Bolgatanga

Bolgatanga lies in the Red Volta River Valley, and is the capital of Upper East Region of Ghana.

A typical photograph of the streets of Bolgatanga, capital of the Upper East Region of Ghana

(February 2008)

 The population Bolgatanga is approximately 50,000, and largely consists of the Gurene (a.k.a Guransi) people. Bolgatanga’s population is of predominantly Muslim faith.

Known colloquially as “Bolga”, the town has served as an important stop on the Trans-Saharan trade route. Located approximately 815km north of Accra, 160km north of Tamale, and 40km from Paga, the township on Ghana’s border with Burkina Faso, popular with tourists for it's ecotourism sites, such as the crocodile ponds, Achala Village, and Pikworo Slave Camp.

The main road from Tamale, entering Bolgatanga.

(February 2008)

The Upper East Regional capital has experienced a major population influx in the last decade, and several new hotels and restaurants have opened to cater for the burgeoning city.

A new Barclays Bank Of Ghana Ltd branch opened in late 2007, giving Bolgatanga it's first ATM facility. Nearby, Bolgatanga has upgraded it's administrative centre with a restored parade ground, with a reviewing stand, designed for local events.

Due to the significantly drier northern climate, the land in the Upper East Region is less fertile than in other areas of Ghana, and the agricultural use of the land surrounding Bolgatanga is largely used for cattle farming, although the region does have some agricultural output from growing staples such as rice. The name “Bolgatanga” refers to the soft soil and rocky land of the region.

The Intercity/STC bus depot in Bolgatanga.

(February 2008)

Despite this, the outlying region has suffered floods when downpours occur. One such downpour caused massive flooding to the region in August 2007, causing deaths and widespread damage, and damaging much of the local cattle and farming industry.

One of Bolgatanga's religious shrines.

(February 2008)

Although the town itself is somewhat devoid of major attractions, it is largely used by tourists as a springboard for short trips, particularly to Paga. Indeed, the town's major landmarks seem confined to the series of religious statues located around the vicinity of the local sports venue, the somewhat run-down Ramsay Sports Stadium.

Bolgatanga's somewhat outdated sports facility, Ramsay Sports Stadium.

(February 2008)

Despite this, the area is known for it’s craftwork, particularly basket-weaving, which have been traditionally used as a filter in the production of a local beer known as Pito, which is popular at festivals, funerals, marriages, and other social events.

The baskets are weaved from the local elephant-grass, known as Veta Vera, which gives a sturdy construction. Such baskets are available at several places within Bolgatanga, particularly the market, which operates every three days, selling a variety of livestock, clothing, crafts, and other goods.

 The Ghana Tourist Board operates from Bolgatanga, as it does from all major towns & cities. The town’s attractions include a sports park, and a local museum. Attractions in the outlying area include the Tongo Whistling Rocks, an outcrop of precariously-positioned rocks located approximately 6km from Bolgatanga, in the Tonga Hills. The name of this outcrop is given courtesy of whistling noises heard there during the harmattan, an annual phenomenon where strong winds from the Sahara blow into the region from November to February.  Both male & female visitors to this shrine are required to remove all clothing above the knees to enter, so many visitors opt to confine to a tour of the local settlement.