The Ashanti Region is located in south Ghana and it is the third largest of 16 administrative regions, occupying a total land surface of 24,389 km2 (9,417 sq mi) or 10.2 percent of the total land area of Ghana. In terms of population, however, it is the most populated region with a population of 4,780,380 according to the 2011 census, accounting for 19.4% of Ghana’s total population. The Ashanti Region is known for its major gold bar and cocoa production. The largest city and regional capital is Kumasi.
Ashanti Region Geography
Location and size
The Ashanti Region is centrally located in the middle belt of Ghana. It lies between longitudes 0.15W and 2.25W, and latitudes 5.50N and 7.46N. The region shares boundaries with six of the sixteen political regions, Bono, Bono East and Ahafo Regions in the north, Eastern region in the east, Central region in the south and Western region in the South west. The region is divided into 27 districts, each headed by a District Chief Executive.
Economy
The Ashanti economy refers to the economy of Ashanti Region in southern Ghana. It is largely self-sufficient, being driven by its service sector as well as by natural resources, being one of the world’s top 10 largest gold-producers, and the second largest cocoa producer. The Ashanti region is also known for its production of manganese, bauxite and agricultural commodities such as cocoa and yam, with the region having low levels of taxation and without much need for foreign direct investment The Ashanti region’s industrial sector is characterised primarily by aerospace with automotive manufacturing and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (25.2%), manufacturing (10.5%), other service activities (6.3%) and accommodation and food service activities (6.0%). The Ashanti region spans an area of 24,389 km2, and according to the 2000 census, the region had a population of 3,612,950, most of whom (94.2%) were ethnic Akans, of whom 82.9% were ethnic Ashanti. The capital of the region is Kumasi, which with a population of 2,069,350 as of 2013 represents a high level of urbanisation within the state.
In 2014, Ashanti region’s industrial minerals mining, specifically gold mining, provided 96% of Ashanti’s exports and the Ashanti autonomous region’s gross state product increased from ₵172 billion ($47.7 billion) in 2007–2008 to ₵1.06 trillion ($296.1 billion) in 2014–15 with a gross regional product (Nominal) per capita of $26,922.
Ashanti Region Tourism
Parks
- Bobiri Forest Butterfly Sanctuary
- Bomfobiri Wildlife Sanctuary
- Digya National Park
- Kogyae Strict Nature Reserve
- Owabi Forest Reserve and Bird Sanctuary
Recreation areas
- Centre for National Culture
- Rattray Park
Historic sites
- Komfo Anokye Sword site
- Manhyia Palace Museum
- Kumasi Fort and Military Museum
- Armed Forces Museum
- The Prempeh II Jubilee Museum
- The Asante Traditional Buildings
- Yaa Asantewaa Museum
Festivals
Several festivals are celebrated in the region, the major ones being the Akwasidae and Adae Kese. These are religious festivals celebrated by some members of the Akan ethnic group of which the Ashanti belong. The festivals are celebrated to remember past leaders and heroes. Though they are dead, their spirits are believed to be alive and taking interest in the affairs of the living, watching their actions, and consulting with them during the Adae festival.
- Papa Festival
- Kente Festival
- Yaa Asantewaa Festival
- Mmoa Nni Nko Festival
- Nkyidwo Festival
Other tourist attractions
- Kejetia Market
- Patakro shrine
- Adinkra cloth printing in Ntonso
- Adanwomase Kente Village
- Bonwire Kente Village
- Ahwiaa Woodcarving Village
Ashanti Region Demographics
Population
The center of population of the Ashanti Region is located in the Kumasi Metropolitan District. According to the 2000 census, the region had a population of 3,612,950, making it the most populous region; however, its density (148.1 per square km) is lower than that of Central (162.2/km2) Region. Majority of Ashanti region’s population are Ethnic Akans and citizens by birth (94.2%) with five per cent naturalized Ghanaians. A smaller proportion (5.8%) of the population originate from outside Ashanti and Akanland or Ghana, made up of 3.7 per cent mainly from the five English-speaking countries of ECOWAS and 2.1 per cent from other African countries. The non-African population living in the region is 1.8 per cent of the total population. Akans are the predominant ethnic group in the region, representing 94.2% of citizens by birth. A high proportion (82.9%) of the Akan population is Ashanti.
Transport
The Ashanti region is served by the Kumasi Airport, which handles domestic flights. Five national highways – N4, N6, N8, N10 and N6 – and a few regional highways such as the R52 and R106 serve the region.
The N6 connects Kumasi via Kwame Nkrumah Circle and through Nsawam and N4 to Accra. The region is also connected to the Central Region by the N8 and N10, both of which originate from Yemoransa in the Central Region. The N10, however, connects the regional capital of Kumasi.
Ashanti Region Education
Senior high schools
- Dadease Senior High School, Dadease
- Akomadan Senior High School, Akomadan
- Dompoase Senior High School, Dompoasi
- Afia Kobi Ampem Girls (Royal AKAGSHS)
- Adanwomase SENIOR High School (ADASS)
- Agogo State College, Agogo Asante-Akyem
- Agona SDA Senior High School, Agona
- Anglican Senior High School, Kumasi
- Asanteman School (Real Assas)
- Bankoman Senior High School, Banko
- Osei Tutu Senior High School (OT)
- Bekwai SDA Senior High School
- Ghana Armed Forces Secondary Technical School, Kumasi
- Beposo Senior High School, Beposo
- Collins Secondary Commercial School, Agog o Asante-Akyem
- Effiduase Senior High School, Effiduase
- Ejisuman Senior High School, Ejisu
- Ejuraman Senior High School, Ejura
- Fomena T.I. Ahmadiyya Senior High School, Adansi Fomena
- Jachie-Pramso Senior High School (Formerly MIGHTY JAPASS)
- Komfo Anokye Senior High School, Wiamoase
- Kumasi Academy, Asokore-Mampong, Kumasi
- Kumasi Girls’ Senior High School
- Kumasi Wesley Girls High School
- Kumasi High School
- Obuasi Secondary Technical School (O.S.T.S)
- Wesley Senior High School (WEHIS), Bekwai
- Adventist Senior High School (ADASS), Bantama
- Ofoase Kokoben Senior High School (OFKOSS)
- Adventist Girls Senior High School (ADGISS), Ntonso
- Opoku Ware Secondary School, Kumasi.
- St. Louis Senior High School, Oduom
- Nkawie Secondary Technical School.
- Oppong Memorial Senior High School.
- Osei Kyeretwie Senior High School, Kumasi.
- Prempeh College, Kumasi.
- Prince of Peace Girls Senior High School, South Suntreso, Kumasi.
- Simms Senior High School, Fawoade
- Bonwire Senior High Tech. School.
- St Joseph Senior High School (Ehuren)
- St. Monica’s Senior High School, Mampong
- Amaniampong Senior High School, Mampong
- T.I. Ahmadiyya Senior High School, Kumasi
- T.I. Ahmadiyya Girls’ Senior High School, Asokore
- Jacobu Senior High School, Jacobu
- Juaben Senior High School, Juaben
- Yaa Asantewaa Girls’ Senior High School, Tanoso
- Kumasi Senior High Technical School (K.S.T.S),
- Tepa Senior High School, Tepa. (GREAT TESS).
- Mabang Senior High School, Mabang.
•Aduman Senior High School,(Admass) Aduman
- Dwamena Akenten Senior High School,(DASS) Offinso
Konongo-Odumasi Senior High School
Higher education
The Ashanti region has three public universities. In addition, there are a number of private universities and university colleges spread throughout the region.
Universities
- Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi
- Ghana Baptist University College, Kumasi
- Spiritan University College, Ejisu
- Garden City University College, Kenyasi, Kumasi
- Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (formerly Kumasi Campus of University of Education, Winneba)
- National Institute Of Information Technology, Kumasi Campus NIIT.
- Kumasi Technical University, K-Poly
- IPMC, Kumasi Campus
- Akrokerri College of Education
- St. Monica’s College of Education, Mampong
- Christian Service University College, Odeneho Kwadaso
- Wesley College of Education
- St. Louis College of Education
- Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (formerly Mampong Campus of University of Education, Winneba)
- Mampong Technical College of Education (MAMTECH)
- S.D.A. College of Education, Agona
Healthcare
- Manhyia Hospital
- Kwadaso SDA Hospital
- Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital
- Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology Hospital
- Kumasi South Hospital
- First care Hospital
- Tafo Government Hospital
- Suntreso Government Hospital
- West End Hospital
Sports
- Kumasi Asante Kotoko
- Ashanti Gold SC
- King Faisal Babies F.C.
- New Edubiase United
- Main stadium is Kumasi Sports Stadium
Administrative divisions
The political administration of the region is through the local government system. Under this administration system, the region is divided into 43 MMDA’s (made up of 1 Metropolitan, 18 Municipal and 24 Ordinary Assemblies). Each District, Municipal or Metropolitan Assembly, is administered by a Chief Executive and an MP representing the central government but deriving authority from an Assembly headed by a presiding member elected from among the members themselves. The MMDA’s were increased from 10 to 18 in 1988; then from 18 to 21 in 2004; then from 21 to 27 in 2008; then from 27 to 30 in 2012; and recently from 30 to 43 in 2018. The current list is as follows:
| District | Capital | Constituency | Member of Parliament | Party |
| Adansi Asokwa | Adansi Asokwa | Adansi-Asokwa | Kobina Tahir Hammond | NPP |
| Adansi North | Fomena | Fomena | Andrew Asiamah Amoako | IND |
| (Second Deputy Speaker) | ||||
| Adansi South | New Edubiase | New Edubease | Adams Abdul Salam | NDC |
| Afigya Kwabre North | Boamang | Afigya Kwabre North | Collins Adomako-Mensah | NPP |
| Afigya Kwabre South | Kodie | Afigya Kwabre South | William Owuraku Aidoo | NPP |
| Ahafo Ano North Municipal | Tepa | Ahafo Ano North | Suleman Adamu Sanid | NPP |
| Ahafo Ano South East | Dwinyame / Adugyama | Ahafo Ano South East | Francis Manu-Adoabor | NPP |
| Ahafo Ano South West | Mankranso | Ahafo Ano South West | Kwaku Adu Johnson | NPP |
| Akrofuom | Akrofuom | Akrofuom | Alex Blankson | NPP |
| Amansie Central | Jacobu | Odotobri | Emmanuel Akwasi Gyamfi | NPP |
| Amansie West | Manso Nkwanta | Manso Nkwanta | George Kwabena Obeng Takyi | NPP |
| Amansie South | Manso Adubia | Manso Edubia | Frimpong Yaw Addo | NPP |
| Asante Akim Central Municipal | Konongo | Asante Akim Central | Kwame Anyimadu – Antwi | NPP |
| Asante Akim North | Agogo | Asante Akim North | Andy Kwame Appiah-Kubi | NPP |
| Asante Akim South Municipal | Juaso | Asante Akim South | Kwaku Asante-Boateng | NPP |
| Asokore Mampong | Asokore Mampong | Asawase | Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak[9](Minority Chief Whip) | NDC |
| Asokwa Municipal | Asokwa | Asokwa | Patricia Appiagyei | NPP |
| Atwima Kwanwoma | Twedie | Atwima-Kwanwoma | Kofi Amankwa-Manu | NPP |
| Atwima Mponua | Nyinahin | Atwima Mponua | Isaac Kwame Asiamah | NPP |
| Atwima Nwabiagya Municipal | Nkawie | Atwima-Nwabiagya South | Benito Owusu Bio | NPP |
| Atwima Nwabiagya North | Barekese | Atwima-Nwabiagya North | Emmanuel Adjei Anwhere | NPP |
| Bekwai Municipal | Bekwai | Bekwai | Joseph Osei-Owusu(First Deputy Speaker) | NPP |
| Bosome Freho | Asiwa | Bosome-Freho | Akwasi Darko Boateng | NPP |
| Bosomtwe | Kuntanse | Bosomtwe | Yaw Osei Adutwum | NPP |
| Ejisu Municipal | Ejisu | Ejisu | John Ampotuah Kumah | NPP |
| Ejura Sekyedumase Municipal | Ejura | Ejura-Sekyedumase | Muhammad Bawah Braimah | NDC |
| Juaben Municipal | Juaben | Juaben | Ama Pomaa Boateng | NPP |
| Kumasi Metropolitan | Kumasi | Bantama | Francis Asenso -Boakye | NPP |
| Manhyia North | Akwasi Konadu | NPP | ||
| Manhyia South | Matthew Opoku Prempeh | NPP | ||
| Nhyiaeso | Stephen Amoah | NPP | ||
| Subin | Eugene Boakye Antwi | NPP | ||
| Kwabre East Municipal | Mamponteng | Kwabre East | Francisca Oteng Mensah | NPP |
| Kwadaso Municipal | Kwadaso | Kwadaso | Kingsley Nyarko | NPP |
| Mampong Municipal | Mampong | Mampong | Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong | NPP |
| Obuasi East Municipal | Tutuka | Obuasi East | Patrick Boakye-Yiadom | NPP |
| Obuasi Municipal | Obuasi | Obuasi West | Kwaku Agyemang Kwarteng | NPP |
| Offinso Municipal | Offinso | Offinso South | Augustine Collins Ntim | NPP |
| Offinso North | Akomadan | Offinso North | Isaac Yaw Opoku | NPP |
| Oforikrom Municipal | Oforikrom | Oforikrom | Emmanuel Marfo | NPP |
| Old Tafo Municipal | Old Tafo | Old Tafo | Vincent Ekow Assafuah | NPP |
| Sekyere Afram Plains | Drobonso | Sekyere Afram Plains | Alex Adomako-Mensah | NDC |
| Sekyere Central | Nsuta | Nsuta-Kwamang | Adelaide Ntim | NPP |
| Sekyere East | Effiduase | Afigya Sekyere East | Mavis Nkansah Boadu | NPP |
| Sekyere Kumawu | Kumawu | Kumawu | Philip Basoah | NPP |
| Sekyere South | Agona | Effiduase-Asokore | Nana Ayew Afriyie | NPP |
| Suame Municipal | Suame | Suame | Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu(Majority Leader) | NPP |
Famous native citizens
| Famous native citizens of Ashanti | |
|---|---|
| Citizen | Settlement |
| Mamme Efya Nyarko | Ashanti, Ghana |
| Richmond Boakye | Agogo |
| Deborah Owusu-Bonsu | Pakyi no2 |
| Chelsea Sarpong | Ahenemaa Kokoben |
| Sulley Muntari | Konongo |
| Sonia Ibrahim | Kumasi |
| Emmanuel Frimpong | Kumasi |
| Kofi Annan | Kumasi |
| John Kufuor | Kumasi |
| Isaac Vorsah | Kumasi |
| Juliet Ibrahim | Kumasi |
| Sam Jonah | Obuasi |
| Rhian Benson | Kumasi |
| Samuel Kuffour | Kumasi |
| Tony Yeboah | Kumasi |
| Kwadwo Asamoah | Kumasi |
| Maxwell Konadu | Kumasi |
| Harrison Afful | Kumasi |
| Quincy Owusu-Abeyie | Kumasi |
| Kevin-Prince Boateng | Kumasi |
| Kofi Kingston | Kumasi |
General I. K Acheampong, former Head of State of Ghana, Taabuom, Atwima
General Akwasi Amankwaa Afrifa, former Head of state, Krobo, Asante-Mampong,
Dr. J.H. Frimpong-Ansah, former Governor of Bank of Ghana, Asante-Mampong,
Yaw Manu-Sarpong, former Deputy of Bank of Ghana, Asante-Nsuta
Joseph Yaw Manu, politician, Asante-Nsuta
Victor Owusu, former leader and Presidential candidate of the Popular Front Party, Asante-Agona
Professor Albert Adu Boahen, leader and Presidential candidate of the New patriotic Party and renowned historian, Asante-Juaben
Alhaji Ibrahim Kwabena Antwi, an academic and first librarian of University for Development Studies, Tamale, Asante-Nsuta,
Abdul Karim Tanko Razak, former best footballer of Africa, Kumasi
Samuel Opoku-Nti, footballer, kumasi,
Kwasi Appiah, footballer and coach of the Ghana National Football Team, the Black Stars, Asante-Bekwai,
Bishop Obinim, Christian occultist, Kumasi
Ohene Kakari, athlete, Kumasi,
Chelsea Sarpong,Business woman,kumasi,
Hannah Afriyie, athlete, Ejisu,
Emmanuel Tuffour (Koora) athlete, Kumasi,
Gerald Asamoa, footballer, Germany National Football Team, Asante-Mampong,
Maulvi Abdul Wahab Adam, Islamic cleric and scholar and former Head and Missionary-In-Charge of Ahmadiyya Movement in Ghana, Adansi-Fomena.
Kojo Safo Kantanka- Asante Bekwai,
Daddy Lumba, highlife musician -Asante Nsuta
Nana Ama McBrown Actress -Kumasi
Sam Otis Brefo Financial Consutant Nsuta/Abonkosu
