Kumasi

Kumasi is a city and the capital of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly and the Ashanti Region of Ghana.: 1, 3  It is the second largest city in the country,: 9  with a population of 443,981 as of the 2021 census. Kumasi is located in a rain forest region near Lake Bosomtwe: 2  and is located about 200 kilometres (120 mi) from Accra. The city experiences a tropical savanna climate, with two rainy seasons which range from minor to major. Major ethnic groups who live in Kumasi are the Asante, Mole-Dagbon and Ewe.: 5  As of 2021, the mayor of the metropolitan is Samuel Pyne. The city was the capital of the Asante Empire, which at its peak covered large parts of present-day Ghana and the Ivory Coast.: 9  After being taken over by the British in 1896 coupled with experiencing a fast population growth, Kumasi rapidly grew with improvements to its infrastructure, such as roads and the addition of railways. After Ghana gained its independence in 1957, the city became the capital of the Ashanti Region. Kumasi remains the seat of the Asantehene. The city is often regarded as "The Garden City" after Maxwell Fry published his 1945 "Garden City of West Africa" plan for the city. Additionally, it is also due to the abundance of gardens and forestry in the city. Kumasi is a commercial, economic, and trading hub in Ghana, home to the biggest market in West Africa: the Kejetia Market. The city is the centre of Asante culture, hence also being nicknamed "Osei-Krom" or simply "Oseikrom", along with attracting many visitors.: 9  The city is also home to numerous trade associations, such as the Aboabo Talia Producers' Association. Half of the country's timber processing takes place in the city. The Centre for National Culture, Wesley College of Education, and Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital are all located in the city.: 10  The city is also home to an increasingly growing film industry, Kumawood, which mainly focuses on telling local-themed stories in the local language of Twi.