Edition 9

WHERE DO YOU LIVE?
8
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Mole national park
n this edition of “where do you live”, we give you a
general overview of the Northern Region of Ghana
Iand in subsequent editions take it constituency by
constituency for effective and extensive coverage.
Batakari
Paga
The Northern Region is the largest area of Ghana and
occupies an area of about 70,383 square kilometers in
terms of land area. The land is mostly low lying except
in the north-eastern corner with the Gambaga
escarpment and along the western corridor. The
region is drained by the Black and white Volta and their
tributaries, Rivers Nasia and Daka.
Tamale, the capital, is the country's fourth largest city
and the obvious gateway to the northern region. The
region is bounded on the north by the Upper East and
Upper West regions, on the west by Cote D'Ivoire and
on the east by Togo. The regions on the south are the
Brong Ahafo and Volta region. The main ethnic groups
are Dagomba, Nanumba, Mamprusi, Gonja and
Kokombas. Other groups include Chekosis, Bimobas
and Vaglas. It is the nerve centre of all commercial
activities in the whole of the Northern Sector of Ghana.
Tamale is an incredible juxta-position of the ancient
and modern. The traditional architecture of round huts
with conical thatched roofs are sights to see. It is also
the home of Ghana's first University of Development
Studies.
Between May and October is the wet season, with an
average annual rainfall of 750 to 1050 mm (30 to 40
inches). The dry season is between November and
April. The highest temperatures are reached at the end
of the dry season, the lowest in December and
January. However, the hot Harmattan winds 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.
The Northern Region was a major arena of slave
raiders and a key supply source for slaves who were
sent to markets and sold to local merchants from the
South. They were subsequently marched on the coast
and resold to European traders for export
The Northern Region is the least densely populated
area of Ghana. Most inhabitants (52%) speak a
language of the –Mole Dagbani subfamily in the
––NigerCongo languages. The people of the North
have the Supine Temperament; they are very
serviceable and friendly. Besides their local language,
English is also widely spoken; you
will not be a stranger when you get
to the north. Please do not be
surprised when you have people
bowing to greet you, it is the
lifestyle of the people and a mark
of respect. For their belief system,
women marry at a very early age.
The women in the Northern
Region of Ghana are very
beautiful and the men are not bad
either.
Agriculture, hunting, basket
weaving and forestry are the main
economic activities in the region.
Though there are good roads in
the North, the people use bicycles
for their daily commutes, the
“busanga” type of cycles with a
carrier; it makes their work a lot
easier. The only part of the country
you see women on cycles as well.
In fact, it is the number one means
of transportation, it is fun when
you sit behind and someone rides
you. Try it when you visit the North.
Northern Regional Minister
The main dishes of the Northern
Region includes: Waakye, "TZ or
"Tuo Zaafi" rice balls or "Omo Tuo"
with groundnut or green leaves
soup, beans or cowpea with
sheanut oil and pepper called
"Tubaani" "Koko" or millet or corn
porridge eaten with "Koose" fried
bean balls, you can wash it all
down with "Pito", a locally brewed
beer from millet, "Zom koom", or
toasted millet flour in water and
"fula" mashed in water, milk,
ginger, other spices and sugar. I
really enjoy “fula” because of the
spices mixed up with the millet
and besides it is highly nutritious.
You can also try this delicacy;
“akomfe” (Grilled Guinea fowl)
with “pito” on Ice whiles relaxing,
hahahahahaha!
There are lots of fascinating and
interesting places in the Northern
Region you can visit for leisure.
The Mole National Park offers a
great Safari-like experience and is