Kumasi

Kumasi is the capital of Ghana's Ashanti Region and the historic heart of the Asante kingdom, often called the Garden City of West Africa. Landmarks such as Manhyia Palace and Kejetia Market reflect its role as both a cultural and a commercial centre.

Founded in the 1680s by Asantehene Osei Tutu I as the capital of the Ashanti Empire, Kumasi remains the seat of the Asantehene. The Manhyia Palace Museum, Prempeh II Jubilee Museum, Kumasi Fort and Military Museum, and the Okomfo Anokye Sword Site preserve Asante history, while nearby craft villages such as Bonwire, Ntonso and Ahwiaa keep kente weaving, adinkra printing and wood carving traditions alive.

Central districts such as Adum and Kejetia are busy commercial areas, while neighbourhoods like Bantama, Asokwa, Ahodwo, Nhyiaeso and Santasi offer hotels, restaurants and quieter residential streets. The Kumasi National Cultural Centre and Rattray Park add green space and cultural programming within the city.

Kumasi is a major trading and business hub, with Kejetia Market among West Africa's largest open-air markets and a strong role in timber, gold and cocoa. Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and the local Kumawood film industry add to the city's creative and economic energy.

For travellers, Kumasi offers a deep cultural experience, lively markets, traditional food and a gateway to Ashanti craft villages and historic sites, while business visitors benefit from its commercial importance and growing air links through Prempeh I International Airport.