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, with a population of 443,981 as of the 2021 census. The city is located in a rain orest region near Lake Bosomtwe and is about 200 kilometres (120 mi) from Accra. Kumasi experiences a tropical savanna climate, with two rainy seasons.

The city was the capital of the Asante Empire, which at its peak covered large parts of present-day Ghana and the Ivory Coast. After being taken over by the British in 1896, Kumasi grew quickly with improvements to its roads and railways. After Ghana gained independence in 1957, the city became the capital of the Ashanti Region.

Kumasi is a busy commercial and economic hub, home to the biggest market in West Africa: the Kejetia Market. The city is the centre of Asante culture and attracts many visitors. It is also home to important places such as the Centre for National Culture, Wesley College of Education, and Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital. The city 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 found in the Kumasi Metropolitan, one of the districts 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 — a major one from March to July and a minor one from September to November. The city receives about 1,200 mm (3.9 ft) of rain each year, with humidity levels between 53% and 93%. Temperatures usually average around 31 °C (88 °F), with nighttime lows near 22 °C (72 °F).

Cityscape

Kumasi's city layout has grown in a way that follows old traditions from the Asante Empire. Even though it wasn’t carefully planned, the buildings fit well with local culture. Some parts of the city were considered special and sacred. Long ago, in 1817, there were 27 streets, and later, around the 1880s, there were 50. Today, the city has many informal areas, rapid growth, and not enough services.

Most homes in Kumasi are compound houses, which can hold many families. These houses usually have single rooms around a central open space. They are made from simple, local materials. Besides compound houses, there are also smaller houses and apartment buildings, but these make up a smaller part of the city. Not many people own their homes, and many live there from other places.

Government

Kumasi does not have its own mayor, but it is part of a larger area called the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly. This area has a mayor-council style of government. The mayor, also known as the executive chief, is chosen by the president of Ghana and approved by the city council. As of 2021, the mayor of this area is Samuel Pyne.

The metropolitan 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

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

Culture

Kumasi is the heart of Asante culture and is called "Osei-Krom" for this reason. The city is famous for its traditional textile and kente, which are made using old methods. Kejetia Market in Kumasi is the largest market in West Africa, with over 10,000 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 also 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 and low budgets. The first movie theatre, Rex Cinema, opened in 1938.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Ashanti

Kumasi is an important economic center in Ghana. In 2014, the Ashanti Region, where Kumasi is located, made up 21% of Ghana's total output, and almost half of that came from Kumasi itself. 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. These include 919 pre-schools, 967 primary schools, 597 junior high schools, 52 senior high schools, and 10 universities or colleges.

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 May 2020, two airlines flew regularly to Accra. These airlines were Africa World Airlines and Passion Air. In 2013, Ghana’s government approved plans to expand the airport so it could handle international flights. The airport was renovated and finished by October 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 in its first phase and should be done 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 and create a better bus system. In 2017, Uber also started operating in Kumasi, a year after it began in Accra.

Rail

Kumasi used to have train services to Sekondi-Takoradi and Accra. However, the train service has stopped for several years because of problems with the tracks, bridges, and train engines. No trains are running to or from Kumasi right now because the railway company is not working. A big project to fix the railways worth $6 billion was supposed to start in 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 be done by the end of 2024. When it’s finished, more than 7,000 people are expected to find jobs there, which will help the local economy grow.

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 from different fields. Some well-known individuals include Amerado, a musician, and Kofi Annan, who served as the United Nations secretary-general and won the 2001 Nobel Peace Prize.

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