An image of the Guan
Origin and Migration of the Guan
The Guan were the first people to enter and settle in Ghana.
All the other ethnic groups admit that they came to meet the Guan on their
arrival in the country. Thus, the Guans are the real aborigines of Ghana.
However, their traditions of origin show that even they are not indigenous to
Ghana. Originally, they lived in present-day Burkina Faso. Later on, as a
result of wars with the Mande, the Guan moved southwards to settle near the
modern Gonjaland in Northern Ghana.
The Guan immigrants entered Ghana in three groups. The first
group remained in the Gonjaland where they organized the strong kingdom of
Gonja. The second group of the Guan went to settle in the Afram plains. There,
they established a powerful state ruled by the great Ataara Ofinam I. This
great kingdom attracted the attention of the Adanse who fought several wars
with them. As a result of frequent Adanse attacks, some of the Guan crossed the
Volta River towards the coast. They finally settled in different areas where
they founded some minor disunited states like Atwode, Santrokofi, Lolobi, Anum,
Estii and Boso.
The third group moved southwards towards the Lower Volta.
They settled at present day Lartah, Adukrom, Awukugua, Apirede, Dawu, Abiriw, and
Abonse which form the Kyerepong or Okere section of modern Akwapim. Some
members of the third group moved westward to settle along the coast. They
included the Efutu, Awutu and Senya states of Winneba, Awutu Bereku and Senya
Bereku. Other Guan people of the third group moved towards the north-east,
crossed the Volta River to settle in areas like Nkonya, Krachi, Yeji, etc.
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