Kumasi

Kumasi is the capital city of the Ashanti region of Ghana. Because of the varied plant life in the are, it is known as "The Garden City". It is located in the south-central part of the country, about 250 kilometres (by road) north-west of Accra. Lake Bosumtwi, the largest natural lake in Ghana, is located approximately 32 kilometres north of Kumasi. With a population of 676,000 (2000, official estimate), it is the second-largest city in the country. The largest ethnic group is the Ashanti , but other ethnic groups are growing in size. Approximately 80% Christians and 20% Muslims, with a smaller number of adherents to traditional beliefs. Anglican diocesan and Roman Catholic archdiocesan see. Airport (domestic and military flights).

The city rose to prominence in the late seventeenth century when it became captial of the Ashanti Confederacy. By Osei Tutu. Parts of the city, including the Royal Palace, were destroyed by British troops in 1874.

It remains a royal city, although since all of Ghana was declared independent in 1957, the role of king has been mainly symbolical. The city holds an important place in the history of the Ashanti people, as legend claims that it was here Okomfo Anokye received the Golden stool, an embodiment of the soul of the Asanti nation.

Due to large gold deposits that have been mined in the area, Kumasi is been among the wealthier cities in Ghana. Today's major exports are hardwood and cocoa. Kumasi has 50% of the timber industry in Ghana, with more than 4,000 employed in the business.

The Kumasi area has one public hospital (Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, 736 beds), five public clinics and fifty-seven private clinics (1992 figures).

The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology of Ghana (formerly the Kumasi College of Technology is located in Kumasi. The National Cultural Centre, has a museum dedicated to the history of the Ashanti and the city, exhibitions of contemporary art, a reconstructed traditional village and other attractions. The centre was opened in 1951 as the Ashanti Cultural Centre. In 1963 President Kwame Nkrumah placed it under central government administration and gave it its present name. There is also a Military Museum at the Kumasi FOrt, built by the British in 1897.

Its most famous child is the current general-secretary of the United Nations, Kofi Annan. The local football (soccer) team, the Kumasi Asante Kotoko has won several national and continental awards. Their stadium was built in 1959 and renovated in 1978, and with a seating capacity of 100,000, it's the largest in the country.