Nearly half of the society decended from the Akans, a tribe which includes the famous Ashanti people. Akan, a "pure" heritage, is one of the most ancient cultures in Africa. These African people live predominately in the countries of Ghana and Ivory Coast with many descendants now living in Europe and the USA.

Before the 13th century, the Akan peoples migrated from other parts of Africa into the forest belt of present-day Ghana. Family bands established small states in the hilly country in the neighborhood of modern Kumasi. This early migration was likely related to the opening of trade routes established to move gold throughout the region. It was not until the end of the 17th century, however, that the grand Asante Kingdom emerged in the central forest region of Ghana, when several small states united under the Chief of Kumasi.