Ashanti-Akim-Akwapim War

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The Ashanti-Akim-Akwapim War, also known as the Ashanti Invasion of the Gold Coast was the expansion of West African Empire of Ashanti against the alliance of Akim and Akwapim tribes from 1814 until 1816. European colonial powers were also involved in conflict.

In 1814 the Ashanti, under the leadership of Asantehene Osei Bonsu, defeated the outnumbered yet brave Akim-Akwapim alliance, but when they followed up their victory by pillaging the city of Accra, instead of attacking the Europeans, they lost a valuable ally in the Ga people. The coastal people, primarily some of the Fante and the inhabitants of the new town of Accra, who were chiefly Ga, came to rely on British protection against Ashanti incursions. In 1816 the Ashanti advanced into Fante country, capturing and killing the fleeing Akim-Akwapim warriors and they established themselves as overlords of all the region between the Ashanti and the sea. Local British, Dutch, and Danish authorities were all forced to come to terms with Ashanti, and in 1817 the (British) African Company of Merchants signed a treaty of friendship that recognized Ashanti claims to sovereignty over large areas of the coast and its peoples.