Posted by Perhaps the better choice is why not Kumasi? Maybe you have travelled to Europe, the USA, South America, and a few other not so exotic locations. Sure, you may have enjoyed your previous vacation destinations, but have you really gone out end explored the vast world we live in? Have you ever considered venturing into West Africa? Have you ever thought about the City of Kumasi, or the country of Ghana for that matter? Why on earth would I want to go there you may wonder. The answer could be a simple, why not?
Kumasi is a virtual unknown many people around the globe. Most would not have an idea of the people and adventures they could encounter in this remarkable region of the planet. Evidence has shown the area around Kumasi has been inhabited since the Neolithic Age, thousands of years before Christ. That is a lot of history and culture in one area! The Kumasi region has long been considered the center of the Ashanti Empire, which reigned from the mid- 17th to 20th centuries and is still very much alive today. It has grown into the second largest metropolitan area in Ghana, home to almost two million residents and earning the nickname “Ghana’s Second City” behind the country’s capital of Accra.
But why stop there with the city’s monikers, as Kumasi has also earned the nickname “The Garden City”, due to the immense variety of flowers and plants that call this area home. Most of which would never be seen by taking the beaten path many travelers follow. Kumasi lies within a rain forest region and also near Lake Bosomtwe, the only natural lake in the Ashanti state. Lying just 480 kilometers or 300 miles north of the equator, Kumasi boasts a tropical wet and dry climate. Temperatures remain relatively constant throughout the course of the year, with periods of heavier rainfall. The surrounding area is densely forested and fertile, with some mountainous sections.
Aside from the beautiful landscape, perhaps the largest open market in western Africa takes place on the streets of Kumasi. The Kejetia Market is home to a wide array of native pottery, clothing and textiles, along with imported treasures from around the globe. The market is certainly a spectacle in itself, with thousands of people and various cultures coming together in a melting pot of people, products, sights, and sounds. The people of Ghana are renowned for their kindness and the consumption of native Ashanti food is something to be remembered.
While this is only a brief overview of the possibilities surrounding the city of Kumasi, we shall continue to delve into the city and surrounding area in future writings. Kumasi may be unknown to many around the globe, but we hope to unmask its greatness through kumasighana.com.
Kumasi Ghana 