Ashanti region
| Ashanti | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Region | |||
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 Location of Ashanti Region in Ghana .jpg) Map of Ashanti |
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 Districts of Ashanti |
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| Country | Ghana | ||
| Capital | Kumasi | ||
| Districts | 27 | ||
| Government | |||
| • Regional Minister | Samuel Sarpong | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 24,389 km2 (9,417 sq mi) | ||
| Area rank | Ranked 3rd | ||
| Population (2010 Census) | |||
| • Total | 4,780,380 | ||
| • Rank | Ranked 1st | ||
| • Density | 200/km2 (510/sq mi) | ||
| GDP (PPP) | |||
| • Year | 2013 | ||
| • Per capita | $5,150 | ||
| GDP (Nominal) | |||
| • Year | 2013 | ||
| • Per capita | $2,500 | ||
| Time zone | GMT | ||
| Area code(s) | 032 | ||
| ISO 3166 code | GH-AH | ||
The Ashanti Region is located in south Ghana and is third largest of 10 administrative regions, occupying a total land surface of 24,389 km2 (9,417 sq mi) or 10.2 per cent of the total land area of Ghana. In terms of population, however, it is the most populated region with a population of 3,612,950 in 2000, accounting for 19.1 per cent of Ghana’s total population. The Ashanti Region and Kingdom of Ashanti and Ashantiland is known for its major gold bar and cocoa production and also harbors the capital city of Kumasi.
The Ashanti Region is in Asanteman and centrally located in the middle belt of Ghana. It lies between longitudes 0.15W and 2.25W, and latitudes 5.50N and 7.46N. The region shares boundaries with four of the ten political regions, Brong-Ahafo Region in the north, Eastern region in the east, Central region in the south and Western region in the South west. The region is divided into 27 districts, each headed by a District Chief Executive.
Several festivals are celebrated in the region, the major ones being the Akwasidae and Adae Kese. These are religious festivals celebrated by some members of the Akan ethnic group of which the Ashanti belong. The festivals are celebrated to remember past leaders and heroes. Though they are dead, their spirits are believed to be alive and taking interest in the affairs of the living, watching their actions, and consulting with them during the Adae festival.
The center of population of the Ashanti Region is located in the Kumasi Metropolitan District. According to the 2000 census, the region had a population of 3,612,950, making it the most populous region; however, its density (148.1 per square km) is lower than that of Central (162.2/km2) Region. Majority of Ashanti region’s population are Ethnic Akans and citizens by birth (94.2%) with five per cent naturalized Ghanaians. A smaller proportion (5.8%) of the population originate from outside Ashanti and Akanland or Ghana, made up of 3.7 per cent mainly from the five English-speaking countries of ECOWAS and 2.1 per cent from other African countries. The non-African population living in the region is 1.8 per cent of the total population. Akans are the predominant ethnic group in the region, representing 94.2% of citizens by birth. A high proportion (82.9%) of the Akan population is Ashanti.
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