KNOWING OUR ROOTS: BEPONG KWAHU CITIZENS.

 

The history of Bepong Kwahu would be uncompleted without relating it to the famous Nana Adamu Yanko of Kwaefo. Nana Adamu Yanko is acclaimed to be the first indigenous inhabitant of the Kwahu traditional area. Nana Adamu Yanko was infavour of cordial coexistence hence he did give his beautiful daughter by name Opima in marriage to Nana Kwao Baadu of Bukuruwa Kwahu for the sake of friendship. As far back as 1629 the Dutch who stayed at Moore now in Central Region stated on their map that Nana Adamu Yanko had his abode at Kwaefo.

The first chief of modern Bepong was Nana Kokora. Bepong originated from "OBOPON" a huge animal that one Abrah a hunter, killed in the then thick forest not too far from Ampaa where he had his hut. There is a saying that " aboa biara ewo Kwaefo a na ewo Abrah ". This is in appreciation to the role played by Abrah, the hunter.

The Bepongs are Akans. They are matrilineal, that is, they inherit from the mothers' side. The Akans have eight exogamous clans. These clans are as follows: Aduana, Asene, Tena, Ayoko, Agona, Bretuo, Asona and Ekoona.

Per Bepong traditional set up, the chief and the Queenmother are chosen from Aduana properly known at Bepong as Amoakare.

At Bepong each clan is headed by Abusuapanyin. Almost are the clans have their representatives in the chief’s palace. For example, Adontenhene is from Asene and Akwamuhene is from Agona. They do assist the chief in the administration of Bepong.

Each clan has a farmland. Such farmland belongs to the living, the dead and the yet unborn. The Bepongs are predominantly farmers. Some of the farmlands are near Bepong Township and for that matter when the farmers go there they just put up huts for shellter in case there is rainfall. On the other hand farmlands which are far away from Bepong, they put up huts or cottages which eventually leads to the establishment of villages.

Some of the farmlands are: Ampaa, Nanaama, Asiban, Domi, Ahanta, Afugwa, etc

Some villages: Kwaefo , Osubinso , Baw , Ntomemu, Atobiase , Oyera , Kayera , Osubinso , Asensenfi , Damiso , etc.

Have I captured your farmland and your village?

The least I forget. Kindly note that by 1895 Christianity (Basel Mission) had reached Bepong.

Do not forget that Dr J B Danquah was born in a small Presbyterian Mission House in 1895 at Bepong, the Nana Adamu Yanko's cherished town.