Kumasi

From Wikipedia
Kumasi
city, big city, metropolitan area, human settlement
Inception1680 Edit
Official languageEnglish Edit
CountryGhana Edit
Capital ofAshanti Region Edit
Dem locate for de administrative territorial entity insydAshanti Region Edit
Located in time zoneUTC±00:00 Edit
LocationAshanti Region Edit
Coordinate location6°42′0″N 1°37′30″W Edit
Legislative bodyKumasi Metropolitan District Edit
Postal codeAK000-AK911 Edit
Official websitehttp://www.kma.gov.gh Edit
Has seal, badge, or sigilseal Edit
Local dialing code032 Edit
Map

Kumasi (historically na dem dey spell am Comassie anaa Coomassie, na dem usually dey spell am Kumase for Twi insyd)[1][2] be sam city wey dey Ashanti Region, wey ebe among de largest metropolitan areas for Ghana insyd. Kumasi dey sam rain forest region insyd near Lake Bosomtwe, wey ebe commercial, industrial, den cultural capital of de historical Ashanti Empire. Kumasi be approximately 500 kilometres (300 mi) north of de Equator den 200 kilometres (100 mi) north of de Gulf of Guinea. Kumasi be alternatively known as "De Garden City"[3] secof na ein species of flowers den plants chaw for de past insyd. Dem san dey bell am Oseikrom (Osei Tutu ein first town).

Kumasi be de second-largest city for Ghana insyd, afta de capital, Accra.[4] De Central Business District of Kumasi dey include areas lyk Adum, Bantama, Kejetia, Asawasi, Pampaso den Bompata (dem popularly dey bell am Roman Hill), plus sam concentration of banks, department stalls, den hotels. Economic activities for Kumasi insyd dey include financial den commercial sectors, pottery, clothing den textiles. Sam significant timber processing community dey Kumasi insyd wey dey serve de domestic market. Bantama High Street den Prempeh II Street for Bantama den Adum insyd, respectively, be de business den entertainment hubs for Kumasi insyd.

History[edit | edit source]

Origins[edit | edit source]

Evidence dey say dem clear de area around Kumasi since de Neolithic age wey na de first human settlement be Lake Bosomtwe.

Etymology[edit | edit source]

De name Kumasi dey derive from de Twi language, wey edey mean say 'unda de Kum tree'. De word "ase" anaa "asi" dey mean say 'unda, 'down' anaa 'below', wey dem dey use for chaw place names for Ghana insyd, such as Obuasi, Daboase, den Kenyasi.

Around de end of de 17th century, de Ashanti Kingdom ein chief fetish Priest, Okomfo Anokye plant three kum trees for different places: one for Kwaaman, wey na Nananom Ayokofuo dey rule am; second one for Apemso-Bankofo, wey na Nananom Aduanafuo dey rule am; den de third for sam village wey dey near Fomena den Amoafo wey dem dey bell am Oboani, wey na Nananom Ɛkoɔnafuo dey rule. Na Komfuo dey want see wey one go cam turn great city for de kingdom insyd, just as na de oracles dey direct am. De kum tree for Kwaaman grow vigorously wey na emake de King den ein people often dey tap de tree undas, so Kwaaman cam turn Kum-ase, wey dey mean 'unda kum'.

Na de tree for Oboani be however, very tiny wey for no apparent reason na ebe relatively short. For oral tradition insyd, dis small tree dey produce oda trees wey all be small size. Dem changed name of de village go Kuma, wey dey mean 'small kum'.

De kum tree for Apemso-Bankofo no grow at all. Afta sam few weeks de leaves rot wey de tree fall down; so na dem dey talk say de village ein kum tree die, wey de village cam turn Kum-awu, later Kumawu.[1]

Ashanti Empire[edit | edit source]

Kings Way Road for Kumasi insyd,1925

De city rise prominence for 1695 insyd as ecam turn capital of de Ashanti Empire secof de activities of ein ruler Osei Tutu.[5] De ruler of Kumasi, alias de Asantehene, san serve as ruler of de empire. Plus dema 1701 victory ova Denkyira de Ashanti empire cam turn de primary state among de Ashantis.[6] De British burn parts of de city, wey dey include de den royal residence for de Third Anglo-Ashanti War of 1874 insyd.[7]

Lady Mary Alice Hodgson, de first English lady wey visit Ashanti, write say "De Siege of Kumasi", sam account of de siege of de fort by de nationals of Ashanti den de subsequent march go de coast.[8] (Na she be de daughter of Hon. W. A. G. Young, C.M.G., former governor of de Gold Coast, den Sir Frederick Mitchell Hodgson ein wife, K.C.M.G., de governor of de Gold Coast for 1900 insyd).[8]

For 1926 insyd, following de return of de Ashanti King Prempeh I afta sam 30-year exile, dem restore Kumasi as de ceremonial control ova de Ashanti sub-states. De colonial administration restore de full role of king for 1935 insyd. De city dey hold sam important place for Ashanti people dema history insyd, as legend dey claim say ebe here Okomfo Anokye receive de golden stool.

Geography[edit | edit source]

De city dey feature sam tropical wet den dry climate, plus relatively constant temperatures thru out de course of de year. Kumasi dey average around 1400 mm (55") of rain per year.

De city almost dey feature two rainy seasons: a longer season from March thru July den sam shorter rainy season from September go November.

De months of February thru go November be one long wet season, plus sam relative lull for precipitation for August insyd. Similar for de rest of West Africa, Kumasi dey experience de harmattan for de "low sun" months insyd. Lasting from December go February, de harmattan be de primary source of de city ein dry season.

Climate[edit | edit source]

Like oda parts of Ghana, Kumasi get tropical savanna climate (Köppen climate classification Aw), plus wet season den dry season den temperature wey be hot year-round. De average annual high temperature be 30.7 °C (87.3 °F), wey de average annual low temperature be 21.5 °C (70.7 °F). De hottest time of year dey from February go May, around de tym wey de wet season dey start. February get de highest average high for 33.5 °C (92.3 °F). April get de highest average low for 22.4 °C (72.3 °F). August get de lowest average high for 27.7 °C (81.9 °F). January get de lowest average low for 20.4 °C (68.7 °F).

Kumasi dey receive 1,402.4 millimetres (55.21 in) of rain ova 128 precipitation days, plus sam distinct wet den dry season like de rest of Ghana. De dry season be short, lasting from November go February. June, de wettest month, dey receive 214.3 millimetres (8.44 in) of rainfall ova 17 precipitation days for average top. Kumasi dey receive 1951.8 hours of sunshine annually for average top, plus de sunshine wey dey distribute fairly evenly across de year, plus sam noticeable dip from June go October. March dey receive de most sunshine, while August dey receive de least.

Climate data for Kumasi
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 36.7

(98.1)

37.2

(99.0)

37.8

(100.0)

36.1

(97.0)

35.0

(95.0)

32.8

(91.0)

31.1

(88.0)

30.0

(86.0)

31.7

(89.1)

32.2

(90.0)

32.8

(91.0)

33.3

(91.9)

37.8

(100.0)

Average high °C (°F) 31.9

(89.4)

33.5

(92.3)

32.9

(91.2)

32.3

(90.1)

31.3

(88.3)

29.5

(85.1)

28.0

(82.4)

27.7

(81.9)

28.7

(83.7)

30.1

(86.2)

31.2

(88.2)

30.7

(87.3)

30.7

(87.3)

Average low °C (°F) 20.4

(68.7)

22.0

(71.6)

22.3

(72.1)

22.4

(72.3)

22.2

(72.0)

21.6

(70.9)

21.2

(70.2)

21.0

(69.8)

21.1

(70.0)

21.5

(70.7)

21.7

(71.1)

20.8

(69.4)

21.5

(70.7)

Record low °C (°F) 11.7

(53.1)

13.3

(55.9)

17.8

(64.0)

19.4

(66.9)

18.9

(66.0)

18.9

(66.0)

17.2

(63.0)

16.1

(61.0)

18.3

(64.9)

15.6

(60.1)

13.9

(57.0)

10.6

(51.1)

10.6

(51.1)

Average precipitation mm (inches) 15.1

(0.59)

66.3

(2.61)

137.0

(5.39)

129.3

(5.09)

174.4

(6.87)

214.3

(8.44)

157.5

(6.20)

89.9

(3.54)

165.2

(6.50)

153.3

(6.04)

74.3

(2.93)

25.8

(1.02)

1,402.4

(55.21)

Average precipitation days 2 5 9 10 14 17 14 12 17 17 8 3 128
Mean monthly sunshine hours 186.6 187.2 205.4 204.0 204.7 146.3 101.2 77.0 106.2 161.4 193.8 178.0 1,951.8
Source 1: World Meteorological Organization, Sistema de Clasificación Bioclimática Mundial (extremes)[9]
Source 2: Deutscher Wetterdienst (sun, 1961–1990)[10]

Culture[edit | edit source]

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II ein 20th anniversary celebration features of de city dey include Fort Kumasi (dem build am for 1896 insyd so say ego replace sam Asante fort wey now ebe museum) den de Kumasi Hat Museum. Royal Asante attractions dey include de Kumasi National Cultural Centre (wey edey include de Prempeh II Jubilee Museum plus Asante regalia plus sam reproduction of de golden stool), de Okomfo Anokye Sword, de Asantehene ein Palace (dem build am for 1972 insyd), den de Manhyia Palace, from 1925 insyd, wey now ebe museum.[11]

Places of worship[edit | edit source]

Among de places of worship, wey be predominantly Christian churches den temples, be: Methodist Church, Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Church of the Province of West Africa, (Anglican Communion), Seventh-day Adventist Church Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana (World Communion of Reformed Churches), Christ Apostolic Church International (wey na be de first Pentecostal church insyd Ghana) Ghana Baptist Convention (Baptist World Alliance), Lighthouse Chapel International, Church of Pentecost, Assemblies of God, den Catholic Church Archdiocese of Kumasi (Catholic Church).[12] Dem sanso be Muslim mosques wey dey include: Kumasi Central Mosque, Ahmadiyya mosque, Alhaj mosque, Kaase-Nhyiaeso mosque den Rahman mosque.

Economy[edit | edit source]

De main occupations wey dey Kumasi be professional, such as services den manufacturing.

Mining den exports[edit | edit source]

Manufacturing[edit | edit source]

Kumasi get 50% of de timber industry of Ghana, den de Kaasi Industrial Area dey play sam important role for de local industry insyd. De Guinness Ghana Breweries dey base for Kumasi insyd.

Energy[edit | edit source]

Solar panels be prevalent for Kumasi insyd den thru out de Ashanti region. Solar energy technology be sam major energy source den contributor give electricity generation for de region insyd.

Commerce[edit | edit source]

Chaw shopping den trading activity for de city insyd dey take place for Kumasi ein shopping streets, insyd den around Kejetia Market den Adum. Dese two areas dey border each oda. Heavy economic activities too dey Bantama den Asafo. Asafo ankasa be de printing hub of Kumasi. Chaw printing wey dey happen for Kumasi den Ashanti Region insyd as a whole all dey happen for Asafo. Kumasi ein Ahwiaa (sam sub-town for Kumasi insyd) be well noted for ein wood carvings den arts.

FM Stations[edit | edit source]

  • Adehye FM[13]
  • Nhyira FM[14]
  • Kessben FM
  • Luv FM
  • Metro FM
  • OTEC FM
  • Angel FM

Education[edit | edit source]

Primary school[edit | edit source]

Both government-assisted primary schools dey Kumasi wey private primary schools dey Kumasi wey dey educate boys den girls between de ages from 6 go 15.

Secondary education[edit | edit source]

Elite all-boys den all-girls senior high schools such as Prempeh College, Opoku Ware School, Yaa Asantewaa Girls' Senior High School den St. Louis Senior High School dey Kumasi insyd. Chaw elite mixed senior high schools such as Kumasi Academy den Anglican Senior High School, den sam host of oda public secondary schools, as well as dema private counterparts for de city insyd.

Tertiary institutions[edit | edit source]

De Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi (formerly de Kumasi College of Technology) be biggest university for de Ashanti Region den de first biggest for Ghana insyd wey University of Ghana dey follow. Former Secretary-General of de United Nations, Kofi Annan attend dis institution. Sam number of oda public den private universities den tertiary institutions dey Kumasi insyd, sam of dem wey dey below.

Institution Location Private/ Public Affiliation
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology Bomso to Anwomaso Public
Wesley College of Education Tafo Public
St Louis College of Education Mmrom Public
Garden City University College Kenyase Private Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
Christian Service University College Santasi Private University of Ghana
Ghana Baptist University College Amakom Private University of Cape Coast
Valley View University (Kumasi Campus) Oduom Private
University College of Management Studies (Kumasi Campus) Ayeduase Private
Christ Apostolic University College Kwadaso Private
Kessben University Lake Road Private Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (est. 2020)

formerly the University of Education, Winneba (Kumasi Campus) Tanoso

Transportation[edit | edit source]

Air[edit | edit source]

Dem dey serve Kumasi plus Kumasi Airport. As of May 2020, dem dey offer two airlines wey dem schedule regularly say ego go Accra. Airlines wey dey serve de airport dey include Africa World Airlines den Passion Air. For 2013 insyd, de Government of Ghana approve expansion plans give de Kumasi Airport so say ego serve international flights cam de region insyd. Dem renovate de airport thru three development stages, wey dem complete am for October 2022 insyd.[15]

Bus den taxicab[edit | edit source]

Public transportation dey from Kumasi go major cities such as Accra; Tamale, Mim, Ahafo; Cape Coast, Sunyani; Takoradi; Tema; Ho; Wa; Bolgatanga; Elubo; Aflao, Techiman; Transit buses dey provide Public transport wey dey de city insyd, sam mix of privately owned mini-buses known as tro-tros, taxicabs den buses. Tro-tros be mini-buses wey dem convert say ego run regular, well-known routes. Sam taxis san dey run regular routes, wey dey cost more but edey provide for chaw comfortable ride.

For 2002 insyd, de city introduce de metro bus services, sam rapid transit system for public road transport for Kumasi insyd (MetroMass).[16] Na dis be say ego reduce congestion for roads top den say ego make sam larger den chaw organized bus routine system for de city insyd.[17]

For 2017 insyd, Uber introduce services for Kumasi insyd, sam year afta sam successful introduction for Accra insyd.

Rail[edit | edit source]

Kumasi get railway lines wey dey go Sekondi-Takoradi den Accra. Dem suspend train service for several years secof track, bridges den locomotives wey damage. Currently, no trains dey run go den from Kumasi secof de collapse of de railway corporation. Sam $6 billion project so say dem go take upgrade de railways for 2011 insyd.[18]

Port[edit | edit source]

As of 2011 insyd, dem halt construction of de Boankra Inland Port, wey be about 25 kilometres (16 mi) away.[19]

Sports[edit | edit source]

Kumasi Sports Stadium

De local football (soccer) team, de Kumasi Asante Kotoko win chaw national den continental trophies den awards, wey dey serve as sam rival give de Accra-based Hearts of Oak. Dem build dema Kumasi Sports Stadium alias Baba Yara Stadium for 1959 insyd, wey dem renovate for 1978 insyd, wey dem san renovate for 2007 insyd plus seating capacity of 40,000.[20] Esan be de home of King Faisal Football Club, sam premier division side.

Royal Golf Club dey wey Asantehene be de president. Former Leeds United wey dem born Ghana national football team footballer Tony Yeboah den professional wrestler Kofi Kingston for Kumasi insyd, but ein real name be Kofi Sarkodie-Mensah.

Healthcare[edit | edit source]

Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital

Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital See also: List of hospitals wey dey Ashanti insyd

Kumasi get de Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital wey go support medical training for de university insyd, de West End Hospital, chaw oda private hospitals, public clinics den hospitals. Private medical facilities wey be recommended dey include Kumasi Rabito Clinic wey dey Ahondwo-Daban Kumasi wey edey Unity Oil Filling Station ein back. KNUST hospital too dey wey dey serve people for de university den surrounding communities insyd.

Recreational parks den gardens[edit | edit source]

Kumasi get four recreational parks wey be open give de public. De list of recreational parks be Abbey's Park wey be some few meters away from Kejetia, Jackson's Park, Hero's Park wey dey de same premises as de Baba Yara Sports Stadium, den finally de Rattray Park wey dem commission for 2015 insyd.

International relations[edit | edit source]

Twin towns den sister cities[edit | edit source]

Kumasi be twin plus:

Country City County / district / region / state Date
Ivory Coast Abidjan Lagunes 2004
Treichville
US Atlanta Georgia 2010
Netherlands Almere Flevoland 2001
US Charlotte North Carolina 1996
US Columbus Ohio 2008
Canada Kitchener Ontario 2010
US Newark New Jersey 1999
South Africa Tshwane Gauteng 2010
US Winston-Salem North Carolina 2001
UK Methilhill Scotland 2017

Notable people[edit | edit source]

  • Kofi Annan, United Nations secretary-general (1997–2006) den co-recipient of de 2001 Nobel Peace Prize[21]
  • Mohammed Muntari, footballer
  • Mohammed Salisu, footballer
  • Philomena Nyarko, statistician[22]
  • Reggie Tsiboe, singer

Make you see dis one too[edit | edit source]

  • Lake Bosomtwe
  • Ashanti Goldfields Corporation
  • AngloGold Ashanti

References[edit | edit source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 "COOMASSIE AND MAGDALA: The Story of Two British Campaigns in Africa". Naval & Military Press. Archived from the original on 15 March 2012. Retrieved 28 October 2016.
  2. "Since When Did Kumasi Become Greater Kumasi?". GhanaWeb. 1 January 1970. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  3. "Kumasi: The Garden City without gardens?". Graphic Online. 31 July 2013. Archived from the original on 11 March 2023. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
  4. "The grasscutter shows why it is hard to stop bushmeat hunting". The Economist. 31 August 2017. Archived from the original on 15 February 2018. Retrieved 1 September 2017.
  5. "Kumasi | Ghana | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Archived from the original on 15 December 2018. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  6. McCaskie, T. C. "Denkyira in the Making of Asante" in The Journal of African History vol. 48 (2007) no. 1, p. 1
  7. David Owusu-Ansah, Historical Dictionary of Ghana, Rowman & Littlefield, USA, 2014, p. xliii
  8. 8.0 8.1 Morgan, Henry James, ed. (1903). Types of Canadian Women and of Women who are or have been Connected with Canada. Toronto: Williams Briggs. p. 160.
  9. "Kumasi Normals 1991–2020". World Meteorological Organization Climatological Standard Normals (1991–2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Archived from the original on 30 September 2023. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  10. "Ghana–Kumasi". Centro de Investigaciones Fitosociológicas. Archived from the original on 1 December 2020. Retrieved 14 June 2015.
  11. "Ghana Museums & Monuments Board". www.ghanamuseums.org. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
  12. J. Gordon Melton, Martin Baumann, ‘‘Religions of the World: A Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Beliefs and Practices’’, ABC-CLIO, USA, 2010, p. 1209-1211
  13. "Implement Asamang-Tamfoe community mining plan — Youth group". Joynewsplus.com. 13 January 2022. Archived from the original on 8 December 2022. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
  14. Ndetei, Chris (19 July 2018). "List of radio stations in Kumasi". Yen.com.gh - Ghana news. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
  15. "New terminal for Kumasi International Airport to be ready in October 2022". Ghana Broadcasting Corporation. 28 July 2021. Archived from the original on 1 January 2022. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
  16. "Ashanti Region". Metro Mass Transit Ltd. Archived from the original on 10 January 2012. Retrieved 1 December 2011.
  17. "Bus Rapid Transit System". Metro Mass Transit Ltd. Archived from the original on 20 February 2012. Retrieved 1 December 2011.
  18. "Ghana, China signs railway contract". Ghana News Link. 30 November 2010. Archived from the original on 11 June 2011. Retrieved 1 December 2011.
  19. "Baonkra Inland Port Project, stuck?". Kapital News. Kapital Radio 97.1 FM. 7 February 2011. Archived from the original on 18 January 2012. Retrieved 1 December 2011.
  20. Amoah, Gabriel (27 June 2007). "Baba Yara stadium ready in October". TheStatesManOnline.com. Archived from the original on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
  21. "Biography". Kofi Annan Foundation. 19 August 2018. Retrieved 30 August 2023.
  22. "Mrs Philomina Nyarko, wife of another prominent personality goes missing in Kumasi". MyNewsGh. 24 November 2021. Retrieved 15 July 2023.

Bibliography[edit | edit source]