One may wonder about the languages, capitals, and foods of each of the sixteen regions in Ghana.
That is why I have taken the time to write this article to take you through the lifestyles and rich cultures of Ghanaians in each region.
1. The Upper West Region
The Upper West Region shares borders with the Upper East, the Northern Region, and Burkina Faso. It is located in the north-western part of Ghana. Its capital is Wa, which has the largest settlement and regional capital.
Created by the late former President Jerry John Rawlings in 1983 under the rule of the PNDC with 11 districts and is classified as both international and inter-regional trade. It is the 7th largest region in Ghana.
For tourist attractions, we can find
- the Gwollow Fall in Sissala District serves as one of Ghana’s past presidents
- Dr. Hilla Liman
- the Wenchiaou Hippopotamus Sanctuary, located in the Southwest of Wa along the Black Volta River in the Wa west district.
The favorite food of the people of the Upper West Region is Toa Zafi or Zao also abbreviated as TZ.
They grow crops such as corn, millet, peanut, shea butter, and okro and they are also into poultry. Their native languages spoken are Daagari, Sissala, Waali, and Birofor.
The festivals that take place in the Upper West Region are the Damba Festival, Kakumbe Festival, Dumbarton Festival, Paragblele Festival, Fao Festival, Kuure Festival, and Addakoya Festival, just to mention a few.
2. The Upper East Region.
Noted to be the third-smallest region in Ghana and located in northern Ghana, the upper east region occupies a total land surface of 8842 km2—percent of the total land area of Ghana.
The capital town of the Upper East is Bolgatanga, and its towns are Paga, Navrongo, Sandema Bawku, and Zebilla. The region shares borders with Burkina Faso, Togo, the Upper West, and the Northern Region. It is divided into 15 districts.
There are more than 8 languages and major dialects spoken by the people of the upper West, which include Gurune (fra fra), Nankani, Kassem, Taleni, Nadam, Kusal, Buili, and Bisa
The main dishes of the Upper-East Region are “TZ” or “Tuo Zafi” rice balls, Omo Tuo with groundnut soup or green leaf soups, beans, rice, and cowpea, or “Tubaani,” and Koko with “koose.” Beverages include pito and “Zom Krom.”
For tourist attractions, we can find
- the Tango rock
- the Bongo rock and the Tono rock.
- We can find Navrongo’s mud-built church and the Pikworo slave camp.
These places are used as recreational sites, and for historical sites.
Apart from these tourist sites, you can find other tourist sites like the Bolgatanga Craft Village, Upper East Regional Museum, Sorigu Poultry and Art Center, Paga Crocodile Pond, and the Bolgatanga Market.
The people of the Upper East celebrate the Samapiid Festival, Fao Festival, Boaram Festival, Tangent Festival, Feok Festival, Gologo Festival, and Ndaakoya Festival. Just to mention a few.
3. The Bono East
Bono East was part of the sixteen regions created in December 2018 after a referendum was passed. It shares borders with the Savannah Region, the Bono Region, and the Ashanti Region. The region was created from the Brong Ahafo Region, and its capital is Techieman. It is made up of 11 districts, has a very small population. Most of the people there speak the Bono language.
The Bono East is also classified as part of the vegetative part of Ghana due to its climate conditions. The vegetation consists predominantly of forest and soil.
The foods cultivated by the Bono East are cassava, yam, beans, maize, plantains, rice, and cocoyam. They are also into fishing, which takes place on the regional side of the Volta Lake.
The main dish in Bono East is groundnut soup with kenkey or banku. It is one of the main grain tuber products in Ghana. They produce crops like rice, millet, yam, cocoyam, maize, and cassava.
For tourist attractions, we can find
- the Boabeng Fiema Tourist Center
- Boyon Caves, Bats Colony
- Kintapo Water Falls
- Kintampo Fuller Falls
- Tano River, Digya National Park
- Tano Base Sacred Grove and Shrine, just to mention a few.
The people of Bono East celebrate the Kuribi Festival, the Nkyifia Festival, and the Apoo Festival.
4. The Savannah Region
It is divided into 7 districts and 7 constituencies. Savannah Region is part of the sixteen regions created in December 2018. It is located in the north of the country with a population of 653,266 people.
The capital town of the Savannah Region is Damango, and shares borders with the Upper West Region, Cote d’Ivoire, Bono, Bono East, and the Northern Region.
Families such as Gonjas, Vagla, Dagbani, Mamprusi, or Tamprusi speak the Niger-Congo and Oti-Volta languages. English is their official language.
The main dish of the Savannah Region is Kapal, known as yam fufu or pounded yam with any soup. Not forgetting tubani (beans cake). The Savannah Region is one of the main regions that produce grains and tubers. Yam, cassava, cocoyam, rice, millet, and maize.
For tourist attractions, we can find
- Mole National Park
- The Bui National Park
- the Salaga slave market and wells
- the Wechiau Hippo Sanctuary
- Larabanga History
The majority of the people of the Savannah Region are identified as Muslims. They celebrate the Damba Festival.
5. The Bono Region
Sunyani (green city), which also prides itself on being the cleanest city in Ghana, is the capital city of the Bono Region. Bono Region is part of the six other regions created in December 2018 after a referendum was passed.
It shares borders with the Savannah Region, Cote d’Ivoire, the Bono East Region, and the Ahafo Region. Populated with about 1,208,649 people during the 2021 census. It has 12 districts.
They practice both Christianity, ancestral worship, and spirituality. They speak Bono Twi of the Akan language.
The main dishes for the people of Bono are yam, ampasi, etor, and fufu with soup. They are mainly known for the cultivation of cocoa, cashew, plantains, cassava, maize, and yam. The common crops are yam, plantains, cassava, maize, groundnuts, cowpeas, rice, and vegetables.
For tourist attractions, you can find
- the Byi National Park,
- the Bui Dam, and the Duadisen Monkey Sanctuary.
The people of Bono celebrate Kawefie, Munufie, and Akwantukese.
6. The Northern Region
It is the second-largest region, and it’s located in the northern part of Ghana. It covers an area of 25,000 km2, which represents 10 percent of Ghana’s area.
The Northern Region is divided into 11 districts, and its capital town is Tamale, which is the third largest city in Ghana.
It shares borders with the Upper East, Upper West, Brong Ahafo, and Volta Regions. It is the neighboring country to Togo and Cote d’Ivoire. The Northern Region has the Guinean Savannah Mosiac ecosystem.
The Northern Region is well-known for the cultivation of maize, rice, sorghum, millet, groundnut, soybeans, cowpea, cassava, yam, cotton, and vegetables.
The main dishes for the people in the Northern region are Tuo Zaafi, and Omo Tuo, with groundnut soup. Hausa koko with Koose. For beverages, they take pito, fula, Lamugee, and Zoomkoom
Dagbani is the main language spoken in the Northern Region, covering much of the Dagbon Kingdom, and people there use both Dagbani and English. Dagbani belongs to a group of languages called Oti-Volta, which is part of the larger Niger-Congo language family. In addition to Dagbani, other languages, like Likpakpaln and Nawuri, are also spoken in this region.
About three out of every five people living in the Northern region are followers of Islam.
For tourist attractions, we can find
- Naa Gbewaa Palace
- Hamamat Shea Butter Villag
- Tamale Center for Culture and Arts
- Savanna Centre for Contemporary Art
- Red Clay Studios, Nkrumah VoliniNuku Studios
- Saakpuli Slave Wells
- Diarre Napagaduungbanani
- Naa Binbegu Boabab Tree
- Yendi Buntaga Irrigation DamSabali (River Oti)
- Nawuni River (White Volta)
- Deutsch Cemetery at Yendi Adibo Dalila war zones, Adibo.
The festivals celebrated by the people of the Northern region of Ghana are the Damba Festival, Gobandawu (Yam) Festival, Kpini Chugu (Guinea Fowl) Festival, Bugum Chugu (Fire) Festival, and Jintigi Fire Festival
7. The North East Region
The North East is part of the sixteen regions created in December 2018 after a referendum was passed. It is located in the North and taken out of the Northern Region. is the capital town of the Northern Region.
It shares borders with the Upper East Region, Togo, the Upper West Region, and the Northern Region. The region is divided into 6 districts. The North East has a low population density of about 658,903 people. The languages they speak are Mampruli, Dagbani, Kusaal, Tampulma, Bimoba, and the Konkomba language. English is the official language spoken among the people of the North East.
They are well-known for the cultivation of Cocoa, oil palm, rubber, citrus, maize, cassava, plantains, yam, cocoyam, rice, sorghum and millet
Christianity, Islam, and African traditions are the religions practiced in the North East.
The main dishes of the Northern Region include beans or cowpeas with shea nut oil and pepper called “Tubaani, ”TZ or “Tuo Zaafi” rice balls or “Omo Tuo” with groundnut or green leaf soups, “Hausa Koko,” or millet porridge eaten with “Koose.” For beverages, they take “Pito,” a locally brewed beer from millet, “Zom koom,” or toasted millet flour in water, and “fula,” mashed in water, milk, ginger, and sugar.
For tourist attractions, we find
- the Gambaga Escarpment,
- White Volta and Red Volta Rivers,
- ancient rock art at Gingana,
- Kpatiritinga,
- Jilik, and Tusugu,
- NaYiri Palace in Nalerigu,
- NaJeringa historic slave wall in Nalerigu,
- gravesites of ancient Mamprusi, and Mossi kings in Gambaga,
- Zayaa Mosque/Shrine in Wulugu, Ancient Koma Figurines in Yikpabongo,
- and Buyuori Cave in Yikpabongo.
- The festivals celebrated by the people of the North East are the Damba Festival, and the Bugum (Fire) Festival.
8. The Oti Region
The Oti region, curved from the Volta region, is one of the sixteen regions created in December 2018, when a referendum was passed. It shares borders with the Northern Region, the Volta Region, and the Volta Lake. Its capital is Dambai, and it is divided into 9 districts with about 742,664 populated people living in the town.
The Oti Region is well-known for the cultivation of yam, cassava, plantains, cowpeas, rice, and maize. Tree crops grown in the region include cashew, palm oil, cocoa, coffee, mango, citrus, and coconut.
The people of Oti are classified into three main religious groups, mainly Christianity, Islam, and African tradition.
The main dishes for the Oti Region are Aklpe with okra soup, fufu with light or palmnut soup, Abolo with one man thousand and shrimps, banku with okro stew or pepper, beans stew, and fried plantains. Akpeteshie is produced by distilling palm wine or sugar cane. It is the most popular alcoholic drink in Ghana and among the people of the Oti region. Local drinks like palm wine, asaana, and pito are some of the traditional drinks of these people.
For tourist attractions, we can find
- the Kyabobo National Park
- the Volta Lake, the Breast Mountain
- the Hanging Village
- the Chiaso Forest Reserve.
The festivals celebrated by the people of the Oti region are Akwantutenten, Akwasidea Kesie, Dawuro Kesie Festival, Buem Lilu Festival, and Jasikan Festival.
9. The Ahafo Region
With the capital being Goaso, Ahafo Region is one of the sixteen regions created in February 2019 after a referendum was passed. This region was curved out of the south-eastern part of the Brong Ahafo region. It shares borders with the Bono Region, Ashanti Region, and Western North Region.
It is populated with 654,668 people living in the town, which is made up of 6 districts. The language they speak is the Dagbani language. The Ahafo Region is well-known for the cultivation of cocoa and cashew.
The people of Ahafo are classified into three main religious groups, mainly Christianity, Islam, and African tradition.
The main dishes for the people of Ahafo are fufu with “Nkotomire” soup, or “ebunu ebunu,” and plantains and cocoyam, or “Ampesi.”. Beverages include “Akpeteshie” and palm wine.
For tourist attractions, we can find
- Mim Lakealso inMim, Ahafo
- Okomfo Anokye tree at Sankore
- The White-necked Rockfowl conservation at Asumura
- Mim Bour(Mim rock) atMim, Ahafo
They celebrate the Adekyem Festival, the Nkompo Festival, the Kwafie Festival, and the Adikanfo Festival.
10. The Ashanti Region
Asanti Region is located in the southern part of Ghana and is considered the 3rd largest region of Ghana. It is the most populated region in Ghana and has a population of about 5,440,463, representing approximately one-fifth of the country’s total population during the 2021 census count. The capital of the Ashanti region is Kumasi.
They speak Akan Twi, and English is their major language.
The Ashanti Region is said to be the house of gold bars and cocoa because of its richness in gold mining and cocoa production. The region shares borders with Bono, Bono East, and Ahafo Regions, the Eastern Region, the Central Region, and the Western Region. The region is divided into 27 districts.
The people of the Ashanti Region are classified into two main religious groups, mainly Christianity and African tradition. They speak Akan Twi, and English is their major language.
The main dishes of the Ashanti Region are fufu and light soup, ampesi and kontonmire sweet, Mpoto mpoto, and ete ( mashed plantains). The Ashanti Region is mainly known for the cultivation of cocoa, oil, palm oil, plantains, rice, maize, wheat, cassava, taro-cocoyam, pineapple, yam, vegetables, and other cereals and legumes, including Irish potatoes.
For tourist attractions, we can find
- Bobiri Forest Butterfly Sanctuary
- Yaa Asantewaa Museum
- Bomfobiri Wildlife Sanctuary
- Kogyae Strict Nature Reserve
- Owabi Forest Reserve and Bird Sanctuary
- Centre for National Culture
- Rattray Park
- Manhyia Palace Museum
- Kumasi Fort and Military Museum
- Komfo Anokye Sword site
- Armed Forces Museum
- The Prempeh II Jubilee Museum
- Adinkracloth printing inNtonso
- The Asante Traditional Buildings
They celebrate the Akwasidea and Adea Kese Festivals, the Kente Festival, the Nkyidwo Festival, the Papa Festival, the Yaa Asantewaa Festival, and the Mmoa Nni Nko Festival.
11. The Western North
The Western North Region is one of the six regions created in 2019. It shares borders with Cote d’Ivoire, the Central Region, Ahafo, Bono, Bono East, and the Ashanti Region. It was curved from the Western Region of Ghana when the referendum was passed. The Western is divided into 9 districts, with its capital being Sefwi Wiaso. It is populated with about 880,921 people.
The people of the Ashanti Region are classified into two main religious groups, mainly Christianity and African tradition. The languages spoken by the Western North are Sefwi, Akan, French, and English
The main dishes of the people of the Western North are snails and mushroom light soup, and “Akyeke.” They are well-known for the cultivation of timber, cocoa, and cashews.
For tourist attractions, we can
- The Tree of God (Nyame Dua)
- Abombirim Sacred Tortoise Forest.
- Ancestral hole.
The people of the Western North celebrate the Alluolue Festival (Yam, Elou). As side this festival, there is another occasion observed every three weeks (on Thursdays) called “Abiedue Huhue.
12. The Western Region
The Western Region is in southern Ghana, stretching from the Ivory Coast border in the west to the Central Region in the east. It has the capital city of Sekondi-Takoradi, along with coastal towns like Axim and inland areas like Elubo. This region also includes Cape Three Points, Ghana’s southernmost spot, where they found crude oil in 2007. It spans 13,842 square kilometers and had a population of 2,060,585 in the 2021 Census.
The Western Region shares borders with Cote d’Ivoire and the Central Region. The languages they speak are Akan, French, and English.
The people of the Western Region are classified into two main religious groups: the Christian religion and the African traditional religion.
Their main dishes are akyeke served with avocado, fufu with light soup with mushrooms or snails. Their popular drinks are coconut juice, palm wine, and akpeteshie. They are well-known for the cultivation of maize, cassava, plantains, yams, cocoyams, and rice. They also cultivate Cocoa, coconut, rubber, oil palm, and coffee.
For tourist attractions, we can find
- The Ankobra River
- Pra River
- Tano River
- UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Nzulenzu
- Ankasa Protective Area
They celebrate the Kundum festival.
13. Central Region
The Central Region is one of the sixteen regions created in December 2018. It shares borders with the Ashanti Region, the Eastern Region, the Western Region, Greater Accra, and the Gulf of Guinea. The capital town of the Central Region is Cape Coast. This region is divided into 17 districts and it’s populated with about 2,859,821 people in the region.
The people of the Central Region speak Fante, Ewutu-Efutu, Akan, and English. They are classified into three main religious groups: Christianity, Islam, and African Traditional Religion.
Their main dishes are Etew and fantefante, kenkey and fish or stew, Fufu and soup (a variety of soups) and they also like to eat seafood.
The region is commonly known to be the sole manufacturer of gold, beryl, and bauxite. They also produce petroleum and natural gas, kaolin, diamond, mica, and granite. Just to mention a few. They are well-known for the cultivation of palm oil, cocoa, citrus, and pineapple. The people in the region also major in Fish farming.
For tourist attractions, we can find
- The Cape Coast Castle
- Elmina castle
- The Kakum National Park
- Elmina Java Museum
- Fort Nassau
- Pedu Junction
- Fort William
- Sir Charles beach
- Fort Good Hope
- Ktokuraba Market
- International Stingless Bee
- Ahomka Fie,
- Assin Manso Slave Market and Riverside
The festivals celebrated by the people of the Central Region are the Bakatue Festival, Aboakyire Festival, Akombo Festival, Odambea Festiavl, Ahoba Festiavl, Akwanbo Festival, Awubia Festival, Fetu Afahye Festival, Odwira Festival, and Edna Festival.
14. Eastern Region
The Eastern Region is located in the eastern part of Ghana. It shares borders with the Lake Volta, Bono East Region, Ashanti Region, Central Region, and Greater Accra Region. Koforidua serves as the capital town of the Eastern Region. This region is home to the Akosombo Dam, a major source of electricity.
The Eastern Region is divided into 26 districts, and it’s populated with about 2,925,653 people in the Region. The people of the Eastern Region speak Akan, Ewe, Krobo, Hausa and English are the main spoken languages
The people of the Eastern Region speak Fante, Ewutu-Efutu, Akan, and English. They are classified into three main religious groups: Christianity, Islam, and African Traditional Religion.
Their main dishes are ampesi, fufu with a light soup, or palm nut soup, with snail. Some of the tribes living in the Eastern Region also eat bats ( akpai), and dogs which is referred to as “aponkye kokoo.”
The Eastern Region grows cola nuts, citrus fruits, and oil palm, along with staple foods like cassava, yam, cocoyam, maize, rice, and vegetables. It’s a major producer of industrial crops such as cocoa, pineapple, pawpaw, cola nut, and oil palm. The region also contributes significantly to national maize, cassava, and citrus production. Additionally, exotic crops like black and sweet pepper, ginger, cashew nuts, Irish potatoes, rubber, and mangoes are grown here, gaining importance as exports.
for tourist attractions, we can find
- Aburi Botanical Garden
- Boti Waterfalls
- Akosombo Dam
- Shai Hills Resource Reserve
- Umbrella Rock
- Atewa Range Forest Reserve
- Lake Volta
- The Big Tree at Oda
- Tetteh Quarshie Cocoa Farm
- Bead Factory
- Adomi Bridg
- Ghana Bike and Hike Tours
- Kwahu plateau
The festivals celebrated by the people of the Eastern Region are the Odwira Festival, Ohum Festival, Ngmayem Festival, afahye, and the Kwahu Bridge.
15. Volta Region
The Volta region is one of the sixteen Regions in Ghana. it shares borders with Togo, Greater Accra, the gulf of Guinea, and the Lake Volta. Ho is the capital town of the Volta region and it’s divided into 25 districts. The region is populated with about 1,659,040 people living in the region.
The people of the Volta region speak Tongu, Vedome, Anglo, and Avenor. English is the main language they speak. They are classified into two main religious groups: Christianity, and African Traditional Religion.
The main dish of the Volterieans are Eworkple, Amorkple, Dzemkple, akume or wokumé , kom and banku, Ayikple. It is mainly enjoyed with okro soup or abobi, and pepper. The region grows a variety of crops for both industry and food, including cereals, legumes, vegetables, oil-producing trees, root crops, tubers, pulses, and plantation crops. Additionally, its lush vegetation provides ample support for raising various species of livestock.
For tourist attractions, we can find
- Mount Afadja
- Amedzofe Falls
- Biakpa Falls and Caves
- Akpom Falls and limestone cave Logba Tota
- Mount Gemi
- Kpoeta waterfalls (at Ho West District)
- Adidime Waterfalls Klefe (at Ho Municipal)
- Snake Village Liate Wote
The festivals celebrated by the people in the Volta Region are Asogli Yam Festival, Hogbetsotso Festival, Asogli Yam Festival (Teduduza), Agbamevorza (Kente Festival), Keta – Sometutuza, Dzawuwu Festival, Sasadu Festival, Amu (Rice) Festival, Wli Falls Festival, Cassava Festival (Agbliza).
16. Greater Accra
Greater Accra is one of the sixteen regions in Ghana and it is said to be the smallest region. It is divided into 16 districts, and it is populated with about 5,455,692 people in the region. The region shares borders with the Gulf of Guinea, the Eastern, Western, and Central Regions. The capital town of the Greater Region is Accra, which is also the capital city of Ghana.
Even though it is the smallest region in Ghana, the Greater Accra Region is considered the second most populated region in Ghana, aside from the Ashanti Region. They speak Ga, Ga adagme, and Krobo. They are classified into three main religious groups: Christianity, Islam, and African Traditional Religion.
The main dishes for the people in Greater Accra are banku and pepper or with okro soup (stew), kenkey and pepper with fish, kokonte with pepper or soup, and fufu with any soup. They are well-known for the cultivation of maize, cassava, pepper, okro, garden eggs, cabbage, tomatoes, Asian vegetables, fruits such as pineapple, watermelon, pawpaw, and tree crops such as mango. They’re also into activities such as livestock and poultry production, fishing, and production.
For tourist attraction, we can find
- Shai Reserve
- Lakeside Marina Park[8]
- Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park
- Efua Sutherland Children’s Park
- National Museum
- La Pleasure Beach
- Kokrobite Beach
- Coco Beach Resort
- Fishing port at Jamestown
- Du Bois Memorial Center for Pan-African Culture
- George Padmore Research Library on African Affairs
- Agblobloshie Market
- Makola Market
- Trade Fair Center
The festivals celebrated by the people of the Greater Accra region are Homowomo and Asafotufiam.
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