Nana Komeh, The Man Behind The Name Komenda

Nana Komeh was a great and fearful hunter who became the saviour for the people of Eguafo. Straight from Techiman through Mankessim he and his people arrived at Eguafo and proceeded to Kanka (Dutch Komenda).

Dutch Komenda was a very small town and even as at today with some settlers. When Komeh arrived, he asked the elders of the land for a place to settle but there was no place for Komeh and his people to settle so they told him about a beast in the deep forest that devoured their people any day so if Komeh could kill and settle there, that portion of land would be his forever.

This, they said having in their mind that Komeh will not survive the beast and be devoured as well to end his life.

The great and fearful Komeh went into agreement with the elders of Kanka (Dutch Komenda). Komeh and his people kept fighting the beast for survival until he settled finally.

One day, he went into the deep forest and killed the beast, brought it and showed the body of the beast to the elders. He drew the beast on an animal skin as evidence of the agreement between him and the elders of Dutch Komenda. Being stunned and pleased about the situation they gave the entire land to Komeh.

To this day, the people of Dutch Komenda do not understand why their forefathers did such a mistake by giving the land (Komenda) to Komeh and his people.

The news about great and fearful Komeh’s adventure spread quickly in the surrounding villages and towns just like the Israelites, every town and village were afraid of Komeh and his people and whenever someone was sent on an errand to Komeh Krom, the actual place where Komeh was staying, the person will be told, “Kɔ me nda” which simply means “if you go don’t sleep”.

This was because of the greatness and fearfulness of Komeh to the people and so this became the slogan “kɔ me nda”, therefore, the name Komenda which simply means “if you go to Komeh Krom don’t sleep”.

Picture credit: Empires TV