In Akan mythology, what is the name of the sky god?

In Akan mythology, Nyame is the sky god and supreme creator deity.

Nyame is the best-known name for the supreme god of the Akan peoples, particularly in Ghana. The name is associated with an all-knowing, all-powerful sky deity who created the universe. Akan traditions also use related names, including Nyankopon, Onyame, Odomankoma, and Brekyirihunuade, with regional and theological differences in how these aspects are understood.

Nyame is often regarded as distant from everyday human affairs, while lesser spiritual beings called abosom may be approached for particular needs such as protection, healing, fertility, or prosperity. Akan religious systems also honor Asase Yaa, the earth deity, and the ancestors. This broader structure means Nyame should not be confused with every deity associated with the sky or nature.

The famous Adinkra symbol Gye Nyame means “Except for God” or “I fear none except God,” expressing the supreme power of the creator. Shango and Ogun are Yoruba deities from a different West African tradition, while Anansi is the Akan trickster spider who appears in stories involving Nyame.