Tradition says that originally, the ancestors of Adansi Akrofuom lived at Kokobiante near the Seben River in Adansi. Their Queenmother was Nana Aso, a beautiful woman whose family members were always greeted with “Aso Nana” (i.e Aso’s grand-children) and from this response Asona originated, and her descendants have since been called Asonafo.Due to constant bickering coupled with internal dissension, the Asona clan members at Kokobiante became disintegrated. It was on a Wednesday that they dispersed with families going their own way; hence the famous and sacrosanct oath “Wukuada”(Wednes— day) instituted for the Asona clan.
The Akrofuom ancestors first moved to Afekopon at the source of the Oda River from where they migrated to other places such as Odumase and Eseneagya within the same geographical area, and finally settled at Old Akrofuom in a dense forest.
The first male ruler was Nana Amponsahene who died on the stool, and was succeeded by Nana Gyekye whose slave discovered the stream which provided the inhabitants with drinking water.
The myth is that the colour of the stream was then as red as the eyes of Nana Gyekye, so they named it Gyekyeani (i.e Gyekye’s eye). Its original name was Taninanom. They built a new township, Kurofoforo-mu on its banks. This became corrupted into Krofuom.
Tradition further relates that in those days, the main occupation was rubber tapping. Since the rubber oozed in great quantities to fill all the containers provided, visitors named the place Mankyem (lit, rubber leaks outs). The Akrofuom township has since expanded to absorb Amankyem (there is another town in Adansi called Anwiaso Akrofuom).
Nana Gyekye, who was nicknamed Tuoko Nana Afoakwa, did not wage any war, instead he used his wealth in developing the town and won the appellation “Odonyina” (lit he loves all) His successor, Nana Atta Amofa, was appointed by the Asantehene to go with the Kokofuhene to capture the Gyamanhene Adinkra who had made for himself a Golden Stool. For the bravery, the Kokofuhene took the name “Okogyeasuo” i.e the man who fights to reach the river (Tain), while the Akrofuomhene was nicknamed “Amofaa Okyere dom” i.e Amofa the one who captures enemies.
The “abomaa” drum he acquired from the Asantehene was the first in the whole Adansi state among the Gyenkyimadu group comprising the Asona and Asakyiri clan brothers.
Successive chiefs were Nana Opuni, Nana Obo, Nana Okai and Nana Afoakwa Buroni.
From fairly early times, Adansi chiefs were independent of one another and acknowledged the overlordship of none other than the occupant of the Golden Stool, hence the saying “Adansi nkotowa, nkotowa, yededa yen bom” (lit. Adansi, similar to crabs, live in respective holes). However, in time of war, they organised themselves into war path as follows: Fomena and Ayaase (Adonten or Main Body), Edubiase and Dompoase (Nifa or Right Wing), Akrokerri and Akrofuom (Benkum or Left Wing).
It was after the Yaa Asantewaa War, that they eventually became subjects to Fomena (otherwise Asomenaso) because during the war, the Fomenahene Nana Nkansa was on the side of the British, so the British made Fomenahene overlord of the whole Adansi State till other paramount chiefs emerged.
Source: The Spectator.