Kwaku Dua II (circa 1860-June 10, 1884), ruled as Asantehene for 44 days in 1884. Known earlier as Agyeman Kofi, he was the son of the Asante Queenmother, Yaa Kyaa, and of Somihene (a minor Kumase functionary) Kwasi Abayie (himself a son of the Asantehene Kwaku Dua I (q.v.), who ruled from 1834-67).
Shortly before his death in 1867, Kwaku Dua I indicated to the Akyempemhene (head of all the Asante princes) Owusu Koko that Agyeman Kofi should succeed him. Against the wishes of the majority, which did not want, in a period of crisis, to accept a boy as Asantehene, Owusu Koko attempted to carry out Kwaku Dua’s instruction by force. The attempt failed, and Owusu Koko was forced into exile. Kofi Kakari (q.v.), (ruled 1867-74), was made Asantehene, and he appointed his brother Mensa Bonsu (q.v.), (ruled 1874-83), as heir-apparent. On Kofi Kakari’s abdication in 1874, the candidacy of the young Agyeman Kofi was again advanced, and was again rejected. Mensa Bonsu became Asantehene.
In the aftermath of the destoolment of Mensa Bonsu in 1883, a fierce struggle developed between those committed to the restoration of Kofi Kakari, and those supporting the candidacy of Agyeman Kofi. A series of minor and indecisive clashes occurred around Kumase, each side recognising its candidate as Asantehene-designate.
In August and September, Owusu Koko, having re-entered the political arena, carried out an extensive and systematic massacre of Kakarian supporters, but it was not until April 28, 1884 that Agyeman Kofi was finally enstooled on the Golden Stool as Kwaku Dua II. The ruthlessness with which Owusu Koko had pursued the candidacy of Kwaku Dua II had left the new Asantehene with an extremely fragile constituency. Whether the young ruler would have shown the statesmanlike qualities necessary to restore national unity will never be known. He died of smallpox on June 10, 1884, and thereafter the nation moved seemingly inexorably towards civil war.
IVOR WILKS
