The origin of Baworo, a town in the Ejisu Municipality of the Ashanti Region, is rooted in a tragic event that stirred royal anger and led to a decisive conquest.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the current King of the Asante Kingdom, recently narrated this history, revealing how a moment of neglect reshaped the community’s identity.
Long before the name Baworo came into existence, the community was known as Kokyereku.
During a journey from Juaben, the pregnant wife of the first Asantehene passed through Kokyereku and requested a place to rest.
However, Boansi, the leader of the area at the time, denied her shelter. This refusal led to the premature birth of her son under difficult conditions—a moment that left a lasting impression on the Asante Kingdom’s history.
Infuriated by the mistreatment of his wife and the hardship she endured, the Asantehene retaliated by launching a war against Kokyereku.
After subduing the community, he seized control of the land and renamed it Baworo, marking the tragic incident with a name that would endure through generations.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II shared this historical account on 24 February 2025 during a Kumasi Traditional Council meeting. The revelation came ahead of the oath of allegiance ceremony for Antoahene Nana Kwaku Ware III. The retelling of such stories highlights the significance of oral history in preserving the cultural heritage and traditions of Asanteman.
Source: opemsuo.com / Hajara Fuseini
