In this article, I will be telling you about the 16 regions in Ghana and their tourist sites. Yes, you heard right, all of them. The recent ‘Year of return’ initiative by the Nana Akufo-Addo government has seen a major boost in the patronage of our tourism in Ghana and tourist sites all across Ghana.
It is only prudent that I tell you about each region in Ghana and its tourist sites. Ghana has really established itself as a go-to tourist destination in Western Africa. Ghana is generally known for its gold, cocoa, kente, et al but nothing beats the hospitable nature of Ghanaians.
My country Ghana can boast of five types of tourism products. These are; ecotourism, cultural tourism, historical tourism, pleasure tourism, and conference/business tourism.
All these types of tourism products can be found across the sixteen regions of Ghana. Below is a list of regions with their accompanying tourist site/product.
The 16 Regions And Their Tourist Sites
1. Greater Accra region
We are here to look at the tourist sites in Ghana and we start with Greater Accra Region. This region is considered the most urbanized region in the country. It is also the administrative capital of Ghana and home to a number of tourist destinations in Ghana.
Tourist sites in Greater Accra Region are:
- Shai Reserve
- Lakeside Marina Park
- Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park
- Efua Sutherland Children’s Park
- National Museum
- La Pleasure Beach
- Coco Beach Resort
- Ada Paradise Beach
- Labadi Beach
- Sandbox Beach Club
- Bloombar
- National Theater
- Independence Square
- Accra International Conference Center
- Center for National Culture
- Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum
- Osu Castle
- National Museum of Ghana
- The fishing port at Jamestown
- Du Bois Memorial Center for Pan-African Culture
- George Padmore Research Library on African Affairs
- Makola Market
2. Central Region
The second region I will tell you about is the central region. It is renowned for its many elite higher education institutions and an economy based on an abundance of industrial minerals and tourism.
Tourist sites in Central Region are:
- Elmina Castle
- Cape Coast Castle
- Kakum National Park
- Captain’s Place Recreational Centre
- Kakum National Park Entrance
3. Ashanti Region
The third region on my list is the Ashanti Region. This Region is known for its major gold bar and cocoa production. It is also the home of the ‘golden stool’.
Tourist sites in Ashanti Region are:
- Bobiri Forest Butterfly Sanctuary
- Bomfobiri Wildlife Sanctuary
- Digya National Park
- Kogyae Strict Nature Reserve
- Owabi Forest Reserve and Bird Sanctuary
- Centre for National Culture
- Rattray Park
- Komfo Anokye Sword site
- Manhyia Palace Museum
- Kumasi Fort and Military Museum
- The Asante Traditional Buildings
- Yaa Asantewaa Museum
- Kejetia Market
- Patakro shrine
- Bonwire Kente Village
- Ahwiaa Woodcarving Village
4. Volta Region
Fourthly, Volta Region is known for its diversity and culture. The region was recently carved out from the original Volta Region. Ho is the administrative capital of the Volta Region.
Tourist sites in Volta Region are:
- Volta Regional Museum
- Mount Afadja
- Mount Gemi
- Tafi Agome Caves
- Tafi Atome Monkey Sanctuary
- Wli Waterfalls
- Tagbo Falls
- Akpom Falls and limestone cave Logba Tota
5. Eastern Region
The fifth region on my list is the Eastern Region. While the Eastern Region is known for the Akosombo dam, it is also known for its Botanical gardens. The Eastern Region has a huge population Koforidua is the administrative capital of the Eastern Region.
Tourist sites in Eastern Region are:
- Aburi Botanical Garden
- Boti Waterfalls
- Akosombo Dam
- Shai Hills Resource Reserve
- Umbrella Rock
- Atewa Range Forest Reserve
- The Big Tree at Oda
- Tetteh Quarshie Cocoa Farm
- Aburi Botanical Gardens and Palm Trees in Aburi
- Dodi Island
- Adomi Bridge
- Akaa Waterfalls
6. Western Region
The Western Region has the highest rainfall in Ghana, lush green hills, and fertile soils. This region is where Ghana discovered crude oil in commercial quantities back in June 2007 and It has a population of about 2,060,585(2021 census).
Tourist sites in Western Region are:
- Ankobra River
- The Bia River
- The Pra River
- Tano River
- UNESCO World Heritage Site
- The village of Nzulezo
- The Ankasa Protected Area
- Brandenburgian forts
7. Western North Region
The Western North Region is one of the six new regions of Ghana created in 2019. The Western North Region also has the highest rainfall in Ghana, lush green hills, and fertile soils. There are about 928,309 people (2019 estimated census) in the region. The region is also known for gold production on a large scale.
Tourist sites in Western North Region are:
- Several forest reserves which serve as tourist attractions
8. The Ahafo Region
The eighth region I will tell you about is the Ahafo Region. The Ahafo Region is also a newly created region in Ghana with Goaso as its capital. The region has a population of about 564,536 (2020) people.
Tourist Sites in Ahafo Region are:
- Mim Bour at Mim, Ahafo
- Mim Lake also in Mim, Ahafo
- The White-necked Rockfowl conservation at Asumura
- Okomfo Anokye tree at Sankore
9. Bono Region
Bono Region ninth on my list is a region with a population of about 1,208,649 (2021). The administrative capital of Bono is Sunyani. Sunyani is also called the green city of Ghana and they can boast of being one of the cleanest cities in Ghana.
Tourist sites in Bono Region are:
- Bui National Park
- Bui Dam
- Duasidan Monkey Sanctuary
10. Bono East Region
My tenth region is Bono East Region. This region like the rest was also newly created in 2019. The capital of this new region is Techiman. The region has a population of about 649,627 as of 2020.
Tourist sites In Bono East Region are:
- Boabeng Fiema Monkey Sanctuary
- Buoyem Caves and bats colony
- Kintampo waterfall
- Kristo Boase Monastery
- Tano River
- Nchiraa waterfalls,
- Tanoboase Sacred Grove and Shrine
- Digya National Park
- Fuller falls
11. Oti Region
This region was originally part of the Volta Region until 2018. It is also part of the group of newly created regions recently. The current population of the region is 742,664.
Tourist sites in Oti Region are:
- Kyabobo National Park
- Lake Volta
- Breast Mountain, Chilinga
- Chaiso Forest Reserve
- Hanging Village, Shiare
12. Savannah Region
Being one of the newest regions crafted from the Northern Region, the Savannah Region is blessed with many attractions that got many people traveling up north.
Tourist sites in the Savannah Region are:
- Mole National Park
- Bui National Park
- Bui National Dam
- Larabanga Historic Mosque
- Wechiau Hippo Sanctuary
13. Northern Region
Being a mother of a number of the newly created regions in Ghana, the Northern Region is one of the historical regions of Ghana, holding artifacts that you cannot think of.
Tourist sites in the Northern Region are:
- Naa Gbewaa Palace, Yendi
- Saakpoli Slaves wells
- Diarre Napagaduungbanani
- Naa Binbegu Boabab Tree, Yendi
- Buntaga Irrigation Dam
- Sabali (River Oti)
- Nawuni River (White Volta)
14. North East Region
The North East Region of Ghana is one of the country’s newly created regions that adds up to the initial 10. The region is rich in tourism and you must know.
Tourist sites in North East Region are:
- Gambaga Escarpment
- White Volta and Red Volta Rivers
- Ancient rock art at Gingana, Kpatiritinga, Jilik, and Tusugu
- NaYiri Palace in Nalerigu
- NaJeringa historic slave wall in Nalerigu
- Gravesites of ancient Mamprusi and Mossi kings in Gambaga
- Zayaa Mosque/Shrine in Wulugu
- Ancient Koma Figurines in Yikpabongo
- Buyuori Cave in Yikpabongo
15. Upper East Region
If you intend to visit the Upper East Region but keep wondering which tourist sites are there in the region, this is for you. Upper East Region is vast when it comes to tourism so you are sorted out.
Tourist sites in Upper East Region are:
- Paga Crocodile Pond
- Sombo Bat Sanctuary
- Jafiiri Sacred Royal Python Sanctuary
- Tongo rocks
- Bongo Rocks
- Tono Dam
- Naa Gbewaa’s shrine
- Navrongo’s mud-built church
- Pikworo Slave camp
- Upper East Regional Museum
- Sirigu Pottery and Arts Center
- Bolga market
- Bolgatanga Craft Village
16. Upper West Region
Located in the northern-western area of Ghana, the Upper West Region is a place you will not regret visiting any day for tourism’s sake.
Tourist sites in Upper West Region are:
- The Wechiau Hippopotamus Sanctuary
- The Black Volta River
- The Gwollu Wall
