Osei Kwadwo

Osei Kwadwo was the 4th Asantehene of the Ashanti Empire who reigned from 1764 to 1777. Osei Kwadwo was elected in replacement of Kusi Obodom who was removed out of power.

The Kwadwoan Revolution fostered during the reign of Asantehene Osei Kwadwo which led to the growth of meritocracy in the Ashanti Empire. The Asantehene formed various institutions for the administration of the state. In foreign affairs, the Asantehene waged war on the Alliance in 1765 which led to the subjudication of Akyem. States such as the Assin and Banda were conquered into the empire as the Ashanti formed cooperative relations with the Fante until relations declined between both states starting from 1765.

An Ashanti invasion of Krobo was foiled in 1772. Osei Kwadwo maintained peaceful relations with the Fante in the latter part of his reign. The Asantehene intervened in a civil disorder at Dagbon with the arrest of the Dagbon leader in 1772. Historians have debated whether Osei Kwadwo conquered Dagbon through war or diplomacy. He also improved relations with the Kingdom of Dahomey through an exchange of diplomatic missions.The Asantehene died in 1777, having announced Opoku Kwame as his successor before death. Succession disputes emerged after the death of the Asantehene until the ascension of Osei Kwame Panyin as his successor.