[1][12] The city was the capital of the Asante Empire, which at its peak covered large parts of present-day Ghana and the Ivory Coast.

[10]: 9  After getting taken over by the British in 1896 along with experiencing a fast population growth, Kumasi rapidly grew with improvements to its infrastructure, such as roads and the additions of railways.

The Centre for National Culture, Wesley College of Education, and Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital are all located in the city.

[12] Other oral sources state it was Nana Oti Akenten who negotiated with the chief of Tafo for a plot of land under a Kum tree.

The majority of oral sources attribute the choice of site to Okomfo Anokye who was said to have planted two Kum seeds; one in Kwaman and another in Kumawu as he decreed that the one which grew would be designated as the capital of Osei Tutu's empire.

[25] European sources in the late 19th century mentioned the city's neatness such as the account of F. Boyle in 1874 who stated that Kumasi's smells "are never those of sewage" as well as Brackenbury, who wrote around 1873 that "the streets are generally very broad and clean, and ornamented with many beautiful banyan-trees affording grateful shade from the powerful rays of the sun.

"[26] In contrast, William Butler described the city as 'a filthier, and far more blood-stained collection of mud and wattle hovels than any other village in the forest.

[5]: 1 Due to large amounts of encroachment, water pollution in the city is increasing, threatening rivers such as the Wiwi and the Subin.

A 2024 report said that in the Kumasi Metropolitan, "more land alongside the rivers was being used for industrial, residential and commercial purposes than for green spaces."

The researchers criticized that "city authorities were ineffective in controlling development in these areas" and recommended that "there should be a buffer of 100 feet (30 metres) along water bodies.

[39] In the present time, Kumasi is described as having unregulated informal activities, overdevelopment of slums, rapid urban growth, and poor services.

A typical compound house is usually a one-storey building containing single rooms surrounding a square courtyard.

The mayor (executive chief) is appointed president of Ghana and approved by the city council, the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly.

[1] The metro is split up into 10 sub-metropolitan areas: Manhyia, Tafo, Suame, Asokwa, Oforikrom, Asawase, Bantama, Kwadaso, Nhyiaeso and Subin.

Royal Asante attractions include the Centre for National Culture (including the Prempeh II Jubilee Museum with Asante regalia with a reproduction of the golden stool), the Okomfo Anokye Sword, the Asantehene's Palace (built in 1972), and the Manhyia Palace, dating from 1925, now a museum.

[48] Film in Kumasi, nicknamed "Kumawood", is a rapidly growing industry appealing to those who lack access to education but have a passion for acting.

The industry mainly focuses on local storylines, along with being set in village surroundings usually on a low budget ranging from $6,860 to $11,440, sharing similarities with Wakaliwood.

These theatres were owned by the West African Picture Company, a Lebanese-owned business which operated in the Gold Coast, Nigeria, and London.

[37]: 9  Much of the city's wealth is derived from being the middle point of many of Ghana's main roads, along with cacao farming in the hinterland.

Kaase and Suame are known as heavily industrialized areas, being the home for many mechanic shops and businesses, such as Guinness Ghana Breweries and a Coca-Cola Bottling Company United branch.[37]: 9, para.

Common things that traders sell include water, bread, chocolate, plantain chips, chewing gum, books,puppies and many more.

[5]: 6 After Ghana's got its independence in 1957, education surrounding teaching and research in Kumasi improved as a result of the nation's visions for the future.

The initial idea to create a school of architecture came from the United Nations-related "Report on Housing in the Gold Coast.

KNUST transitioned from a college to a university in 1961. Notable educators in Kumasi included John Owusu Addo and Austin Tetteh, both are architects.

[57] The local football team, the Asante Kotoko, has won several national and continental trophies and awards, and serves as a rival to the Accra-based Hearts of Oak.

[62] The city is also home to a hospital, the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, which started construction in 2008 and was completed in 2023.

[65] The city is home to numerous recreational parks and gardens which are open to the public, with the per capita green spaces around 4.7 square metres (51 sq ft).

In 2013, the Government of Ghana approved expansion plans to the Kumasi Airport to service international flights into the region.

[70][71] There is public transportation from Kumasi to major cities such as Accra; Tamale, Mim, Ahafo; Cape Coast, Sunyani; Takoradi; Tema; Ho; Wa; Bolgatanga; Elubo; Aflao, Techiman.

[5]: 6 In 2002, the city introduced the metro bus services, a rapid transit system for public road transport in Kumasi (MetroMass).