The Northern Region is one of the sixteen regions of Ghana. It is situated in the northern part of the country and ranks as the second largest of the sixteen regions. Before its division, it covered an area of 25,000 square kilometres, representing 10 percent of Ghana's area. In December 2018, the Savannah Region and North East Region were created from it. The Northern Region is divided into 16 districts. The region's capital is Tamale, Ghana's third-largest city.
Contents
Geography and climate
Location and size
The Northern Region, spanning approximately 25,000 square kilometres, stands as Ghana's second-largest region by land area. It shares borders with the North East Region and Savannah Region to the north and Oti Region to the south, and neighbouring countries, including the Republic of Togo to the east and La Côte d'Ivoire to the west.
Climate and vegetation
The Northern Region has a Guinean forest-savanna mosaic ecosystem. The Guinea Savanna is the wettest of the three savanna ecological zones. The vegetation consists predominantly of woodlands and grasslands. The wet season is between April and October, while the dry season occurs from January to March. There is an average annual rainfall of 750 to 1050 mm (30 to 40 inches). The highest temperatures are reached in March, at the end of the dry season. From late November to March, the northeast trade winds blow, causing Harmattan. During this time, temperatures can vary between 14 °C (59 °F) at night and 40 °C (104 °F) during the day.
Economy
Like all parts of Ghana, more than half of the economically active population are agricultural. The region is one of the most agriculturally important regions in Ghana. It also has the largest reserve of iron ore.
Demographics
The Northern Region contains much of the territories of the Kingdom of Dagbon, and Dagbani is the most widely spoken language, along with English. Dagbani belongs to the Oti–Volta subfamily in the Niger–Congo language family. Other languages spoken within the region include Likpakpaln and Nawuri.
Business
The region is a hotspot for investment in Ghana, with Tamale previously being ranked as the fastest-growing city in West Africa, experiencing tremendous growth compared to other cities in Ghana. The region's location and greater proximity to both Europe and North Africa, compared to Accra, make it an increasingly attractive destination for investors. Ghana's largest iron ore reserves, estimated to be more than three billion tons, make the region an ideal destination for investments in steel and iron.
Tourism
Naa Gbewaa Palace, Yendi
Hamamat Shea Butter Village
Tamale Center for Culture and Arts
Savanna Centre for Contemporary Art
Red Clay Studios
Nkrumah Volini
Nuku Studios
Saakpuli Slave wells
Diarre Napagaduungbanani
Naa Binbegu Boabab Tree, Yendi
Buntaga Irrigation Dam
Sabali (River Oti)
Nawuni River (White Volta)
Deutsch Cemetery at Yendi
Adibo dalila war zones, Adibo
Religion
Around three out of five residents in the Northern region were affiliated with Islam (60.0%).
Districts
The Northern Region of Ghana contains 16 districts. 11 are ordinary districts in addition to 1 metropolitan and 4 municipal districts. Under every municipality, metropolis and district are many towns and villages.
Health facilities
Hospitals in the Northern Region:
Tamale Teaching Hospital
Tamale Central West Hospital
Tamale West Hospital
SDA Hospital
Yendi Municipal Hospital
Savelugu Municipal Hospital
Bimbilla District Hospital
Kumbungu District Hospital
Gusheigu District Hospital
Healthcare Delivery
High-risk districts in the northern belt have been identified as having significant health insurance coverage gaps driven by localised socioeconomic determinants.