How Okomfo Anokye ‘tricked’ Akan states to give up their stools for the ‘Golden Stool’

The Strategic Mastermind Behind Kumasi’s Ascent and the Birth of the Golden Stool by Okomfo Anokye

In the annals of history, the legendary Okomfo Anokye stands as a pivotal figure in the establishment of the Asante Kingdom. While some of the miraculous tales attributed to him may be subject to skepticism, there’s no denying the profound intellectual acumen he brought to bear on the rise of the Ashantis. In a recent interview with GTV’s Kaufi Dey, historian and lawyer Yaw Anokye Frimpong shed light on the strategic genius of Okomfo Anokye and how he played a critical role in shaping the destiny of the Asante people.

Frimpong first emphasized that Okomfo Anokye’s significance transcended mere magical feats and that his true worth lay in his practical intellect. His genius, Frimpong asserted, was instrumental in the selection of Kumasi as the capital of the Ashanti Kingdom.

“History says that among all the wisest of all black people born to this earth, Okomfo Anokye should be counted among the foremost,” Frimpong noted, “Not because he was a man of miracles or magic, that one is based on oral tradition and you cannot prove it, so we have to discount that.”

Frimpong elaborated on the practical wisdom of Okomfo Anokye, highlighting his vision of a capital that would be universally recognized and strategically located for defense. He identified Kumawu and Kuamane (modern-day Kumasi) as the ideal sites, and the fruits of this foresight remain evident today.

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The historian further recounted Okomfo Anokye’s second ingenious move: establishing Osei Tutu as the indisputable leader of the Ashanti by abolishing the rotational leadership system in place at the time. “The second one was that he wanted his friend Osei Tutu to become the unquestionable lead… He told them (the Akan states) that on this particular Friday, everybody is supposed to come to Kumasi, the new capital, and gods would reveal an unquestionable leader so that there would be no more rotation,” explained Frimpong.

Anokye Frimpong also shed light on Okomfo Anokye’s act of symbolically uniting the Akan states by having their leaders bury their stools, the source of their authority. In their place, he crafted the famous Golden Stool, which resides in Kumasi and is the oldest stool in the region. This gesture elevated the chief in Kumasi to the position of leader of the Ashantis, with the Golden Stool becoming the heart and soul of the Ashanti people, a symbol worth fighting for.

Okomfo Anokye’s legacy is thus rooted in his strategic brilliance, his role in selecting Kumasi as the capital, and his vision for a unified Ashanti leadership under Osei Tutu. His profound influence continues to shape the history and identity of the Ashanti Kingdom to this day.

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