Western Region (Ghana)

The Western Region (Eng. West region ) is a region of Ghana with its capital Sekondi- Takoradi.

Geography

The region lies in the southwest of the country, bordered to the north by the Brong- Ahafo Region, to the south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Côte d' Ivoire ( Ivory Coast), on the northeast by the Ashanti Region and on the southwest by the Central Region.

Nature and climate

The Western region is the wettest region of Ghana, in the western part of the coast, which averages 2000 mm of rainfall per year. She is also the only part of the country of Ghana, where there is (still) a large area evergreen rain forest, which covers almost the entire southern part of the region. Several major rivers run through the region ( Ankobra, Bia, Pra and Tano ), in which several national parks and protected areas are located.

Population

The majority of the population speaks one of the Akansprachen, mainly Nzema, Wassa and Ahanta otherwise. In the east also Fanti is spoken, its influence increases and in particular the speakers of smaller languages ​​. However, the first-mentioned languages ​​belong to the western group of Akansprachen, that is a verbal understanding with the better-known eastern Akansprachen Twi and Fanti is not readily possible

History

Unlike their neighbors to the north ( the Ashanti ) and the east ( the Fanti ) have not yet Nzema Ahanta ever formed a government unit.

Exceptionally, however, is rich in history, the number of European bases on the coast of the region. From the original Dutch Fort Appolonia on the Brandenburg fortress United Friedrichsburg or the British fort in Dixcove up to the Portuguese fort of San Sebastian in Schama a dozen remains partly restored European fortresses lined on the coast of the Western Region and give witness to the early and intensive contact the region with the Europeans. The region is also home to the place Nkroful in which Kwame Nkrumah, the first President of Ghana, was born.

Economy

The region has a variety of mineral resources: gold, diamonds, bauxite, manganese, iron ore, limestone and even oil and gas on the coast near Half Assini.

The regional capital Sekondi -Takoradi is one of the three industrial centers of Ghana. This is also one of the two deep-water ports in the country. The tourism industry, acquired pursuant beautiful beaches, historic sites and national parks increasingly important.

Political Structure

The Western Region is divided into the following 13 districts:

Central Region (Ghana) Ankobra River Bia River Pra River (Ghana) Tano River Akan people Ahanta language Fante dialect Ashanti people Fante people Fort San Sebastian Simon Schama Aowin/Suaman District Bibiani/Anhwiaso/Bekwai District Mpohor/Wassa East District Nzema East Municipal District Sefwi-Wiawso District Regions of Ghana
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