Akuapim-Mampong is a town in the Akuapim North district of the Eastern Region of Ghana.[1] It shares boundaries with Mamfe. It is famous for being the first place cocoa was planted in Ghana by Tetteh Quarshie.[2][3]
Akuapim-Mampong
Akwapim-Mampong | |
|---|---|
  Akuapim-Mampong | |
| Coordinates: 5°54′51″N 0°8′25″W / 5.91417°N 0.14028°W | |
| Country |  Ghana |
| Region | Eastern Region |
| District | Akuapim North District |
| Elevation | 1,526 ft (465 m) |
| Time zone | GMT |
| • Summer (DST) | GMT |
History
edit
A 1772 Dutch report included the name Mampo (Mampong) in their records. This indicates that Mampong had been founded before 1772. The name Mampong might have been taken from the Shai village, Mankpon. Another tradition indicated that early settlers, after defeating an invading Asante army moved from an old settlement to a new one – the Damti shrine neighbourhood. In jubilation, they uttered the Akan words "Yɛabedu ha yi de, yɛapɔn", meaning 'so far so good!' Constant use of that phrase evolved to become Mampong.
The third probable reason for the name is the connection Mampong-Akuapem has with her Asante counterpart. Mampong became famous when Tetteh Quarshie planted in 1879 some cocoa seeds in the town. He had brought them from Fernando Po. A plantation was set up in the 1890s to teach farmers the correct methods of raising the cocoa plant and other crops. Farmers of Mampong became the pioneers of the cocoa industry in Ghana.[4]
On July 7, 2017 Dr. Obadele Kambon, celebrated linguist, scholar, and professor at the University of Ghana at Legon, was enstooled as the Banmuhene Kyidɔmhene of Akuapem Mampɔn, (spelled as "Akuapim Mampong" throughout the rest of the article). He is the Banmuhene's king of the rear-guard for the Akuapem Mampɔn traditional area. He is the first person from the African diaspora to be given this prestigious honour. It's both a warrior title/role as well as a spiritual one.[5]
Festival
editThe People of Mampong celebrate Ohum and this ceremony is usually held in September/October. Ohum is one of Ghana's many festivals that see attendance from people from all walks of life including the diaspora.[6][7]
For many decades, the Ohum Festival has been a staple of Ghana's colourful, vibrant and diverse cultural expression, bringing together people from all walks of life to celebrate themes of victory, gratitude and harvest, in unity. However, even before Odwira became a part of Ghana's cultural landscape it had long been celebrated by the people of Abiriw, Dawu and Awukugua in the Eastern Region.[8]
The Ohum festival is celebrated to mark the beginning of harvesting new farm crops, just like the Homowo of the Gas, Ahoboa and Bakatue of the Ahantas, and Aboakyere of the Awutus and Afutus, Kundum of the Fantes, Adaekese of the Ashantis, Hogbotsotso of Anlo (Ewes), Dambaa of the Dagombas, and Appoo of Brong-Ahafo.
Ohum is an ancient traditional festival of the people of Akuapem, particularly the Larteh and Okere people including Abiriw who are Guans.[9]
Health care
editAkuapim-Mampong is the home Centre for Scientific Research into Plant Medicine. The centre conducts research in the use of plant medicine in the cure of various ailments.[10]
There is also the Tetteh Quarshie Memorial Hospital.[11][12]
Notable places
editEducation
editMampong has several educational institutions across all the town.
Mampong is also known for its Special education for the deaf (Mampong Senior Technical School for the Deaf).
Below are some of the secondary schools in Mampong Akuapem:
- Demonstration School for the Deaf[14][15][16]
- Presbyterian Senior High School
References
edit- ^ "Akuapim North District". Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-07-11.
- ^ "ghana-keyterm2". web.csulb.edu. Archived from the original on 2021-07-09. Retrieved 2021-07-05.
- ^ FAAPA. "Tetteh Quarshie Memorial Hospital unveils a new bust for patron – FAAPA ENG". Retrieved 2021-07-05.
- ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-10-06. Retrieved 2012-11-01.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Dr. Ọbádélé Kambon's Enstoolment Banmuhene Kyidɔmhene - Akuapem Mampɔn (Uncut - Multiple Angles)". YouTube.
- ^ "Bawumia joins people of Akuapim-Mampong to celebrate Ohum festival". GhanaWeb. 2019-09-15. Retrieved 2021-07-05.
- ^ "Mampong-Akwampem launches Ohum Festival". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 2021-07-05.
- ^ "Mampong-Akwampem launches Ohum Festival". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 2021-07-05.
- ^ Online, Peace FM. "Akuapim Mampong Marks Ohum Festival...Veep & NPP National Organizer Exhibit Exemplary Leadership". Peacefmonline.com - Ghana news. Retrieved 2021-07-05.
- ^ Multielemental analysis of some traditional plant medicines used in Ghana. It is also home to the College of Agriculture Education (Akwapim Mampong campus) of the University of Education, Winneba.
- ^ "Tetteh Quarshie Memorial Hospital |". Seek Ghana. Retrieved 2021-07-05.
- ^ FAAPA. "Tetteh Quarshie Memorial Hospital unveils a new bust for patron – FAAPA ENG". Retrieved 2021-07-05.
- ^ FAAPA. "Tetteh Quarshie Memorial Hospital unveils a new bust for patron – FAAPA ENG". Retrieved 2021-07-05.
- ^ Online, Peace FM. "Mampong School For The Deaf: A Special School With Special Needs". Peacefmonline.com - Ghana news. Retrieved 2021-07-05.
- ^ "Mampong School For The Deaf Receives Support From Fafraha Presbytery". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 2021-07-05.
- ^ "Mampong School for the Deaf grappling with overcrowding". GBC Ghana Online. 2019-11-08. Retrieved 2021-07-05.