The history of Drobo, as recorded in the oral traditions of the Akan, reveals how a once modest Bono settlement, Drobo, evolved into a stronghold of tradition and powerful indigenous beliefs.
The Influence of Sie Kwaku
According to oral accounts, Sie Kwaku, the son of Akosua Immmena, succeeded Nana Yaw Bediako III as leader of the Branam Stool. His reign coincided with a major land dispute between the chiefs of Wenchi and Ewisa, a conflict that exposed the delicate balance of territorial power among Bono communities.
The land in question, demarcated by the River Atwenc, had long been associated with Branam’s authority. However, in a moment of political vulnerability, Sie Kwaku was said to have sided with the wrong claimant, influenced by personal gain.
The ruling ultimately favored Wenchi, resulting in the loss of a vast stretch of Branam land and a decline in its influence in the region.
Following years of hardship and drought, Sie Kwaku led his people to a new settlement, naming it Nwase in memory of their former home.
This new town became the center of his people’s political renewal. Oral accounts recount the arrival of the Ofumanhene Kwasi Dua, who invoked the power of the Kwaku Firi cult through the medium Kofi Drobo, a former chapel keeper turned spiritual leader.
The Kwaku Firi cult quickly rose to prominence for its reputation as a force against witchcraft and malevolent spirits.
Devotees believed that its rituals offered protection, healing, and justice in times of crisis. The cult’s influence extended beyond traditionalists, drawing even Christian converts who sought its blessings during the annual Apo festival.
The cult’s weekly rituals, held on Wednesdays, remain a cornerstone of Drobo’s spiritual identity.
These gatherings serve as a reaffirmation of community unity and symbolize the coexistence of Christian and traditional beliefs within modern-day Ghana.
