Bolgatanga is one of the major Tourist Destinations in Ghana. It is the capital of both the Bolgatanga Municipal District and the Upper East Region of Ghana. The city is also known colloquially as Bolga. Bolgatanga is lies in the Red Volta River Valley. The cliffs of the Gambaga Escarpment and the White Volta River are to the south of the city.
Bolgatanga is popular as the crafts center of northern Ghana and features a large central market. The surrounding villages of the city comprise the largest producers of leather works, straw baskets and smocks in Ghana.
History of Bolgatanga
The location of the city was at the southern terminus of the ancient Trans-Saharan trade route. Along this route business and commerce was carried on. Things like leather goods, metal jewelry, straw baskets, hats and fans and indigenous attires called "Fugu" were exchanged for kola nuts and salt. The Upper East Region was part of what used to be known as the Upper Region. The Northern Territory was a British protectorate between 1902 and 1960. On July 1, 1960 the Northern Territory was separated into the Northern and Upper Region. Again in 1983 the Upper Region was apportioned into Upper East and Upper West Region.
Attractions of Bolgatanga
Bolgatanga in Ghana has numerous festivals, one of which is the Sandema Festival, which is held in December. Other festivals include the Samapiid festival and the Golob Festival.
Sumbrungu Painted Houses
While Traveling around Bolgatanga, you will see a number of traditional villages. These feature round thatched roof huts, painted with decorative motifs in striking colors. One such attractive village is Sumbrungu.
Tongo Hills and Tengzug shrine
These are situated in the village of Tengzug and feature unique landscape, dominated by large granite land formations. In the Tongo hills is The Tengzug Shrine which is believed to grant luck and prosperity to all visitors.
Other attractions near Bolgatanga are Naa gbewaa shrine at Pusiga and Paga crocodile ponds.
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