Kumasi

Kumasi

Kumasi is a city and the capital of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly and the Ashanti Region of Ghana. It is the second largest city in the country. The city is located in a rain orest region near Lake Bosomtwe and is about 200 kilometres (120 mi) from Accra. Kumasi has a tropical savanna climate with two rainy seasons.

The city was the capital of the Asante Empire, which once covered large parts of present-day Ghana and the Ivory Coast. Later, the city grew with new roads and railways. After Ghana became independent in 1957, Kumasi became the capital of the Ashanti Region.

Kumasi is a busy commercial centre and home to the biggest market in West Africa: the Kejetia Market. The city is important for Asante culture and attracts many visitors. It has places such as the Centre for National Culture, Wesley College of Education, and Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital. The city also has a growing film industry called Kumawood, which tells local stories in the Twi language.

History

Main article: History of Kumasi

Kumasi’s name comes from the Twi word Kumase, meaning “under the kum tree.” The city was founded in the 1680s by the leader Osei Kofi Tutu I as the capital of the Ashanti Empire. Some stories say he chose the spot under a special kum tree, while others say it was chosen by a wise advisor named Okomfo Anokye.

In 1695, Kumasi became very important as the capital of the Ashanti Empire. The ruler of Kumasi was also the ruler of the whole empire. Later, in the late 1800s, British forces damaged parts of the city during a conflict. Even so, some old, wide streets with nice houses remained as reminders of its past glory. Today, Kumasi remains a key city for the Ashanti people.

For the modern history of Kumasi, see History of Kumasi § Ghana (1957–Present).

Geography

Kumasi is in the Kumasi Metropolitan, a district in the Ashanti Region. It covers an area of 214.3 km² (2.307×10⁹ sq ft) and sits 250 to 300 m (820 to 980 ft) above sea level. The area borders several districts, including Kwabre East Municipal District, Afigya Kwabre North District, Atwima Kwanwoma District, Atwima Nwabiagya Municipal District, Ejisu Municipal District, Asokore Mampong Municipal District, and Bosomtwe District.

Kumasi has a tropical savanna climate (Köppen climate classification Aw), with two rainy seasons — one from March to July and another from September to November. The city gets about 1,200 mm (3.9 ft) of rain each year, with humidity between 53% and 93%. Temperatures usually average around 31 °C (88 °F), with nighttime lows near 22 °C (72 °F).

Cityscape

Kumasi's layout grew from old Asante Empire traditions. It wasn’t carefully planned, but the buildings match local culture. Some parts of the city were special and sacred. In 1817, there were 27 streets. By the 1880s, there were 50. Today, the city has many areas without clear plans, grows quickly, and lacks enough services.

Most homes in Kumasi are compound houses with many families. These houses have single rooms around a central open space. They are built from simple, local materials. There are also smaller houses and apartment buildings, but they are less common. Not many people own their homes, and many live there from other places.

Government

Kumasi is part of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly. This area has a mayor-council style of government. The mayor is chosen by the president of Ghana and approved by the council. The mayor of this area is Samuel Pyne.

The area is divided into 10 smaller parts, called sub-metros. These include Manhyia, Tafo, Suame, Asokwa, Oforikrom, Asawase, Bantama, Kwadaso, Nhyiaeso, and Subin. It is also split into 5 health districts: Asokwa, Subin, Bantama, Manhyia North, and Manhyia South.

Demographics

Kumasi is a big city with many people. The city has 443,981 people, and the area around it has 3,490,030 people. Many people in Kumasi are Christian. Some follow Islam or traditional African religions. The most common group of people in the city is the Asante. The Mole-Dagbon and Ewe people also live there. Many people in Kumasi were born outside the city, and about half were born outside the area around it.^{: 36, 5, 28}

Culture

Kumasi is the heart of Asante culture and is called "Osei-Krom." The city is famous for its traditional textile and kente, made using old methods. Kejetia Market in Kumasi is the largest market in West Africa, with many shops and stalls. You can visit places like Fort Kumasi, now a museum, and the Nurom Hat Museum. Royal sites include the Centre for National Culture, home to important Asante items, and the Manhyia Palace, built in 1925 and now a museum.

Kumasi has many media outlets, including television, radio, and print. The city has its own film industry called Kumawood, known for local stories. The first movie theatre, Rex Cinema, opened in 1938.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Ashanti

Kumasi is an important economic center in Ghana. The city’s location helps it be a central point for many of Ghana’s main roads, and it benefits from nearby cacao farming.

Kumasi has many businesses, especially in areas like Kaase and Suame. These places are known for mechanic shops and big companies like Guinness Ghana Breweries and a branch of the Coca-Cola Bottling Company United. Most people in Kumasi work in services or manufacturing.

The city gets most of its electricity from the national grid, but solar panels are also common. Solar energy helps provide power along with other sources like flashlights, candles, gas lamps, and kerosene lamps.

Kumasi has busy shopping areas, especially around Kejetia Market and Adum. Bantama and Asafo are also important for trade, with Asafo being known for printing. The area of Ahwiaa is famous for wood carvings and arts.

Many people in Kumasi sell goods on the streets. This includes items like water, bread, chocolate, plantain chips, chewing gum, books, and even puppies. Street selling is a common way for people without formal education or money to earn a living.

Infrastructure

Kumasi has many schools. As of 2010, there were 2,545 schools in the city.

The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology started in 1952. It became a full university in 1961. The city also has many other schools, both public and private.

The city’s main football team is Asante Kotoko. They play against another team from Accra called Hearts of Oak. Their stadium, Baba Yara Stadium, holds 40,000 people. It was built in 1959 and updated in 1978 and 2007. Another football team, King Faisal Football Club, is also based in Kumasi.

There is a golf club called the Royal Golf Club. Famous sports people like Tony Yeboah and Kofi Kingston were born in Kumasi.

Kumasi has many places where people can get medical help. The largest hospital is Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital. It has 750 beds and is the second largest hospital in Ghana. It opened in 1954. There are also many smaller health centers, most of which are private.

Most people in Kumasi worship in Christian churches. There are many different types of Christian churches in the city. There are also some Muslim mosques.

Kumasi has several parks and gardens. Some of the main parks are Abbey’s Park, Jackson’s Park, Hero’s Park, and Rattray Park. There is also a zoo called the Kumasi Zoo. However, many of these parks and the zoo need repairs. Some people in Kumasi do not think parks are important.

Transportation

Air

Kumasi has an airport called Prempeh I International Airport. In 2020, two airlines flew regularly to Accra. These were Africa World Airlines and Passion Air. In 2013, Ghana’s government approved plans to expand the airport for international flights. The work finished in 2022.

Road

Interchanges

The city has a place called the Asokwa Interchange, which is part of a big project. It is one of three interchanges in Kumasi. In 2021, Ghana’s government announced plans to build a four level stack interchange in Suame. It is now being built and should finish by the end of 2024.

Bus and taxicab

You can travel from Kumasi to big cities like Accra; Tamale, Mim, Ahafo; Cape Coast, Sunyani; Takoradi; Tema; Ho; Wa; Bolgatanga; Elubo; Aflao, Techiman. In the city, you can use transit buses, small buses called tro-tros, taxicabs, and bigger buses. Tro-tros are small buses that follow set routes. Some taxis also follow set routes but cost more and are more comfortable.^: 6 

In 2002, the city started metro bus services, a quick way to travel around the city (MetroMass). This was meant to make roads less crowded. In 2017, Uber also started in Kumasi.

Rail

Kumasi used to have train services to Sekondi-Takoradi and Accra. But the train service has stopped for several years because of problems with the tracks and trains. No trains are running to or from Kumasi right now. A big project to fix the railways was planned for 2011.

Port

Kumasi is close to the Boankra Inland Port, an inland port in the Ejisu Municipality. Building the port is happening in two steps, and the first step should finish by the end of 2024. When it’s done, it will help create jobs and grow the local economy.

International relations

Twin towns – sister cities

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Africa § Ghana

Kumasi has friendly connections with several cities around the world. These include:

• Abidjan/Treichville, Ivory Coast (2004)
• Atlanta, United States (2010)
• Almere, Netherlands (2001)
• Charlotte, United States (1996)
• Columbus, United States (2008)
• Newark, United States (1999)
• Winston-Salem, United States (2001)
• Wenzhou, China (2016)

Notable people

Main page: List of people from Kumasi

Kumasi is home to many famous people. Some well-known people are Amerado, a musician, and Kofi Annan, who was the United Nations secretary-general and won the 2001 Nobel Peace Prize.

Other famous people from Kumasi are Kofi Kingston, a professional wrestler, and football players like Shak Mohammed, Mohammed Muntari, and Mohammed Salisu. There are also achievements in fashion, statistics, and leadership. This includes Chloe Asaam, a fashion designer, Philomena Nyarko, a statistician, and Otumfuo Nana Osei Tutu II, the current Asantehene of Asante. Kwame Baah is known for his work as a music manager.