Upper East Region

The Upper East Region of Ghana is located in the northeastern corner of the country and bordered by Burkina Faso to the north and Togo to the east. The capital is Bolgatanga, sometimes shortened to Bolga. Other cities include Bawku and Navrongo. In area, the Upper East Region is 8842 square kilometers. In 2002, its population was 964,500.

The major ethnic groups are the Bimoba, Bissa, Buli, Frafra, Kantosi, Kasem, and Kusasi.

The geography is primarily savanna grassland. The climate is very dry.

Economy and Tourism

The region's economy is based on agriculture, primarily cattle and cereals like millet, sorghum and rice. The region is also known for its handicrafts and a locally brewed beer known as Pito. The market at Bolga has a long history. The ancient trans-Saharan trade routes from Mali, which passed through Burkina Faso, was joined in Bolga by a second route, from northern Nigeria through Bawku, and continues down to Tamale and southern Ghana. At the Bolga market, visitors can buy straw hats, baskets, leather goods, metal goods, and traditional clothing.

As in other parts of Ghana, colonialism and slave trade are part of the history of the Upper East Region. The area offers insight into this history through guided tours and visits to former slave camps. In Widnaba, a visitor can enter a hollow baobab tree in which potential slaves were held captive. In Paga Nania, 3 km west of Paga, is a slave transit camp and relics of the slave trade. From the 16th century when slaves became a dominant item of trade, Nania became the first stopover and auction market for slaves captured in Mossi and surrounding lands. The market was in a rocky area referred to as "Pinkworo" (Rocks of Fear). Still evident today is the rock outcrop that was used as an observation post by the raiders, water troughs formed in the rocks from which slaves drank, grinding stones and indents in the rocks, where slaves ground cereals for food.

One unique site in the region are the Tongo Whistling Rocks. Located 6 miles (10 km.) from Bolgatanga, these granite rocks jut dramatically from the terrain. The rocks also make strange whistling sounds during November and December, when the harmattan wind blows off the Sahara through the Northern Region.

The region also plays host to many festivals throughout the year. Most festivals are either to bring a good planting season or celebrate the harvest. Festivals include the Gologo Festival, celebrated in March by the Talensis of Tong-Zug just before the planting of grain, and the Fao Festival, held between November and March in the Page/Chiana and Kayoro Traditional Areas as a thanksgiving offering for good harvest.

Districts

The Upper East Region of Ghana contains the following 8 districts:

* Bawku Municipal District
* Bawku West District
* Bolgatanga Municipal District
* Bongo District
* Builsa District
* Garu-Tempane District
* Kassena/Nankana District
* Talensi-Nabdam District

ources

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* [http://www.ghanadistricts.com/index.asp GhanaDistricts.com]

External links

* [http://www.atidekate.com/CulturalRegions/Uppereast.html Upper East Region]
* [http://www.ghanatourism.gov.gh/regions/region_detail.asp?id=4 Tourism in the Upper East Region]