Ashanti Region

Ashanti
Region
Flag Emblem
Location of Ashanti Region in Ghana Map of Ashanti
Districts of Ashanti
Country	Ghana
Capital	Kumasi
Districts	27
Government
• Regional Minister	Samuel Sarpong
Area[1]
• Total	24,389 km2 (9,417 sq mi)
Area rank	Ranked 3rd
Population (2010 Census)[2]
• 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

The Ashanti Region is located in south Ghana and is third largest of 10 administrative regions, 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 3,612,950 in 2000, accounting for 19.1 per cent of Ghana’s total population. The Ashanti Region and Kingdom of Ashanti and Ashantiland is known for its major gold bar and cocoa production and also harbors the capital city of Kumasi.

Geography

Location and size

The Ashanti Region is in Asanteman and 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 four of the ten political regions, Brong-Ahafo Region 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

Historic sites

• Komfo Anokye Sword
• Manhyia Palace Museum
• Kumasi Fort and Military Museum
• Armed Forces Museum
• The Prempeh II Jubilee 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

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.^[3] 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.^[4]

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

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

Healthcare

Sports

Districts

The political administration of the region is through the local government system. Under this administration system, the region is divided into 27 districts.^[5] 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.

Famous native citizens

References

		Brong-Ahafo
	Brong-Ahafo Western Central		Eastern
		Ashanti
	Western	Central	Eastern