Opoku Ware I

Opoku Ware I was the 2nd Asantehene of Oyoko heritage, who ruled the Ashanti Empire. Between 1718 and 1722, Opoku Ware became Asantehene during a period of civil disorder after the death of the 1st Asanthene. From 1720 to 1721, Opoku established his power.

Throughout his reign, Opoku carried out a series of campaigns that expanded the Ashanti Empire across what is today Ghana and eastern Ivory Coast. In domestic affairs, the Asantehene supported industry and manufacturing. He also carried out state reforms that include the creation of new offices for the administration of the state. At the latter part of his reign, Opoku Ware initiated a reform to reduce the power of the chiefs who administered the provinces of the empire. This reform led to a conspiracy that was repressed by the Asantehene. Opoku Ware died in 1750, unable to complete the reform. He was succeeded by Kusi Obodom.

Ascension Sources vary for the death of Opoku Ware's predecessor Osei Kofi Tutu I. Scholars such as Ivor Wilks, John Kofi Fynn and Albert Adu Boahen argue the death date of Osei Kofi Tutu was around 1712 or 1717. Scholars and historians including Margaret, Wilks and Boahen also argue that Osei Kofi Tutu I died during the campaign against the Akyem. The ascension of Opoku Ware occurred between 1718 and 1722 after civil strife following the death of Osei Kofi Tutu I. In the early 18th century, Aowin King Ebrimoro invaded Kumasi. and Ashanti royals including Opoku Ware's mother, were taken into captivity or massacred. In 1723-24 Opoku oversaw the invasion of the Bono state which made Bono a part of the empire. forcing Wassa King Ntsiful I to move his capital to Abrade near the coast until the 19th century. In the process, the Ashanti occupied Accra and the coastal towns to its east. The Ga-Adangbe of the southeastern plains, represented by Accra ruler Tete Ahene Akwa, accepted Ashanti overrule but the Ga were able to negotiate an exception from paying tribute. After the conquest of the Akyem states in 1742, the Dutch paid a regular stipend on trade goods to Ashanti as rent to occupy the 17th century fort and land at Accra. Eastern Gonja was absorbed into the state by 1744

By the end of his reign the Ashanti encompassed the northern part of what is today Ghana as well as north-eastern Ivory Coast. By the 1740s, the Ashanti held control over the entire coast of Ghana with the exception of areas under Fante influence near the Cape Coast

Infrastructure L.F. Rømer records in 1760 that the King enlisted the services of four Dutch-men during his reign, to construct a distillery in Kumasi. Danish agent Nog, visited Opoku Ware's court near the mid 18th century and he noted the Asantehene's support for craft industry. Nog observed this cloth factory set up by the King.

The Ashanti road Route V (a) was opened for traffic in 1749.

Reforms Opoku Ware promoted reforms in Ashanti revenue infrastructure through the introduction of death duties. Reindorf states that Opoku Ware adopted the policy of death duties as well as an accounting system on standard weights for measuring gold upon the guidance of the King of Techiman following the Ashanti conquest of the state in the early 18th century.

At Juaben, Opoku Ware was able to mobilize support from ally chiefs and defeat the rebels as well as reoccupy Kumasi. The rebels were pardoned after their defeat by the King on condition that Opoku's policies to curtail the power of provincial chiefs be respected. Opoku Ware died in 1750 and was unable to implement this policy. Hagan argues that this attempt by Opoku Ware to reduce the influence of the aristocracy served as an inspiration for the bureaucratic reforms of Asantehene Osei Kwadwo.