In several Akan nations of Ghana, the omanhene (plural amanhene) is the title of a magnate or a supreme traditional ruler in a region or a larger town. The omanhene is the central figure and institution of the nation. Officially, he has no function in the current Ghanaian political setup, but has enormous influence on the people that constitute it. Today 'Hene' can be found in titles of other rulers in Ghanaian nations. For example, the chief of the Dagomba in the north of Ghana is known as the 'Dagombahene'.
The Akan omanhene, collectively the ahemfo, are major land owners, and are the heads of an essentially feudal system. They commit the land they theoretically hold in trust to caretakers.
Amanhene are appointed by ahemma (queen mothers) that are often but not necessarily their birth mothers, but are always a direct matrilineal relative. Dynastic succession tends to follow a matrilineal pattern. The exception to this is found, though, in a few Akan states such as Elmina.
Not all Akan nations have the Omanhene as the supreme ruler. The Ashanti, for example, have as the supreme ruler the asantehene, who is superior to the amanhene of Asanteman.
Distribution of Omanhenes
Ahafo Region
Acherensua Goaso Kukuom Akrodie Bechem Duayaw-Nkwanta Hwidiem Kenyasi No. 1 Kenyasi No. 2 Sankore Mim Yamfo Ntotroso
Ashanti Region
Otumfuo, the Asantehene - Otumfuo Nana Osei Tutu II Mampong Essumeja Adansi Juaben - Nana Otuo Siriboe II Nsuta Kumawu Kokofu Bekwai Offinso Agona Ejisu Denyasi Asokore Agogo - Nana Akuoko Sarpong Obogu Manso-Nkwanta Tepa
Bono Region
Banda Badu Berekum Drobo Dwenem Dormaa - Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyeman Badu II Japekrom Kwatwoma Sampa Sunyani Nsawkaw Nsoatre Odomase No.1 Awua Dornase Suma Seikwa Wenchi - Osagyefo Ampem Anyye Amoampong Tabrako III
Bono East Region
Nkoranza Prang Abease Adjaade Akroso Amantin Atebubu Dwan Techiman Mo Nkomi Wiase Offuman Tanoboase Tanoso Tuobodom
Central Region
Ekumfi Enyan-Abaasa Ajumako Asikuma Esiam Enyan-Maim Mankessim Abeadzi Kwamankese - Nana Amoako Atta II Abura Nkusukum Anomabo Denkyira Awutu Assin Apimannim Agona Nyakrom Edina Effutu Gomoa Ajumako Gomoa Akyempim Hemang Oguaa Assin-Attadasu Twifu Komenda Eguafo Agona Nsaba Enyan Denkyira Abirem Asebu Atti Mokwaa Effutuakwa Senya Assin Owirenkyi Sanaahene of Oguaa - Nana Kofi Obiri Egyir II
Eastern Region
Akyem Abuakwa Akyem Bosome Akyem Kotoku Akwapim Akuapem - Oseadeoyo Kwasi Akuffo III Akwamu - Odeneho Kwafo Akotto III Kwahu New Juaben Yilo Krobo Manya Krobo Boso-Gua Anum
Greater Accra Region
Ga Osudoku Shai Ningo Prampram Kpone Ada La Ngleshie Alata Nungua Osu Tema Teshie
Western Region
Otumfou Badu Bonsu II of the Ahanta’s
Western North Region
Sefwi-Anwiaso - Ogyeahohoo Yaw Gyebi II Sefwi-Bekwai - Odeneho Gyapong Ababio Sefwi-Wiawso - Katakyie Kwesi Bumagamah II Sefwi-Chirano - Okogyeaman Kwaku Gyambra III Aowin - Beyeman Brentum III Suaman - Odeneho Bentum IV
References