Tucked away in the quiet Central Region town of Assin Kushea lies a masterpiece of traditional architecture that is quietly redefining Ghana’s tourism landscape.

The Assin Kushea Palace, built by Nana Prah Agyensaim VI, Paramount Chief of the Owirenkyi Traditional Area, is believed to be the largest palace in West Africa—surpassing even the renowned Manhyia Palace in Kumasi in physical size and scale.

For travel influencer Gladys Cassandra Bugashie (@iamcassie_gh), the discovery was nothing short of revelation.

“I don’t even know why I am now discovering this gem,” she exclaims in a recent Instagram video that has since gone viral. “They said this is the largest palace in West Africa. Honestly, when I was coming, I just decided not to give myself any expectations. Guys, I absolutely agree this place is the biggest palace in West Africa. I am shocked, like properly shocked.”

A Vision Born from a Wife’s Encouragement

The story of how this magnificent structure came to be is as compelling as the palace itself. Speaking to Etsey Atisu, host of People & Places on GhanaWeb TV, Nana Prah Agyensaim VI revealed that the inspiration came from an unexpected source: his wife.

“I remember one day, I was talking to my wife about Kushea and she said, ‘You should build a palace o, you should build a palace before you go—you should build a palace.’ I said OK, I hear. I will; I will. Little did she know all her ‘chop money’ would go into the palace,” the chief recounted with a chuckle.

Construction began 13 years ago, and on the very same day, the chief planted a tree on the palace grounds.

“So, they have the same birthdays; the tree and the palace,” he noted. Though still not fully completed, the palace already stands as a testament to what the chief calls “inter-generational leadership”—a legacy meant to endure long after he is gone.

Grandeur on a 7.4-Acre Scale

Sitting on approximately 7.4 acres of land, the Assin Kushea Palace is a sprawling complex that defies expectations.

Unlike the more famous Manhyia Palace in the Ashanti Region—primarily a residence and historical museum for the Asantehene—the Assin Kushea Palace was conceived from the outset as a tourism and community asset.

The chief has stated that he does not intend to reside in the palace himself; rather, it is being built to promote tourism and showcase Ghanaian culture to the world.

Visitors to the palace are greeted by an imposing entrance flanked by two statues of warriors, spears and shields in hand, standing guard. Beyond lies a massive courtyard suitable for ceremonial gatherings, complete with an elevated platform where the chief presides during functions.

The architectural details tell stories. Throughout the complex, visitors will encounter numerous sculptures of dogs—the totem of the chief’s Aduana Clan. According to legend, a dog guided the clan during their migration, lighting the path with fire from its mouth. The dog represents honesty and industriousness, values that the chief has clearly embedded in his vision for the community.

More Than Just a Palace

What sets the Assin Kushea Palace apart is its multifaceted nature. The complex includes:

• A botanical garden showcasing local flora
• A mini-zoo housing various animals
• A fishpond, created by the chief to address potential future fish shortages resulting from the environmental impact of illegal mining (galamsey) on the Pra River
• Guest rooms for visitors who wish to stay overnight and immerse themselves in the peaceful environment
• Walls adorned with African proverbs, traditional artifacts, and depictions of animals and birds

“The place is huge, neat, and very grand,” Bugashie marvels in her video. “You just stand there and you’re like, whoa, so this is actually in my country. The funny thing is, it’s quietly tucked away in the Central Region of Ghana, not even loud about it. Just sitting there like a gem.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Gladys Cassandra Bugashie (@iamcassie_gh)

The Cleanest Town in Ghana

The palace is not the only point of pride for Assin Kushea. Under Nana Prah Agyensaim VI’s leadership, the town has earned the distinction of being the cleanest in Ghana . The chief recognized early that he could not compete with larger, wealthier paramountcies, so he chose to be different—focusing on sanitation as a unique selling point .

His approach was rooted in understanding Ghanaian cultural habits.

“We as Ghanaians had the tradition of throwing leaves away, when we used to eat from leaves… after you finish eating, the natural thing to do is throw the leaves away. In those days, it didn’t matter because the leaves would decompose. So, we were not littering, but the habit of throwing had been ingrained in us,” he explained. “So, when this creature called plastic came, we put our food in the plastic. After eating, we throw it away because that is the habit that we had inculcated in us. So, my problem was to stop the throwing away”.

Today, Assin Kushea’s streets are tarred, dustbins are ubiquitous, and the chief personally conducts visits to communities and schools to emphasize the importance of hygiene .

A Call to Domestic Tourism

For Bugashie, the experience carried a deeper message about how Ghanaians view their own country.

“Sometimes, we are just looking outside Ghana to find nice places to visit, but the real beauty is right here at home,” she reflects. “Trust me, you will love it. I loved it, so I’m sure you would.”

Her sentiment echoes a growing movement encouraging Ghanaians to explore their own backyard. While the slave castles of Cape Coast and Elmina draw international visitors, and the Manhyia Palace attracts those interested in Ashanti history, the Assin Kushea Palace offers something different: a living, growing monument to what visionary leadership can achieve.

Practical Information for Visitors

The Assin Kushea Palace is located approximately 12 kilometers off the Assin Fosu highway in the Central Region . Tour operators such as Obed B. offer guided day tours from Accra and surrounding areas, with itineraries that include the palace, the mini-zoo, and opportunities to learn about the history of the Akan people and the surrounding communities .

For those seeking a deeper experience, guest rooms are available on-site, allowing visitors to stay overnight and fully absorb the peaceful atmosphere that characterizes both the palace grounds and the town itself .

As Bugashie concludes in her video: “If you like traveling and exploring or just seeing nice places, please add this to your bucket list. Do not sleep on it. Go and experience it for yourself.”

The Assin Kushea Palace stands as proof that Ghana’s tourism treasures extend far beyond the well-trodden paths—and that sometimes, the most magnificent discoveries are hiding in plain sight.