Akyem Abuakwa is one of the largest traditional areas in Ghana.

In southern Ghana, it is the single largest unitary traditional state.

Akyem Abuakwa according to Prof. R. Addo – Fenning covers an area of over 2,000 square miles of land and indeed more than 2/3s of the land area known as Akyem.

Akyem Abuakwa has over 900 towns and villages within 20 districts in Ghana with majority of them as contiguous settlements and a few as non contiguous settlements.

Akyem Abuakwa contiguous settlements using the Accra – Kumasi road as a base starts from Adoagyiri in the Eastern Region (Nsawam Adoagyiri municipality) where the Densu River is the natural boundary between Akuapem and Akyem Abuakwa and ends at New Jejeti in the Atiwa East District also in the Eastern Region (boundary between Akyem Abuakwa and Kwahu).

The non contiguous settlements are popularly referred to as Akyem Abuakwa islands. Some of them are Achiase in the Achiase District, Otwereso in Akyemmansa, Gyadam at Birim Central all in the Eastern Region and Banka in the Asante Akyem South District of the Ashanti Region.

It is important to know that out of the 18 mainly Akyem districts in the Eastern Region, Akyem Abuakwa alone occupies 12 of these districts namely; Abuakwa North, Abuakwa South, Fanteakwa North, Fanteakwa South, Atiwa West, Atiwa East, Suhum, Ayensuano, Upper West Akyem, Lower West Akyem, Denkyembour and Kwaebibirem. Akyem Abuakwa again occupies parts of the remaining 6 Akyem Districts.

Some major settlements in Akyem Abuakwa are Kyebi (the traditional capital), Asamankese, Suhum, Kade, Begoro, Akwatia, Anyinam, Tafo, Kukurantumi, Adeiso among others.

The occupant of the Ofori Panin stool of Akyem Abuakwa, an Asona clan dynasty started by the famous warrior Apeanin Kwaframoa Woyiawonyi at Adanse Akrokyere Kokobeante is one of the foremost traditional rulers in Ghana.

The overlord of Akyem Abuakwa who is also the head of the Asona clan is variously referred to as Okyenhene, Akyemhene, Akyem Abuakwahene, Kwaebibiremhene and Asona Piesie 

Akyem Abuakwa is synonymous to Okyeman. Akyem Abuakwa is currently a host to Bosome, Kotoku and New Dwaben.

A nephew of the Okyenhene rules the nearby Akuapem State.