The city was the capital of the Asante Empire, which at its peak covered large parts of present-day Ghana and the Ivory Coast.[10]: 9 After getting taken over by the British in 1896, Kumasi rapidly grew with improvements to infrastructure, such as roads and the additions of railways. After Ghana got its independence in 1957, the city became the capital of the Ashanti Region.[13] The city is often regarded as "The Garden City" after Maxwell Fry released his 1945 "Garden City of West Africa" plan for the city.[14] It is also due to the abundance of gardens and forestry in the city.[9]
Kumasi is a commercial, economic, and trading hub in Ghana, home to the biggest market in West Africa: the Kejetia Market. The city is the centre of Asante culture, hence also being nicknamed "Osei-Krom" or simply "Oseikrom", along with attracting many visitors.[10]: 9 The city is also home to numerous trade associations, such as the Aboabo Talia Producers'
Association. Half of the country's timber processing takes place in the city. The Centre for National Culture, Wesley College of Education, and Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital are all located in the city.[8]: 10 [12]
Kumasi derived from the Twi word Kumase, meaning 'under the kum tree' in which kum meant 'the tree' and ase means 'under'. The word was the name of a Okum tree in Kwaman, planted by Okomfo Anokye.[7]
Early settlement
Kente weaver on Adum Street in Kumasi, Ghana, 1819
Kumasi was founded around 1680 or in the 1680s by Asantehene Osei Kofi Tutu I as the capital of the Ashanti Empire.[15][16][17][18] Various accounts exist on the formation of the city. One states that Osei Tutu negotiated for the land under a Kum Tree. Hence, from which the name Kumasi derived from.[12] Other oral sources state it was Nana Oti Akenten who negotiated with the chief of Tafo for a plot of land under a Kum tree.[19] Other traditions indicate that Oti built Kwaman and it was his son Nana Obiri Yeboa who created Kumasi instead. The majority of oral sources attribute the choice of site to Okomfo Anokye who was said to have planted two Kum seeds; one in Kwaman and another in Kumawu as he decreed that the one which grew would be designated as the capital of Osei Tutu's empire.[20] Kumasi was built over the eastern slopes of a ridge, rising from the marshes of the Nsuben rivers.[21]
The city rose to prominence in 1695, when it became the capital of the Ashanti Empire due to the activities of its ruler, Osei Tutu.[23] The ruler of Kumasi, known as the Asantehene, also served as the ruler of the empire. With their 1701 victory over Denkyira, the Ashanti empire became the primary state among the Ashantis.[24] In 1718–19, Aowin King Ebirimoro invaded Kumasi and sacked the capital.[25] Asantehene Opoku Ware I was able to "beat back" this invasion.[26]
European sources in the late 19th century mentioned the city's neatness such as the account of F. Boyle in 1874 who stated that Kumasi's smells "are never those of sewage" as well as Brackenbury, who wrote around 1873 that "the streets are generally very broad and clean, and ornamented with many beautiful banyan-trees affording grateful shade from the powerful rays of the sun."[27] In contrast, William Butler described the city as 'a filthier, and far more blood-stained collection of mud and wattle hovels than any other village in the forest.'[28] Parts of the city, including the then royal residence, were burnt by the British in the Third Anglo-Ashanti War of 1874.[29]
In 1888, R. Austin Freeman was disappointed with the ruins of Kumasi following the British destruction in 1874 and the Ashanti civil war before 1888.
Kumasi was a great disappointment to me, and my disappointment increased as I
walked round and examined the town. It was not merely that so little existed, but that so much had been destroyed. As it stands, or then stood, the town was nothing more than a large clearing in the forest, over which were scattered, somewhat irregularly, groups of houses. The paths were dirty and ill kept, and between the groups of houses large patches of waste ground intervened, and on these, amidst the tall, coarse grass that covered them, were to be seen the remains of houses that had once occupied them. These houses once stood in wide and regular streets, but since the destruction of the city in 1874 the natives do not seem to have had heart to rebuild them. Yet there remained some few vestiges to show what Kumasi had been in its palmy days... A few broad, well-kept streets still existed, lined by houses, [of] ... admirable construction, careful and artistic finish and excellent repair...
Population of Kumasi during the time of the Ashanti Empire varied. In the early 19th century, Ashanti sources estimated a populace of 100,000 while European sources gave a figure around 12–15,000.[30] According to historian Ivor Wilks, the city may have had a population of 40,000 in the 1860s.[31]
Lady Mary Alice Hodgson, the first English lady to visit Ashanti, wrote "The Siege of Kumasi", an account of the siege of the fort by the nationals of Ashanti and of the subsequent march to the coast.[32] (She was the daughter of Hon. W. A. G. Young, C.M.G., former governor of the Gold Coast, and the wife of Sir Frederick Mitchell Hodgson, K.C.M.G., the governor of the Gold Coast in 1900.[32])
Colonial era
Kings Way Road in Kumasi (1925)
In 1926, following the return of the Ashanti King Prempeh I after 30-year in exile in Seychelles Island, Kumasi was vested with ceremonial control over the Ashanti sub-states. The full role of king was restored by the colonial administration in 1935. The city holds an important place in the history of the Ashanti people, as legend claims that it was here Okomfo Anokye received the golden stool, an embodiment of the soul of Ashanti nation.[33]
Due to large amounts of encroachment, water pollution in the city is increasing, threatening rivers such as the Wiwi and the Subin. A 2024 report said that in the Kumasi Metropolitan, "more land alongside the rivers was being used for industrial, residential and commercial purposes than for green spaces." The researchers criticized that "city authorities were ineffective in controlling development in these areas" and recommended that "there should be a buffer of 100 feet (30 metres) along water bodies."[34]
Climate
Kumasi has a tropical savanna climate (Köppen climate classificationAw), with two distinct rainy seasons, major and minor. The major season usually occurs from March to July whilst the minor season is from September to November. The annual rainfall clocks in at around 1,200 mm (3.9 ft) while the relative humidity ranges around 53% to 93%. The average monthly mean temperatures are around 31 °C (88 °F) while the monthly minimum temperatures are about 22 °C (72 °F).[35]
Climate data for Kumasi (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1984–2020)
Source 2: Sistema de Classification Bioclimática Mundial (extremes 1984–1990)[37]
Cityscape
Urban planning
Historically, the city was planned based on traditional land settlement patterns and land use systems of the Asante Empire. Although this doesn't count as the city being 'formally' planned, it was considered to be well-organized with physical structures complying to the local culture and architecture.[38] Some areas of Kumasi were declared as sacred.[39] At the time of Bowdich's visit in 1817, Kumasi was documented to have contained 27 streets. Another source in the mid-1880s identified 50 streets.[40] In the present time, Kumasi is described as having unregulated informal activities, overdevelopment of slums, rapid urban growth, and poor services.[38]: 5
Compound houses are the most popular style of housing in Kumasi, being able to house 8 to 15 households on average. A typical compound house is usually a one-storey building containing of single rooms surrounding a square courtyard. They are usually built using low-cost construction materials and by local labour.[41] A 1996 study found that approximately 20% of home owners actually own their homes and more than 60% are migrants, either foreign or from other parts of Ghana.[42]
Government
Although Kumasi does not have a mayor on its own, the metropolitan it is located in and administrated by has a mayor–council form of government. The mayor (executive chief) is appointed president of Ghana and approved by the city council, the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly.[43] As of 2021, the current mayor of the metropolitan is Samuel Pyne.[1]
Sub-Metros
The metro is split up into 10 sub-metropolitan areas: Manhyia, Tafo, Suame, Asokwa, Oforikrom, Asawase, Bantama, Kwadaso, Nhyiaeso and Subin. The metro is also split up into 5 health districts: Asokwa, Subin, Bantama, Manhyia North and Manhyia South.[44]
Demographics
Historical population
Year
Pop.
±%
1970
346,336
—
1984
496,628
+43.4%
2000
1,170,270
+135.6%
2010
2,035,064
+73.9%
2021
3,490,030*
—
*estimate Note: This does not count for the city of Kumasi, rather the metropolitan as a whole. Source: Ghana Statistical Service.[b]
The population of the city of Kumasi is 443,981 people while the population of the metropolitan area is 3,490,030 people.[3][4] One out of every five people in Kumasi are Christian, followed by Islam and traditional African religions. The largest ethnic group in the city is the Asante, followed by the Mole-Dagbon and Ewe people. Most of the population was born outside of the municipality, with about half being born outside the region.[5]: 36, 5, 28
Culture
This section is about modern Ashanti culture. For information on pre-colonial Ashanti culture, see Culture of the Ashanti Empire.
Kumasi is the centre of Asante culture, helping it to be nicknamed "Osei-Krom" or simply "Oseikrom". Kumasi is also known for its traditional textile, kente, usually always made using traditional practices. It is home to the largest market in West Africa, the Kejetia Market, homed to over 10,000 stores and stalls.[47] Places with cultural background(s) in the city include Fort Kumasi (built by in 1896 to replace an Asante fort and now a museum) and the Kumasi Hat Museum. Royal Asante attractions include the Centre for National Culture, Kumasi (including the Prempeh II Jubilee Museum with Asante regalia with a reproduction of the golden stool), the Okomfo AnokyeSword, the Asantehene's Palace (built in 1972), and the Manhyia Palace, dating from 1925, now a museum.[48][12]
Media
Media in Kumasi, along with the metropolitan, is regulated by the Public Relations Unit of the Kumasi Metropolitan. In total, there are 36 media outlets in the metro, of this are 4 television organizations, 20 FM stations, and 13 print media organizations.[49]
Film in Kumasi, nicknamed "Kumawood", is a rapidly growing industry appealing to those who lack access to education but have a passion for acting. The industry mainly focuses on local storylines, along with being set in village surroundings usually on a low budget ranging from $6,860 to $11,440, sharing similarities with Wakaliwood. The films are spoken in the local language, which is Twi.[50][51]
The first documented movie theatre to open in Kumasi was the Rex cinema, constructed in 1938. It was located at the Prempeh Assembly Hall, which was at the time one of the largest gathering places in the city. A second one was built in 1951, housed about 1,500 seats. These theatres were owned by the West African Picture Company, a Lebanese-owned business which operated in the Gold Coast, Nigeria, and London. Hindi films were popular among residents, more notably the Muslim populations.[52]
Virtual stations
The following is a selected list of radio stations and TV stations in Kumasi:[53][54][55]
A meeting of the Management Committee of the Kumasi Co-operative Union related to cacao
The Ashanti Region accounted for 21% of total national output of Ghana in 2014, of which 48% was situated in the city of Kumasi alone. This makes the city an economic centre in the country.[38]: 9 Much of the city's wealth is derived from being the middle point of many of Ghana's main roads, along with cacao farming in the hinterland. The main occupations in Kumasi are professional, such as services and manufacturing.[23]
Manufacturing
Since the 1960, the city is home to many businesses, big and small, contributing to the city's economic growth. In fact, two-thirds of all non-household businesses in Ashanti was in Kumasi. Kaase and Suame are known as heavily industrialized areas, being the home for many mechanic shops and businesses, such as Guinness Ghana Breweries and a Coca-Cola Bottling Company United branch.[38]: 9, para. 2,3
Energy
Nine out of every ten households are connected to the national
electricity grid. Solar panels are prevalent in Kumasi and throughout the Ashanti region. Solar energy technology is a major energy source and contributor to electricity generation in the city. Other popular forms of power include flashlights, candles, gas lamps, and kerosene lamps.[38]: 12, 13 [5]: 63, 74
Commerce
Much of the shopping and trading activity in the city takes place at Kumasi's shopping streets, in and around Kejetia Market and Adum. These two areas border each other. There is also heavy economic activities at Bantama and Asafo. Asafo in particular is the printing hub of Kumasi. Most of the printing done in Kumasi and Ashanti Region as a whole is done at Asafo. Kumasi's Ahwiaa (a sub-town in Kumasi) is also well noted for its wood carvings and arts.[38]: 9, para. 3
Street hawking
Street hawking is a popular and ever-increasing economic employer in Kumasi, with a 2013 report finding that it appealed to people who lack formal education or the proper financial status to go into other economic activities. Common things that traders sell include water, bread, chocolate, plantain chips, chewing gum, books,puppies and many more.[56]
There are a total of 2545 educational institutions in Kumasi, consisting of 919 pre-schools, 967 primary schools, 597 junior high schools, 52 senior high schools and 10 tertiary (post-secondary education) institutions as of the 2010 census.[5]: 6
The city is home to 136 health facilities, most of which are privately owned.[5]: 6 The biggest hospital in Kumasi is the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, which is located on a hill that overlooks the city. It is a 750-bed facility and is the second largest hospital in the country. The hospital opened in 1954 and was initially named Kumasi Central hospital. Nurses Training College and the Midwifery Training School, both built around the 40s and 50s, became a part of the hospital upon its completion, eventually becoming the Kumasi Nurses and Midwifery Training School.[62] The city is also home to a hospital, the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, which started construction in 2008 and was completed in 2023.[63]
The city is home to numerous recreational parks and gardens which are open to the public, with the per capita green spaces around 4.7 square metres (51 sq ft).[66]: 7 Some major parks are Abbey's Park, Jackson's Park, Hero's Park, located on the same premises as the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, and Rattray Park. Although, the state of most of these parks are poor at best and are barely maintained.[66]: 8 The city is also home to the Kumasi Zoo, also known as the Kumasi Zoological Garden, located at the heart of the city. It is operated by the Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission of Ghana. The conditions of the zoo's facilities are poor and are in despair need for repair, according to locals.[66]: 10, 13, 12
Kumasi is served by the Prempeh I International Airport. As of May 2020, two airlines offered regularly scheduled flights to Accra. Airlines servicing the airport included Africa World Airlines and Passion Air. In 2013, the Government of Ghana approved expansion plans to the Kumasi Airport to service international flights into the region. The airport was renovated and completed by October 2022.[67]
Road
Interchanges
The city is home to the Asokwa Interchange, an project which was a part of the Urban Environmental Sanitation Project Phase II.[c] The by-pass is one of three interchanges in Kumasi.[69] In 2021, the Government of Ghana announced the construction of a four level stack interchange in Suame. It is currently on its first phase, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2024.[70][71]
There is public transportation from Kumasi to major cities such as Accra; Tamale, Mim, Ahafo; Cape Coast, Sunyani; Takoradi; Tema; Ho; Wa; Bolgatanga; Elubo; Aflao, Techiman.
Public transport in the city is provided by transit buses, a mix of privately owned mini-buses known as tro-tros, taxicabs and buses. Tro-tros are usually converted mini-buses that run regular, well-known routes. Some taxis also run regular routes, which cost more but provide for a more comfortable ride.[5]: 6
In 2002, the city introduced the metro bus services, a rapid transit system for public road transport in Kumasi (MetroMass).[72] This was to reduce congestion on roads and to make a larger and more organized bus routine system in the city.[73] In 2017, Uber introduced services in Kumasi, a year after a successful introduction in Accra.[74]
Rail
View of the Kumasi railway station in 2005
Kumasi is served by the railway lines to Sekondi-Takoradi and Accra. The train service has been suspended for several years because of damaged track, bridges and locomotives. Currently, no trains run to and from Kumasi due to the collapse of the railway corporation. A $6 billion project to upgrade the railways was due to get underway in 2011.[75]
Port
Kumasi is located near the Boankra Inland Port, an inland port situated in the Ejisu Municipality. Construction at the port is situated into two phases, with phase one scheduled to be completed by the end of 2024. Once finish, over 7,000 people are expected to be employed at the port, boosting overall productivity of the local economy.[76]
^The Second Urban Environmental Sanitation Project is one of two projects in Ghana which started in 2004, closely connected to the World Bank's agenda to addressed needs of upgrading infrastructure and services in developing countries.[68]
^Kumasi. Merriam-webster. Retrieved 16 September 2024.
^ abBrempong, O. (1991). "Twi etymology: a study in ethno-linguistlcs". Research Review. 7 (1). Retrieved 19 September 2024. ...Kumasi (the capital of Ashanti), originated when the legendary priest, Okomfo Anokye, planted Okum trees, one at Kwaman...
^Beckett, Ian (2009). Wolseley and Ashanti. The History Press for the Army Records Society. p. 365. ISBN978-0-7524-5180-0.
^David Owusu-Ansah, Historical Dictionary of Ghana, Rowman & Littlefield, USA, 2014, p. xliii
^ abJoseline Donkoh, Wilhelmina (2004). "Kumasi: Ambience of Urbanity and Modernity". Transactions of the Historical Society of Ghana (8): 167–183 (169). ISSN0855-3246. JSTOR41406712. S2CID161253857.
^"Kumasi Normals 1991–2020". World Meteorological Organization Climatological Standard Normals (1991–2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Archived from the original on 30 September 2023. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
^"Ghana–Kumasi". Centro de Investigaciones Fitosociológicas. Archived from the original on 1 December 2020. Retrieved 14 June 2015.
^Melton, J.; Baumann, M. (2010). Religions of the World: A Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Beliefs and Practices, 2nd Edition [6 volumes]. ABC-CLIO. ISBN978-1-59884-204-3.
^William A. Shack, Elliott P. Skinner (1979), Strangers in African Societies, University of California Press, p. 186, ISBN978-0-520-03812-7
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