"Dilger to Basel"

This is an annex to a report in English from Ph. Kwabi over his 7 week absence from Mpraeso in connection with an attempt to conciliate in a dispute between the Agogos and the Asante Akims which seemed on the point of breaking out into war - in fact Kwabi's language suggests that there were brawls during the negotiation sessions though these never escalated into the use of firearms. The dispute was over land at Fwerem, also over the question of whom was to serve. Mention is also made of the fact that Agogo served the Asantehene though in the course of the negotiations, the Agogohene proposed to try to get under British protection also. Kwabi's report ismostly taken up with accounts of unsuccessful arbitration sessions. There seems to be in it a little doubt about the political geography of Asante Akim. Oda Kwa is described as the chief of Bompata and the leader, but Kwaku Emu at Dwansa is described as the Head Chief of Asante Akim, giving much trouble through his ambition and hautiness. The most important point is probably that the Agogohene sent messengers to Dilger to come and settle the dispute, and he directed Kwabi to go instead. Kwabi was accompanied by 3 Christians of Mpraeso and two from Abetifi. Two of these he name's, Johannes Atta and Moses Ano. This deputation seems to have been accompanied by one from the Abetifi chief. It almost looks as if Kwabi was regarded as an emissary of his, for he is charged with taking an account of the negotiations back to the Abetifi chief. The Agogo chief was also in contact with Kumawu, Obo, and Aduaroa, at least in his search for men to support him. Two further points - the chief of Bompata scoffed at the advice he bad had from the Governor to keep the peace and cited a recent case where there had been fighting at Koromantine and the Government had only fined them £100.' Also Kwabi slept at Teteabo on the first night out of Abetifi after an 11 hour march. Next day he could not walk, but on applying to the Agogo chief he was sent hammock-carriers. Dilger writes about this episode firstly that it shows the character of the Asante Akims in the true light. Dilger felt that he could not leave his family and the station in a situation of war-likelihood. Kwabi however, has a good reputaticn in Asante Akim and Agogo, and was in fact dashed 18 dollars by the Agogo chief and elders who he left - if he had stayed right to the end of the crisis he would have got more, but he was called back by the Obo king. Nevertheless he is probably most responsible (after God) for the peaceful outcome of the crisis. Sumearising the crisis Dilger writes that the Afwirem chief drank fetish to serve Asante Akim, because he had suffered much trouble from the lack of justice he was receiving in Agogo. Since this was likely to lead to war the Asante Akims took the initiative. Dilger hears that they had sworn to raze Agogo to the ground. If Kwabi and the Abetifi Christians had not been there to force a public discussion of the case between the two parties war would have broken out straight away. Involved was the fact that since the Bompata people have been in Bompata, their land at Amantra has been regarded as under the Agogohene, so this was an opportunity for them to take up this question too - Dilger’s opinion is that the Bompata people want to return to Amantra, and that the rest of the Asante Akims would be content to see them go. While Kwabi was in Agogo he preached twice daily to great concourse of children – although the king was opposed to this at the beginning. He is not so much in favour that he has applied to be sent a teacher.

29.10.1884

29.10.1884

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