The Kumasi Zoological Gardens has been ranked the first and fourth most visited tourist site in the Ashanti Region and the country, respectively, in 2024.
According to the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), with 133,594 recorded visitors to the zoo last year, the management of the zoo made history after 11 years of hard work, perseverance, commitment and discipline.
The Zoo, which occupies about 1.5 acres of land and located in the heart of the Ashanti Region, has about 210 individual animals with 54 animal species.
Animals in the zoo include antelopes, baboons, camels, chimpanzees, crocodiles, donkeys, lions, porcupines, snakes, tortoises, and others.
The zoo not only serves as a recreational centre, but also as an educational centre where students, researchers and medical scientists visit for studies and research.
Earlier this year, a team from the West African Primate Conservation Action (WAPCA) and the Wildlife Vets International, visited the zoo to conduct a complete health check on 11 White Naped Mangabeys, who were endangered primates.
The vets were joined by some students from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) to observe and participate in the process.

Additionally, 80 per cent of the recorded visitors to the zoo last year were students of the basic level of education.
Speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, Dr Meyir Ziekah Yiryele, Manager of the Kumasi Zoological Gardens, expressed great joy in this achievement.
He noted that the zoo started under-performing during the construction of the Kejetia Market centre, “people still do not know that we are operating.”
Dr Ziekah associated the zoo’s recognition with the complementary efforts of other tourist sites like the Manhyia Palace Museum.
“There is no way that a person or a team of individuals will visit Manhyia Museum or the Cultural Center or other tourist sites in the region and not pass by the zoo,” he stated.
Additionally, Dr Ziekah acknowledged the fact that the zoo’s location played an important role in attracting many visitors.
He described the zoo as, “The Garden within the Garden city of Ghana,” with unique species of animals consisting of chimpanzees, baboons and the white lions.
Despite achieving this great feat, Dr Ziekah said the zoo faced a lot of challenges which when addressed, could attract more visitors to generate enough revenue to support the development of the country.
“Last year, during the award ceremony when Manhyia Palace Museum was awarded the first most visited tourist site in the region, I was happy but envied how attractive the place looked due to its renovation,” he said.
He mentioned that the walkways in the zoo were disability unfriendly, had no playground and gadgets for children who visited, outdated enclosures for the animals, no eatery and others.
Dr Ziekah recalled that two Zebras were brought to the zoo from Accra; however, due to the poor condition of their enclosure, one was taken back to Accra.
He called on individuals, institutions with animal emblems, stakeholders and the government to invest in the renovation of the zoo for a world-class transformation.
“Companies like the Dzata Cement can adopt the Lions enclosure whiles the Bank of Ghana adopts the Eagles enclosure to renovate them as the animals represented the companies,” he wished.
Being the oldest zoo in Ghana, which will turn 70 in the next two years, Dr Ziekah said the renovation would be the best gift to the animals and the zoo’s management.