Did you know that until 2018 Ghana had only 10 administrative regions however, after the 2018 Ghanaian new regions referendum. Which was held on the 27th of December the same year another 6 regions were added taking the total to 16. The addition of the new regions and the referendum was caused after a very long period of consultation.
Why were six new regions created in Ghana?
The creation of six new regions in Ghana stems from decades of petitions calling for their formation. Well before Ghana gained independence in 1957, there were persistent calls for the establishment of additional regional capitals. For instance, the chiefs and people of the Oti Region demanded the creation of the region as early as 1954. However, these regions were consistently classified under the Volta Region.
The idea of new regions became a campaign promise of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in 2016 during his election campaign. With the fulfillment of this promise, the Oti region has now been established, allowing the chiefs to distinguish themselves.
What was main argument for the formation of new Ghana regions?
The primary rationale behind the call for more regions was the perception that the existing 10 regions were too vast and could not effectively be administered by a single central authority.
The demand for additional regions had historical roots, as it echoed the sentiments of various ethnic and cultural groups within the country. Over the years, there had been persistent challenges in managing the diverse needs and interests of the different regions, leading to a call for more localized administration. This sentiment was particularly evident in the pre-independence era when discussions on regional representation and governance gained momentum.
How the new Ghana regions were created?
- Western Region was split into two to create Western and Western North;
- Northern Region was split into two to create North East and Savannah;
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Why the new Ghana regions work.
- Meet the changing needs of their growing population
- Protect minority ethnic or group interest and to ensure cohesion
- Help ensure that development and resource infrastructure is directed to the right geographical area
So in short they are allowing local areas to meet the needs of the ever changing Ghana. Especially with the growing influx of diaspora into Ghana. Whom are settling setting up farms and new businesses.
Explore The 16 regions of Ghana & find out what they have to offer
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The Western North Region is one of the six new regions of Ghana which was created in 2019. To create the region the Western Region was split into…
The Western Region in Ghana is located in the south-western part of the country and shares boundaries with the Central, Ashanti, and Western North Region.…
The Central Region in Ghana was historically part of the Western Region until 1970 when it was carved out just before the 1970 Population Census.…
The Ashanti Region is the cultural heartbeat to Ghana and Land of the Golden Stool. It’s where you will find the second capital Kumasi founded…
The Upper East Region of Ghana has a population of just over a million people and covers 7.8% of Ghana’s land mass. The capital of…
Where is the Savannah region in Ghana? The Savannah Region is bordered on the north by the Upper West region, on the west by the Ghana-Côte d’Ivoire international border,…
The North East Region is one of the sixteen regions of Ghana. It is located in the north of the Ghana and was created in December 2018 after…
The Bono region is one of the 16 administrative regions of Ghana. It is as a result of the remainder of Brong-Ahafo region when Bono East region and Ahafo region were created.[3] Sunyani, also known…
The Ahafo Region is a newly created Region in Ghana with Goaso as its capital. The Ahafo Region is bordered on the north by the Bono region, the east by Ashanti Region, the west…
The Bono East region of Ghana is a new region carved out of the existing Brong Ahafo region. The capital of the new region is Techiman. The Bono…
The Upper West Region of Ghana has a different feeling, as a more traditional region. The capital of the region is Wa which is also…
The Northern Region is the largest region in Ghana in terms of land area. It shares boundaries with the Upper East and the Upper West…
The Oti Region is one of the six regions created regions of Ghana in December 2018.[4] The region was carved out of the northern part of the Volta Region Dambai is…
The Eastern Region of Ghana is a rich blend of dramatic landscapes, historic relics and traditional cultures. The ancient blends with the 20th century in…
The full list of the 16 Ghana regions and their regional capitals
Book hotels in the 16 regions of Ghana
Author: The editor
Working with off site teams to create content and providing insights on all things Ghana related. Always keen to hear from people traveling to Ghana or living in Ghana. As there is so much to see and do and write about