The number of regions in Ghana has evolved over the years, and the most recent among them is the change was the number of regions from 10 to 16 in 2019.
The President at the time, H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, promised Ghanaians before the 2016 elections to add additional regions to increase decentralization and development in general.
An additional 6 districts were to be carved out of the existing :
- Northern Region
- Volta Region
- Western Region
- Brong Ahafo Region
After the Referendum was held, the proposed increase took effect on February 12, 2019
16 Regions In Ghana With their Capital
Below is the list of all the 16 regions and their capitals, beginning with the country’s capital and industrial city.
1. Greater Accra Region
Capital: Accra
Accra doubles as the Capital of Ghana and the Greater Accra Region as well. The region is home to the Ga’s, ranking highest in terms of urbanization compared to the other regions in Ghana. The region is the economic heartbeat of Ghana.
2.Volta Region
Capital: Ho
The dominant inhabitants of the Volta Region are Ewes, with Guans and Akans also in the region as well. Ho is the regional Capital. The Volta region is noted for its rich culture and beautiful tourist sites such as Mountain Afajato, Wli Waterfalls, and Tafi Atome Monkey.
3. Eastern Region
Capital: Koforidua
The Eastern region is Akan-dominated, where you have the Kwahus, Akyems, and Akuapems, although there are other minor Ethnic group settlers among them. With Koforidua being its capital, the Eastern region is home to the Akosombo dam, which provides most of Ghana’s Electricity.
4. Ashanti Region
Capital: Kumasi
The Capital of the Ashanti Region is Kumasi, and people who hail from the Ashanti Region are Ashantis. Population-wise, the region has the highest compared to the rest of the regions in Ghana. The Ashanti region is popular for its gold bars and Cocoa Production.
5. Bono Region
Capital: Sunyani
In Ghana, you cannot talk about large-scale cocoa production and Farming without mentioning the Bono Region. The region is also Akan-dominated and is home to popular tourist sites such as the Kintampo Waterfalls, Boabeng Fiama Monkey Sanctuary, and Bui National Park. Sunyani is the capital of the Bono Region.
6. Northern Region
Capital: Tamale
The Capital of the Northern Region is Tamale. Two of the newly created Regions, that is, the Savannah and North East Regions, were created from the Northern Region.
7. Upper East Region
Capital: Bolgatanga
Located in the Northern part of Ghana, the Upper East Region shares a border with Burkina Faso to the North. Bolgatanga is the Capital where most of their Economic activities take place. Some of the popular tourist sites in the region are Paga Crocodile Pond and Bolgatanga Craft Village.
8. Upper West Region
Capital: Wa
The capital of the Upper West Region is Wa. Agriculture is the major economic activity in the Region, with most of the inhabitants engaging in crop farming and rearing of animals to make ends meet.
9. Western North Region
Capital: Sefwi Wiawso
The Sefwis are the dominant inhabitants of the Western North region, and Sefwi Wiaswso is the regional capital. It is also part of the newly created regions and was created from the Western Region.
10. Oti Region
Capital: Dambai
Oti Region is also one of the newly created regions and was carved out of the Volta Region. The Oti Region shares borders on the north with the Northern Region, to the south with the Volta Region, and to the west with the Volta Lake, with its capital being Dambai.
11. Savannah Region
Capital: Damongo
The Savanna Region happens to be the largest and also one of the newly formed regions in Ghana. It is also one of the agriculturally inclined regions serving Ghana as one of the main suppliers of grains and Tubers. The capital of the Savannah region is Damango.
12. Bono Region
Capital: Sunyani
The Capital of the Bono Region is Sunyani, and it’s known for its rich forest. It is bordered on the west by Côte d’Ivoire and produces Cash crops such as cashew and timber.
13. Ahafo Region
Capital: Goaso
The Ahafo region is popularly referred to as the bread basket of the country, with rich natural resources such as Gold, Diamonds, Timber where you have some of the top ten mining companies in Ghana, and vast forest reserves for timber production. The capital of the Ahafo region is Goaso.
14. Central Region
Capital: Cape Coast
The Central Regional Capital is Cape Coast. Fantis are the predominant ethnic group in this region and are noted for their high-profile senior high schools. Cape Coast Castle and Elmina Castle are some of the popular tourist sites in the region.
15. Western Region
Capital: Sekondi-Takoradi
The Western region is Akan-dominated, with the highest rainfall in Ghana, and fertile Soils for Farming. Secondi – Takoradi is the Regional Capital.
16. Bono East Region
Capital : Techiman
The Bono East region was also formed from the Brong Ahafo region and is part of the New regions created by Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. Techiman is the regional capital.
How The Increment Came About
On 27th December 2018, a referendum on creating new regions, which was held in Ghana, received 99% approval votes in all the 47 districts where it was held.
With all the 16 regions, different ethnic groups and cultures, Ghana is a united and peaceful country.
