The story of Brekuso

Origin of Towns

By Kwame Ampene

It is asserted that BEREKUSO, the ancient town located at the foothills of Aburi in the Akuapem South District; existed long before the main Akwamu body arrived from Twifo-Heman to establish its capital on the Nyano Hill

The people of Berekuso preserved their tradition of having migrated from Twifo-Heman where they split from Akwamu. Their leader was Nana Ampofo Ampoti who was the Twafohene and custodian of all the medicines used in war by the Akwamuhene. There is no doubt that he was a warrior-in-chief.

Tradition maintains that a linguist of Nana Ampofo Ampoti called Obiri Korang had an affair with his wife. The proceedings of an arbitration held before the Akwamuhene indicated that the panel dealt leniently with offender. The dispute consequent upon this, led to the break off.

Nana Ampofo Ampoti took away the principal war fetish more properly known as “Osa gu- Brempong –Otutu-aman” and left with some large followers to Obetenase in Wassaw. When the king got wind of the fate of the national fetish, he prepared to chase them. But the recalcitrant Chief and his followers escaped in the night to Fakwo, between Obutu and Senya, after the long journey. Legend says it was the Akwamu who came to name the place ‘Fakwo’ after the wife of Nana Ampofo Ampoti called ‘Kokaw’

Finally, they settled at their present home in the fastness of the Aburi mountain, and renamed the war fetish BREDU, meaning “we have reached here after great suffering”. In the past, the present site of the town was uninhabited, and they became sacrosanct and immune from attack.

Many years later, the Akwamu arrived at Nyanawase under their third Akwamuhene in 1600 and when the king heard the Berekuso people, he sent emissaries to conduct negotiations. They were led by the king’s nephew called Opon Tenten. They met them in a cheerful mood, and reported back to the king who later sent to tell the Berekuso people that he would visit them himself.

The king wished to be reconciled with his former subjects, so he embarked upon a peaceful mission and met them at a place for consultation’. They buried their differences, and a sheep was their slaughtered as a symbol of reconciliation.

From this time onwards, the king could go and consult the fetish Bredu, and make the necessary sacrifices should the need arise. During his second visit, the king was accompanied by his daughter by name Oye Afamowaw (meaning’ I have attached her to you’). The girl lived with the Berekusohene and was directly responsible for his meals till she grew up and was given directly in marriage to one Ankam at Berekuso and brought forth Odei Apenten and a female called Oye Adufem. When Odei grew up, he was given land at Kwatenten (Nkwantaana) about two kilometers west of Berekuso. In the course of his wanderings, Odei made villages at Adenkrebi and Teikrom (Breferease). Also Oye Adufem and built Oyirifa Village, a corruption of her name.

Tradition holds that the Berekuso principal deity named Akotia (later Otutu), used in war for blocking the way of enemies , was always in the habit of killing the Ga people, so they nicknamed his residence Gelema, meaning ‘the town of death’, hence BEREKUSO.   

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               The Spectator                         Page: 31                      Saturday, April 16, 2011