Western North Region

The Western North Region is one of the six new regions of Ghana created in 2019. The region is bounded by the Ivory Coast border on the west, the Central region in the southeast, and the Ashanti, Ahafo,Bono East and Bono regions in the north. The Western North Region has the highest rainfall in Ghana, lush green hills, and fertile soils. There are numerous small and large-scale gold mines companies in the region. The ethnic culture of the region is dominated by the Sefwis. The main languages spoken are Sefwi, Akan, French and English.

Western North Region
Region
Région Nord Ouest
Fishing Boats on the Ankobra River
Location of Western North Region in Ghana
CountryGhana
CapitalWiawso
Districts9
Government
 • Regional MinisterKingsley Aboagye Gyedu[1]
Population
 (2019)Projection [2]
 • Total928,309
Time zoneGMT
Area code(s)031

History

The Western North Region of Ghana is a new region carved out of the existing Western Region of Ghana. This creation of this new region was in fulfillment of a promise made by the New Patriotic Party prior to the 2016 Ghana general election. Upon winning the elections, the President, Nana Akuffo Addo created the Ministry of Regional Reorganization to oversee policy formulation and implementation. In all, six new regions were created from the existing ten regions of Ghana. The other new regions are Bono East, Ahafo, Savannah, North East, and Oti regions.[3]

The execution of plans for the creation of the regions was ceded to the newly created Ministry of Regional Reorganization and Development[4] which is under the leadership of Hon. Dan Botwe.[4] In March 2017, the ministry sent the blueprint for the creation of the region along with others to the Council of State. The council met over 36 times from the time of submission to August 2017.[5] The final stage for the creation of the region was decided through a referendum by the people within the area of the new region on 27 December 2018.[6][7]

Tourism

The region has several forest reserves which serve as tourist attractions.

Education

The Western region has many post-secondary schools, including teachers' and nursing colleges.

Districts

The Western North Region of Ghana contains nine ordinary districts (while the residual portion of the Western Region is made up of 1 metropolitan, 2 municipal and 13 ordinary districts) as follows:[8]

Districts in Western North Region
# District Capital Population
Census 2010[9]		 Population
2019 Projected[9]
2 Aowin Enchi 117,886 154,661
3 Bia East Adabokrom 27,393 37,108
4 Bia West Essam 88,939 111,355
5 Bodi Bodi 53,314 68,055
8 Juabeso Juaboso 58,435 77,678
12 Sefwi Akontombra Sefwi Akontombra 82,467 108,266
13 Sefwi Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai Bibiani 123,272 160,844
14 Sefwi-Wiawso Wiawso 139,200 182,510
17 Suaman Dadieso 20,529 27,832
Total 658,835 928,309

References
  1. http://ghana.gov.gh/index.php/governance/regional-ministers
  2. Ghana Statistical Service
  3. Bureau, Communications. ""Creation Of 6 New Regions In The Hands Of EC & Ghanaians" – President Akufo-Addo". www.presidency.gov.gh. Retrieved 2018-12-21.
  4. online, myjoy. "2nd Ministerial list out: Akufo-Addo creates new ministries, re-aligns old". myjoyonline.com. myjoyonline. Retrieved 22 June 2017.
  5. "Council of State met 36 times on new Regions - Nana Otuo Siriboe II". GhanaCrusader.com - Latest News in Ghana and Beyond. 2017-08-16. Retrieved 2017-12-12.
  6. ""Creation Of New Region In Your Hands" – President Akufo-Addo To Nayiri – The Presidency, Republic of Ghana". presidency.gov.gh. Retrieved 2017-12-12.
  7. "EC sets December 27 for referendum on new regions | xxxxxxxxxxx 2018-08-23". www.ghanaweb.com. Retrieved 2018-12-21.
  8. "Western". GhanaDistricts.com. Archived from the original on 18 January 2013. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
  9. Ghana Statistical Service.

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