Akyem Ethnic group located mostly in what is now southern GHANA. The Akyem descended from the forest dwelling AKAN peoples by the 16th century and retained close ties with their fellow Akan, the ADANSI, Ashanti, and DENKYIRA, into the first part of the 17th century.
During that time the emerging Akyem state was known as “Great Akanny,” in reference to the important role it still played in the Akan state. This was due in large part to GOLD, which was mined and worked by the Akyem and traded at the coastal city of ACCRA. During the 17th century, though, the Akyem were forced to migrate to the east as the Denkyira expanded their territory. The Akyem relocated to establish a new state in the mountainous region near the Birim River. The Akyem state developed rapidly due to its well-structured political system in which power was centralized by its chief, and the state became prosperous by trading gold, kola nuts, and ivory. By the mid-17th century Akyem was a powerful state, and it became even stronger when merchants began trading for European weapons.
Despite its success, as the Akyem state grew its governing system weakened. By 1715 multiple head chiefs were claiming to be the Akyem leader. This loss of centralized authority eventually led the Akyem to break into three distinctive groups: Akyem Abuakwa, Akyem Kotoku, and Akyem Bosume. Despite the split, the Akyem subgroups continued to cooperate with one another to their economic and political benefit. One of their most important group efforts came in 1717 during a battle against the ASHANTI EMPIRE. During this clash the Akyem groups banded together to repel Ashanti invaders and killed the famed Ashanti ruler OSEI TUTU (r. c.1650–1717) in the process. The Akyem groups again collaborated to resist invasion in 1730 against the Akwamu people and, in 1742, against yet another group of Ashanti forces.
