Ashanti Region
The Ashanti Region is located in the southern part of Ghana and is the third largest of 16 administrative regions, occupying a total land surface of and making up 10.2 percent of the total land area of Ghana. It is the most populated region in Ghana, with a population of 5,440,463 according to the 2021 census, accounting for around one-sixth of Ghana's total population. The Ashanti Region is known for its gold bar and cocoa production. The largest city and capital of Ashanti is Kumasi.
Geography
The Ashanti Region is located in the middle belt of Ghana. It lies between longitudes 0.15W and 2.25W as well as latitudes 5.50N and 7.46N. The region shares boundaries with six of the sixteen political regions: the Bono, Bono East, and Ahafo in the north, the Eastern Region in the east, the Central Region in the south, and the Western Region in the South west. The region is divided into 43 districts, each headed by a District Chief Executive.Economy
The economy of the Ashanti Region is largely self-sufficient, dominated by the service sector, agriculture sector, as well as by natural resources. The 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.Demographics
The center of population in 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 of Ghana; however, its density is lower than that of the Central Region. The majority of the Ashanti Region's population is from the Akan ethnic group and is made up of citizens by birth, whereas 5% are naturalized Ghanaians. A smaller proportion of the population originates from outside Ashanti, Akanland, or Ghana; 3.7 percent of the population of Ashanti was from one of the five English-speaking countries of ECOWAS and 2.1 percent was from other countries in Africa. The non-African population living in the region is 1.8 percent of the total population. Akans are the predominant ethnic group in the region, representing 94.2% of citizens by birth. A high proportion of the Akan population is Ashanti.Transport
The Ashanti region is served by the Prempeh I International Airport, which handles domestic flights. Five national highways and a few regional highways, such as the R52 and R106, are located in the region.The N6 is connected to Kumasi, Nsawam, the N4, and Accra via Kwame Nkrumah Circle. Ashanti is also connected to the Central Region by the N8 and N10, both of which originate from Yamoransa in the Central Region. The N10, is also connected to Kumasi.
Education
Senior high schools
Higher education
The Ashanti region has three public universities. In addition, there are private universities and colleges, which are 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, ]
- National Institute Of Information Technology, Kumasi Campus NIIT.
- Kumasi Technical University
- 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
- Mampong Technical College of Education
- S.D.A. College of Education, Agona
Healthcare
There are about 1,654 health facilities in the region, mostly consisting of CHPS facilities and health centers. This is a list of the most popular hospitals in the Ashanti Region:
- 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
| Map of all the districts in the Ashanti Region |
Places of interest
The following is a list of potential places of interest in the Ashanti Region: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, Kumasi
- 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
- Papa Festival
- Kente Festival
- Yaa Asantewaa Festival
- Mmoa Nni Nko Festival
- Nkyidwo Festival
Other
- Kejetia Market
- Adinkra cloth printing in Ntonso
Notable people
Acting
- Sonia Ibrahim
Athletes
- Sulley Muntari
- Emmanuel Frimpong
- Samuel Kuffour
- Tony Yeboah
- Kwadwo Asamoah
- Maxwell Konadu
- Harrison Afful
- Quincy Owusu-Abeyie
- Kofi Kingston
- Ransford Selasi
Filmmakers
- Deborah Owusu-Bonsu
Musicians
- Nana Acheampong
Military and political figures
- Kofi Annan
- John Kufuor
- I. K Acheampong
- Akwasi Amankwaa Afrifa
- J.H. Frimpong-Ansah
- Joseph Yaw Manu
- Kwasi Anin-Yeboah
- Joseph Adjei Buadi
Business
- Sam Jonah
- Osei Kwame Despite