Ashanti Region

Not to be confused with Kingdom of Ashanti or Ashantiland.
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 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

Recreation areas

Historic sites

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.

Other Tourist Attractions

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]

Transportation

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

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.

Districts in Ashanti Region Region[6]
District Capital Population
Adansi North Fomena 235,680 (2000 census)
Adansi South New Edubiase 129,325 (2000 census)
Afigya-Kwabre Agona
Ahafo Ano North Tepa 71,856 (2000 census)
Ahafo Ano South Mankranso 133,874 (2000 census)
Amansie Central Bekwai 219, 508 (2000 census)
Amansie West Manso Nkwanta 108, 768 (2000 census)
Asante Akim North Konongo 126, 465 (2000 census)
Asante Akim South Juaso 96, 885 (2000 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 Kumawu
Sekyere Central Nsuta
Sekyere East Effiduase 157, 378
Sekyere South Agona Ashanti 143, 213

Famous native citizens

Famous native citizens of Ashanti
# Citizen Settlement
1 Richmond Boakye Agogo
2 Deborah Owusu-Bonsu Kumasi
3 Sulley Muntari Konongo
4 Sonia Ibrahim Kumasi
5 Emmanuel Frimpong Kumasi
6 Kofi Annan Kumasi
7 John Kufuor Kumasi
8 Isaac Vorsah Kumasi
9 Juliet Ibrahim Kumasi
10 Sam Jonah Obuasi
11 Rhian Benson Kumasi
12 Samuel Kuffour Kumasi
13 Kofi Kingston Kumasi
14 Tony Yeboah Kumasi
15 Kwadwo Asamoah Kumasi
16 Maxwell Konadu Kumasi
17 Harrison Afful Kumasi
18 Quincy Owusu-Abeyie Kumasi
19 Kevin-Prince Boateng Kumasi

References

  1. ↑ "Ashanti Region". Ghanadistricts.com. Retrieved 2010-10-13.
  2. ↑ "Ashanti Region". Ghanadistricts.com. Retrieved 2010-10-13.
  3. ↑ Ashanti Region
  4. ↑ Ashanti Region
  5. ↑ Ashanti Region
  6. ↑ Ashanti Region. Geohive.com.
 Brong-Ahafo
Brong-Ahafo
Western
Central		 Eastern
   Ashanti  
Western Central Eastern