Western region (Ghana)
Western Region | |
|---|---|
 Beach near Sekondi-Takoradi | |
 | |
| Country | Ghana |
| Capital | Sekondi-Takoradi |
| Districts | 22 |
| Government | |
| • Regional Minister | Hon. Kwabena Okyere Darko Mensah[1] |
| Area | |
• Total | 23,921 km2 (9,236 sq mi) |
| • Rank | Ranked 4th |
| Population (2019 Projection)[2] | |
• Total | 3,093,201 |
| • Rank | Ranked 4th |
| • Density | 130/km2 (330/sq mi) |
| GDP (PPP) | |
| • Year | 2013 |
| • Per capita | $5,150 |
| GDP (Nominal) | |
| • Year | 2013 |
| • Per capita | $2,500 |
| Time zone | GMT |
| Area code | 031 |
| ISO 3166 code | GH-WP |
| HDI (2017) |  0.622[3]medium · 2nd |
The Western Region is located in south Ghana,[4] spreads from the Ivory Coast (Comoé District) in the west to the Central region in the east, includes the capital and large twin city of Sekondi-Takoradi on the coast, coastal Axim, and a hilly inland area including Elubo. It includes Ghana's southernmost location, Cape Three Points, where crude oil was discovered in commercial quantities in June 2007. The region covers an area of 23,921 sq. km, and had a population of 2,376,021 at the 2010 Census; the latest official projected population (as at 2019) is 3,093,201.[2]
The Western Region enjoys a long coastline that stretches from South Ghana's border with Ivory Coast to the Western region's boundary with the Central Region on the east.
The Western Region has the highest rainfall in Ghana, lush green hills, and fertile soils. There are numerous small and large-scale gold mines along with offshore oil platforms dominate the Western Region economy.
The culture is dominated by the Akans; the main languages are Akan, French and English.
Tourism
The largest rivers are the Ankobra River, the Bia River, and the Pra River in the east, with the Tano River partly forming the western national border. The area is known for the UNESCO World Heritage Site and village of Nzulezo, built entirely on stilts and platforms over water, and the Ankasa Protected Area. There is a series of imposing Portuguese, Dutch, British, and Brandenburgian forts along the coast, built from 1512 on.
Education
The Western region has many post-secondary schools, including teachers' and nursing colleges, and two universities one at Tarkwa, UMaT and Takoradi Technical University formerly known as Takoradi Polythecnic.
Districts
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The original Western Region of Ghana contained 23 districts made up of 1 metropolitis, 22 Municipalities and ordinary districts as follows:[5]
However, following a reorganisation of Regions in 2018, the existing ten Regions were replaced by a new structure of sixteen Regions; as part of this reorganisation, nine districts (those in bold and asteriks below) were removed from the Western Region and formed into a new Western North Region with its new capital at Wiawso. The present Western Region is left with 14 districts.
| # | District | Capital | Population Census 2010[2] |
Population Projection 2019[2] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ahanta West | Agona Nkwanta | 106,215 | 139,188 |
| - | Aowin* | Enchi | 117,886 | 154,661 |
| - | Bia East* | Adabokrom | 27,393 | 37,108 |
| - | Bia West* | Essam | 88,939 | 111,355 |
| - | Bodi* | Bodi | 53,314 | 68,055 |
| 2 | Ellembelle | Nkroful | 87,501 | 114,441 |
| 3 | Jomoro | Half Assini | 150,107 | 194,808 |
| - | Juabeso* | Juaboso | 58,435 | 77,678 |
| 4 | Mpohor | Mpohor | 42,923 | 55,678 |
| 5 | Nzema East | Axim | 60,828 | 80,480 |
| 6 | Prestea-Huni Valley | Bogoso | 159,304 | 207,237 |
| - | Sefwi Akontombra* | Sefwi Akontombra | 82,467 | 108,266 |
| - | Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai* | Bibiani | 123,272 | 160,844 |
| - | Sefwi-Wiawso* | Wiawso | 139,200 | 182,510 |
| 7 | Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis (Metropolitan) |
Sekondi | 559,548 | 726,905 |
| 8 | Effia-Kwesimintsim | Kwesimintsim | N/A | N/A |
| 9 | Shama | Shama | 81,966 | 105,173 |
| - | Suaman* | Dadieso | 20,529 | 27,832 |
| 10 | Tarkwa-Nsuaem | Tarkwa | 90,477 | 117,550 |
| 11 | Wassa Amenfi Central | Manso Amenfi | 69,014 | 89,703 |
| 12 | Wassa Amenfi East | Wassa-Akropong | 83,478 | 108,272 |
| 13 | Wassa Amenfi West | Asankragua | 92,152 | 120,643 |
| 14 | Wassa East | Daboase | 81,073 | 105,163 |
| Total | 2,376,021 | 3,093,201 | ||
Famous native citizens
| Famous native citizens of Western region | ||
|---|---|---|
| # | Citizen | Settlement |
| 1 | Samuel Inkoom | Sekondi-Takoradi |
| 2 | Nadia Buari | Sekondi-Takoradi |
| 3 | Boris Kodjoe | Sekondi-Takoradi |
| 4 | John Atta Mills | Tarkwa |
| 5 | Kwame Nkrumah | Nkroful |
| 6 | Anton Wilhelm Amo | Axim |
| 7 | Joseph Boahen Aidoo | Wassa Afransie |
| 8 | Kofi Kinaata | Takoradi |
| 9 | Gyedu-Blay Ambolley | Sekondi-Takoradi |
References
- ^ "Regional Ministers - Government of Ghana". ghana.gov.gh.
- ^ a b c d Ghana Statistical Service
- ^ "Sub-national HDI - Area Database - Global Data Lab". hdi.globaldatalab.org. Retrieved 2018-09-13.
- ^ "Betway extends support to Volleyball Teams in the Western and Western North Regions". Citi Sports Online. 2021-05-21. Retrieved 2021-05-21.
- ^ "Western". GhanaDistricts.com. Archived from the original on 18 January 2013. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
Sources
Places adjacent to Western region (Ghana) | ||||||||||||||||
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5°30′N 2°30′W / 5.500°N 2.500°W
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