Kumasi City Tour

The Ashanti Region is located in the southern part of Ghana and is the third largest of 16 administrative regions, occupying a total land surface of 24,389 km2 (9,417 sq mi) and making up 10.2 percent of the total land area of Ghana. It is the most populated region in Ghana, with a population of 5,440,463 according to the 2021 census, accounting for around one-fifth of Ghana's total population.The Ashanti Region is known for its gold bar and cocoa production. The largest city and capital of Ashanti is Kumasi.

In the heart of Kumasi, Ashanti, Ghana, lies a gem of African history and culture – the Manhyia Palace Museum. This African Art museum, nestled within the grounds of the Manhyia Palace, serves as a vibrant testament to the Ashanti nation's past and a beacon of cultural legacy that transcends the borders of Ghana.

Established in 1925 as the private residence of Asantehene Agyeman Prempeh I, who was returning from nearly three decades of exile, the museum echoes the stories of Ashantiland and its rich heritage, prior to British colonization. This invaluable institution stands as a memorial to the Ashanti kings, queens, and leaders, breathing life into their histories and broadcasting the wealth of their culture to generations yet unborn.

The ‘immovable’ sword driven into the ground by Okomfo Anokye remains and is the venue of the Okomfo Anokye Teaching Hospital. History has it that the sword was pushed into the ground almost 300 years ago. It is believed that the Okomfo pronounced that no one would be able to remove the sword, and so it has remained in spite of attempts. The Ashanti state, it is believed, would collapse should the sword ever be pulled out of the ground.

This museum may be small, but the personalized tour included with admission is a fascinating introduction to Ashanti culture and history. Among the displays are artifacts relating to the Ashanti king Prempeh II, including the king's war attire, ceremonial clothing, jewelry, protective amulets, personal equipment for bathing and dining, furniture, royal insignia, and some fine brass weights for weighing gold. Constructed to resemble an Ashanti chief's house, it has a courtyard in front and walls adorned with traditional carved symbols.

Among the museum's intriguing photos is a rare one of the famous Golden Stool. The museum also contains the fake golden stool handed over to the British in 1900.

From afar, the Kejetia Market looks like an alien mothership landed in the centre of Kumasi. Closer up, the rusting tin roofs of this huge market (often cited as the largest in West Africa; there are 11,000 stalls and at least four times as many people working here) look like a circular shanty town. Inside, the throbbing Kejetia is quite disorienting but utterly captivating.