Ashanti Region

Geography

The Ashanti Region is located in the middle belt of Ghana. It lies between longitudes 0.15W and 2.25W as well as latitudes 5.50N and 7.46N. The region shares boundaries with six of the sixteen political regions: the Bono, Bono East, and Ahafo in the north, the Eastern Region in the east, the Central Region in the south, and the Western Region in the South west. The region is divided into 43 districts, each headed by a District Chief Executive.

Economy

The economy of the Ashanti Region is largely self-sufficient, dominated by the service sector, agriculture sector, as well as by natural resources. The region is also known for its production of manganese, bauxite and agricultural commodities such as cocoa and yam, with the region having low levels of taxation and without much need for foreign direct investment.

Demographics

The center of population in 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 of Ghana; however, its density (148.1 per square 1 km) is lower than that of the Central Region (162.2/km2).2)-- The majority of the Ashanti Region's population is from the Akan ethnic group and is made up of citizens by birth (94.2%), whereas 5% are naturalized Ghanaians. A smaller proportion (5.8%) of the population originates from outside Ashanti, Akanland, or Ghana; 3.7 percent of the population of Ashanti was from one of the five English-speaking countries of ECOWAS and 2.1 percent was from other countries in Africa. The non-African population living in the region is 1.8 percent 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.

Transport

The Ashanti region is served by the Prempeh I International Airport , which handles domestic flights. Five national highways (the N4, N6, N8, N10 and N6) and a few regional highways, such as the R52 and R106, are located in the region.

The N6 is connected to Kumasi, Nsawam, the N4, and Accra via Kwame Nkrumah Circle. Ashanti is also connected to the Central Region by the N8 and N10, both of which originate from Yamoransa in the Central Region. The N10, is also connected to Kumasi.

Education

Senior high schools

Main article: List of senior high schools in the Ashanti Region

Higher education

The Ashanti region has three public universities. In addition, there are private universities and colleges, which are 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
• Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development, (formerly Kumasi Campus of University of Education, Winneba)]
• National Institute Of Information Technology, Kumasi Campus NIIT.
• Kumasi Technical University
• 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
• Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (formerly Mampong Campus of University of Education, Winneba)
• Mampong Technical College of Education (MAMTECH)
• S.D.A. College of Education, Agona

Healthcare

Healthcare in the region is managed by the Ashanti Regional Health Directorate (RHD), which is headed by Dr. Emmanuel Tinkorang. Under the agency there are 43 smaller district health directorates managed by their respective district.

There are about 1,654 health facilities in the region, mostly consisting of CHPS facilities and health centers. This is a list of the most popular hospitals in the Ashanti Region:

• Manhyia Hospital
• Kwadaso SDA Hospital
• Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital
• Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology Hospital
• Kumasi South Hospital
• First Care Hospital
• Tafo Government Hospital
• Suntreso Government Hospital
• West End Hospital

Sports

• Kumasi Asante Kotoko
• Ashanti Gold SC
• King Faisal Babies F.C.
• New Edubiase United
• Main stadium is Kumasi Sports Stadium

Administrative divisions

The Ashanti Region is administered by a local government. Under its administrative system, the region is divided into 43 MMDAs (made up of 1 Metropolitan, 18 Municipal and 24 Ordinary Assemblies). Each District, Municipal, or Metropolitan Assembly is administered by a Chief Executive and Member of Parliament representing the central government, but deriving authority from an Assembly headed by a presiding member elected by the other members of the Assembly. Afterwards, the MMDAs were increased from 10 to 18 in 1988; from 18 to 21 in 2004; from 21 to 27 in 2008; from 27 to 30 in 2012; and from 30 to 43 in 2018. The current list of Members of Parliament is as follows:

Places of interest

The following is a list of potential places of interest in the Ashanti Region:

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, Kumasi
• 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

• Papa Festival
• Kente Festival
• Yaa Asantewaa Festival
• Mmoa Nni Nko Festival
• Nkyidwo Festival

Other

• Kejetia Market
• Adinkra cloth printing in Ntonso

Notable people

Acting

• Sonia Ibrahim

Athletes

• Sulley Muntari
• Emmanuel Frimpong
• Samuel Kuffour
• Tony Yeboah
• Kwadwo Asamoah
• Maxwell Konadu
• Harrison Afful
• Quincy Owusu-Abeyie
• Kofi Kingston
• Ransford Selasi

Filmmakers

• Deborah Owusu-Bonsu

Musicians

• Nana Acheampong

Military and political figures

• Kofi Annan
• John Kufuor
• I. K Acheampong
• Akwasi Amankwaa Afrifa
• J.H. Frimpong-Ansah
• Joseph Yaw Manu
• Kwasi Anin-Yeboah
• Joseph Adjei Buadi

Business

• Sam Jonah
• Osei Kwame Despite

Notes

References

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