Bolgatanga ( Frafra: ''Bɔlegataŋa''), colloquially known as ''Bolga'', is a town and also the capital of the Bolgatanga Municipal and the

Upper East Region The Upper East Region is located in the northern part of Ghana and it is the third smallest of the 16 administrative regions in Ghana. It occupies a total land surface of 8,842 square kilometers, or 2.7% of the total land area of Ghana. The reg ...

Ghana Ghana, officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country in West Africa. It is situated along the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean to the south, and shares borders with Côte d’Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, and Togo to t ...

. It shares a

border Borders are generally defined as geography, geographical boundaries, imposed either by features such as oceans and terrain, or by polity, political entities such as governments, sovereign states, federated states, and other administrative divisio ...

to the north with

Burkina Faso Burkina Faso is a landlocked country in West Africa, bordered by Mali to the northwest, Niger to the northeast, Benin to the southeast, Togo and Ghana to the south, and Ivory Coast to the southwest. It covers an area of 274,223 km2 (105,87 ...

. Bolgatanga is to the north of

Tamale A tamale, in Spanish language, Spanish , is a traditional Mesoamerican dish made of ''masa'', a dough made from nixtamalization, nixtamalized maize, corn, which is steaming, steamed in a corn husk or Banana leaf, banana leaves. The wrapping ...

. The town lies in the

Red Volta The Red Volta or Nazinon ( French: ''Volta rouge'') is a waterway located in West Africa. It emerges near Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso and has a length of about 320 km at the end of which it joins the White Volta in Ghana. The river is prima ...

Valley (which serves as a major migration route of elephants), with the

White Volta The White Volta or Nakambé ( French: ''Volta blanche'') is the headstream of the Volta River, Ghana's main waterway. The White Volta emerges in northern Burkina Faso, flows through Northern Ghana and empties into Lake Volta in Ghana. The White V ...

and the cliffs of the

Gambaga Gambaga is the capital of the East Mamprusi Municipal Assembly in the North East Region of Ghana. Once a residence of Mamprusi-kings it is still the capital of East Mamprusi Municipal Assembly, a municipality in the North East Region of Ghan ...

escarpment to the south of the town forming the southern boundary of the Upper East Region. As of 2021, the town has a population of about 142,509 people constituting females (74,659), representing 52.4 % than males (67,850) constituting 47.6 %. Some ethnic groups who lived in large qualities in Bolgatanga are Frafra, Daghati,

Akan Akan may refer to: People and languages *Akan people, an ethnic group in Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire *Akan languages, a language group within the wider Central Tano languages *Kwa languages, a language group which includes Akan *Central Tano language ...

, Ewe, and

Ga-Adangbe The Ga-Dangbe, Ga-Dangme, Ga-Adangme or Ga-Adangbe are an ethnic group in Ghana, Togo and Benin. The Ga or Gan and Dangbe or Dangme people are grouped as part of the Ga–Dangme languages, Ga–Dangme Ethnolinguistics, ethnolinguistic group. The ...

. The current mayor of the town is Rex Asanga. Bolgatanga Municipal's population in 2021 was with more females (74,659), representing 52.4% than males (67,850) constituting 47.6%. The Municipal occupies a land size of 334 Km2 with a population density of 418.7 persons per square kilometer.

History

Etymology

The name Bolgatanga (Bolbatanga) was derived from the Gurene word "'Bolba" Migrant and "tanga" gathering rock - Pyramid/Obelisk. Asamsoo also known as Abolba (Nile Migrant) founded Bolbatanga as demanded by his Father - Atandaagure (Guardian of the three pyramids for the protection of the life-giving water of the Nile). Atandaagure was known by the "Solemisi" (Greeks) and the "Nasara" (Romans) as Ramses III).

Formation

Historically, the town was located close to the Trans-Saharan trade route. Due to many trade routes crossed the Gurensi region, by the end of the 19th century the area it grew into an important trading center with marketplaces (''Ayia Daa'') popping up around the town. In 1910, Bolgatanga was finally connected with the rest of Ghana with the addition of a road.

Administration

The town has a mayor–council form of government. The mayor (executive chief) is appointed by the

president of Ghana The president of the Republic of Ghana is the elected head of state and head of government of Ghana, as well as commander-in-chief of the Ghana Armed Forces. The current president of Ghana is John Mahama, who won the 2024 presidential elect ...

and approved by the town council, the Bolgatanga Municipal Assembly. The current mayor of Bolgatanga is Rex Asanga.

Demographics

The majority of the town is religious, making up 97.3% of the town's population, while the biggest religions in the town are

Christianity Christianity is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion, which states that Jesus in Christianity, Jesus is the Son of God (Christianity), Son of God and Resurrection of Jesus, rose from the dead after his Crucifixion of Jesus, crucifixion, whose ...

(57.6%), traditional religions (22.3%), and Islam (17.1%). Majors ethnic groups who lived in Bolgatanga are Northerners (mainly Frafra),

, Ewe, and

Transportation

There is public transportation from Bolgatanga to major cities such as

Accra Accra (; or ''Gaga''; ; Ewe: Gɛ; ) is the capital and largest city of Ghana, located on the southern coast at the Gulf of Guinea, which is part of the Atlantic Ocean. As of 2021 census, the Accra Metropolitan District, , had a population of ...

Kumasi Kumasi is a city and the capital of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly and the Ashanti Region of Ghana. It is the second largest city in the country, with a population of 443,981 as of the 2021 census. Kumasi is located in a rain forest region ...

Mim, Ahafo Mim is a city in the Asunafo North Municipal District in the Ahafo Region of Ghana. It is a nodal town between Sunyani and Goaso on the N12 road (Ghana), N12 Highway. The distance from Mim to Sunyani is 64 km whiles that of Mim to Goaso is ...

Cape Coast Cape Coast is a city and the capital of the Cape Coast Metropolitan Assembly, Cape Coast Metropolitan District and the Central Region (Ghana), Central Region of Ghana, Ghana. It is located about from Sekondi-Takoradi and approximately from Ac ...

Sunyani Sunyani () is a city and the capital of the Sunyani Municipal District and the Bono Region of Ghana. The city is located about northwest of Kumasi and away from Accra. It is the sixth largest city in the country as of the 2010 census, with ...

Tema Tema is a city on the Bight of Benin and Atlantic coast of Ghana. It is located east of the capital city; Accra, in the region of Greater Accra, and is the capital of the Tema Metropolitan District. As of 2013, Tema is the eleventh most p ...

, Ho, Wa,

Elubo Elubo is a town in the Jomoro district, a district in the Western Region of Ghana, and is located near the border with the Ivory Coast. 2021 census indicate that, Elubo have a settlement population of 23,952 people. The current '' Omanhene'' ...

Aflao Aflao is a border town in the Ketu South District in the Volta Region of Ghana on the Ghana–Togo border, border with Togo. Aflao is the twenty-eighth most populous Human settlement, settlement in Ghana, in terms of population, with a populat ...

, and

Techiman Techiman (Akan language, Akan: ''Takyiman'') is a city and the capital of the Techiman Municipal District, Techiman Metropolitan District and the Bono East Region of Ghana. The city is located about from Sunyani and about away from Kumasi. I ...

. The most popular form of intracity transport is a covered rickshaw popularly referred to as 'candoos'. For the transportation of goods, an uncovered tricycle popularly known as 'motor king' is used. Though the use of Donkey Carts for carrying goods has been part of the life of the people of Bolgatanga it is scarce due to rapid development. In 2016, an $141 million project was underway to help increase the quality of transportation of the Bolgatanga-Bawku-Pulmakom Road. Originally supposed to be completed sometime in 2018, due to some unresolved issues it was push back to late-2024.

Culture

Bolgatanga is known as the

craft A craft or trade is a pastime or an occupation that requires particular skills and knowledge of skilled work. In a historical sense, particularly the Middle Ages and earlier, the term is usually applied to people occupied in small scale pr ...

s centre of the Upper East Region, with a large central

market Market is a term used to describe concepts such as: *Market (economics), system in which parties engage in transactions according to supply and demand *Market economy *Marketplace, a physical marketplace or public market *Marketing, the act of sat ...

. Apart from items found elsewhere in the Upper East Region, the so-called "Bolga hats" are made and sold in Bolgatanga. Bolgatanga and its surrounding suburbs also contain the largest producers of leather goods, straw baskets, and smocks. The artists sell their works at the Bolgatanga Market, which is open every third day. There is also a

museum A museum is an institution dedicated to displaying or Preservation (library and archive), preserving culturally or scientifically significant objects. Many museums have exhibitions of these objects on public display, and some have private colle ...

in the town, which houses objects of historical importance of the Upper East Region.

Geography

Bolgatanga is located in the Bolgatanga Municipal which has an area of . The district bordered the Bongo District to the north, the

Talensi Tallensi, also spelt Talensi, the correct spelling is Talhi as pronounced by the people. They occupied the north-eastern part of Ghana. They speak a language of the Gur branch of the Niger-Congo language family. They grow millet and sorghum as st ...

and the Nabdam district towards the south and east and the

Kassena-Nankana Municipal District Kassena-Nankana Municipal is one of the fifteen districts in Upper East Region, Ghana. Originally it was formerly part of the then-larger Kassena-Nankana District Kassena-Nankana District is a former district that was located in Upper East Reg ...

to the west. The town's landscape is described by gentle slopes mixed with

rock outcrop An outcrop or rocky outcrop is a visible exposure of bedrock or ancient superficial deposits on the surface of the Earth and other terrestrial planets. Features Outcrops do not cover the majority of the Earth's land surface because in most p ...

s and

upland Upland or Uplands may refer to: Geography *Hill, an area of higher land, generally *Highland, an area of higher land divided into low and high points *Upland and lowland, conditional descriptions of a plain based on elevation above sea level *I ...

Climate

The town has a

hot semi-arid climate A semi-arid climate, semi-desert climate, or steppe climate is a dry climate sub-type. It is located on regions that receive precipitation below potential evapotranspiration, but not as low as a desert climate. There are different kinds of sem ...

(

Köppen climate classification The Köppen climate classification divides Earth climates into five main climate groups, with each group being divided based on patterns of seasonal precipitation and temperature. The five main groups are ''A'' (tropical), ''B'' (arid), ''C'' (te ...

''BSh''), experiencing a rainy season and a dry season per year. In Gurene, these seasons are regraded as "Oone" and "Sioo". The rainy season usually spanning from May to September, while the dry season is long and ranges from November to March. Rainfall amounts are often lackluster and ranges from .

Economy

The major economic sectors of Bolgatanga are

agriculture Agriculture encompasses crop and livestock production, aquaculture, and forestry for food and non-food products. Agriculture was a key factor in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created ...

, hunting,

forestry Forestry is the science and craft of creating, managing, planting, using, conserving and repairing forests and woodlands for associated resources for human and Natural environment, environmental benefits. Forestry is practiced in plantations and ...

, and

industry Industry may refer to: Economics * Industry (economics), a generally categorized branch of economic activity * Industry (manufacturing), a specific branch of economic activity, typically in factories with machinery * The wider industrial sector ...

. Regrading agriculture, about 80% of the population is engaged in the sector in which some of the crops cultivated are millet,

maize Maize (; ''Zea mays''), also known as corn in North American English, is a tall stout grass that produces cereal grain. It was domesticated by indigenous peoples in southern Mexico about 9,000 years ago from wild teosinte. Native American ...

, guinea-corn, rice, beans, groundnuts, and sweet potatoes during the

rainy season The rainy season is the time of year when most of a region's average annual rainfall occurs. Rainy Season may also refer to: * ''Rainy Season'' (short story), a 1989 short horror story by Stephen King * "Rainy Season", a 2018 song by Monni * '' ...

and irrigation farming of onions, tomatoes, and peppers during the dry season.

Human resources

Healthcare

The primary hospital is the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital. In 2020, a rehabilitation project began, consisting of a four-story building consisting of 39 apartment rooms for the hospital's staff along with other facilities. Since then, the hospital has undergone multiple renovation.

Education

Administration block of Bolgatanga Technical University

Bolgatanga Library

The Bolgatanga Library is a notable design of award-winning American architect J. Max Bond Jr., who was influenced by

Le Corbusier Charles-Édouard Jeanneret (6 October 188727 August 1965), known as Le Corbusier ( , ; ), was a Swiss-French architectural designer, painter, urban planner and writer, who was one of the pioneers of what is now regarded as modern architecture ...

. Bond lived in Ghana for four years in the 1960s. The Bolgatanga library was his first major project while working for the national construction company. The design features perforated walls and an "umbrella"-shaped roof, so the structure remains cool and well ventilated. The following is a list of schools in Bolgatanga: ;

Senior high school A secondary school, high school, or senior school, is an institution that provides secondary education. Some secondary schools provide both ''lower secondary education'' (ages 11 to 14) and ''upper secondary education'' (ages 14 to 18), i.e., b ...

s * Bolgatanga Senior High School (Mixed) * Bolgatanga Girls' Senior High School (Girls) * Zamse Senior High/Technical School (Mixed) * Bolgatanga Technical Institute-BOTECH (Mixed) * Bolgatanga Central Technical Institute ormerly women’s training Institute(Mixed) * Bolga Sherigu Community Senior High School (Mixed) ;

College A college (Latin: ''collegium'') may be a tertiary educational institution (sometimes awarding degrees), part of a collegiate university, an institution offering vocational education, a further education institution, or a secondary sc ...

Universities A university () is an educational institution, institution of tertiary education and research which awards academic degrees in several Discipline (academia), academic disciplines. ''University'' is derived from the Latin phrase , which roughly ...

Bolgatanga Nursing Training College Bolgatanga ( Frafra: '), colloquially known as ''Bolga'', is a town and also the capital of the Bolgatanga Municipal and the Upper East Region of Ghana. It shares a border to the north with Burkina Faso. Bolgatanga is to the north of Tamal ...

(Mixed) * Bolgatanga Midwifery College *

Bolgatanga Technical University The Bolgatanga Technical University BTU, (formally Bolgatanga Polytechnic) is a public tertiary institution in the Upper East Region of Ghana, West Africa. It is gradually increasing its courses and facilities following the achievement of universi ...

References

External links

*
''Culture and tourism: Upper East in focus.''
* * {{Authority control Regional capitals in Ghana Populated places in the Upper East Region