History

History

Okyeman Union of Greater Washington Area, USA, a nonprofit and tax-exempt organization under IRS Code Section 501C3 was founded in February, 2011. The name Okyeman Union was adopted to represent the three Akyem Kingdoms in Ghana, namely Abuakwa, Kotoku and Bosume. Okyeman is a traditional area in the Eastern Region of Ghana and its inhabitants, the Akyems were the first Akan tribes in Ghana to have migrated southwards after the fall of the Songhai Empire in West Africa. The Akyem states in Okyeman traditional area consists of the three main independent states of Abuakwa, Kotoku and Bosome in the Eastern Region of Ghana with common language, culture, customs, norms and historical background.

Abuakwa is the largest of the three Akyem Kingdoms in terms of land-size, population and natural resources, followed by Kotoku and then Bosome, being the smallest of the three Kingdoms. The capital towns of the three Kingdoms are Kyebi, Oda and Swedru for Abuakwa, Kotoku and Bosome respectively. The current paramount Kings for the three Kingdoms are Osagyefo Nana Amoatia Ofori Panin II, the Okyenhene of Abuakwa, Oseadeeyo Frempong Manso IV, Kotokuhene of Kotoku and Nana Oware Agyekum II, Bosomehene of Bosome.

The Founding Members, Directors and Officers of the Okyeman Union are Dr. S O Acheampong, Nana Akowuah Broni Boateng I, Ishmael Appiah, Honorable A T Amponsah, Obaapanin Esther Asiedu, Rosemond Ohene, Elizabeth Ohene-Adwo, Comfort Sasu, Comfort Kumi and Gifty Amponsah.