Historical state of western Africa's Gold Coast (now Ghana).
Founded by an Akan people 0441; 1600, it grew rich on the sale of gold. At its height in the early 18th century, Akwamu stretched more than 250 mi (400 km) along the coast, from Whydah (now Ouidah, Benin) in the east to beyond Winneba (now in Ghana) in the west. By 1710 the state was being pressured by other groups (including the Asante ) that had grown powerful in the area, and by 1731 it had ceased to exist.