Bolgatanga, colloquially known as Bolga, is a town and the capital of the Bolgatanga Municipal and the Upper East Region of Ghana. Bolgatanga (also known as Bolga) is home to many ethnic groups and diverse culture.
The Upper East Region, with its capital as Bolgatanga, is located in the extreme north-eastern corner of Ghana. The Upper East Region is located in the north-eastern corner of the country between longitude 00 and 10 West and latitudes 100 30”N and 110N. It is the only region in Ghana that shares international boundaries with two countries: Burkina Faso on the north and Togo on the east.
Welcome to the Upper East Region of Ghana! Bolgatanga shares a border to the north with Burkina Faso and is 161 km (100 mi) to the north of Tamale.
Map of Ghana showing the location of the Upper East Region (Number 10).
Historical Roots and Cultural Identity
The name Bolgatanga (Bolbatanga) was derived from the Gurene word "'Bolba" Migrant and "tanga" gathering rock - Pyramid/Obelisk. Some believe the name Bolgatanga (Boole tanga) derives from the Gurensi words “Boole” (clay) and “tanga” (rocks). Indigenous women in Gurunsi communities traditionally gathered clay from local rock formations for pottery making, construction, and artwork.
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Historically, the town was located close to the Trans-Saharan trade route. What is special about this region is the fact that its historical relics can be traced back to the period of slavery and trans Saharan trade during the Sudanese empires of Ghana, Mali and Songhai. 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.
The region has a tropical savannah climate with warm temperature throughout the year. The region covers 842sq.km of relatively flat land except in the east, where the Gambaga escarpment extends from the Northern Region to form spectacular rock features and hills around Tongo, Bongo, Nangock and Bawku areas.
The unique cultural heritage of the people is portrayed in their way of dancing, dressing and cuisine. Their warlike nature is expressed in their ubiquitous war dance. The fabrication of smocks, their traditional attire, is through a handed-down tradition of weaving. The local cuisine of tuo zaafi is made from home grown corn and millet eaten with green vegetables. The people live in traditional round mud houses with thatched roofs; a group of these together form a large compound shared by the extended families, depicting unity.
The region’s soil is “upland soil” mainly developed from granite rocks. It is shallow and low in soil fertility, weak with low organic matter content, and predominantly coarse textured. Erosion is a problem. Valley areas have soils ranging from sandy candy loams to salty clays. They have higher natural fertility but are more difficult to till and are prone to seasonal waterlogging and floods.
Key Historical and Cultural Sites
The ancient Wurinyanga mosque at Wurinyanga, about 36km south-east of Bawku, and built by Muslim missionaries along the trans Saharan trade routes, is in typical Sudanese architecture from about 3 centuries ago. About 18km from Bawku on the eastern side is Gbewaa’s Shrine at Pusiga. Legend has it that Naa Gbewaa, the founder of the Mole Dagbani tribes is buried here. The shrine is situated on a plantation hill in a calm environment suitable for meditation. A little further north of Bawku is the Kulungugu Bomb Site, where an assassination attempt was made on the Late Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first President in August 1961.
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Sandema, 40km west of Navrongo is the home of brave traditional warriors, who defeated the notorious slave raider, Babatu at the turn of the 20th century. Also in the Upper East Region is a crocodile pond at Paga. This pond is said to house the friendliest crocodiles in the country. The crocodiles are enticed from the pond with a fowl, and photography opportunities are permitted.
In Navrongo, one can visit the Navrongo Cathedral, the last remaining mud cathedral in Ghana, built in 1906. The cathedral has traditional interior decoration amid mud walls and mud floors. Bolgatanga, the regional capital, is referred to as the handicraft capital of Ghana; famous for intricately designed straw baskets, hats and smocks.
Discover the region's natural and cultural sites, such as the Paga crocodile pond, where visitors can see crocodiles in their natural habitat, the Sombo Bat Sanctuary, and the Jafiiri Sacred Royal Python Sanctuary. Experience the rich and diverse culture also through traditional festivals, ceremonies, and cultural dances.
The Paga Crocodile Pond is natures most impressive wild life site in Ghana.
Upper East Regional Museum: Preserving Indigenous Culture
The Upper East Regional Museum in Bolgatanga has emerged as a vibrant center for the education and preservation of Indigenous culture in the heart of the town. Officially opened on January 21, 1991, as an extension of the National Museum in Accra, this ethnographic museum displays archaeological, historical, and artistic materials.
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The museum features a diverse array of exhibits, including ancestral clothing, hunting tools, musical instruments, and pottery. Among the displays are historical images of archaeological sites in the region, such as the stunning mud mosques built in the Sudano-Sahelian architectural style, some of which are painted in bright white colors. Archaeologists have discovered small terracotta sculptures, dating from the 13th to the 18th centuries, at burial sites near Bolgatanga.
Since 2021 the museum has launched several programs to involve students in hands-on learning experiences and instill appreciation for their culture. Workshops, guided tours, and interactive exhibits allow students to explore artifacts, learn about their historical contexts, and engage with local traditions.
To maximize the impact of its educational efforts, the Upper East Regional Museum collaborates with local schools and academic institutions. The museum’s activities are not merely designed to meet educational standards and attract youth; they are incorporated into the schools’ curriculum in Bolgatanga. Teachers receive materials and training to enhance their lessons with local history and Indigenous practices, making education more relevant and engaging for students.
Every year, the museum’s team selects a cohort of students from each school committed to advocating for culture preservation in their schools, families, and communities. These cultural ambassadors delve into Indigenous traditions through interactions with historical artifacts and undergo training to lead discussions and organize cultural events.
Upper East Regional Museum in Bolgatanga, Ghana, preserves the cultural heritage of the Upper East Region.
Student Voices: Embracing Cultural Identity
“I witnessed elders sharing folktales and proverbs in our local language. It was amazing. The stories brought our traditions to life and made us all feel more connected to our roots,” a junior student from St. John’s Basic School in Bolgatanga shares her experience at the museum during the annual World Storytelling Day celebration. “It taught me that culture isn’t just something from the past; it’s something we live every day."
“I’ve always been passionate about history and tradition. When my school introduced the Cultural Ambassadors program in collaboration with the Upper East Regional Museum, I immediately signed up. It felt like an opportunity to learn more about my roots and share that knowledge with my peers,” adds the cultural ambassador from the St.
The disengagement of his peers with their culture motivated a 10-year-old student from Sacred Heart International School to become one of the cultural ambassadors: “I wanted to make a difference in my community. Growing up, I noticed many young people were losing touch with their heritage. He emphasizes the interconnectedness of traditions and the environment. “Learning about the significance of farming tools and traditional rites made me see how our ancestors adapted to the environment sustainably.
Her message to other young people is simple yet profound: “Your culture is your identity. If you don’t know where you come from, it’s hard to know where you’re going. Take the time to learn about your traditions.
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Challenges and Future Initiatives
Despite the significant impact of the Upper East Regional Museum on schools and communities, it faces challenges such as limited funding and resources. These constraints hinder its ability to expand programming and reach wider audiences.
To address this issue, the museum’s team has proposed a Mobile Museum program using a minibus, which will be equipped with artifacts, exhibits, and educational materials. The minibus would visit schools weekly, providing guided tours, interactive activities, and educational sessions about cultural history led by experienced museum staff. This initiative aims to bring the museum experience directly to schools throughout the region.
Bolgatanga: Handicraft Capital
Bolgatanga is known as the crafts centre of the Upper East Region, with a large central market. 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.
Although farming is still crucial to the livelihood of villagers, in the last few decades basket-weaving has transformed and elevated the local economy.
Intricately designed straw baskets are a famous product of Bolgatanga.
Demographics
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, Ewe, and Ga-Adangbe.
Bolgatanga Municipal's population in 2021 was with more females (74,659), representing 52.4% than males (67,850) constituting 47.6%.
Ghanaians by birth or parenthood constitute 92.5 per cent of the population of the region. Naturalized Ghanaians constitute a further 5.3 per cent and the rest are non-Ghanaians.
| Category | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Ghanaians by Birth or Parenthood | 92.5% |
| Naturalized Ghanaians | 5.3% |
| Non-Ghanaians | Remaining Percentage |
Transportation
There is public transportation from Bolgatanga to major cities such as Accra, Kumasi, Mim, Ahafo, Cape Coast, Sunyani, Tamale, Tema, Ho, Wa, Elubo, Aflao, and Techiman. 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. In 2016, an $141 million project was underway to help increase the quality of transportation of the Bolgatanga-Bawku-Pulmakom Road.
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