Ashanti Region


The Ashanti Region is located in south Ghana and is third largest of 16 administrative regions, occupying a total land surface of 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.

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

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.

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 is lower than that of Central Region. Majority of Ashanti region's population are Ethnic Akans and citizens by birth with five per cent naturalized Ghanaians. A smaller proportion 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 of the Akan population is Ashanti.

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

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

Kwadaso SDA Hospital
Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital
First care Hospital
Tafo Government Hospital
Suntreso Government Hospital

Sports

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. 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

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 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