Bolgatanga

Bolgatanga (Frafra: Bɔlegataŋa), colloquially known as Bolga, is a town and also the capital of the Bolgatanga Municipal and the Upper East Region of Ghana.^[4][5] It shares a border to the north with Burkina Faso. Bolgatanga is 161 km (100 mi) to the north of Tamale. The town lies in the Red Volta Valley (which serves as a major migration route of elephants), with the White Volta and the cliffs of the Gambaga escarpment to the south of the town forming the southern boundary of the Upper East Region.^[6] 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 %.^[7][2] Some ethnic groups who lived in large qualities in Bolgatanga are Frafra, Daghati, Akan, Ewe, and Ga-Adangbe.^[3] The current mayor of the town is Rex Asanga.^[8] Bolgatanga Municipal's population in 2021 was with more females (74,659), representing 52.4% than males (67,850) constituting 47.6%. The Municipal occupies a land size of 334 Km2 with a population density of 418.7 persons per square kilometer.

Bolgatanga
Town
First-top picture: Avenue Landscape and Hotel; bottom-left picture: One of many highways that goes through the town; bottom-right picture: Restaurant in Bolgatanga
Bolgatanga Location of Bolgatanga in Upper East region
Coordinates: 10°47′00″N 00°51′00″W
Country	Ghana
Region	Upper East Region
District	Bolgatanga Municipal District
Elevation [1]	177 m (581 ft)
Population  (2012)[2][3]: 3
• Total	66,685
• Ethnicities	Northerner Akan Ewe Ga-Adangbe
Time zone	GMT
• Summer (DST)	GMT
Postal code	UB
Area code	039
Climate	BSh
Website	bolma.gov.gh

History

Ancient style painted bungalow house in a suburb of Bolgatanga

Etymology

The name Bolgatanga (Bolbatanga) was derived from the Gurene word "'Bolba" Migrant and "tanga" gathering rock - Pyramid/Obelisk. Asamsoo also known as Abolba (Nile Migrant) founded Bolbatanga as demanded by his Father - Atandaagure (Guardian of the three pyramids for the protection of the life-giving water of the Nile). Atandaagure was known by the "Solemisi" (Greeks) and the "Nasara" (Romans) as Ramses III).

Formation

Historically, the town was located close to the Trans-Saharan trade route. 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. In 1910, Bolgatanga was finally connected with the rest of Ghana with the addition of a road.^[9]

Administration

Further information: Bolgatanga Central (Ghana parliament constituency)

The town has a mayor–council form of government. The mayor (executive chief) is appointed by the president of Ghana and approved by the town council, the Bolgatanga Municipal Assembly. The current mayor of Bolgatanga is Rex Asanga.^[8]

Demographics

The majority of the town is religious, making up 97.3% of the town's population, while the biggest religions in the town are Christianity (57.6%), traditional religions (22.3%), and Islam (17.1%).^[3]: 32 Majors ethnic groups who lived in Bolgatanga are Northerners (mainly Frafra), Akan, Ewe, and Ga-Adangbe.^[3]: 3

Transportation

Street in Bolgatanga

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'.^[10][11] For the transportation of goods, an uncovered tricycle popularly known as 'motor king' is used. Though the use of Donkey Carts for carrying goods has been part of the life of the people of Bolgatanga it is scarce due to rapid development.^[12]

In 2016, an $141 million project was underway to help increase the quality of transportation of the Bolgatanga-Bawku-Pulmakom Road. Originally supposed to be completed sometime in 2018, due to some unresolved issues it was push back to late-2024.^[13]

Culture

Sumbrungu Painted Building in Bolgatanga

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. There is also a museum in the town, which houses objects of historical importance of the Upper East Region.^[14]

Geography

Bolgatanga is located in the Bolgatanga Municipal which has an area of 729 km² (281 sq mi). The district bordered the Bongo District to the north, the Talensi and the Nabdam district towards the south and east and the Kassena-Nankana Municipal District to the west. The town's landscape is described by gentle slopes mixed with rock outcrops and uplands.^{[3]: 1, 3}

Climate

The town has a hot semi-arid climate (Köppen climate classification BSh), experiencing a rainy season and a dry season per year. In Gurene, these seasons are regraded as "Oone" and "Sioo". The rainy season usually spanning from May to September, while the dry season is long and ranges from November to March. Rainfall amounts are often lackluster and ranges from 800 to 1,200 mm (2.6 to 3.9 ft).^[15]

Climate data for Bolgatanga (1981–2010)
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)	34.7 (94.5)	37.4 (99.3)	39.2 (102.6)	38.6 (101.5)	36.1 (97.0)	32.9 (91.2)	31.1 (88.0)	30.4 (86.7)	31.2 (88.2)	34.3 (93.7)	36.7 (98.1)	35.5 (95.9)	34.8 (94.7)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)	19.9 (67.8)	22.6 (72.7)	25.8 (78.4)	26.9 (80.4)	25.5 (77.9)	23.8 (74.8)	22.9 (73.2)	22.7 (72.9)	22.4 (72.3)	22.8 (73.0)	21.4 (70.5)	19.9 (67.8)	23.0 (73.5)
Average rainfall mm (inches)	0.2 (0.01)	2.5 (0.10)	12.5 (0.49)	43.0 (1.69)	103.9 (4.09)	141.0 (5.55)	168.1 (6.62)	256.7 (10.11)	179.4 (7.06)	54.9 (2.16)	5.6 (0.22)	3.5 (0.14)	971.3 (38.24)
Average rainy days (≥ 0.1 mm)	1	1	1	4	6	9	11	14	12	5	1	1	66
Source: World Meteorological Organization[16]

Economy

The major economic sectors of Bolgatanga are agriculture, hunting, forestry, and industry. Regrading agriculture, about 80% of the population is engaged in the sector in which some of the crops cultivated are millet, maize, guinea-corn, rice, beans, groundnuts, and sweet potatoes during the rainy season and irrigation farming of onions, tomatoes, and peppers during the dry season.^[3]: 4

Human resources

Healthcare

The primary hospital is the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital. In 2020, a rehabilitation project began, consisting of a four-story building consisting of 39 apartment rooms for the hospital's staff along with other facilities. Since then, the hospital has undergone multiple renovation.^[17]

Education

Administration block of Bolgatanga Technical University

Bolgatanga Library

The Bolgatanga Library is a notable design of award-winning American architect J. Max Bond Jr., who was influenced by Le Corbusier. Bond lived in Ghana for four years in the 1960s. The Bolgatanga library was his first major project while working for the national construction company. The design features perforated walls and an "umbrella"-shaped roof, so the structure remains cool and well ventilated.^[18]

The following is a list of schools in Bolgatanga:

Senior high schools

• Bolgatanga Senior High School (Mixed)
• Bolgatanga Girls' Senior High School (Girls)
• Zamse Senior High/Technical School (Mixed)
• Bolgatanga Technical Institute-BOTECH (Mixed)
• Bolgatanga Central Technical Institute [Formerly women’s training Institute] (Mixed)
• Bolga Sherigu Community Senior High School (Mixed)

Colleges/Universities

• Bolgatanga Nursing Training College (Mixed)
• Bolgatanga Midwifery College
• Bolgatanga Technical University