The Upper West Region of Ghana was created in 1983, when the then then Upper Region was divided into two administrative sectors. The region is bordered by Burkina Faso in the North. The landscape is broad savannah grasslands, the region is a more traditional region. The capital of the region is Wa, which is also the seat of the of the Wa Naa, the paramount to the Walaa Chief. The major ethnic groups are the Dagaba and Sissila who live mainly in the western part and eastern part respectively and are both mostly christians and animist, whilst the Wala live in Wa and neighbouring villages and are mostly muslims. Most of the historical landmarks are linked to the slave trade. Due to the activities around the area the people built fortifications to keep the slave traiders out. The slave traiders built a slave camp close to kassana, near a river lo0cally known as “Pikyara” or the Slave River. The slaves were made to bathe at the river before their journey the the southern coast to be sold to European merchants. The region has spectacular wildlife, some of them can be found at the Gbelle Resource Reserve south of Tumu.

Places to visit in the Upper West Region

• The Wa Naa’s Palace:

  The Wa Naa’s Palace is the symbol of Waa. The palace was first founded 500 years ago in honor of King Wa Naa, and has been passed down for generations since then.

• Sankana:

  The people of Sankana village were able to protect themselves from slave raiders by hiding in caves with a network that spanned four square kilometers. The village is located 19km from Wa, The warriors would guard the entrances while women, children and elders took refuge inside – oral tradition suggests it was here they also organized an ambush on top of hills nearby. Under the rock formation is a network of caves, which served as bunkers for protection against slave raiders. In a battle against the slave traiders , the slave raiders lost despite their superior weapons against the people of Sankana. The chief of the town celebrate their victory every December in a mock war called the Feok Festival.

• Gbelle Game Reserve

  The reserve is located south of Tuma and cover an are of over 550 Km square. It is a sanctuary for endengered species if widlife, as well as hippos, elephants and a large population of antelopes.

Related articles

• The Road to Tumu