Northern Region (Ghana)
The Northern Region is one of the sixteen regions of Ghana.[5] It is located in the north of the country and was the largest of the sixteen regions, covering an area of 70,384 square kilometres or 31 percent of Ghana's area until December 2018 when the Savannah Region and North East Region were created from it. The Northern Region is divided into 14 districts. The region's capital is Tamale.[2]
Northern Region | |
|---|---|
Tamale Stadium | |
Location of Northern Region in Ghana | |
| Country | Ghana |
| Capital | Tamale |
| Districts | 14 |
| Government | |
| • Regional Minister | Salifu Saeed[1] |
| Area | |
| • Total | 25,448 km2 (9,826 sq mi) |
| Population (2010 Census)[3] | |
| • Total | 2,479,461 |
| • Density | 97/km2 (250/sq mi) |
| GDP (PPP) | |
| • Year | 2013 |
| • Per capita | $5,150 |
| GDP (Nominal) | |
| • Year | 2018 |
| • Per capita | $2,500 |
| Time zone | GMT |
| Area code | 037 |
| ISO 3166 code | GH-NP |
| HDI (2017) | 0.494[4] low · 10th |
Geography and climate
Location and size
The Northern Region is bordered on the north by the North East region, on the east by the eastern Ghana-Togo international border, on the south by the Oti region, and on the west by the Savannah Region. Northern region is made up of 14 districts.
Climate and vegetation
The Northern Region is a Guinea Savanna grassland. The vegetation consists predominantly of grassland, especially savanna with clusters of drought-resistant trees such as baobabs or acacias. Between January and March is the dry season. The wet season is between about July and December with an average annual rainfall of 750 to 1050 mm (30 to 40 inches). The highest temperatures are reached at the end of the dry season, the lowest in December and January. However, the hot Harmattan wind from the Sahara blows frequently between December and the beginning of February. The temperatures can vary between 14 °C (59 °F) at night and 40 °C (104 °F) during the day.
Economy
More than 75% of the economically active population are agricultural. The low population density is partly caused by emigration, in addition to geography and climate.
Demographics
The Northern Region has a low population density, and, along with the official language of English, most inhabitants (52%) speak a language of the Oti–Volta subfamily in the Niger–Congo language family, such as Dagbani, Mamprusi or Konkomba. The Dagbon Kingdom, of the Dagomba people, is located in the region.
Tourist and Attraction
- Naa Gbewaa Palace, Yendi
- Saakpoli Slaves wells
- Diarre Napagaduungbanani
- Naa Binbegu Boabab Tree, Yendi
- Buntaga Irrigation Dam
- Sabali (River Oti)
- Nawuni River (White Volta)
Religion
Around three out of five residents in the Northern region were affiliated to Islam (60.0%).[6]
Districts
The Northern Region of Ghana contains 16 districts. 11 are ordinary districts in addition to 1 metropolitan and 4 municipal districts.:[7] Under every municipality, metropoly and districts are many towns and villages.
| # | District | Capital | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gushegu | Gushegu | |
| 2 | Karaga | Karaga | |
| 3 | Kpandai | Kpandai | 108,816 |
| 4 | Kumbungu | Kumbungu | |
| 5 | Mion | Sang | |
| 6 | Nanton | Nanton | |
| 7 | Nanumba North | Bimbilla | |
| 8 | Nanumba South | Wulensi | |
| 9 | Saboba[8] | Saboba | |
| 10 | Sagnarigu | Sagnerigu | |
| 11 | Savelugu | Savelugu | |
| 12 | Tamale Metropolitan | Tamale | |
| 13 | Tatale Sangule | Tatale | |
| 14 | Tolon | Tolon | |
| 15 | Yendi Municipal District | Yendi | |
| 16 | Zabzugu | Zabzugu |
Notable Health Facilities[9]
- Tamale Teaching Hospital
- Tamale Central West Hospital
- Tamale West Hospital
- SDA Hospital
- Yendi Municipal Hospital
- Savelugu Municipal Hospital
- Bimbilla District Hospital
Some famous citizens
| # | Citizen | Settlement |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aliu Mahama | Yendi |
| 2 | Wakaso | Tamale |
| 3 | Majeed Waris | Tamale |
| 4 | Haruna Iddrisu | Tamale |
| 5 | Muhammad Mumuni | Kumbungu |
| 6 | Ramatu Baba | Yendi |
| 7 | Abubakari Sadiq NAM | Yendi |
| 8 | Sheikh Ibrahim Basha | Tamale |
| 9 | Sheikh Sa-eed Abubakar | Tamale |
References
- ^ . ghana.gov.gh. Archived from the original on 4 July 2017. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
- ^ a b . GhanaDistricts.com. Archived from the original on 2010-02-11. Retrieved 2009-11-20.
- ^ (PDF). statsghana.gov.gh. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-09-25. Retrieved 2013-01-20.
- ^ "Sub-national HDI - Area Database - Global Data Lab". hdi.globaldatalab.org. Retrieved 2018-09-13.
- ^ "No new Covid-19 cases in Northern Region in 3 weeks - MyJoyOnline.com". www.myjoyonline.com. Retrieved 2021-05-18.
- ^ (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2018-07-12. Retrieved 2018-07-17.
- ^ . GhanaDistricts.com. Archived from the original on 18 January 2013. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
- ^ "Victims of land conflict in Saboba district pick up their pieces - MyJoyOnline.com". www.myjoyonline.com. Retrieved 2021-05-18.
- ^ "HEALTH FACILITIES IN NORTHERN REGION IN SHAMBLES...Tamale Hospital worst affected". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 2021-11-23.
- "Districts of Ghana". Statoids.