Kumasi, the Ashanti region Founded by King Osei Kofi Tutu and his adviser Okomfo Anokye, the kingdom became known for its military prowess, architecture, culture, and wealth. Kumasi is a beautiful tourist destination that is worth a visit. You will be surprised by some of the unique things to do and places you can explore at this hidden destination.
You might wish to revisit it someday again, to take a break and relax at Kumasi. In this article, we have put together some of the things to do in Kumasi.
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Things To Do In Kumasi
Its My Kitchen
Its My Kitchen is the place to be if you wish to try organic food items along with other local delicacies. The light soup with fufu is something that you cannot miss in the morning. The upper dining room at Its My Kitchen is perfectly decorated to host any kind of family gathering. You will be delighted with the quick service and authentic taste of continental dishes here. A live band performs five days a week and that makes the dining experience a pleasant affair.
Prempeh II Jubilee Museum
Located within the National Cultural Centre, the Prempeh II Jubilee Museum tells the story of the Asante Kingdom, a state among the most powerful and wealthy in Africa at its pinnacle of power in the 18th century.
The small museum showcases a selection of artifacts and memorabilia relating to the Asante people and royalty. Items of note include Asante King Prempeh II’s war attire and ceremonial outfits, palace furnishings, jewelry, and royal insignia. You’ll also find a recreation of the Golden Stool, the literal seat of power of the Asante Kingdom, and an item that sparked the final conflict between the British Imperial government and the Asante Empire.
Also on display is a 300-year-old leather treasure bag, once presented to the king by a fetish priest, though no one knows what’s inside, as local lore says that opening the bag would bring the downfall of the Asante nation. The entire collection is housed within a reproduction of a traditional Asante regalia house from the 19th century.
Kejetia Market
Kejetia Market, the commercial heart of Kumasi, is considered the largest open-air market in West Africa. Each day, some 12,000 stalls open for business, selling food, clothing, handmade glass beads, souvenirs, Ashanti sandals, fabric, and things you wouldn’t even know you wanted until you saw them.
Kejetia Market is very much a bustling local shopping hub, and while tourists do visit from time to time, they often find themselves the objects of curiosity. Despite—or perhaps because of—the congestion, jostling, noise, and riot of color everywhere you look, a visit to the market remains one of the best opportunities to experience a slide of authentic Ghana.
While it’s perfectly possible and reasonably safe to visit the Kejetia Market on your own, enlisting the help of a guide who can explain some of the trade goods and help you bargain for purchases will enrich the experience.
Lake Bosumtwi
Lake Bosumtwi, Ghana’s sole natural lake, was formed in a meteorite impact crater 17 miles (27 kilometers) southeast of Kumasi, and dozens of small villages now line the shores, all surrounded by lush greenery. Since the 1970s, the lake has become a popular recreational spot, with calm water where you can safely swim.
Since the lake has no surface outlets, the water level has gradually risen over the years, and the villages on its banks are forced to relocate further up the hillsides from time to time. According to Ashanti’s traditional beliefs, the spirits of the dead come to Lake Bosumtwi to bid farewell to the god Twi. Since it’s considered sacred, there’s a taboo against letting metal touch the water, so locals may only fish the lake using large planks of wood.
Owabi Wildlife Sanctuary
For a taste of the African rainforest while in Ghana, plan a trip to the Owabi Wildlife Sanctuary outside of Kumasi. The five-square-mile (13-square-kilometer) swath of secondary forest surrounds a sizable reservoir and attracts a variety of wildlife, most notably some 160 species of birds.
Many of the mammal species, like antelope that live in the sanctuary, are shy and difficult to spot, but monkey sightings are quite common.
From a historical perspective, the sanctuary is of interest because its reservoir, formed by the construction of the Barekese Dam in 1971, is the source of Kumasi’s water.
Whether you come for the wildlife, the scenic appeal or to see the source of Kumasi’s water, the sanctuary makes for a pleasant escape from the often overwhelming clamor of Kumasi.
Vienna City Kumasi
The Vienna City Kumasi is a fabulous option for accommodation on a business-related visit or a family trip. Located at a convenient distance from the popular attractions and shops, the Vienna City Kumasi offers luxury amid a serene and tranquil environment.
There are Deluxe Junior Suite, Superior Double Room, and Deluxe Double Room with amenities like air conditioning, a private bathroom with toiletries, flat-screen TVs, a minibar, free WiFi, complimentary telephone service, and so on. The hotel also has an in-house casino with electronic roulettes and poker machines, video gaming walls, and pool tables for your recreational purpose. The restaurant offers traditional Ghanaian, Chinese, American, African, and Continental dishes.