Central Region (Ghana)

Central Region
Region

Flag

Location of Central Region in Ghana

Districts of Central region
Country Ghana
Capital Cape Coast
Districts 17
Government
  Regional Minister Aquinas Quansah
Area
  Total 9,826 km2 (3,794 sq mi)
Area rank Ranked 8th
Population (2010 Census)
  Total 2,201,863
  Rank Ranked 8th
  Density 220/km2 (580/sq mi)
GDP (PPP)
  Year 2013
  Per capita $5,150
GDP (Nominal)
  Year 2013
  Per capita $3,500
Time zone GMT
Area code(s) 033
ISO 3166 code GH-CP

The Central Region is one of the ten administrative regions of Ghana. It is bordered by Ashanti and Eastern regions to the north, Western region to the west, Greater Accra region to the east, and to the south by the Gulf of Guinea. The Central region is renowned for its many elite higher education institutions and an economy based on an abundance of industrial minerals and tourism. The Central region attains many tourist attractions such castles, forts and beaches stretched along the Central region's coastline.

Theora Video of beach on the coast of Winneba in the Effutu Municipal of the Central region.

Economy and tourism

The Central Region is a hub of education on the peninsula of Ashantiland and in Ghana, with some of the best schools in the country. The region's economy is dominated by services followed by mining and fishing. Cape Coast Castle and Elmina Castle are prominent UNESCO World Heritage Sites and serve as a reminder of the slave trade. The Central Region is a major center for tourism within the peninsula of Ashantiland and it has some of the most beautiful beaches, and national parks (Kakum National Park). U.S. President Barack Obama made his first international trip to the city of Cape Coast in 2009.

Panorama of Elmina Castle that was erected by Portuguese in 1482 as São Jorge da Mina (St. George of the Mine) Castle, also known simply as Mina or Feitoria da Mina) in present-day Elmina, Ashantiland (formerly the Gold Coast region). It was the first trading post built on the Gulf of Guinea, so is the oldest European building in existence below the Sahara. First established as a trade settlement, the castle later became one of the most important stops on the route of the Atlantic slave trade. The Dutch seized the fort from the Portuguese in 1637, and took over all the Portuguese Gold Coast in 1642. The slave trade continued under the Dutch people until 1814. Today Elmina Castle is a popular historical site, and was a major filming location for Werner Herzog's 1987 drama film Cobra Verde. The castle is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

Education

University of Cape Coast Faculty of Education Lecture Theatre building

Universities

Cuisine

African threadfish (Alectis alexandrina), from Cape Coast on the Peninsula Ashantiland.
Black jack fish (Caranx lugubris), from Cape Coast on the Peninsula Ashantiland.

The Central Region is well known for its varied Ashanti cuisine. Kenkey and Fufu are both eaten with a variety of sauces, stews, and soups. Seafood is commonly eaten across the Central Region.

Districts

The Central Region comprises 17 districts:[1]

Districts in Central region
# District Population
1 Abura/Asebu/Kwamankese
2 Agona East
3 Agona West Municipal
4 Ajumako/Enyan/Essiam
5 Asikuma/Odoben/Brakwa
6 Assin North Municipal
7 Assin South
8 Awutu Senya
9 Cape Coast Metropolitan
10 Effutu Municipal
11 Gomoa East
12 Gomoa West
13 Komenda/Edina/Eguafo/Abirem Municipal
14 Mfantsiman Municipal
15 Twifo/Heman/Lower Denkyira
16 Upper Denkyira East Municipal
17 Upper Denkyira West
Total

Famous native citizens

Famous native citizens of Central region
# Citizen Settlement
1 Ishmael Yartei Agona Swedru
2 Yvonne Nelson Cape Coast
3 Jackie Appiah Cape Coast
4 Menaye Donkor Agona Asafo
5 Paul Boateng Cape Coast
6 Van Vicker Cape Coast
7 Majid Michel Cape Coast
8 Michael Essien Cape Coast
9 John Mensah Cape Coast
10 Lydia Forson Cape Coast
11 Kwesi Amissah-Arthur Cape Coast
12 Paa Kwesi Nduom Elmina
13 Aquinas Tawiah Quansah
14 John Evans Atta Mills Cape Coast

References

  1. "List of All MMDAs in Ghana - Central Region". ghanadistricts.com website. Retrieved 2009-10-17.

Coordinates: 5°30′N 1°00′W / 5.500°N 1.000°W / 5.500; -1.000

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