Tamale, Ghana
Template:Short description Template:Use Ghanaian English Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox settlement
Tamale (Template:IPA) is the capital city of the Northern Region of Ghana. It is Ghana's third largest city, with a population of 374,744 people (185,051 males and 189,693 females) as of 2021 population census).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="city overview"/>Template:Rp The city has been ranked as the fastest-growing city in West Africa.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Tamale is located in the Kingdom of Dagbon, Ghana's oldest Kingdom.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>Dagombas are the traditional occupants of it. Other ethnic groups who resides in Tamale are Gonja, Mamprusi and Akan,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> As of 2025, the Mayor for Tamale is Hon. Abu Takoro.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The city grew from a small village to an important economic center in the Northern Territories after the British had established administrative headquarters in the area. It became the capital of the Northern Region in 1960.<ref name="history2">Template:Cite journal</ref>Template:Rp The biggest economic sector of Tamale is agriculture, followed by trading, teaching, and manufacturing.<ref name="census 2010">Template:Cite web</ref>Template:Rp
History
Early settlement
The area of Tamale used to consist of small villages, which were under the kingdom of Dagbon. it was a popular destination of cattle trails in the region.<ref name="history2"/>Template:Rp In 1907, the British decided to establish administrative headquarters in the area with help from the Dakpema after German officials have taken over Yendi. With the addition of a road in 1920, nicknamed the 'Great North Road', Tamale turned into an important center of business in the Northern Territories.<ref name="history1">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="history2"/>Template:Rp
Throughout the 20th century, the population of Tamale was growing rapidly of people looking for abundant water supply and electricity. This have resulted in massive amounts of land used for infrastructure, threatening residents ability to farm. During this time, a series of disputes between the Gulkpe NaTemplate:Efn and the Dakpema for power in Tamale occurred. This is in part due to the British incorporated indirect rule in the town, resulting in the imbalance of power between the chiefs. Although local councils were introduced and indirect rule was discontinued, tension between the chiefs continues even to this day.<ref name="history2"/>
In 1960, Tamale became the capital of the Northern Region after the region had separated from the rest of the north.<ref name="history2"/>Template:Rp
21st century
Lamashegu shooting
Template:Main On 13 February 2022 at approximately 1:00 p.m., Ghana Police officers clashed with youth in Lamashegu, a community in Tamale, due to them driving off after allegedly riding in an unregistered vehicle. This resulted in one person, Abdul Hakim Yakubu, being killed and 8 others getting injured.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Economy
Historically ruled by a rural agriculture system, Tamale's economy in recent times have diversified into many different sectors. Most of Tamale's population is employed in agriculture, although the common droughts in the region have threatened this sector. Other popular sectors including trading, teaching, and manufacturing. Even though the economy is considered diverse, Tamale suffers from a high unemployment rate and high rates of poverty. There is also a small amount of NGOs operating in the city.<ref name= "Tamale economy">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Un report">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="census 2010"/>
Demographics
Template:Historical population As of the 2010 census, Tamale has a population of 371,351 people, a 60.6% increase from the last census.<ref name="city overview"/>Template:Rp The city is made up of many different ethnic groups with the majority being the Dagombas. Other groups who lived in the area include the Gonjas, Mamprusis, Akan, Dagaabas and other groups from the Upper East Region. 90.5% of the population are Muslims, followed by Christians, spiritualists and traditionalists.<ref name="census 2010"/>Template:Rp
Administration
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Although Tamale doesn't have a mayor on its own, the municipal has a mayor–council form of government. The mayor is appointed by the president of Ghana and approved by the town council, the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly. Although, suggestions have been made by residents to increase accountability of the office by having the mayor elected.
Culture
Tamale is home to a culture center which showcases arts and tribes from all over the region. The Dagomba people performed dances such as the Baamaya and Tora, with each having its own meaning behind it.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Some annual festivals celebrated in the city are the Bugum chugu, Damba festival, Eid ul-Fitr, Eid Adha.Template:Rp
Education
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The first education institution in the city was a teacher training college in 1944 followed by a secondary school in 1951. Due to the British wanting to keep the Northern Territories strictly agricultural and pastoral, education growth in the city was hindered. Besides that, Tamale eventually became the educational hub of Northern Ghana.<ref name="city overview"/>Template:Rp Education Ridge, a suburb in Tamale, is known for being the location of multiple schools crammed into a small area of Template:Convert.<ref name="catointl.org">Template:Cite web</ref>
The following is a list of senior high schools, colleges, and universities in Tamale:<ref name="senior high schools1">Template:Cite web</ref>
| Institution | Type | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Senior High Schools | ||
| St. Charles Minor Seminary Senior High School | Public | Active |
| Tamale Senior High School (TAMASCO) | Public | Active |
| Ghana Senior High School (GHANASCO) | Public | Active |
| Tamale Islamic Science Senior High School | Public | Active |
| Tamale Girls Senior High School | Public | Active |
| Northern School of Business (NOBISCO) | Public | Active |
| Kalpohin Senior High School | Public | Active |
| Viting Senior High School | Public | Active |
| Abubakar Sidiq Senior High School | Private | Active |
| Colleges and Universities | ||
| Bagabaga College of Education | Public | Active |
| Tamale College of Education | Public | Active |
| University for Development Studies | Public | Active |
| Tamale Technical University | Public | Active |
Transportation
Air
Tamale is served by Tamale International Airport. Located about Template:Convert from downtown Tamale, the airport is mainly used by commercial airlines such as Africa World Airlines and Passion Air which are the only operational companies as of 2024. They run regular flights between Tamale and Accra's Kotoka International Airport, along with other regional capitals.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Rapid transport
There are public transports from Tamale to major cities such as Kumasi, Accra, Mim, Ahafo, Cape Coast, Sunyani, Takoradi, Tema, Ho, Wa, Bolgatanga, Elubo, Aflao, and Techiman. They are operated by Tamale's bus rapid transit system, tro-tro, MetroMass, STC Bus Lines, and other privately owned bus companies.<ref name="census 2010"/>Template:Rp
Buses and taxis
Taxis in the past used to be one of the most popular means of getting around Tamale for visitors to the town until the arrival of the tricycles, popularly called 'Mahama-Cambuu' or 'yellow-yellow'. It rise to popularity due to being cheaper than the taxi despite being more dangerous.<ref name="tricycles">Template:Cite web</ref> The popular means of travel for locals however is by motorbike.<ref name="census 2010"/>Template:Rp Motorbikes are the most used means of transport for the locals. In 2024, a record of 600,032 locals possess motorbikes. Another means of transport are huge buses such as intercity STC, VIP, VVIP among others and these buses are being used every day.
Geography
Metropolitan area
Tamale is located in Tamale Metropolitan District, which has an area of about Template:Convert. The district bordered the Sagnarigu District to the west and north, Mion District towards the east, East Gonja District to the south and the Central Gonja District towards the southwest.<ref name="census 2010"/>Template:Rp
Climate
Template:Climate chart Tamale has a tropical savanna climate (Köppen climate classification Aw). The metropolis usually only experiences one rainy season a year, effecting staple crop farming. During the rainy season, it comes with tiny sunshine with heavy thunderstorms.<ref name="census 2010"/>Template:Rp The mean monthly rainfall is about Template:Convert within 95 days of rainfall in the form of tropical showers. The mean monthly temperatures is on average around Template:Convert while the minimum monthly temperatures are around Template:Convert.<ref name="climate data">Template:Cite journal</ref>Template:Rp The relative humidity in the city is usually the lowest between December and March at 30% while around August it is the highest at 70%.<ref name="climate data"/>Template:Rp
Climate change
Template:See also Climate change is threatening the livelihoods of Tamale residents due to droughts, floods, and heatwaves becoming more common. This hinders farmers ability to farm because they need consistent rainfall for their crops to survive. There are national policies and intervention from NGOs to make sure that the impact from climate change in the area is minimal.<ref>Template:Cite report</ref>
Healthcare
The city is home to the Tamale Teaching Hospital, which helps to handle health related issues for the whole region. It is the 3rd largest hospital in the country. It also offers undergraduate and graduate programs in medicine, nursing, and nutrition.<ref name="tamale teaching hospital">Template:Cite web</ref>
Sports
Tamale is home to Real Tamale United along with other smaller clubs. They played at the Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium (formerly Tamale Sports Stadium), which was the location of some of the matches played during the 2008 African Cup of Nations.<ref name="census 2010"/><ref name="2008 African Cup Tamale">Template:Cite web</ref> Due to the state of the stadium, FIFA and CAF have prevented international matches to be play at the facility.<ref name="stadium state">Template:Cite web</ref>
Media
Since the 1970s, modern communication in Tamale is rapid with it being operated by 6 mobile telecommunication companies. There are 11 FM radio stations located in the city.<ref name="city overview"/>Template:Rp
Sister cities
Template:See also The following shows the cities that Tamale is twined with:
- Louisville, United States (1979)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Fada N'Gourma, Burkina Faso (2003)<ref>Tamale establishes links with sister city in Burkina-Faso. ghanaweb.com. 31 December 2003.</ref>
- Commune II Niamey, Niger (2007)<ref>TAMALE : Sister city relations should improve trade and investments Template:Webarchive. ndn.nigeriadailynews.com. 2 July 2007.</ref>
Notable people
- Mubarak Wakaso, professional footballer<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Haruna Iddrisu, Member of Parliament for Tamale South and the former Minister for Employment and Labour Relations in Ghana, Minority leader of Parliament<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Abdul Majeed Waris, professional footballer<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Fancy Gadam, Afro-pop and dancehall artist<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Mahamudu Bawumia, politician<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Sheikh Bayan Basha, Islamic preacher<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
- Alhassan Suhiyini, politician<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Inusah Fuseini, politician<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Alhassan Bashir Fuseini, politician<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Mona 4Reall, Socialite, model, musician, and businesswoman<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Maccasio, Hip hop, hip life artist and an entrepreneur<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Ibrahim Mahama, artist<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
See also
Expalanatory notes
References
External links
Template:GhanaLargestCities Template:Districts of the Northern Region of Ghana Template:Portal bar Template:Subject bar Template:Authority control