Akwamu Early AKAN state that flourished from 1600 to 1730 in the AKYEM Abuakwa region along the GOLD COAST, in West Africa. Founded in the late 16th century by the Akan people of Twifo Heman, Akwamu quickly became a wealthy GOLD trading state. Gold from the Birim River district enabled the people of Akwamu to establish political authority to the south and southeast. Between 1677 and 1681 the king of Akwamu, ANSA SASRAKU (d. c. 1689), conquered GA-DANGME and FANTE coastal settlements, as well as Ladoku to the east.
After Ansa Sasraku’s death, circa 1689, Akwamu captured Agona, a Fante state to the west, and WHYDAH along the DAHOMEY coast. By 1710 they had encroached upon Ho, a region occupied by the EWE people. Akwamu’s dominance was short-lived, however, and by 1731 it had been destroyed by the neighboring state of Ashanti. Akwamu survivors of the Ashanti wars traveled across the VoltaRiver where they established a small community.
