Okyemanhenes

The Okyemanhenes are the traditional rulers of the Akyem people, a prominent Akan ethnic group in Ghana. The Okyemanhene is the paramount chief of the Akyem Kotoku, Akyem Abuakwa, and Akyem Bosome states, which together form the Okyeman Traditional Council. This council is a significant entity in Ghanaian traditional governance, playing a crucial role in cultural preservation, dispute resolution, and advising on local matters.

The succession to the Okyemanhene stool is typically matrilineal, following the lineage of the Akyem royal family. The current Okyemanhene is Osabarima (name of current Okyemanhene), who ascended to the throne in (year of ascension). Historically, the Okyemanhenes have been instrumental in the political and military landscape of Ghana, particularly during the pre-colonial and colonial eras, where they resisted various forms of subjugation and established strong kingdoms.

The Okyemanhene presides over important cultural festivals, most notably the Ohum festival, which is celebrated by the Akyem people to commemorate their ancestors and usher in a new harvest season. The traditional council, under the leadership of the Okyemanhene, continues to hold sway in matters of customary law, land administration, and community development, working in conjunction with the modern Ghanaian government. The authority and influence of the Okyemanhene are deeply respected within Okyeman and among the wider Akan diaspora.