The Ashanti Region is an administrative region of Ghana whose capital is Kumasi. With 5,440,463 inhabitants at the 2021 census, it is the most populous region of the country, holding roughly one sixth of Ghana's population, across 24,389 km². It covers much of the historic heartland of the Asante empire, but should not be confused with Asanteman, the traditional union of Asante states over which the Asantehene presides.
An Economy of Gold and Cocoa
The region is known for its gold and cocoa, and also produces manganese and bauxite; yam farming is important. It has three public universities — including KNUST in Kumasi — and many private institutions (see Gold, Trade & Roads for the historic roots of this wealth).
From Kingdom to Today's Towns: the Amantuo
The states (amantuo) united by Osei Tutu I in 1701 still correspond to towns and active chieftaincies (see Origins & Foundation):
| Historic state | Today |
|---|---|
| Kumasi (Kwaman) | Regional capital and seat of the Asantehene. |
| Bekwai | A town of the Ashanti Region, seat of a traditional chieftaincy. |
| Dwaben (Juaben) | A town of the Ashanti Region, seat of a traditional chieftaincy. |
| Mampong | A town of the Ashanti Region, seat of a traditional chieftaincy. |
| Kumawu | A town of the Ashanti Region, seat of a traditional chieftaincy. |
| Asumegya | A town of the Ashanti Region, seat of a traditional chieftaincy. |
| Offinso | A town of the Ashanti Region, seat of a traditional chieftaincy. |
Towns and Places to Know
| Place | Key points |
|---|---|
| Kumasi | The capital: Manhyia Palace, Kejetia Market, museums, KNUST — see Kumasi. |
| Obuasi | A gold-mining town, one of the historic centres of gold extraction in Ghana. |
| Ejisu and Besease | Homeland of Queen Mother Yaa Asantewaa; the Yaw Tano shrine at Besease is UNESCO-listed — see Yaa Asantewaa. |
| Lake Bosomtwe | A crater lake sacred to the Asante, about thirty kilometres from Kumasi; the Asantehene launched a tree-planting programme there in 2019. |
The Craft Villages
Ntonso
The adinkra village: stamped cloth whose symbols carry proverbs.
Ahwiaa
A village of woodcarvers: stools, figurines and art objects.
UNESCO-Listed Sites
Ten traditional Asante buildings — all shrines — survive in villages outside Kumasi, including the shrines of Besease, Adarkwa Jachie and Abirem. They have been on the UNESCO World Heritage list since 1980 (see Culture & Architecture).