Western Region (Ghana)

Western Region
Region

Flag

Location of Western Region in Ghana

Districts of Western region
Country Ghana
Capital Sekondi-Takoradi
Districts 22
Government
 • Regional Minister Paul Evans Aidoo
Area
 • Total 23,921 km2 (9,236 sq mi)
Area 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(s) 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
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

University of Mines and Technology

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

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Tarkwa Gold Mine". goldfields.co.za. 2013. Retrieved 27 March 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Christenson, Gary (8 March 2016). "Future Gold Prices". Goldseek.com. Retrieved 27 March 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Damang Gold Mine". goldfields.co.za. 2013. Retrieved 27 March 2016.

Sources

  Ivory Coast Brong-Ahafo Brong-Ahafo
 Ivory Coast Ashanti
Central
   Western  
Atlantic Ocean Atlantic Ocean Gulf of Guinea

Coordinates: 5°30′N 2°30′W / 5.500°N 2.500°W / 5.500; -2.500

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