﻿Kumasi vs Accra: which city is better?
Ghana is a West African country located on the Gulf of Guinea
and the Atlantic Ocean. It is well-known for harbouring the world's largest artificial lake
or man-made reservoir by surface area, which measures 8,462 square kilometres. Accra,
the country's capital and largest city, is located on the Atlantic coast
and has a population of nearly three million people. Accra is the Greater Accra Region's
economic and administrative centre, as well as the city's financial and commercial sectors,
as well as its main industrial activities, which include fishing and the production of plywood,
textiles, clothing, and chemicals. The city is also becoming more popular as a tourist
destination. Because two million people are living in the city, you will experience the
vibrant energy that it exudes. Accra has bustling markets as well as colonial-era architecture.
Kumasi, also known as Oseikrom, was the former capital of Ghana during the reign of the Ashanti
kingdom and is the country's second-largest city. Kumasi was founded around 1680 by Osei Tutu,
the first king of the Ashanti Empire, and became the empire's capital city. Kumasi
is said to have gotten its name from the gum tree Tutu sat under while negotiating
land terms. Kumasi, with its bustling streets and sprawling markets, is a tourist's dream.
The location is well-known for its gold jewellery, kente cloth, and wooden stools.
Kumasi has a population of over three million people. Kumasi is known as "The Garden
City" because of its many plant and flower species – it is located near Lake Bosomtwe,
which is in a rainforest region, and is about 250 kilometres from Accra.
As a result of the abundant vegetation, the temperature is significantly lower than in Accra.
In today's video, we will compare Accra and Kumasi cities to determine which of the two is superior.
We will consider which is better in terms of population, accommodation,
cost of living, education, job availability, healthcare system, ease of transportation,
outstanding infrastructures to date and culture amongst others.
Afterwards, you'd decide which city is superior based on the clearly stated facts in this video,
and there are interesting facts to be learned about both Accra and Kumasi in Ghana. What you
want and what you are looking for will determine how much better one city is than the other.
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Accommodation and cost of the living Accra is 9% extra expensive than Kumasi in
terms of living costs. It is estimated that you would need around 13,799.07 in Kumasi
to maintain the same standard of living that you can have in Accra
with 19,000.00. (assuming you rent in both cities). Accra is an expensive city to live in
because it is the capital and a commercial centre. In comparison, properties in Kumasi are less
expensive than those in Accra. In Accra, a single room for rent can cost as little as Ghc 100.00
and as much as Ghc 1,000.00. It all depends on where you want to live and your budget.
Apartments and self-contained houses can cost up to Ghc 3,000.00 per month, with a one or two-year
rent advance required. Accommodation in Kumasi is less expensive than in Accra. You can rent
a room for Ghc 50.00 per month and even get a self-contained apartment for Ghc 300 per month.
It all depends on where you end up living in Kumasi. It is not uncommon to find rentals
that are as expensive as the prices quoted. You should simply find a suitable location
that meets your requirements, budget, comfort, and proximity to your workplace.
Rent is generally less expensive in Kumasi than in Accra. A lot of things in Accra are overpriced.
Kumasi is the better city to live in if you want to cut costs and eat on a budget.
Population and surface area The Ashanti region's most populous
district is Kumasi metropolis. The city has a total area of 254 square kilometres
and a population of 1.4 million. Accra's urban area covers 225.67 square kilometres of land
and has a population of approximately 1.9 million while the entire metropolis has grown to nearly
900 square kilometres. The population density in the metro area is approximately 1,300 people per
square kilometre. The high population of younger residents is one of the most interesting aspects
of Accra's demographics. Approximately 56% of the population is under the age of 24.
This pattern is unlikely to change in the coming years. Given the city's importance within Ghana,
it can only be assumed that Accra will continue to grow in the future.
Finance and commerce Accra serves as Ghana's economic,
administrative, and educational hub. Accra's central business district was developed after
World War II. Today, the city serves as a commercial and transportation hub in Ghana.
The city's economy is based on the finance and commercial sectors, as well as industries
such as processed food, textiles, and lumber. Kumasi is a bustling commercial centre with a
diverse commercial market. The Kumasi Central Market (also known as the Kejetia Market)
is an open-air market in Kumasi. The Kejetia market is West Africa's largest single market.
The city is a major trade centre and is involved in a variety of industries, including the
processing of agricultural goods and timber, as well as the manufacture of consumer goods
such as textiles and foodstuffs. Plantain, maize, cassava, cocoa, yam, vegetables, and other cereals
and legumes are among the food supplies. Cocoa, oil palm, tobacco, bast fibre, cotton, citrus,
and cashew are among the industrial crops grown. The Ashanti region has many poultry industries,
including Darko Farms, Mfum Farms, Asamoah Yamoah Farms, Asare Farms, and many others, as well as
large poultry feedmills. The Ashanti Region is the world's second-largest yam (vegetable) producer,
and the Ashanti region is the world's second-largest producer.
Possibilities for employment Accra is Ghana's most populous city,
which means there are numerous opportunities for employment and career advancement.
If you are self-employed or run a business, you have a larger pool of customers to choose from.
Quality of Education system English is the official language and the language
of business, and it is taught in all schools. Ghanaians also speak indigenous languages,
and many are fluent in multiple local languages. Accra and Kumasi have the best universities in
Ghana. Kumasi is home to several tertiary institutions, including the Kwame Nkrumah
University of Science and Technology (KNUST), the country's second university,
the largest in the Ashanti Region, and the first in Ghana, followed by the University of Ghana.
Kofi Annan, the former Secretary-General of the United Nations, attended this institution.
If you are considering which schools your children will attend when they reach school age,
whether you want them to attend Legon or KNUST can influence which of these
two cities you choose to live in. Apart from the universities and educational
opportunities that both cities provide, Accra has better secondary schools than Kumasi.
Health care system Accra and Kumasi both
have the best two hospitals in Ghana. Accra's Korle Bu Hospital and Komfo Anokye Hospital.
Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (Kumasi) is Ghana's second-largest hospital. It receives referrals and
treats diseases from all over the country, particularly in the north. In Kumasi, there
are also private facilities that treat a variety of diseases. However, Accra has more specialised
hospitals than Kumasi. It also has the UGMC (University of Ghana Medical Centre) in Legon,
which is a world-class hospital with cutting-edge technology. Accra leads by a score of 3-2.
But it all comes down to the criteria. However, it is recommended that you develop your criteria
and then score any two or more cities where you are considering relocating.
Transportation convenience Good transportation lines allow people to move
from one location to another, which is something that most house hunters look for. The construction
of the Accra-Kumasi railway, which connected Accra to other regions in Ghana, was a watershed
moment for the city of Accra in 1908. The Kotoka International Airport in Accra, Ghana, is the
country's premier international airport and can accommodate large planes like the Boeing 747-8.
Kumasi does not have an international airport. For all business activities in the Ashanti region,
there is a good road transportation system that connects various locations to Kejetia,
the centre (Kumasi). Transit buses, a mix of privately-owned minibuses known as tro-tros,
taxicabs, and buses, provide public transportation in the city. Tro-tros are typically converted
minibuses that run on established routes. Some taxis also run regular routes,
which cost more but provide a more comfortable ride, but Accra is near the ocean, unlike Kumasi,
and this is a huge advantage in terms of ease of travel and job opportunities. Don't you agree?
Outstanding infrastructures Accra has become Ghana's most
developed city due to the concentration of infrastructure development in the city. In
recent years, there has been a surge of interest in infrastructures such as roads, energy systems,
water pipes, and communication channels as productive analytical sites for delving into
the political and ecological interactions of human and nonhuman agents and institutions.
Black Star Square, also known as Independence Square in Accra, Ghana,
is a public square. It is surrounded by the Accra Sports Stadium and the Kwame
Nkrumah Memorial Park. Accra's pride is Independence Square.
Culture The people of Ghana are known
for their warm hospitality, and this quality can be found across all of the country's ethnic
groups. The National Museum of Ghana, the Arch of Independence, and the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial
are some of the points of cultural interest that can be found in Ghana.
Kumasi is the most important city in the Asanteman region, but it is also a large cosmopolitan city
with residents hailing from all over Ghana and even from neighbouring African nations.
Rich culture and longstanding customs are two aspects of the Ashanti region that are certain
to come up in any conversation about the region's unique characteristics. Many significant buildings
and sites in and around Kumasi can be visited to gain a better understanding of the city's
extensive history and cultural heritage. In 1980, UNESCO (United Nations Educational,
Scientific, and Cultural Organization) recognised the significance of the architectural remains of
historical Ashanti buildings. The seat of the King of Ashanti, as well as the Golden Stool,
are kept in the Manhyia Palace, which can be found in the northern part of the city.
It is a melting pot for people of all different ethnic groups, and as a result,
some people speak a wide variety of languages, a wide variety of cuisines, and a nightlife that is
on par with any other in Accra. Accra is home to a large number of well-known tourist destinations,
such as the National Theater and the Academy of Arts and Sciences. The 1990s saw the construction
of several new buildings in the city, including a hotel with multiple floors, several restaurants,
and other establishments. An exceptional variety of options for rest and recreation round out
its tourist offering. Kumasi simply has a richer cultural heritage and a more engaging society
than Cape Coast does, even though both cities offer a diverse range of cultural experiences
and social activities. Climate
Both Accra and Kumasi have a tropical wet and dry/ savanna climate, with dry winters. Kumasi
also has a humid subtropical climate (Aw). Both locations are either entirely within or
very close to the tropical dry forest biome. In Kumasi, the annual average temperature is 0.9
degrees Celsius (1.7 degrees Fahrenheit) lower, and the average monthly temperature variation is
1 degree Celsius (1.8 degrees Fahrenheit) less. Both of these locations have a continentality
subtype that is hyperoceanic in nature. The total annual precipitation amounts to an
additional 697 millimetres (27.4 inches), which translates to an additional 697 litres per square
metre (17.11 gallons per square foot) or 6,970,000 litres per hectare (745,139 gallons per acre).
approximately 1 8/9 of the amount. In Kumasi, residents experience 477 fewer hours of daylight
each year. In any case, approximately one hour and eighteen minutes less per day, or
approximately half as many. Kumasi has an overall lower sun altitude at midday (by 0.2 degrees) than
Accra does (by the same measure). We can conclude that Kumasi is making
a sincere effort to win the competition between Accra and Kumasi; however,
no matter how hard the Garden City tries, it will never be able to compete with the Capital City!