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{{short description|none}} <!-- "none" is preferred when the title is sufficiently descriptive; see [[WP:SDNONE]] -->
{{use dmy dates|date=January 2021}}
{{Infobox subdivision type
{{Infobox subdivision type
| name = Regions of Ghana
| name = Regions of Ghana
| alt_name =
| alt_name =
| map = [[File:NEW GHANA REGIONS.jpg|300px]]
| map = [[File:Ghana, administrative divisions 2018 - de - colored.svg|300px]]
| category =
| category =
| territory = [[Republic of Ghana]]
| territory = [[Republic of Ghana]]
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{{Politics of Ghana}}
{{Politics of Ghana}}


The '''regions of Ghana''' constitute the first level of subnational government administration within the [[Republic of Ghana]]. As of 2020, there are currently sixteen regions<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.modernghana.com/news/916140/ghana-now-has-16-regions.html|title=Ghana Now Has 16 Regions|website=Modern Ghana}}</ref>, which are further divided for administrative purposes into 260 local [[Districts of Ghana|district assemblies]].
The '''regions of Ghana''' are the first level of subnational government administration within the [[Republic of Ghana]]. As of 2020, there are 16 regions,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.modernghana.com/news/916140/ghana-now-has-16-regions.html|title=Ghana Now Has 16 Regions|website=Modern Ghana}}</ref> which are further divided for administrative purposes into 260 local [[Districts of Ghana|metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies (or MMDA's)]].


==Current regions==
==Current regions==
The former ten regional boundaries were officially established in 1987, when the [[Upper West Region]] was inaugurated as the state's newest administrative region. Although the official inauguration was in 1987, the Upper West Region had already functioned as an administrative unit since the break-up of the Upper Region in December 1982, prior to the 1984 national census.<ref>{{cite book|title=Historical Dictionary of Ghana|author=David Owusu-Ansah|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield|edition=4|page=xii}}</ref> The [[referendum]] on the creation of six new regions was held on December 27, 2018 – all proposed new regions were approved.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/politics/confirmed-results-of-the-2018-referendum-on-new-regions.html|title=CONFIRMED: Results of the 2018 Referendum on new regions|last=Zurek|first=Kweku|website=Graphic Online|language=en-gb|access-date=2018-12-28}}</ref>
The ten former regions were officially established in 1987, when the [[Upper West Region]] was inaugurated as the state's newest administrative region, although it had already functioned as an administrative unit since the break-up of the Upper Region in December 1982, prior to the 1984 national census.<ref>{{cite book|title=Historical Dictionary of Ghana|author=David Owusu-Ansah|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield|edition=4|page=xii}}</ref> A [[2018 Ghanaian new regions referendum|referendum on the creation of six new regions]] was held on 27 December 2018, where all proposed new regions were approved.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/politics/confirmed-results-of-the-2018-referendum-on-new-regions.html|title=CONFIRMED: Results of the 2018 Referendum on new regions|last=Zurek|first=Kweku|website=Graphic Online|language=en-gb|access-date=2018-12-28}}</ref>


{| class="wikitable sortable"
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
|-
! Former<br>Region !! Capital !! New Region !! Capital
! Former region !! Capital !! New region !! Capital
|-
|-
| [[Ashanti Region|Ashanti]] || [[Kumasi]] || [[Ashanti Region|Ashanti]] || [[Kumasi]]
| [[Ashanti Region|Ashanti]] || [[Kumasi]] || [[Ashanti Region|Ashanti]] || [[Kumasi]]
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| rowspan="3" | [[Brong-Ahafo Region|Brong-Ahafo]]
| rowspan="3" | [[Brong-Ahafo Region|Brong-Ahafo]]
| rowspan="3" | [[Sunyani]]
| rowspan="3" | [[Sunyani]]
| [[Bono Region]] || [[Sunyani]]
| [[Bono Region|Bono]] || [[Sunyani]]
|-
|-
| [[Bono East Region]]
| [[Bono East Region|Bono East]]
| [[Techiman]]
| [[Techiman]]
|-
|-
| [[Ahafo Region]] ||[[Goaso]]
| [[Ahafo Region|Ahafo]] ||[[Goaso]]
|-
|-
| [[Central Region, Ghana|Central]] || [[Cape Coast]] || [[Central Region (Ghana)|Central]] || [[Cape Coast]]
| [[Central Region, Ghana|Central ]] || [[Cape Coast]] || [[Central Region (Ghana)|Central]] || [[Cape Coast]]
|-
|-
| [[Eastern Region, Ghana|Eastern]] || [[Koforidua]] ||[ [[Eastern Region (Ghana)|Eastern]] || [[Koforidua]]
| [[Eastern Region, Ghana|Eastern]] || [[Koforidua]] || [[Eastern Region (Ghana)|Eastern]] || [[Koforidua]]
|-
|-
| [[Greater Accra Region|Greater Accra]] || [[Accra]] || [[Greater Accra Region|Greater Accra]] || [[Accra]]
| [[Greater Accra Region|Greater Accra]] || [[Accra]] || [[Greater Accra Region|Greater Accra]] || [[Accra]]
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| rowspan="2" | [[Volta Region|Volta]]
| rowspan="2" | [[Volta Region|Volta]]
| rowspan="2" | [[Ho, Ghana|Ho]]
| rowspan="2" | [[Ho, Ghana|Ho]]
| [[Volta Region]] || [[Ho, Ghana|Ho]]
| [[Volta Region|Volta]] || [[Ho, Ghana|Ho]]
|-
|-
| [[Oti Region|Oti]] || [[Dambai]]
| [[Oti Region|Oti]] || [[Dambai]]
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| rowspan="2" | [[Western Region, Ghana|Western]]
| rowspan="2" | [[Western Region, Ghana|Western]]
| rowspan="2" |[[Sekondi-Takoradi]]
| rowspan="2" |[[Sekondi-Takoradi]]
| [[Western Region, Ghana|Western Region]] || [[Takoradi]]
| [[Western Region, Ghana|Western]] || [[Takoradi]]
|-
|-
| [[Western North Region|Western North]] || [[Wiawso]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.myjoyonline.com/politics/2019/February-15th/sefwi-wiaso-is-capital-of-western-north-region.php|title=Sefwi Wiaso is capital of Western North region|website=www.myjoyonline.com}}</ref>
| [[Western North Region|Western North]] || [[Wiawso]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.myjoyonline.com/politics/2019/February-15th/sefwi-wiaso-is-capital-of-western-north-region.php|title=Sefwi Wiaso is capital of Western North region|website=www.myjoyonline.com}}</ref>
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| label= Cape Coast| marksize= 8 |link= Cape Coast |lat_deg= 5.1 |lon_deg= -1.25 }}
| label= Cape Coast| marksize= 8 |link= Cape Coast |lat_deg= 5.1 |lon_deg= -1.25 }}
{{Location map~ | Ghana
{{Location map~ | Ghana
| label= Takoradi |marksize= 8 |link= Sekondi-Takoradi |lat_deg= 4.916667 |lon_deg= -1.766667 }}
| label= Takoradi |position=top |marksize= 8 |link= Sekondi-Takoradi |lat_deg= 4.916667 |lon_deg= -1.766667 }}
{{Location map~ | Ghana
{{Location map~ | Ghana
| label= Wiawso |marksize= 8 |link= Wiawso |lat_deg= 6.215833 | lon_deg = -2.48 }}
| label= Wiawso |marksize= 8 |link= Wiawso |lat_deg= 6.215833 | lon_deg = -2.48 }}
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|label=Wa |marksize=8 |link=Wa, Ghana |lat_deg=10.066667 |lon_deg=-2.5 }}
|label=Wa |marksize=8 |link=Wa, Ghana |lat_deg=10.066667 |lon_deg=-2.5 }}
{{Location map~ | Ghana
{{Location map~ | Ghana
|label=Bolgatanga |marksize=8 |link=Bolgatanga |lat_deg=10.783333 |lon_deg=-0.85 }}
|label=Bolgatanga |position=left |marksize=8 |link=Bolgatanga |lat_deg=10.783333 |lon_deg=-0.85 }}
{{Location map~ | Ghana
{{Location map~ | Ghana
|label=Nalerigu |marksize=8 |link=Nalerigu |lat_deg=10.533333 |lon_deg=-0.366667 }}
|label=Nalerigu |position=bottom |marksize=8 |link=Nalerigu |lat_deg=10.533333 |lon_deg=-0.366667 }}
{{Location map~ | Ghana
{{Location map~ | Ghana
|label=Damongo |marksize=8 |link=Damongo |lat_deg=9.083333 |lon_deg=-1.816667 }}
|label=Damongo |marksize=8 |link=Damongo |lat_deg=9.083333 |lon_deg=-1.816667 }}
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==Previous regional configurations==
==Previous regional configurations==
===Independence - 9 March 1957===
===Independence - 6 March 1957===
At Independence in March 1957, the Northern Territories, Trans-Volta Togoland and the Gold Coast came together to form Ghana. There were initially five regions. The Trans-Volta Togoland was combined with part of the Eastern Region and Northern Territories to form the Volta Region.<ref name="graphic">{{cite web |last1=Vinorkor |first1=Mark-Anthony |title=Evolution of the regions: from 5 to 16 |url=https://www.graphic.com.gh/features/features/evolution-of-the-regions-from-5-to-16.html |website=Graphic Online |publisher=Graphic Communications Group Ltd |accessdate=21 October 2020 |date=5 March 2020}}</ref><ref name="statoids">{{cite web |title=Regions of Ghana |url=http://www.statoids.com/ugh.html |website=statoids.com |publisher=Gwillim Law and Shirley Law |accessdate=21 October 2020 |date=2018}}</ref>
At independence in March 1957, the Northern Territories, Trans-Volta Togoland and the Gold Coast came together to form Ghana. There were initially five regions. The Trans-Volta Togoland was combined with part of the Eastern Region and Northern Territories to form the Volta Region.
<ref name="graphic">{{cite web |last1=Vinorkor |first1=Mark-Anthony |title=Evolution of the regions: from 5 to 16 |url=https://www.graphic.com.gh/features/features/evolution-of-the-regions-from-5-to-16.html |website=Graphic Online |publisher=Graphic Communications Group Ltd |access-date=21 October 2020 |date=5 March 2020}}</ref><ref name="statoids">{{cite web |title=Regions of Ghana |url=http://www.statoids.com/ugh.html |website=statoids.com |publisher=Gwillim Law and Shirley Law |access-date=21 October 2020 |date=2018}}</ref>


{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%; text-align:center;"
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%; text-align:center;"
|-
|-
! width=150 | Former Region
! width=150 | Former region
! width=100 | Capital
! width=100 | Capital
! width=100 | New Region
! width=100 | New region
! width=100 | Capital
! width=100 | Capital
|-
|-
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|}
|}


===Post-independence and First republic===
===Post-independence and First Republic===
On 4 April 1959, the Ashanti Region was officially split into the Ashanti and Brong-Ahafo Regions. This followed the Brong Ahafo Region Act No. 18 of 1959.<ref name="ghanawebregions">{{cite web |title=A short history of the creation of regions in Ghana |url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/features/A-short-history-of-the-creation-of-regions-in-Ghana-717336 |website=ghanaweb.com |publisher=GhanaWeb |accessdate=24 October 2020 |date=23 January 2019}}</ref> This was in line with what the Brong Kyempem movement had been campaigning for, which is the recognition of the [[Bono people]] as a separate ethnic group from the Ashantis with their own region.<ref name="graphic"/>
On 4 April 1959, the Ashanti Region was split into the Ashanti and Brong-Ahafo regions as a result of the Brong Ahafo Region Act No. 18 of 1959.<ref name="ghanawebregions">{{cite web |title=A short history of the creation of regions in Ghana |url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/features/A-short-history-of-the-creation-of-regions-in-Ghana-717336 |website=ghanaweb.com |publisher=GhanaWeb |access-date=24 October 2020 |date=23 January 2019}}</ref> This was in line with what the Brong Kyempem movement had been campaigning for, which was the recognition of the [[Bono people]] as a separate ethnic group from the Ashantis with their own region.<ref name="graphic"/>


On the day Ghana became a republic, 1 July 1960, the Northern Region got split into the Northern and Upper regions raising the number of regions to seven.<ref name="graphic"/><ref name="ghanawebregions"/>
On the day Ghana became a republic, 1 July 1960, the Northern Region got split into the Northern and Upper regions raising the number of regions to seven.<ref name="graphic"/><ref name="ghanawebregions"/>
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{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%; text-align:center;"
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%; text-align:center;"
|-
|-
! width=150 | Former Region
! width=150 | Former region
! width=100 | Capital
! width=100 | Capital
! width=100 | New Region
! width=100 | New region
! width=100 | Capital
! width=100 | Capital
|-
|-
| rowspan=2|[[Ashanti Region|Ashanti]] || rowspan=2|[[Kumasi]] ||[[Ashanti Region|Ashanti]] ||[[Kumasi]]
| rowspan=2|[[Ashanti Region|Ashanti]] || rowspan=2|[[Kumasi]] ||[[Ashanti Region|Ashanti]] ||[[Kumasi]]
|-
|-
|[[Brong-Ahafo region]] || [[Sunyani]]
|[[Brong-Ahafo region|Brong-Ahafo Region]] || [[Sunyani]]
|-
|-
| [[Eastern Region (Ghana)|Eastern Region]] || [[Koforidua]] || [[Eastern Region (Ghana)|Eastern Region]] || [[Koforidua]]
| [[Eastern Region (Ghana)|Eastern Region]] || [[Koforidua]] || [[Eastern Region (Ghana)|Eastern Region]] || [[Koforidua]]
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===Second Republic===
===Second Republic===
During the second republic, the Western Region was split into the Western and Central Regions, making eight regions in total. This was done ahead of the 1970 population census. In 1971, Sekondi and Takoradi were merged to form [[Sekondi-Takoradi]], the new capital of the Western Region.<ref name="graphic"/><ref name="statoids"/>
During the Second Republic, the Western Region was split into the Western and Central regions, making eight regions in total. This was done ahead of the 1970 census. In 1971, Sekondi and Takoradi were merged to form [[Sekondi-Takoradi]], the new capital of the Western Region.<ref name="graphic"/><ref name="statoids"/>


{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%; text-align:center;"
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%; text-align:center;"
|-
|-
! width=150 | Former Region
! width=150 | Former region
! width=100 | Capital
! width=100 | Capital
! width=100 | New Region
! width=100 | New region
! width=100 | Capital
! width=100 | Capital
|-
|-
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===PNDC era===
===PNDC era===
The [[Provisional National Defence Council]] which was the military government in power between 31 December 1981 and January 1993 promulgated the Greater Accra Law (PNDCL 26) of 23 July 1982 which created the [[Greater Accra Region]]. This made the Accra Capital District, where the national capital, [[Accra]] was and the Ada Local Council, both areas within the Eastern Region parts of the new [[Greater Accra Region]]. In the following year 1983, the Upper Region was divided into the [[Upper East Region]] and [[Upper West Region]]s, bringing the total number of regions to ten.<ref name="statoids"/><ref name="ghanawebregions"/>
The [[Provisional National Defence Council]], which was the military government in power between 1981 and 1993, promulgated the Greater Accra Law (PNDCL 26) of 23 July 1982 which created the [[Greater Accra Region]]. The new region consisted of the Accra Capital District and the Ada Local Council, which were split off from the Eastern Region. In the following year 1983, the Upper Region was divided into the [[Upper East Region]] and [[Upper West Region]], bringing the total number of regions to ten.<ref name="statoids"/><ref name="ghanawebregions"/>


{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%; text-align:center;"
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%; text-align:center;"
|-
|-
! width=150 | Former Region
! width=150 | Former region
! width=100 | Capital
! width=100 | Capital
! width=100 | New Region
! width=100 | New region
! width=100 | Capital
! width=100 | Capital
|-
|-
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|-
|-
|}
|}

== See also ==
== See also ==
*[[List of Ghanaian regional ministers]]
*[[List of Ghanaian regional ministers]]
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*[[ISO 3166-2:GH]]
*[[ISO 3166-2:GH]]


'''General:'''<br>
'''General:'''
* [[Administrative divisions of Ghana]]
* [[Administrative divisions of Ghana]]


== References ==
== References ==
{{reflist}}8. [https://ghanaregions.com/all-16-regions-of-ghana/ Official Ghana Regions] {{Ghana topics}}
{{reflist}}

{{Ghana topics}}
{{Regions of Ghana}}
{{Regions of Ghana}}
{{Articles on first-level administrative divisions of African countries}}
{{Articles on first-level administrative divisions of African countries}}
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[[Category:Regions of Ghana| ]]
[[Category:Regions of Ghana| ]]
[[Category:Subdivisions of Ghana]]
[[Category:Subdivisions of Ghana]]
[[Category:Country subdivisions in Africa|Ghana 1]]
[[Category:Administrative divisions in Africa|Ghana 1]]
[[Category:First-level administrative country subdivisions|Regions, Ghana]]
[[Category:First-level administrative divisions by country|Regions, Ghana]]
[[Category:Regions of West Africa by country|Ghana]]
[[Category:Regions of West Africa by country|Ghana]]
[[Category:Lists of country subdivisions|Ghana, Regions]]
[[Category:Lists of administrative divisions|Ghana, Regions]]
[[Category:Ghana-related lists]]
[[Category:Ghana geography-related lists]]

Latest revision as of 03:06, 15 July 2024

Regions of Ghana
LocationRepublic of Ghana
Number16 Regions
Subdivisions

The regions of Ghana are the first level of subnational government administration within the Republic of Ghana. As of 2020, there are 16 regions,[1] which are further divided for administrative purposes into 260 local metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies (or MMDA's).

Current regions

[edit]

The ten former regions were officially established in 1987, when the Upper West Region was inaugurated as the state's newest administrative region, although it had already functioned as an administrative unit since the break-up of the Upper Region in December 1982, prior to the 1984 national census.[2] A referendum on the creation of six new regions was held on 27 December 2018, where all proposed new regions were approved.[3]

Former region Capital New region Capital
Ashanti Kumasi Ashanti Kumasi
Brong-Ahafo Sunyani Bono Sunyani
Bono East Techiman
Ahafo Goaso
Central Cape Coast Central Cape Coast
Eastern Koforidua Eastern Koforidua
Greater Accra Accra Greater Accra Accra
Northern Tamale Northern Tamale
Savannah Damongo
North East Nalerigu
Upper East Bolgatanga Upper East Bolgatanga
Upper West Wa Upper West Wa
Volta Ho Volta Ho
Oti Dambai
Western Sekondi-Takoradi Western Takoradi
Western North Wiawso[4]
Map showing Regional Capitals of Ghana
Accra
Accra
Ho
Ho
Cape Coast
Cape Coast
Takoradi
Takoradi
Wiawso
Wiawso
Dambai
Dambai
Wa
Wa
Bolgatanga
Bolgatanga
Nalerigu
Nalerigu
Damongo
Damongo
Tamale
Tamale
Kumasi
Kumasi
Sunyani
Sunyani
Techiman
Techiman
Goaso
Goaso
Koforidua
Koforidua
Regional Capitals

Previous regional configurations

[edit]

Independence - 6 March 1957

[edit]

At independence in March 1957, the Northern Territories, Trans-Volta Togoland and the Gold Coast came together to form Ghana. There were initially five regions. The Trans-Volta Togoland was combined with part of the Eastern Region and Northern Territories to form the Volta Region.

[5][6]

Former region Capital New region Capital
Ashanti Protectorate Kumasi Ashanti Region Kumasi
Eastern Province Koforidua Eastern Region Koforidua
(Keta) Volta Region Ho
Trans-Volta Togoland Ho
Northern Territories (Saboba)
Tamale Northern Region Tamale
Western Province Sekondi Western Region Sekondi

Post-independence and First Republic

[edit]

On 4 April 1959, the Ashanti Region was split into the Ashanti and Brong-Ahafo regions as a result of the Brong Ahafo Region Act No. 18 of 1959.[7] This was in line with what the Brong Kyempem movement had been campaigning for, which was the recognition of the Bono people as a separate ethnic group from the Ashantis with their own region.[5]

On the day Ghana became a republic, 1 July 1960, the Northern Region got split into the Northern and Upper regions raising the number of regions to seven.[5][7]

Former region Capital New region Capital
Ashanti Kumasi Ashanti Kumasi
Brong-Ahafo Region Sunyani
Eastern Region Koforidua Eastern Region Koforidua
Northern Region Tamale Northern Region Tamale
Upper Region Bolgatanga
Volta Region Ho Volta Region Ho
Western Region Sekondi Western Region Sekondi

Second Republic

[edit]

During the Second Republic, the Western Region was split into the Western and Central regions, making eight regions in total. This was done ahead of the 1970 census. In 1971, Sekondi and Takoradi were merged to form Sekondi-Takoradi, the new capital of the Western Region.[5][6]

Former region Capital New region Capital
Ashanti Kumasi Ashanti Kumasi
Brong-Ahafo region Sunyani Brong-Ahafo region Sunyani
Eastern Region Koforidua Eastern Region Koforidua
Northern Region Tamale Northern Region Tamale
Upper Region Bolgatanga Upper Region Bolgatanga
Volta Region Ho Volta Region Ho
Western Region Sekondi Western Region Sekondi-Takoradi
Central Region Cape Coast

PNDC era

[edit]

The Provisional National Defence Council, which was the military government in power between 1981 and 1993, promulgated the Greater Accra Law (PNDCL 26) of 23 July 1982 which created the Greater Accra Region. The new region consisted of the Accra Capital District and the Ada Local Council, which were split off from the Eastern Region. In the following year 1983, the Upper Region was divided into the Upper East Region and Upper West Region, bringing the total number of regions to ten.[6][7]

Former region Capital New region Capital
Ashanti Kumasi Ashanti Kumasi
Brong-Ahafo region Sunyani Brong-Ahafo region Sunyani
Central Region Cape Coast Central Region Cape Coast
Eastern Region Koforidua Eastern Region Koforidua
Greater Accra Region Accra
Northern Region Tamale Northern Region Tamale
Upper Region Bolgatanga Upper East Region Bolgatanga
Upper West Region Wa
Volta Region Ho Volta Region Ho
Western Region Sekondi-Takoradi Western Region Sekondi-Takoradi

See also

[edit]

General:

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Ghana Now Has 16 Regions". Modern Ghana.
  2. ^ David Owusu-Ansah. Historical Dictionary of Ghana (4 ed.). Rowman & Littlefield. p. xii.
  3. ^ Zurek, Kweku. "CONFIRMED: Results of the 2018 Referendum on new regions". Graphic Online. Retrieved 28 December 2018.
  4. ^ "Sefwi Wiaso is capital of Western North region". www.myjoyonline.com.
  5. ^ a b c d Vinorkor, Mark-Anthony (5 March 2020). "Evolution of the regions: from 5 to 16". Graphic Online. Graphic Communications Group Ltd. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
  6. ^ a b c "Regions of Ghana". statoids.com. Gwillim Law and Shirley Law. 2018. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
  7. ^ a b c "A short history of the creation of regions in Ghana". ghanaweb.com. GhanaWeb. 23 January 2019. Retrieved 24 October 2020.

8. Official Ghana Regions