Komfo Anokye is royal of Asante Agona not Awukugua - Researcher

Joseph Ofori Amanfo, a 42-year-old researcher and nuclear scientist, has challenged the widely held belief that the legendary fetish priest, Komfo Anokye, hailed from Awukugua-Akuapem in the Eastern Region.

Citing extensive research, Ofori Amanfo, a PhD candidate, claims to have resolved the long-standing historical debate over Komfo Anokye’s origin and parentage.

He insists that the renowned spiritual figure is, in fact, a royal of Asante Agona, not from Awukugua, as popularly believed.

While some historical accounts suggest that Komfo Anokye was born in 1655 to Agya Ano and Maame Kobe from Awukugua in the Nifa Division of the Okere State, Ofori Amanfo provides an alternative lineage. He names Kyei Birie of Adansi as Anokye’s father and Dwirawiri Kwa of Agona as his mother.

"The fact is, Komfo Kwame Frimpong Anokye Kotobere, is a true royal of the Krabi Asenie Family of Asante Agona. He was a close confidant of King Osei Tutu, the first Asantehene,” he explained. “Komfo Anokye was first and foremost a fetish priest, statesman, and lawgiver who played a crucial role in the formation of the Ashanti Empire and helped to unite the regional states under King Osei Tutu.”

Ofori Amanfo emphasized that Komfo Anokye was the first priest (Okomfo) of the Ashanti Empire and codified its constitution and laws. His spiritual prowess and administrative wisdom drew respect from across the kingdom.

“Komfo Anokye’s legacy extends beyond his association with a particular region, as he was revered for his spiritual powers, wisdom, and contributions to the Ashanti Empire’s foundation. His influence and reputation as a powerful priest and healer drew people from all over the Ashanti kingdom,” he added.

Genealogy of the Krabi Asenie Family

Ofori Amanfo traced Komfo Anokye’s lineage to Amea Gyata of Adanse, who he says was the ancestor of five royal Asenie families in Asante Agona. Amea Gyata fathered Komfo Dampte (also known as Krabi) and Dufie Gyampontima. Komfo Dampte became the first priest of the Krabi Asenie family’s deity, ‘Kyekyere’.

Dufie Gyampontima’s descendants included Adutwumwa, who bore Dwirawiri Kwa, Adwoa Ako, and Abena Dankwa. Dwirawiri Kwa, according to Amanfo, was Komfo Anokye’s mother. Adwoa Ako’s lineage led to Kwame Siaw Anim, who later became the fifth chief of Agona.

“Dwirawiri Kwa gave birth to Komfo Yamoa and Komfo Kwame Frimpon Anokye Kotobere (Komfo Anokye),” Ofori Amanfo narrated. “Komfo Yamoa became the successor of Komfo Dampte (Krabi) as the priest of ‘Kyekyere’ and also the third Chief of Asante Agona. Komfo Kwame Frimpon Anokye Kotobere succeeded his elder brother as both the priest of ‘Kyekyere’ and the fourth chief of Agona.”

Link to King Osei Tutu and the Ashanti Kingdom

Ofori Amanfo also traced familial links between Komfo Anokye and King Osei Tutu I. He stated that Twumasi Amponsem, Komfo Anokye’s grandfather, was the brother of Owusu Payin, the father of King Osei Tutu. This made Dwirawiri Kwa and King Osei Tutu cousins, strengthening their political alliance.

Komfo Anokye, he said, derived his spiritual powers through his priesthood of ‘Kyekyere’—a god of the Denkyira people whom the Asantes eventually defeated.

“It is the great god ‘Kyekyere’ that Komfo Kwame Frimpong Anokye Kotobere became the third priest and served to acquire the magical powers to unite the Asante Kingdom. Hence the saying ‘Kyekyere ne Kyerekye so’,” he explained.

“Kyerekye was the great god of the Denkyira people, who were defeated by the Asantes with the help of Komfo Anokye. ‘Kyekyere’ priesthood follows a family dynasty, and only a member of the Krabi family is chosen by the god as a priest. A person outside the Krabi Asenie family cannot serve as a priest for the great god Kyekyere.”

The Rise of the Asante Empire and Spiritual Legacy

Ofori Amanfo noted that it was Komfo Yamoa—Komfo Anokye’s elder brother—who interpreted the prophetic dream of Obiri Yeboa, chief of then-Kwaman (modern-day Kumasi), which inspired the formation of the Asante Confederacy. Komfo Yamoa, Obiri Yeboah, and Dwamena Akenten of Offinso died in the war against Dormaa. Komfo Anokye then succeeded Yamoa as both priest and chief.

“Komfo Kwame Frimpon Anokye Kotobere, who is the brother of Komfo Yamoa of Agona Asante, succeeded him as both Chief of Agona and Priest of the great god ‘Kyekyere’, and King Osei Tutu succeeded Obiri Yeboa of Kwaman as Chief,” he said.

The Krabi Asenie family, Amanfo added, has historically held both the priesthood of ‘Kyekyere’ and ‘Mpemano’, a female-led deity. These spiritual roles continue to be inherited today, affirming the sacred lineage of Komfo Anokye’s descendants.

“Komfo Kwame Frimpon Anokye Kotobere married two sisters, Ofuwa and Asiedua, of the Dormaa chief Domina Kusi. Asiedua gave birth to Gyapa, and Ofuwa to Bresiama,” he revealed.

Gyapa later became chief of Asante Bepoa and head of the Nifahene division of Agona. Bresiama, meanwhile, became the first priest of another god introduced by Komfo Anokye—‘Boaboduru’.

Conclusion: An Ashanti Legacy, Not Akuapem

Ofori Amanfo’s findings challenge the long-standing claim of Komfo Anokye’s Awukugua origins and place him firmly within the spiritual and royal fabric of Asante Agona. His detailed account, drawn from lineage records and oral history, seeks to establish once and for all the true ancestry of one of Ghana’s most revered historical figures.

“The descendants of Komfo Kwame Frimpon Anokye Kotobere, the custodians of the gods ‘Kyekyere’ and ‘Mpemano’, exist in present day Asante Agona as the Krabi Asenie family, and the gods are in their custody to date,” he stated.

“Asante traditions have it that the priests are the spiritual leaders of the people, and the chief of Asante Agona is the chief priest of the Asante Kingdom. The Krabi Asenie family doubles as priest and priestess of ‘Kyekyere’ and ‘Mpemano’, and also ascends the Komfo Anokye Amoampong stool as paramount chiefs since Komfo Yamoa and Komfo Kwame Frimpon Anokye Kotobere were both priest and chief.”