Guang people

The Guang 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 the Guang languages of the Niger-Congo language family.^[1]

Guangs are believed to be the first settlers in the modern day Ghana. They are scattered across all the regions in Ghana. Guangs speak distinct languages which are different from the major languages in Ghana except Gonja. However, some of these Guang languages are influenced by major languages in Ghana, depending on where a particular Guang tribe is located. Guangs in the Eastern region include Anum, Boso, Larteh, Okere, and Kyerepong. Guangs 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 are in the North and part of Brong Ahafo. Guangs 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 Guangs. 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 Guangs. At present it is accepted that the Guang people can be found in five regions in Ghana: Volta, Northern, Central, Eastern, and Brong Ahafo Regions.

References

Ethnic groups in Ghana Indigenous Abidji Abron Agave Ahafo Ahanta Akyem Anlo Ewe Anyi Assin Avatime Bimoba Bissa Chumburu Dagaaba Dagomba Dyula Efutu Evalue Ewe Fante Frafra Ga-Adangbe Gonja Guang Gurunsi Hausa Jakhanke Karamogo Kassena Konkomba Krobo Kusasi Kyode Logba Mamprusi Mossi Nafana Nzema Soninke Tallensi Tem Tshi Wala Yeji Yoruba Zarma Non-indigenous African-Americans Arabs Chinese Indians Tabom