened to him. Even many years after his disappearance, it was said that he was seen at different places in Ahanta which made Ahantas to believe that he was still alive.

In neighbouring tribes, villages and towns, it was said that anytime enemies were planning to attack Ahanta, he would appear in their camps and scatter them. It is also said that on many occasions he stood in the ways of Adom people when they were on their way to attack Ahanta.

But in oral Ahanta traditions, they believe that Kojo Nda and Nyanke Bolo are not humans but gods. A god can be peaceful and harmless like Kojo Nda who even when he was rejected, he came to rescue of Ahantas when they needed him but also a god can also be unforgiven like Nyanke Bolo who was quick to punish his subjects to the extent of putting people to death if he deems it necessary.

In fact, he was said to be a very impatient man who did not tolerate arguments. He always wanted things to be done in his own way without questioning. He was such a decisive man who walked his talks and can be credited with a lot of initiatives in Ahanta till today.

Most of Ahanta chieftaincy and traditional structure of administration can be traced to Nyanke Bolo, the man who ruled Ahanta with iron hand. He laid formal structures in place and believed to be the first who built a palace for himself.

From oral traditions of Ahanta as narrated by our ancestors and forefathers and same handed over to us.

Ahanta Apemenyimheneba Kwofie III

dkwofie17@gmail.com

09/11/22

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