Kusi Obodom was the 3rd Asantehene of the Ashanti Empire from 1750 to 1764. He was elected as the successor to Opoku Ware I as opposed to the nominee suggested by Opoku Ware I. Obodom's reign was inaugurated with a civil war in response to his election until stability ensued by 1751.
Domestically, Obodom's administration instituted legal reforms such as the restoration of the full constitutional powers of the chiefs that had been limited by his predecessor. In foreign policy, the Asantehene sought to subdue the alliance made up of rebel provincial states and other groups that halted Ashanti dominance towards the Coast. At the latter part of his reign, the alliance disintegrated and Ashanti was able to bring down its influence. In 1764, Dahomey and the Oyo Empire supported the Akyem as well as other rebel subject states. Kusi Obodom's pursuit of the rebels brought Ashanti into conflict with Dahomey and Oyo through which the Ashanti army was defeated at the Battle of Atakpamé. Kusi Obodom's growing unpopularity, along with his failing health, led to his removal from office in 1764 and the election of Osei Kwadwo as Asantehene.
Background
He ruled during the Oyoko Abohyen dynasty. He was the grandnephew of Osei Kofi Tutu I, who had been king of Ashanti in 1701. Kusi Obodom's mother, Nkaatia Ntim Abamo, was the second Asantehemaa. Kusi Obodom became Asantehene after debate - and occasional violence - over the Golden Stool. He succeeded Opoku Ware I. Before the death Opoku Ware I, the Asantehene requested Darko as his successor. Upon the death of Asantehene Opoku Ware, the kingmakers ignored the request and elected Kusi Obodom instead. This plunged the state into civil war as reported by the Danes at the Coast in May 1750. By 1751, letters from the Christiansborg Castle stated that Darko had committed suicide with his followers and faction executed as Kusi Obodom was now affirmed as Asantehene. In March 1755, Governor Thomas Melvil reported from the Cape Coast Castle about a civil war in Ashanti. This implied the presence of civil disobedience in the early reign of Kusi Obodom.
Reign
Domestic affairs
Kusi Obodom banned the practice of human sacrifice during his reign. Although sacrifices would continue in Ashanti after his era. The King restored the "full constitutional powers" of the chiefs which had been limited by the previous Asantehene, Opoku Ware I. In addition, Kusi introduced the policy of atitodee, which was a fine paid by individuals charged with a death sentence. Reindorf states it was Kusi who formed the to monitor the roads of the Ashanti Empire. He writes that the King "ordered inspectors to be appointed for cleaning roads and paths of the kingdom of nuisances." In 1751, King Kofi Sono of Gyaman concluded a peace settlement with Kusi Obodom's representatives with Dutch messengers from Elmina as witnesses. Wilks mentions that although these settlements do not survive, they were the legal mandates for the annexation of Gyaman, and other states such as Kpembe (Northern Region), into the Ashanti Empire.
Foreign affairs
The Alliance
From the early to mid 18th centuries, the Ashanti had engaged in expansionism under Opoku Ware. In the 1740s, the Ashanti had expanded across the majority of the coast of Ghana, excluding the Fante. Between 1746 and 1749, the provincial states of Akyem, Wassa, Denkyira and Twifo had formed an alliance with the Fante to oppose the Ashanti. This alliance aimed to halt Ashanti expansion to the coast, to cement their status as middlemen in trade from the coast with the Inland and block Ashanti's direct access to European trade and firearms. The Fante initiated peacemaking efforts between the alliance and Ashanti starting in 1753. The British at the coast led by Governor Thomas Melvil aided Fante's efforts at mediation after request for support from the Fante. From 1754 - 1758, the Dutch also negotiated peace talks with Ashanti and the provinces. In 1758, the allied states met Asantehene Kusi Obodom at Kumasi to commence the mediation process while the Dutch served as mediators. Obodom considered replacing military representatives with civilian rule in these provincial states. 2000 oz of gold was paid to Ashanti by the members of the alliance.