Omanhene


In several Akan nations of Ghana, the Omanhene is the title of a magnate or a supreme traditional ruler in a region or a larger town. The omanhene is the central figure and institution of the nation. Officially, he has no function in the current Ghanaian political setup, but has enormous influence on the people that constitute it. Today 'Hene' can be found in titles of other rulers in Ghanaian nations. For example, the chief of the Dagomba in the north of Ghana is known as the 'Dagombahene'.
The Akan omanhene and collectively the Ahemfo are major land owners, and are the heads of an essentially feudal system. They commit the land they theoretically hold in trust to caretakers.
Amanhene are appointed by Ahemma that are often but not necessarily their birth mothers, but are always a direct matrilineal relative. Dynastic succession tends to follow a matrilineal pattern. The exception to this is found, though, in a few Akan states such as Elmina.
Not all Akan nations have the Omanhene as the supreme ruler. The Ashanti, for example, have as the supreme ruler the person of the Asantehene, who is superior to the Amanhenes of Asanteman.

Distribution of Omanhenes

Ahafo Region

  • Acherensua
  • Goaso
  • Kukuom
  • Akrodie
  • Bechem
  • Duayaw-Nkwanta
  • Hwidiem
  • Kenyasi No. 1
  • Kenyasi No. 2
  • Sankore
  • Mim
  • Yamfo
  • Ntotroso

    Ashanti Region

  • Otumfuo, the Asantehene - Otumfuo Nana Osei Tutu II
  • Mampong
  • Essumeja
  • Adansi
  • Juaben - Nana Otuo Siriboe II
  • Nsuta
  • Kumawu
  • Kokofu
  • Bekwai
  • Offinso
  • Agona
  • Ejisu
  • Denyasi
  • Asokore
  • Agogo - Nana Akuoko Sarpong
  • Obogu
  • Manso-Nkwanta
  • Tepa

    Bono Region

  • Banda
  • Badu
  • Berekum
  • Drobo
  • Dwenem
  • Dormaa - Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyeman Badu II
  • Japekrom
  • Kwatwoma
  • Sampa
  • Sunyani
  • Nsawkaw
  • Nsoatre
  • Odomase No.1
  • Awua Dornase
  • Suma
  • Seikwa
  • Wenchi - Osagyefo Ampem Anyye Amoampong Tabrako III

    Bono East Region

  • Nkoranza
  • Prang
  • Abease
  • Adjaade
  • Akroso
  • Amantin
  • Atebubu
  • Dwan
  • Techiman
  • Mo
  • Nkomi
  • Wiase
  • Offuman
  • Tanoboase
  • Tanoso
  • Tuobodom

    Central Region

  • Ekumfi
  • Enyan-Abaasa
  • Ajumako
  • Asikuma
  • Esiam
  • Enyan-Maim
  • Mankessim
  • Abeadzi
  • Kwamankese - Nana Amoako Atta II
  • Abura
  • Nkusukum
  • Anomabo
  • Denkyira
  • Awutu
  • Assin Apimannim
  • Agona Nyakrom
  • Edina
  • Effutu
  • Gomoa Ajumako
  • Gomoa Akyempim
  • Hemang
  • Oguaa
  • Assin-Attadasu
  • Twifu
  • Komenda
  • Eguafo
  • Agona Nsaba
  • Enyan Denkyira
  • Abirem
  • Asebu
  • Atti Mokwaa
  • Effutuakwa
  • Senya
  • Assin Owirenkyi
  • Sanaahene of Oguaa - Nana Kofi Obiri Egyir II

    Eastern Region

  • Akyem Abuakwa
  • Akyem Bosome
  • Akyem Kotoku
  • Akwapim
  • Akuapem - Oseadeoyo Kwasi Akuffo III
  • Akwamu - Odeneho Kwafo Akotto III
  • Kwahu
  • New Juaben
  • Yilo Krobo
  • Manya Krobo
  • Boso-Gua
  • Anum

    Greater Accra Region

  • Ga
  • Osudoku
  • Shai
  • Ningo
  • Prampram
  • Kpone
  • Ada
  • La
  • Ngleshie Alata
  • Nungua
  • Osu
  • Tema
  • Teshie

    Western Region

Otumfou Badu Bonsu II of the Ahanta’s

Western North Region

  • Sefwi-Anwiaso - Ogyeahohoo Yaw Gyebi II
  • Sefwi-Bekwai - Odeneho Gyapong Ababio
  • Sefwi-Wiawso - Katakyie Kwesi Bumagamah II
  • Sefwi-Chirano - Okogyeaman Kwaku Gyambra III
  • Aowin - Beyeman Brentum III
  • Suaman - Odeneho Bentum IV