Naa Dode Akabi, who ruled the Ga state for over 25 years (1610-1635), remains a controversial figure, dividing opinions among both those she ruled and historians chronicling her story.
Historians are split into two factions regarding her legacy.
Some portray her as an unpopular, tyrannical figure who forcefully assumed the powerful seat of ‘king,’ while the majority describe her as a trailblazer, breaking gender, ethnic, and religious barriers to become the Ga people’s first non-male, non-Ga, and non-priest leader.
Despite the differing perspectives, both groups appreciate her as a great leader who skillfully blended indigenous Ga rulership methods with European styles, effectively governing the Ga people for nearly three decades.
Her reign focused on powerful legislations empowering women and transitioning the Ga state from a theocracy to a law-based system.
Naa Dode Akabi, originally a Guan princess from the Awutu people, became associated with the Ga state through marriage to the powerful Ga chief Mampong Okai.
Supporting her husband, she played a crucial role in expanding the Ga state’s influence along coastal areas.
After her husband’s death in 1610, she became the regent, breaking tradition to prevent the kingship from leaving her family until her son, Okaikoi, came of age.
Being a woman and unable to become a Wulomei, a requirement for becoming a king in the theocratic Ga State, Naa Dode ruled with strict regulations to maintain order. Her punishments for law-breakers included self-exile, death, sending men to hunt without accoutrements, fines, among others.
In a departure from the norm, she led her people into wars by sitting on the stool, introducing a distinctive display of jewelry and colorful attire into chieftaincy. Continuing her husband’s expansion strategy, she won several wars, making the Ga State formidable along the coastal areas of ancient Ghana.
Naa Dode’s demise was tragic. Reportedly, she was buried alive after falling into a pit that she had ordered to be dug for those who broke her stringent rules.