"J. Zimmermann's Opinion to Strömberg's Report (No 3)"

Describes the route he followed (not all the party went this way) – Dauromadam - Ogoli (1 hour), then North East via Tyampong and Ananse to the R. Labo, to Awlotoi (6-7 hours from Dauromadam). At Awlotoi Zimmrmann’s party met Strömberg and Mader who had taken a route from Asadsohale. Awlotoi — Nkwakubew - Kwasitia - Anum (5-6 hours). Anum — Dodi (1 1/2 hrs). Downstream on the Volta to Awurahai, then past the mouths of the Afram and Apasa to Pese. From Pese to Anum. Anum - Toseng - Boso (2 1/2 hours) - the 7 Pekyi towns (notably Blengo, the capital) (2—2 1/2 hours, route crossing a hill with many cotton farms) - Anum (2 hours). Of the rapids on the Volta, only those at Senkyi are difficult. Both banks of the Volta are under Akwamu control between Dauromadam and Dodi. Most Akwamu villages are on the right (east) bank, or on islands. There are only a few on the on left bank. The Akwamu capital is surrounded by hills. The Accra plains are 20 hours ‘deep’ (North-South) at the Volta. There are some deep valleys, fertile and well-peopled sides, but on the whole the plains are empty grass, poorly supplied with water. They produce building wood from fan-palms, wild indigo, and wild shes—butter. From Asadsohale to Ada both banks of the Volta are occupied by Ewes (Ayigbes), and the left bank is also inhabited by Ewes as far north as Ogoli. To the east two Adangem tribes live among the Ewes - the Agotime and Siagodsi peeple. These have migrated out of Adangme country. Like the Ewes these two groups grow cotton which they weave themselves still. But they could easily take their cotton down to the coast if there were a market for it. The going rate for head-loading 50lbs from Anum to Duromadam or Asadsohale is 4 – 4 1/2. Repeats the point that Pekyi is a Bremen area. Gives a population of 11,000 Kyerepongs in the Anum area, with Anum at 4,000, and Bose 3.000. The small villages on the Volta - Dodi, Asabi etc. - are of mixed population. Pekyi has political control of this Kyerepong group. Advises Basel Mission settlement both on account of trade advantages, and because of the relationship between these Kyerepongs and the people of Akwapim - it is a natural area for Basel Mission activity. An industrious farming people, cotton their main trading commodity, though indigo and shea-butter also grow wild, and are taken to market. Like their Akwapim cousins they show themselves ready for the gospel, have invited Zimmermann to work in their district in the past, and are now welcoming the Mission again, especially the young chief of Anum. To Strömberg's list of routes from Anum to the Volta adds one to Domabeng, via Nkwakubew. Cotton is brought to Anum from a circle of 2-4 hour radius. On the day he was writing 6—7 hundredweight of raw cotton had been brought in. Zimmermann's opinion is that Anum should become a main Basel Mission station, though (of Stromberg) he advises that the settlement should be on the hill near the Volta opposite Awurahai. Inter al he believes contact with Asantes will be forwarded by being so close to the river (he obviously sees Anum as potentially a stepping off point for work among Asante groups). He also believes it would be good not to be dependent on the Kyerepong people for easy contact with the Volta. Dauromadam should continue to be occupied by a native agent, as a stage in communications between Krobo and Anum.

20.02.1864

20.02.1864

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