Kwaku Dua I Panyin
Encyclopedia
Kwaku Dua I Panyin, or Barima Fredua Agyeman (c. 1797 – 27 April 1867) was the Asantehene (King of the Ashanti) from August 25, 1834 until his death in 1867.
He took part in the fighting against the Gyaman in 1818–19, and commanded a division in the Battle of Katamanso in 1826. In 1834, Kwaku Dua I Panyin succeeded Osei Yaw Akoto
as Asantehene. His wives included Nana Takyiau and Nana Konadu Somprema (sister of Nana Takyiau).
On 18 March 1837, Kwaku Dua signed a contract between him and King William I
of the Netherlands
. He would deliver 1,000 recruits for the Dutch East Indies Army within a year. He received 2,000 guns by way of advance payment, with the promise of 4,000 more to come. Moreover, the Dutch obtained permission to open a recruitment agency in Kumasi
which, for the next few years, would be headed by Jacob Huydecoper, a mulatto from Elmina
. Witnessing the frequent human sacrifices in Ashanti, the Dutch were convinced that the Asantahene and his court controlled vast amounts of manpower, some of which could be made available to the Dutch army. As recruitment was still supposed to be voluntary, slaves offered to the recruiting agent received an advance payment to purchase their freedom. As part of the deal two young Ashanti princes, Kwasi Boakye
and Kwame Poku, accompanied the Dutch back to The Netherlands, where they were to receive a Dutch education.
From 1841 to 1844 he fought against the Gonja
and Dagomba
to the north. In 1863 he occupied territory to the south, then under British protection, which soured his relations with the British.
Kwaku Dua I died in 1867 and was succeeded by Kofi Karikari
.
He took part in the fighting against the Gyaman in 1818–19, and commanded a division in the Battle of Katamanso in 1826. In 1834, Kwaku Dua I Panyin succeeded Osei Yaw Akoto
Osei Yaw Akoto
Osei Yaw Akoto was the Asantehene from 1824 to 1834....
as Asantehene. His wives included Nana Takyiau and Nana Konadu Somprema (sister of Nana Takyiau).
On 18 March 1837, Kwaku Dua signed a contract between him and King William I
William I of the Netherlands
William I Frederick, born Willem Frederik Prins van Oranje-Nassau , was a Prince of Orange and the first King of the Netherlands and Grand Duke of Luxembourg....
of the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
. He would deliver 1,000 recruits for the Dutch East Indies Army within a year. He received 2,000 guns by way of advance payment, with the promise of 4,000 more to come. Moreover, the Dutch obtained permission to open a recruitment agency in Kumasi
Kumasi
Kumasi is a city in southern central Ghana's Ashanti region. It is located near Lake Bosomtwe, in the Rain Forest Region about northwest of Accra. Kumasi is approximately north of the Equator and north of the Gulf of Guinea...
which, for the next few years, would be headed by Jacob Huydecoper, a mulatto from Elmina
Elmina
Elmina, is a town in the Central Region, situated on a south-facing bay on the Atlantic Ocean coast of Ghana, about 12 km west of Cape Coast...
. Witnessing the frequent human sacrifices in Ashanti, the Dutch were convinced that the Asantahene and his court controlled vast amounts of manpower, some of which could be made available to the Dutch army. As recruitment was still supposed to be voluntary, slaves offered to the recruiting agent received an advance payment to purchase their freedom. As part of the deal two young Ashanti princes, Kwasi Boakye
Kwasi Boakye
Kwasi Boakye , sometimes archaically spelt as Aquasi Boachi, was a Dutch mining engineer who was born a Prince of Ashanti...
and Kwame Poku, accompanied the Dutch back to The Netherlands, where they were to receive a Dutch education.
From 1841 to 1844 he fought against the Gonja
Gonja
This page discusses the Ghanaian kingdom of Gonja; for uses for the word Ganja, see Ganja Gonja was a kingdom in northern Ghana; the word can also refer to the people of this kingdom. The Gonja are a Guan people who have been influenced by both Akan people and Mande people. With the fall of the...
and Dagomba
Dagomba
The Dagomba are an ethnic group of Northern Ghana. They inhabit the sparse savanna region below the sahelian belt, known as the Sudan. They speak the Dagbani language which belongs to the More-Dagbani sub-group of Gur languages...
to the north. In 1863 he occupied territory to the south, then under British protection, which soured his relations with the British.
Kwaku Dua I died in 1867 and was succeeded by Kofi Karikari
Kofi Karikari
Kofi Karikari was the Asantehene from 1867 until his forced abdication on October 26, 1874. A notable achievement of his was the intentional neglect of the armed forces, a step taken to avoid the escalation of war....
.