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Kumasi
Also known as Coomassie, Kumase, Comassie
Kumasi is a city and the capital of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly and the Ashanti Region of Ghana. It is the second largest city in the country, with a population of 443,981 as of the 2021 census. Kumasi is located in a rain forest region near Lake Bosomtwe and is located about from Accra. The city experiences a tropical savanna climate, with two rainy seasons which range from minor to major. Major ethnic groups who live in Kumasi are the Asante, Dagombas, Mole-Dagbon and Ewe. As of 2025, the mayor of the metropolitan is Ofori-Agyeman Boadi.
AI overview
Kumasi is Ghana's second-largest city and serves as the capital of the Ashanti Region, with a population of nearly 444,000 people as of 2021. Located in a rainforest area near Lake Bosomtwe with a tropical climate, the city is home to diverse ethnic groups including the Asante, Dagombas, and Ewe peoples.
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Place details
- Locality
- Kumasi
- Region
- Ashanti Region
- Country
- Ghana
- Population
- 2,544,530
- Timezone
Travel guide
Understand
Kumasi was established by the King Osei Tutu I with guidance from the priest Okomfo Anokye. The city is the home of the Ashanti King, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II (as of 2023), to whom Ashantis from all walks of life pay homage. The king presides over the traditional courts that some residents use instead of the official judicial system.
Prior to the British colonisation, Kumasi was the capital of the Ashanti Empire, one of the great civilisations of Africa. Once one of the most impressive pre-colonial cities in Africa, it was largely destroyed by the British in a series of wars at the end of the 19th century. Little remains of its former glory.
The urban area has a population of over 3.4 million (2021). The local language is predominantly Akan Twi.
Get in
Kumasi is a cosmopolitan city with a good road network and one can travel on local buses which ply predetermined routes or charter/hire taxis to take one to his preferred destination.
Get around
The tro-tro station in the city centre offers the widest range of destinations. The disadvantage of this tro-tro station is that it is extremely chaotic and that it is right in the city centre: getting out of the city is often problematic due to a plethora of traffic jams. If you can't find your tro-tro, ask one of the tro-tro mates or one of the ticket sellers. The destinations are posted on signs above the bus station.
Another alternative is to catch a tro-tro from the ring road instead. This saves you the hassle of navigating through the Kumasi traffic jams.
See
thumb|250px|right|Ghana Armed Forces Museum
Do
A tour of the Palace grounds explains the history of the Ashanti people and the significance of the Ashanti cultural history. thumb|308x308px|Shores of Lake Bosumtwi
Buy
Kente fabric strips, glass beads, Ashanti sandals, batik – pretty much everything under the sun at the Kejetia Market.
Eat
The Noble House Hotel serves excellent Indian and Chinese food. Prices are higher than the average Ghanaian restaurant: expect to pay GH₵30–40 for a curry, some rice and a drink. Noble House has the same owners as the Heritage Restaurant in Osu, Accra. Other options with local cuisine include: African Pot and Grill and Mukyia Delight Cafe & Restaurant.
~26 min read
Article
50 sectionsContents
- History
- Etymology
- Early settlement
- Ashanti Empire
- Colonial era
- Present era
- Geography
- Metropolitan area
- Environmental issues
- Climate
- Cityscape
- Urban planning
- Housing
- Government
- Sub-Metros
- Demographics
- Culture
- Media
- Film
- Virtual stations
- Economy
- Manufacturing
- Energy
- Commerce
- Street hawking
- Infrastructure
- Education
- History
- Secondary education
- Tertiary institutions
- Sports
- Healthcare
- Places of worship
- Recreational parks and gardens
- Transportation
- Air
- Road
- Interchanges
- Bus and taxicab
- Rail
- Port
- International relations
- Twin towns – sister cities
- Notable people
- See also
- Explanatory notes
- References
- Bibliography
- Further reading
- External links
Kumasi is a city and the capital of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly and the Ashanti Region of Ghana. It is the second largest city in the country, with a population of 443,981 as of the 2021 census. Kumasi is located in a rain forest region near Lake Bosomtwe and is located about from Accra. The city experiences a tropical savanna climate, with two rainy seasons which range from minor to major. Major ethnic groups who live in Kumasi are the Asante, Dagombas, Mole-Dagbon and Ewe. As of 2025, the mayor of the metropolitan is Ofori-Agyeman Boadi.
The city was the capital of the Asante Empire, which at its peak covered large parts of present-day Ghana and the Ivory Coast. After being taken over by the British in 1896 coupled with experiencing a fast population growth, Kumasi rapidly grew with improvements to its infrastructure, such as roads and the addition of railways. After Ghana gained its independence in 1957, the city became the capital of the Ashanti Region. Kumasi remains the seat of the Asantehene. The city is often regarded as "The Garden City" after Maxwell Fry published his 1945 "Garden City of West Africa" plan for the city. Additionally, it is also due to the abundance of gardens and forestry in the city.
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