Kumasi (historically spelled Comassie[2]) is a city in southern central Ghana's Ashanti region. It is located near Lake Bosomtwe, in the Rain Forest Region about 250 kilometres (160 mi) (by road) northwest of Accra. Kumasi is approximately 300 miles (480 km) north of the Equator and 100 miles (160 km) north of the Gulf of Guinea. It is popularly known as "The Garden City" or "heart beat" of Ghana because of its many beautiful species of flowers and plants.

There is evidence that the area around Kumasi has been kept cleared since the Neolithic age.^{[citation needed]} The city rose to prominence in 1695 when it became capital of the Ashanti Confederacy due to the activities of its ruler Osei Tutu. The ruler of Kumasi, known as the Asantehene, also served as ruler of the Confederacy. With their 1701 victory over Denkyira the Asante confederacy became the primary state among the Twi speaking Akan peoples. After this victory, the Ashanti became allies of the Dutch, who were based in Elmina. After the cession of the Dutch Gold Coast to the Fante-allied British in 1872, parts of Kumasi, including the Royal Palace, were destroyed by British troops in the Third Anglo-Ashanti War of 1874.