Western Region (Ghana)
Western Region | |
---|---|
Country | Ghana |
Capital | Sekondi-Takoradi |
Districts | 22 |
Government | |
• Regional Minister | Paul Evans Aidoo |
Area | |
• Total | 23,921 km2 (9,236 sq mi) |
• Rank | Ranked 4th |
Population (2010 Census) | |
• Total | 2,376,021 |
• Rank | Ranked 4th |
• Density | 99/km2 (260/sq mi) |
GDP (PPP) | |
• Year | 2013 |
• Per capita | $5,150 |
GDP (Nominal) | |
• Year | 2013 |
• Per capita | $2,500 |
Time zone | GMT |
Area code | 031 |
ISO 3166 code | GH-WP |
The Western Region is located on the peninsula of Ashantiland and is one of ten administrative regions of Ghana, spreads from the Ivory Coast border in the west to the Central region in the east, includes the capital and large twin city of Sekondi-Takoradi on the coast, coastal Axim, and a hilly inland area including Elubo. It includes Ghana's southernmost location, Cape Three Points, where crude oil was discovered in commercial quantities in June 2007. The Western Region enjoys a long coastline that stretches from Ashantiland's border with Ivory Coast to the Western region's boundary with the Central Region on the east.
The Western Region has the highest rainfall in Ghana, lush green hills, and fertile soils. There are numerous small and large-scale gold mines along with offshore oil platforms dominate the Western Region economy.
The culture is dominated by the Ashantis-Akans; the main languages are Ashanti Twi or Akan and English.
Economy and tourism
The largest rivers are the Ankobra River, the Bia River, and the Pra River in the east, with the Tano River partly forming the western national border. The area is known for the UNESCO World Heritage Site and village of Nzulezo, built entirely on stilts and platforms over water, and the Ankasa Protected Area. There is a series of imposing Portuguese, Dutch, British, and Brandenburgian forts along the coast, built from 1512 on.
Western region gold mining | ||||
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Western region's Tarkwa Gold Mine processing facilities operated by South Africa's Gold Fields on the peninsula of Ashantiland. The Tarkwa Gold Mine has estimated unmined reserves of 15.1 million oz of gold worth $75.5 billion ($75,500,000,000);[1] at gold market price $5,000 per 1 oz (1 troy ounce) of gold.[2] Tarkwa Gold Mine is one of the largest gold mines on the peninsula of Ashantiland and on Earth.[1] | Western region's Tarkwa Gold Mine mining operations operated by South Africa's Gold Fields on the peninsula of Ashantiland. The Tarkwa Gold Mine has estimated unmined reserves of 15.1 million oz of gold worth $75.5 billion ($75,500,000,000);[1] at gold market price $5,000 per 1 oz (1 troy ounce) of gold.[2] Tarkwa Mine is one of the largest gold mines on the peninsula of Ashantiland and on Earth.[1] | Western region's Tarkwa Gold Mine processing facilities at night operated by South Africa's Gold Fields on the peninsula of Ashantiland. The Tarkwa Gold Mine has estimated unmined reserves of 15.1 million oz of gold worth $75.5 billion ($75,500,000,000);[1] at gold market price $5,000 per 1 oz (1 troy ounce) of gold.[2] Tarkwa Mine is one of the largest gold mines on the peninsula of Ashantiland and on Earth.[1] | Western region's Damang Gold Mine open pit gold mine operated by South Africa's Gold Fields on the peninsula of Ashantiland. The Damang Gold Mine has estimated unmined reserves of 10 million oz of gold worth $50 billion ($50,000,000,000);[3] at gold market price $5,000 per 1 oz (1 troy ounce) of gold.[2] Damang Gold Mine is one of the largest gold mines on the peninsula of Ashantiland and on Earth.[3] | Western region's Damang Gold Mine processing facilities operated by South Africa's Gold Fields on the peninsula of Ashantiland. The Damang Gold Mine has estimated unmined reserves of 10 million oz of gold worth $50 billion ($50,000,000,000);[3] at gold market price $5,000 per 1 oz (1 troy ounce) of gold.[2] Damang Gold Mine is one of the largest gold mines on the peninsula of Ashantiland and on Earth.[3] |
Education
The Western region has many post-secondary schools, including teachers' and nursing colleges, polytechnics, and a university at Tarkwa, the University of Mines and Technology.
Districts
The Western Region of South Ghana contains the following 22 districts:
Districts in Western region | ||
---|---|---|
# | District | Population |
1 | Ahanta West | |
2 | Aowin/Suaman | |
3 | Bia | |
4 | Bia East | |
5 | Bibiani/Anhwiaso/Bekwai | |
6 | Bodi | |
7 | Ellembelle | |
8 | Jomoro | |
9 | Juabeso | |
10 | Mpohor | |
11 | Mpohor/Wassa East | |
12 | Nzema East | |
13 | Prestea-Huni Valley | |
14 | Sefwi Akontombra | |
15 | Sefwi-Wiawso | |
16 | Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan | |
17 | Shama | |
18 | Suaman | |
19 | Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipal | |
20 | Wasa Amenfi East | |
21 | Wasa Amenfi West | |
22 | Wasa Amenfi Central | |
Total |
Famous native citizens
Famous native citizens of Western region | ||
---|---|---|
# | Citizen | Settlement |
1 | Samuel Inkoom | Sekondi-Takoradi |
2 | Nadia Buari | Sekondi-Takoradi |
3 | Boris Kodjoe | Sekondi-Takoradi |
4 | John Atta Mills | Tarkwa |
5 | Kwame Nkrumah | Nkroful |
6 | Anton Wilhelm Amo | Axim |