The Akuapems have for ages worshipped Mpeni Kofi, a tree god in Ghana. Mpeni Kofi is situated in the heart of Akropong. Despite being 300 years old, it has its roots intact and the leaves fresh as ever. The tree is covered at its lower side with a white cloth.
The people of Akuapem have relied on this tree for their protection for centuries. Nana Addo Kwataa, the acting Krontihene of Akuapem, had this to say about the mysterious tree, “Mpeni Kofi that is the name. He is clothed in a white cloth. We don’t see that one as a tree but we see that one as a special entity that holds us up and leads us. It is a signal to us. When we went to war we could trace it and know that we were heading home. 300 years ago when our forefathers came, they saw it and it was of importance to them and it is a generational worship. We keep on worshipping it up till today”.
The Akuapem tribe sub-chief Ahenenanhene Osae Adade noted, “He is believed to be a security man also. Whenever we are asleep it goes round the town. A very tall man protecting us”. He also added that the tree serves as a unifier for the surrounding houses.
He said,” All the four houses surrounding it the roots of the tree are beneath it. Those houses are watering it and have special things to do with it. There’s another house behind it. They are feeding the Okuapehene.”
Akuapem is one of the main ethnic groups of the Akan people living in Ghana.