Kumasi

Kumasi is the capital of the Ashanti Region in south-central Ghana, stretching across ten sub-districts in a forested area dotted with gentle hills. Streets run from the busy Kejetia market quarter to residential neighborhoods, university campuses, and the royal palace district.

King Osei Tutu founded the settlement around 1680 beneath a kum tree, where he conducted land negotiations for the new Asante Empire capital. The town grew rapidly into a center for trade and political power in West Africa.

The Manhyia Palace houses the Asantehene, whose court still holds ceremonies and consultations in traditional dress. Visitors can watch local artisans craft textiles, wood carvings, and jewelry following ancestral patterns in workshops around the palace grounds.

Main roads from all parts of the country meet in the town center, where bus stations and shared taxis offer connections to neighboring regions. Travelers find lodging from simple guesthouses to upscale hotels spread across different neighborhoods.

At the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, research institutes study traditional plant medicine and local clay building techniques. Students from across West Africa attend programs that link modern science with inherited knowledge.

Location: Ashanti Region

Location: Kumasi Metropolitan District

Inception: 1680

Elevation above the sea: 300 m

Website: http://kma.gov.gh

GPS coordinates: 6.69856,-1.62331

Latest update: December 4, 2025 19:05