It was awarded to British, Colonial and allied native forces, under the command of Major General Sir Garnet Wolseley, who were deployed against the army of the Ashanti King Kofi Karikari, during the Third Anglo-Ashanti (or Ashantee) War, June 1873 to February 1874.

[1] Forces present included a Royal Navy contingent exceeding 3,500, two battalions of the West India Regiment, and a battalion each from the Royal Welch Fusiliers, the Black Watch and the Rifle Brigade.

[2] Reverse: a scene of bush fighting between British and Ashanti in dense jungle, inspired by the campaign.

[3] Ribbon: 31.7 millimetres (1.25 in) wide, with yellow with black edges and two narrow black central stripes, the same as the East and West Africa Medal.

[2] COOMASSIE: awarded to those present at the Battle of Amoaful and the capture of COOMASSIE (or Kumasi), the capital, and those protecting the lines of communication north of the Prah river.