Guang people

The Guan people are an ethnic group found almost in all parts of Ghana, including the Gonja, Anum, Larteh, whose ancestors founded the Gonja state. They speak primarily in Guan languages of the Niger-Congo language family.^[1]

Guans are believed to be the first settlers in the modern day Ghana. They are scattered across all the regions in Ghana. Guans speak distinct languages which are different from the major languages in Ghana except Gonja. However, some of these Guan languages are influenced by major languages in Ghana, depending on where a particular Guan tribe is located. Guans in the Eastern region Anum, Boso, Larteh, Okere, Kyerepong . Guans in the Volta Region include Akpafu/Lolobi, Buem, Nkonya, Likpe, Logba, Amedzofe, etc. In the central region we have the Effutu, Awutu and Senya in Winneba and Bawjiase areas. The Gonja people in the North and part of Brong Ahafo. Guans being the first settlers in Ghana, some were assimilated into the cultures of the major ethnic groups in the various regions we have today. Thus, some indigenes of Kpeshie in Greater Accra and Nzema, Sefwi, Ahanta etc. in the Western region may also trace their roots to Guans. The indigenes of most of the Fantes in the central region including Asebu, Edna, Aguafo etc. as well as Agona can also trace their origins from Guans. Presently, it is accepted that the Guan people can be found in five regions in Ghana: Volta, Northern, Central, Eastern, and Brong Ahafo Regions.

References