The purpose of this long essay is to sample the contributions of the Enyan-Denkyira women to the development of the Enyan-Denkyira society. Specifically, the study seeks to examine Enyan-Denkyira women in political development, with attention to their roles in politics, decision making and the para-security agencies. And to evaluate the contribution of specific Enyan-Denkyira women to economic development.
Though there exists a lot of literature on women in development and theories of women in empowerment, none of these talks about the Enyan-Denkyira women. In recounting the history of Enyan-Denkyira, it is evident that, nothing is said of women aside the evidence of their reproductive roles which allowed the continuation of generations. However, there is literature on Enyan-Denkyira men in development and these are captured in the town’s oral history where nothing is said of women but their place in the home. After independence, the trend has not changed much. This has created a gap in the knowledge of the history of the Enyan-Denkyira town and Ghana’s history as a whole. This long essay is an attempt to document the contributions of Enyan-Denkyira women to development that would give the contribution of some Enyan-Denkyira women to societal development as a response to filling this gap.
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION
Background to the Study
Statement of the Problem
Aims and objective of the Study
Methodology and Data Source
Significance of the Study
Organization
CHAPTER ONE
BACKGROUND OF ENYAN-DENKYIRA
Introduction
Women in Enyan-Denkyira
Colonialism and impact on women
Conclusion
CHAPTER TWO
ENYAN-DENKYIRA WOMEN IN POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT
The Concept of Political Development
Enyan-Denkyira Women In Queen Mother Position
Enyan-Denkyira Women in the Security Agencies
Conclusion
CHAPTER THREE
ENYAN-DENKYIRA WOMEN IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Introduction
A sample of Enyan-Denkyira women and their activities
The story of Abena Kum
Grace Efua Nekyi
Maame Efua Crenstil
Nana Pramboa Tua II
Conclusion
CONCLUSION
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Research Objectives and Themes
This dissertation examines the historical and contemporary contributions of women in Enyan-Denkyira to their town's development, challenging the historical erasure of women's roles caused by colonial marginalization and traditional patriarchal narratives.
- Historical context and migration patterns of the Enyan-Denkyira people.
- The role of women in traditional political systems, specifically the Queen Mother institution.
- Female participation in security and defense through the Asafo Companies.
- Economic empowerment and entrepreneurial leadership of selected local women.
- The impact of female-led community development projects on poverty and unemployment reduction.
Excerpt from the Book
Enyan-Denkyira Women in the Security Agencies
Enyan women were also seen in the security and allied agencies of the traditional state. There were some Enyan-Denkyira women who formed part of the local military or security agencies of the Enyan-Denkyira traditional area. These women took up arms and fought when there was the need to protect their town. These women operated in the Asafo Company of the town. The Asafo is derived from two words which is Asa (war) and Fo (people). They were warrior groups that had been active throughout the Akan area. They developed it into a sophisticated and expressive community with a social and political organization based on martial principles, and elaborate traditions of visual art. The female militants were called “Asafohemaa,” which means women fighters. There are four prominent Asafohema in the history of Enyan-Denkyira. These are: Esi Abuwa, Maame Kyerebi, Ama Dufa and Ekua Botu.
These women are held high in the community today as a result of the tremendous roles they played in defending the community. They followed men to the war front or fought along the men in times of war. An example of such wars was the ‘Abonsu war’. It was fought between Enyan-Denkyira and the Abowunim town and is believed to have taken place somewhere in the mid 1900s. They were reputed to have followed men to the forest for days when search parties were dispatched to look for missing individuals. They also embarked on rescue missions with the main Asafo Company when residents of the Enyan-Denkyira were kidnapped by enemy towns such as Abowunim. An example of such case is believed to have occurred in 1970s when a member of the main Asafo Company’s son was kidnapped by the some gangs of criminals in Abowinim. The Asafo women organized themselves to fight these gangs. The women were heavily applauded for the way they fought to rescue the boy. In the traditions of Enyan-Denkyira, they were described commonly as being very fierce.
Summary of Chapters
INTRODUCTION: Provides the foundation for the study, outlining the research problem, methodology, and the necessity of documenting women's historical contributions.
CHAPTER ONE: Examines the origins, migration, and settlement of the Enyan-Denkyira people while setting the context for gender dynamics in traditional and colonial settings.
CHAPTER TWO: Analyzes the political development of Enyan-Denkyira through the lens of female leadership, focusing on the Queen Mother institution and women in security.
CHAPTER THREE: Evaluates the economic contributions of specific women, highlighting their roles as entrepreneurs, philanthropists, and community leaders.
Keywords
Enyan-Denkyira, Women in Development, Queen Mother, Political Development, Economic Development, Asafohemaa, Oral History, Colonialism, Female Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Ghana, Traditional Governance, Community Development, Gender Complementarity, Post-colonial Era.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this dissertation?
The work focuses on documenting the overlooked contributions of women to the social, political, and economic development of Enyan-Denkyira from 1957 to 2015.
What are the primary thematic areas explored?
The study centers on political development, including the Queen Mother institution and local governance, as well as economic development through female entrepreneurship and community support.
What is the main research objective?
The objective is to fill the historical gap regarding Enyan-Denkyira women by analyzing their roles in decision-making, security, and economic progress.
Which research methodology was employed?
The author utilized qualitative historical research, relying heavily on primary sources, particularly oral interviews with key stakeholders and community members.
What does the main body of the work cover?
It covers the history of Enyan-Denkyira, the political roles of women, their involvement in security agencies (Asafo Companies), and case studies of successful female entrepreneurs.
What are the characterizing keywords of the research?
Key terms include Enyan-Denkyira, Queen Mother, female entrepreneurship, Asafohemaa, political development, and oral history.
How did the Queen Mother position influence local development?
The Queen Mother, notably Nana Pramboa Tua II, acted as a mediator in chieftaincy disputes, lobbied for infrastructure like schools and roads, and promoted formal education.
What specific role did women play in the Asafo Companies?
Known as "Asafohemaa" or women fighters, they participated in defense, rescue missions, and community protection, playing a vital role in the town's security history.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Esther Onomah (Autor:in), 2017, The Contribution of Selected Women to the Development of Enyan-Denkyira 1957-2015, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/511014
