THE HISTORIC GREAT BATTLE OF KATAMANSU

A historic battle fought between the GaDangme Nation and the Ashanti Kingdom in the forest of Ahiam, later to be known as Katamansu.

In the year 1824, the Ashantis invaded FANTILAND and besiege the Fantis in order to seize the coastline and gain access to the trade in slave and ammunition.  A time timely intervention by Ga Forces beat back the Ashanti invasion which then prompted the Ashanti King Osei Tutu Kwame to declare war on the Ga.  After his return to Kumasi he passed away and his nephew Osei Yaw Akoto became King of Ashanti.  He vowed to invade Akra and punish the Ga people for the intervention during their Cape Coast campaign.  He gathered an army of 40,000 and began his march towards Akra.  

The Ashanti Army camped in the Ahiam forest.  Intelligence information had reached Akra of the Ashanti Army approaching the Ga plains.  Ga Akwashon Mantse Nii Kwatei Kojo, Supreme Commander and Field Marshal of GaDangme Military Forces began mobilization to face the Ashanti in the forest of Ahiam.  He gathered all the Chiefs of the various Divisions and began earnest preparations for battle.  All the various Chiefs gathered their men and ammunition for war.  

Ga military forces met the Ashantis in the forest of Ahiam.  Hemmed in by the Akwapims hills to the north and the Volta River to the east was fought the ‘soldiers battle’ which decided the fate of the Gold Coast.  Before the battle commenced, Ga Mantse Nii Tackie Kome I was ordered to address Ga troops and this is what he had to say ‘Spurn discord and disunity.  Unite and obey the one supreme voice [God] and the world itself will fall to your feet.  Let this be my commandment to you for all generations.’On 7th August, 1826, GaDangme military forces clashed with the Ashanti Army.  

Ga forces proved to be more superior in terms of battlefield experience while the Ashantis rely on the numbers.  As the fighting raged on, Ada forces from the east began approaching and later joined in the fighting and by the next day 8th August, 1826, 2:00 GMT  Ga Akwashon Mantse Nii Kwatei Kojo ordered the Kotopon Flag to be raised over Ahiam declaring total victory over the invincible Ashanti Army. 

Many of the wives and children of the Ashanti King were captured and later brought to Akra hence today one can see household names bearing Akan dialect.  The Royal Regalia of the Akwapim people which were seized by the invading Ashanti Army was captured during the war and later returned to the Akwapim people under their King Nana Addo Danquah I.  

In October, 1826, the Akwapims celebrated the Odwria Festival in a grand style to celebrate the return of their Royal Regalia which were captured by Ga Forces on the battlefield of Katamansu, Transatlantic Slave Trade from the Gold-Coast was abolished by the British after the Battle Of Katamansu.  The defeat of the Ashantis by GaDangmes forces changed the military balance in the then Gold Coast and has served as a precedent to the stability of Akra till this very day.

We have to always remember our forefathers who fought to defend Akra against Ashanti military aggression. Their courageous feat have to be acknowledged at all times and be a guide to the present generation of today.

To this end the NKN Ga Kingdoms Katamansu Royal Resort Project start with 2015 ARK Summit, to under the Supreme Council Of Thrones, to Memorialise the area of this sugnificant battle of the Nubian East migrated West lines that changed, history in 1826, and again in 2013, and 2014 with the recognition of the Nubian Nations Tribes and expansion of Noble Court to the Diaspora Noble lines, after Imperial Matriarchal Throne Decree of the Nubian Nation Queen. Which lead to the now 2015 Royal Family visit, to the Caribbean.