Ashanti Region
The Ashanti Region is located in south Ghana and is third largest of 16 administrative regions (formerly 10), occupying a total land surface of 24,389 km2 (9,417 sq mi) or 10.2 per cent 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 | |
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Sawah rice cultivation in inland valleys in Ashanti region, Ghana | |
Flag | |
Location of Ashanti Region in Ghana | |
Country | Ghana |
Capital | Kumasi |
Districts | 27 |
Government | |
• Regional Minister | Simon Osei-Mensah[1] |
Area | |
• Total | 24,389 km2 (9,417 sq mi) |
Area rank | Ranked 3rd |
Population (2010 Census)[3] | |
• Total | 4,780,380 |
• Rank | Ranked 1st |
• Density | 200/km2 (510/sq mi) |
GDP (PPP) | |
• Year | 2013 |
• Per capita | $5,150 |
GDP (Nominal) | |
• Year | 2013 |
• Per capita | $2,500 |
Time zone | GMT |
Area code(s) | 032 |
ISO 3166 code | GH-AH |
HDI (2017) | medium · 3rd |
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.
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
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.[5] 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.[6]
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.
Education
Senior high schools
- Dadease Senior High School, Dadease
- 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)
- 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 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.
- 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.
Higher education
The Ashanti region has one public university, the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and a Polytechnic in Kumasi. 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
- University of Education, Kumasi Campus, Kumasi
- 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
- University of Education, Mampog Campus
- Mampong Technical College of Education (MAMTECH)
- S.D.A. College of Education, Agona
Healthcare
Kwadaso SDA Hospital
Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital
First care Hospital
Tafo Government Hospital
Suntreso Government Hospital
Sports
- Kumasi Asante Kotoko
- Ashanti Gold SC
- King Faisal Babies F.C.
- New Edubiase United
- Main stadium is Kumasi Sports Stadium
Districts
The political administration of the region is through the local government system. Under this administration system, the region is divided into 30 districts made up of 1 Metropolitan, 7 Municipal and 22 Ordinary districts.[7] Each District, Municipal or Metropolitan Area, is administered by a Chief Executive, representing the central government but deriving authority from an Assembly headed by a presiding member elected from among the members themselves.
Districts in the Ashanti Region[8] | ||
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District | Capital | Population |
Adansi North | Fomena | 235,680 (2000 census) |
Adansi South | New Edubiase | 129,325 (2000 census) |
Afigya-Kwabre | Kodie | |
Ahafo Ano North | Tepa | 71,856 (2000 census) |
Ahafo Ano South | Mankranso | 133,874 (2000 census) |
Amansie Central | Jacobu | 219, 508 (2000 census) |
Amansie West | Manso Nkwanta | 108, 768 (2000 census) |
Asante Akim Central Municipal | Konongo | 71,508 (2010 census) |
Asante Akim North | Agogo, Ghana | 126, 465 (2000 census) |
Asante Akim South | Juaso | 96, 885 (2000 census) |
Asokore Mampong Municipal | Asokore Mampong | 304,815 (2010 census) |
Atwima Kwanwoma | Foase Kokoben | 234, 759 (2000 census) |
Atwima Mponua | Nyinahin | |
Atwima Nwabiagya | Nkawie | |
Bekwai Municipal | Bekwai | |
Bosome Freho | Asiwa | |
Bosomtwe | Kuntenase | 145,524 (2000 census) |
Ejisu-Juaben Municipal | Ejisu | 124,179 (2000 census) |
Ejura/Sekyedumase | Ejura | 81, 119 (2000 census) |
Kumasi Metropolitan | Kumasi | 1,171,311 (2000 census) |
Kwabre | Mamponteng | 164,668 (2000 census) |
Mampong Municipal | Mampong | |
Obuasi Municipal | Obuasi | |
Offinso Municipal | Offinso | 138, 190 (2000 census) |
Offinso North | Akomadan | |
Sekyere Afram Plains | Drobonso | 28,535 (2010 census) |
Sekyere Central | Nsuta | |
Sekyere East | Effiduase | 157, 378 |
Sekyere Kumawu | Kumawu | 65,402 (2010 census) |
Sekyere South | Agona Ashanti | 143, 213 |
| Mubende District | 260, 421
Famous native citizens
Famous native citizens of Ashanti | |
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Citizen | Settlement |
Mamme Efya Nyarko | Ashanti, Ghana |
Richmond Boakye | Agogo |
Deborah Owusu-Bonsu | Pakyi no2 |
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,
Hannah Afriyie, athlete, Ejisu,
Emmanuel Tuffour (Koora) athlete, Kumasi,
Gerald Asamoa, footballer of the German 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
References
- "Regional Ministers - Government of Ghana". ghana.gov.gh. Archived from the original on 2017-07-04. Retrieved 2017-07-04.
- "Ashanti Region". Ghanadistricts.com. Archived from the original on 2010-08-28. Retrieved 2010-10-13.
- "Ashanti Region". Ghanadistricts.com. Archived from the original on 2010-08-28. Retrieved 2010-10-13.
- "Sub-national HDI - Area Database - Global Data Lab". hdi.globaldatalab.org. Retrieved 2018-09-13.
- Ashanti Region Archived August 28, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
- Ashanti Region Archived August 28, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
- "Ashanti Region". GhanaDistricts. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
- Ashanti Region. Geohive.com.