The Anglo-Ashanti Wars were five conflicts between the Ashanti Empire, in the Akan interior of the Gold Coast, now Ghana, and the invading British Empire in the 19th century between 1824 and 1901. The ruler of the Ashanti (or Asante) was the Asantehene. The wars were mainly over the Ashanti establishing strong control over the coastal areas of what is now Ghana. Coastal peoples, such as the Fante and the inhabitants of Accra, who were chiefly Ga, came to rely on British protection against Ashanti incursions.