Postal codes in Ghana
Postal codes were adopted in Ghana on 18 October 2017, following the launch of the National Digital Address System.[1][2] As a joint venture between Ghana Post (with support from the Government of Ghana]) and Vokacom Ltd as GhanaPost GPS, the Digital Address System assigned postal codes and unique addresses to every square in Ghana.[3][4]
Ghana's postal codes are alphanumeric. The first two characters form the postcode district - the first letter represents the region, and the second character represents the district in which the address is located.[5] The next three to five digits represent the postcode area and identify a more precise location within area.
Together, the postcode district and postcode area form the postal code.[6] For example, the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park & Mausoleum in Accra is located in postal code GA184, where GA represents the postcode district - G for the Greater Accra Region and A for the Accra Metropolitan District - and 184 represents the postcode area.
Examples of postal codes are GA107, EO1070, and N503074.
Format
[edit]The simplest address format, recognized by the national post, Ghana Post is: Recipient Name, Street Name, Digital Address, Area, Region. This is being implemented by Scuttle Box and Ghana Post which provide your address on your mailbox, to ensure there is consistency and accuracy in all deliveries and addressing. The postal codes are alphanumeric and are variable in length, ranging from five to seven characters. In general, five-digit postal codes denote metropolitan districts and major urban areas, six-digit postal codes denote municipal districts and peri-urban areas, and seven-digit postal codes denote ordinary districts and small towns.
Each postal code is divided into two parts: the postcode district and postcode area. The center of each postcode district falls within the district capital and is designated as postcode area "000".[7] For example, postal code GA000 denotes the center of postcode district GA within Accra, the district capital of the Accra Metropolitan district, and corresponds to the 5 meter square area around the Jubilee House.
Postcode areas are numbered sequentially and spiral out anticlockwise from the center of the postcode district, with sequential postcode areas located 500 meters apart.[8][7] For example, postal code GA008, which corresponds to the area of the 37 Military Hospital in Accra is 500 meters from GA009 and suggests proximity to the center of the district - proximity to postal code GA000.
| Postcode Districts |
|---|
| Ashanti Region Brong Ahafo Region Central Region Eastern Region Greater Accra Region Northern Region Upper East Region Upper West Region Volta Region Western Region |
| Region | Postcode district | Postcode district name | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ashanti Region | AA | Asante Akim South District | Juaso |
| Ashanti Region | AB | Bekwai Municipal District | Bekwai |
| Ashanti Region | AC | Asante Akim Central Municipal District | Konongo |
| Ashanti Region | AD | Kwabre East District | Mamponteng |
| Ashanti Region | AE | Ejisu Juaben Municipal District | Ejisu |
| Ashanti Region | AF | Afigya Kwabre District | Kodie |
| Ashanti Region | AG | Atwima Kwanwoma District | Atwima Foase |
| Ashanti Region | AH | Atwima Nwabiagya District | Nkawie |
| Ashanti Region | AI | Atwima Mponua District | Nyinahin |
| Ashanti Region | AJ | Ejura Sekyedumase Municipal District | Ejura |
| Ashanti Region | AK | Kumasi Metropolitan District | Kumasi |
| Ashanti Region | AM | Mampong Municipal District | Mampong |
| Ashanti Region | AN | Asante Akim North District | Agogo |
| Ashanti Region | AO | Obuasi Municipal District | Obuasi |
| Ashanti Region | AP | Sekyere Afram Plains District | Drobonso |
| Ashanti Region | AQ | Sekyere Central District | |
| Ashanti Region | AR | Sekyere East District | Effiduase |
| Ashanti Region | AS | Asokore Mampong Municipal District | |
| Ashanti Region | AT | Bosomtwe District | Kuntanase |
| Ashanti Region | AU | Kumawu District | Kumawu |
| Ashanti Region | AV | Amansie Central District | Jacobu |
| Ashanti Region | AW | Amansie West District | Manso Nkwanta |
| Ashanti Region | AX | Ahafo Ano North District | Tepa |
| Ashanti Region | AY | Ahafo Ano South District | Mankranso |
| Ashanti Region | AZ | Sekyere South District | Agona |
| Ashanti Region | A2 | Adansi North District | Fomena |
| Ashanti Region | A3 | Adansi South District | New Edubiase |
| Ashanti Region | A4, A9 | Bosome Freho District | Asiwa |
| Ashanti Region | A6 | Offinso North District | Akomadan |
| Ashanti Region | A7 | Offinso South Municipal District | New Offinso |
| Bono East Region | BA | Atebubu-Amantin District | Atebubu |
| Bono Region | BB | Berekum Municipal District | Berekum |
| Bono Region | BC | Banda District | Banda Ahenkro |
| Bono Region | BD | Dormaa Municipal District | Dormaa-Ahenkro |
| Bono Region | BE | Dormaa East District | Wamfie |
| Bono Region | BF | Dormaa West District | Nkrankwanta |
| Bono East Region | BG | Sene East District | Kajaji |
| Bono East Region | BH | Sene West District | Kwame Danso |
| Bono Region | BI | Jaman South District | Drobo |
| Bono Region | BJ | Jaman North District | Sampa |
| Bono East Region | BK | Kintampo North Municipal District | Kintampo |
| Bono East Region | BL | Kintampo South District | Jema |
| Bono East Region | BN | Nkoranza North District | Busunya |
| Bono East Region | BO | Nkoranza South Municipal District | Nkoranza |
| Bono East Region | BP | Pru District | Yeji |
| Ahafo Region | BQ | Asutifi North District | Kenyasi |
| Ahafo Region | BR | Asutifi South District | Hwidiem |
| Bono Region | BS | Sunyani Municipal District | Sunyani |
| Bono East Region | BT | Techiman Municipal District | Techiman |
| Ahafo Region | BU | Asunafo North Municipal District | Goaso |
| Ahafo Region | BV | Asunafo South District | Kukuom |
| Bono Region | BW | Wenchi Municipal District | Wenchi |
| Bono East Region | BX | Techiman North District | Tuobodom |
| Bono Region | BY | Sunyan West District | Odomase |
| Bono Region | BZ | Tain District | Nsawkaw |
| Ahafo Region | B2 | Tano North Municipal District | Duayaw-Nkwanta |
| Ahafo Region | B3 | Tano South Municipal District | Bechem |
| Central Region | CA | Abura Asebu Kwamankese District | Dunkwa |
| Central Region | CB | Asikuma Odoben Brakwa District | Breman Asikuma |
| Central Region | CC | Cape Coast Metropolitan District | Cape Coast |
| Central Region | CE | Effutu Municipal District | Winneba |
| Central Region | CF | Ekumfi District | Essarkyir |
| Central Region | CG | Gomoa East District | Afransi |
| Central Region | CH | Twifo Heman Lower Denkyira District | Heman |
| Central Region | CI | Gomoa West District | Apam |
| Central Region | CJ | Ajumako Enyan Esiam District | Ajumako |
| Central Region | CK | Komenda Edina Eguafo Municipal District | Elmina |
| Central Region | CM | Mfantseman Municipal District | Saltpond |
| Central Region | CO | Agona West Municipal District | Swedru |
| Central Region | CP | Agona East District | Nsaba |
| Central Region | CR | Assin North Municipal District | Assin Fosu |
| Central Region | CS | Assin South District | Nsuaem-Kyekyewere |
| Central Region | CT | Twifo-Ati Morkwa District | Twifo Praso |
| Central Region | CU | Upper Denkyira East Municipal District | Dunkwa-on-Offin |
| Central Region | CV | Upper Denkyira West District | Diaso |
| Central Region | CW | Awutu Senya District | Awutu Breku |
| Central Region | CX | Awutu Senya East Municipal District | Kasoa |
| Eastern Region | EA | Asuogyaman District | Atimpoku |
| Eastern Region | EB | Birim Central Municipal District | Akim Oda |
| Eastern Region | ED | Denkyembour District | Akwatia |
| Eastern Region | EE | East Akim Municipal District | Kibi |
| Eastern Region | EF | Fanteakwa District | Begoro |
| Eastern Region | EG | Nsawam Adoagyiri Municipal District | Nsawam |
| Eastern Region | EH | Kwahu East District | Abetifi |
| Eastern Region | EI | Kwahu South District | Mpreaso |
| Eastern Region | EJ | Kwahu West Municipal District | Nkawkaw |
| Eastern Region | EK | Kwaebibirem District | Kade |
| Eastern Region | EL | Lower Manya Krobo Municipal District | Odumase |
| Eastern Region | EM | Akyemansa District | Ofoase |
| Eastern Region | EN | New Juaben Municipal District | Koforidua |
| Eastern Region | EO | Ayensuano District | Coaltar |
| Eastern Region | EP | Kwahu Afram Plains North District | Donkorkrom |
| Eastern Region | EQ | Kwahu Afram Plains South District | Tease |
| Eastern Region | ES | Suhum Municipal District | Suhum |
| Eastern Region | ET | Atiwa District | Kwabeng |
| Eastern Region | EU | Upper Manya Krobo District | Asesewa |
| Eastern Region | EV | Upper West Akim District | Adeiso |
| Eastern Region | EW | West Akim Municipal District | Asamankese |
| Eastern Region | EX | Birim North District | New Abirim |
| Eastern Region | EY | Yilo Krobo Municipal District | Somanya |
| Eastern Region | EZ | Birim South District | Akim Swedru |
| Eastern Region | E2 | Akuapem North Municipal District | Akropong |
| Eastern Region | E3 | Akuapem South District | Aburi |
| Greater Accra Region | GA | Accra Metropolitan District | North Ridge - GA015 - GA017, GA028 - GA031, GA052 - GA054, GA076, GA080 West Ridge - GA050, GA051, GA077, GA107 |
| Greater Accra Region | GB | Ashaiman Municipal District | Ashaiman, Tema communities 21 and 22 |
| Greater Accra Region | GC | Ga Central Municipal District | Sowutuom |
| Greater Accra Region | GD | Adentan Municipal District | Adenta |
| Greater Accra Region | GE | Ga East Municipal District | Abokobi |
| Greater Accra Region | GK | Kpone Katamanso District | Kpone, Oyibi, Tema communities 24 and 25 |
| Greater Accra Region | GL | La Dade Kotopon Municipal District | La, Labadi, Cantonments, Burma Camp, Airport City |
| Greater Accra Region | GM | La Nkwantanang Madina Municipal District | Madina |
| Greater Accra Region | GN | Ningo Prampram District | Prampram |
| Greater Accra Region | GO | Shai Osudoku District | Dodowa |
| Greater Accra Region | GS | Ga South Municipal District | Weija |
| Greater Accra Region | GT | Tema Metropolitan District | Tema communities 1 - 20, 23 |
| Greater Accra Region | GW | Ga West Municipal District | Amasaman |
| Greater Accra Region | GX | Ada West District | Sege |
| Greater Accra Region | GZ | Ledzokuku-Krowor Municipal District | Teshie, Nungua, Baatsona |
| Northern Region | NA | Kpandai District | Kpandai |
| Savannah Region | NB | Bole District | Bole, Bamboi, Maluwe, Tinga, Tasilma, Mandari, Banda/Nkwanta |
| North East Region | NC | Chereponi District | Chereponi |
| North East Region | ND | West Mamprusi District | Walewale |
| North East Region | NE | East Mamprusi District | Gambaga |
| North East Region | NF | Tatale Sanguli District | Tatale |
| Northern Region | NG | Gushegu District | Gushegu |
| Northern Region | NI | Mion District | Sang |
| Northern Region | NK | Kumbugu District | Kumbugu |
| Northern Region | NL | Tolon District | Tolon |
| North East Region | NM | Mamprugu Moaduri District | Yagaba |
| Northern Region | NN | Nanumba North District | Bimbilla |
| Northern Region | NO | Nanumba South District | Wulensi |
| North East Region | NP | Bunkpurugu-Yunyoo District | Bunkpurugu |
| Northern Region | NR | Karaga District | Karaga |
| Northern Region | NS | Sagnerigu District | Sagnerigu |
| Northern Region | NT | Tamale Metropolitan District | Tamale |
| Northern Region | NU | Savelugu Nanton Municipal District | Savelugu |
| Savannah Region | NW | Sawla Tuna Kalba District | Sawla |
| Northern Region | NX | Saboba District | Saboba |
| Northern Region | NY | Yendi Municipal District | Yendi |
| Northern Region | NZ | Zabzugu District | Zabzugu |
| Savannah Region | N2 | North Gonja District | Daboya |
| Savannah Region | N3 | Central Gonja District | Buipe |
| Savannah Region | N4 | East Gonja District | Salaga |
| Savannah Region | N5 | West Gonja District | Damongo |
| Upper East Region | UA | Bawku Municipal District | Bawku |
| Upper East Region | UB | Bolgatanga Municipal District | Bolgatanga Municipal District |
| Upper East Region | UE | Bolgatanga East District | Bolgatanga East District |
| Upper East Region | UG | Garu Tempane District | Garu |
| Upper East Region | UK | Kassena Nankana Municipal District | Navrongo |
| Upper East Region | UL | Kassena Nankana West District | Paga |
| Upper East Region | UN | Nabdam District | Nangodi |
| Upper East Region | UO | Bongo District | Bongo |
| Upper East Region | UP | Pusiga District | Pusiga |
| Upper East Region | UR | Builsa North District | Sandema |
| Upper East Region | US | Builsa South District | Fumbisi |
| Upper East Region | UT | Talensi District | Tongo |
| Upper East Region | UU | Binduri District | Binduri |
| Upper East Region | UW | Bawku West District | Zebilla |
| Upper West Region | XD | Daffiama Bussie Issa District | Issa |
| Upper West Region | XJ | Jirapa District | Jirapa |
| Upper West Region | XK | Lambussi Karni District | Lambussi |
| Upper West Region | XL | Lawra District | Lawra |
| Upper West Region | XN | Nandom District | Nandom |
| Upper West Region | XO | Nadowli Kaleo District | Nadowli |
| Upper West Region | XS | Sissala East District | Tumu |
| Upper West Region | XT | Sissala West District | Gwollu |
| Upper West Region | XW | Wa Municipal District | Wa |
| Upper West Region | XX | Wa East District | Funsi |
| Upper West Region | XY | Wa West District | Wechiau |
| Volta Region | VA | Adaklu District | Adaklu Waya |
| Oti Region | VB | Biakoye District | Nkonya |
| Volta Region | VC | Hohoe Municipal District | Hohoe |
| Volta Region | VD | North Dayi Municipal District | Anfoega |
| Volta Region | VE | South Dayi District | Kpeve |
| Volta Region | VF | Afadzato South District | Ve Golokwati |
| Volta Region | VG | Agotime-Ziope District | Kpetoe |
| Volta Region | VH | Ho Municipal District | Ho |
| Volta Region | VI | Ho West District | Dzolokpuita |
| Oti Region | VJ | Jasikan District | Jasikan |
| Volta Region | VK | Keta Municipal District | Keta |
| Oti Region | VM | Kadjebi District | Kadjebi |
| Oti Region | VN | Nkwanta North District | Kpassa |
| Oti Region | VO | Nkwanta South Municipal District | Nkwanta |
| Volta Region | VP | Kpando Municipal District | Kpando |
| Oti Region | VQ | Krachi Nchumuru District | Chindiri |
| Oti Region | VR | Krachi East Municipal District | Dambai |
| Oti Region | VS | Krachi West District | Kete Krachi |
| Volta Region | VT | North Tongu District | Battor Dugame |
| Volta Region | VU | South Tongu District | Sogakope |
| Volta Region | VV | Central Tongu District | Adidome |
| Volta Region | VW | Akatsi North District | Ave Dakpa |
| Volta Region | VX | Akatsi South District | Akatsi |
| Volta Region | VY | Ketu North Municipal District | Dzodze |
| Volta Region | VZ | Ketu South Municipal District | Denu |
| Western North Region | WA | Aowin District | Enchi |
| Western North Region | WB | Bibiani/Anhwiaso/Bekwai District | Bibiani |
| Western North Region | WC | Bia East District | Adabokrom |
| Western North Region | WD | Bia West District | Essam |
| Western Region | WE | Ellembelle District | Nkroful |
| Western North Region | WF | Sefwi Akontombra District | Akontombra |
| Western North Region | WG | Sefwi Wiawso Municipal District | Wiawso |
| Western Region | WH | Ahanta West District | Agona Ahanta |
| Western Region | WJ | Jomoro District | Half Assini |
| Western Region | WM | Mpohor District | Mpohor |
| Western Region | WN | Nzema East Municipal District | Axim |
| Western North Region | WO | Bodi District | Bodi |
| Western Region | WP | Prestea Huni Valley District | Prestea |
| Western North Region | WQ | Juaboso District | Juaboso |
| Western Region | WR | Shama District | Shama |
| Western Region | WS | Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan District | Sekondi-Takoradi |
| Western Region | WT | Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal District | Tarkwa |
| Western Region | WU | Suaman District | Dadieso |
| Western Region | WW | Amenfi Central District | Manso Amenfi |
| Western Region | WX | Amenfi East District | Wassa-Akropong |
| Western Region | WY | Amenfi West District | Asankrangwa |
| Western Region | WZ | Wassa East District | Daboase |
Availability of the algorithm
[edit]The list of frequently asked questions,[9] as of December 2017, does not state if/where the algorithm for generating the postcodes is publicly available, or how the algorithm is licensed. It is also not stated if/how bulk conversion of coordinates into postcodes is possible. This suggests that, at least at present, the algorithm is likely proprietary. This is a feature also of other postcode systems, although open postcode systems are also available. Open postcode-like systems include the Open Location Code. An example for a proprietary system that was subsequently made available under an open license includes Postcodes in the United Kingdom.[10]
References
[edit]- ^ "Akufo-Addo launches National Digital Property Addressing System".
- ^ "President Akufo-Addo Launches National Digital Property Addressing System – The Presidency, Republic of Ghana". presidency.gov.gh. Archived from the original on 21 October 2017.
- ^ "Vokacom wins contract for digital address system".
- ^ "Ghana's Digital Addressing System Is Officially Launched; GhanaPostGPS Is Live - Tech Nova". technovagh.com. Archived from the original on 25 October 2017.
- ^ "GhanaPostGPS". Ghanapostgps.com. Retrieved 24 October 2017.
- ^ "Ghana's Official National Digital Address". GhanaPostGps. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
- ^ a b [1][dead link]
- ^ "Bawumia educates critics of Digital Addressing System". 6 November 2017.
- ^ "GhanaPostGps |Ghana's Official National Digital Address".
- ^ "Ghana Zip Code and Postal Code: The 00233 and 23321 Myth?". 23 April 2021.