Serving as the capital of the Bono Region, Sunyani lies in the forested uplands of south-west Ghana. It was established as a camp for elephant hunters in the 19th century and later became an important distribution hub for kola nuts and cocoa. Sunyani rose to prominence under British rule when a road connected it to the historic city of Kumasi.
Things to do in Sunyani
In the heart of Sunyani is Christ the King Cathedral, a modern house of worship topped by a triangular spire. It’s a short stroll from Jubilee Park, which is dominated by a statue of Ghana’s first president, Kwame Nkrumah. Rather than being a green space, Jubilee Park is more like a stadium and regularly hosts cultural and religious events, as well as community activities.
Dominating the city skyline is the Cocoa House, which hosts several boutiques, two radio stations and the headquarters of regional companies. It’s one of the tallest buildings in Sunyani and an architectural highlight of the city. Don’t miss the bright pink Nur Mosque, which is topped by a small minaret.
Sunyani makes an ideal base for visiting the Boabeng Fiema Monkey Sanctuary, which is home to around 700 primates, including Campbell Mona monkeys and Geoffrey’s pied colobus. Rather than being a traditional wildlife sanctuary, Boabeng Fiema is more like a village community where humans and monkeys co-exist. Considered sacred by the local people, the monkeys are protected by traditional laws.
Getting around Sunyani
Sunyani Airport is a 10-minute drive from the city centre and has regular flights to Accra. Kumasi is around 2.5 hours away. Long-distance buses connect to Sunyani while tro-tro mini buses travel throughout the city. Renting a car and driver gives you greater freedom to explore the area.