This article is written like a travel guide. (February 2023) |
Tamale (Dagbani: [ˈtamali]) is the capital city of the Northern Region of Ghana.[2] It is Ghana's third largest city, with a population of 950,000.[3] The city has been ranked as the fastest-growing city in West Africa.[2][4] Tamale is located in the Kingdom of Dagbon, Ghana's oldest Kingdom.[5]
Tamale | |
|---|---|
   Counter-Clockwise from top: entrance to Tamale Teaching Hospital, view of Tamale Central Mosque, Tamale Stadium | |
  Tamale Location of Tamale in Northern region, Dagbon  Tamale Tamale (Africa) | |
| Coordinates: 09°24′27″N 00°51′12″W / 9.40750°N 0.85333°W | |
| Country |  Ghana |
| Region | Northern Region |
| District | Tamale Metropolitan District |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor-Council |
| • Mayor | Sule Salifu |
| Area | |
| • Total | 750 km2 (289.58 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 151 m (495 ft) |
| Population (2010) | |
| • Total | 950,124 |
| • Density | 480.77/km2 (1,245.18/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC |
| Postal codes | NT0000 - NT2701 |
| Area code | 037 |
| Website | tamalemetro.gov.gh |
Tamale boasts a thriving artistic and literary scene, evident in its numerous art studios, poets, and musicians. Numerous art studios are scattered throughout the urban landscape.[6]
Economy
editTamale sits at a strategic location due to its greater proximity European, West African, and North African markets compared to Ghana's southern cities. It serves as a political, economic and financial center of the Northern Ghana.The city connects the coastal and forest area of Ghana to West and North Africa. The city's central business district hosts regional branches of financial institutions and a considerable number of international and local non governmental organisations.[7]
The hospitality industry has grown significantly, with increasing investment in infrastracture.[8][9] Tamale grew from a conglomeration of towns with an architectural blend of traditional mud houses and modern buildings. Tamale's new and modern facilities include the newly constructed Tamale Stadium (now Aliu Mahama sports Stadium named after late Ghana's vice-president, Alhaji Aliu Mahama), replacing the town's former principal football pitch, Kaladan Park. Improvements to Tamale's infrastructure occurred in the period leading up to the 2008 African Cup of Nations.[9] The Tamale sports stadium was renamed after the late Vice president, Alhaji Aliu Mahama in the year 2018. Motorcycles are a common form of transportation.
More than 80% of residents are Dagombas, and 90.5% are Muslims.[10] This is reflected by the multitude of mosques in Tamale, most notably the Tamale Central Mosque, Afa Ajura Mosque (Anbariya Mosque), Afa Basha mosque (Nuuria mosque) and The Ahmadiyyah Muslim mission Mosque. There are also many Churches in the city.
History
edit
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. 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 turn into an important center of business in the Northern Territories.[11][12]
Throughout the 20th century, the population of Tamale was growing swiftly 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.[12] During this time, a series of disputes between the Gulkpe Na[a] and the Dakpema for power in Tamale.
Climate
editTamale experiences a tropical wet and dry climate. The metropolis experiences it's rainy season from April to September or October. The mean annual rainfall is 1100 mm within 95 days of rainfall in the form of tropical showers. Consequently, staple crop farming is highly restricted by the short rainy season.[13]
| Climate data for Tamale | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 40.0 (104.0) | 41.5 (106.7) | 42.7 (108.9) | 42.8 (109.0) | 40.2 (104.4) | 37.8 (100.0) | 35.6 (96.1) | 35.4 (95.7) | 34.8 (94.6) | 38.2 (100.8) | 39.2 (102.6) | 38.6 (101.5) | 42.8 (109.0) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 35.4 (95.7) | 36.9 (98.4) | 37.1 (98.8) | 35.4 (95.7) | 33.6 (92.5) | 31.1 (88.0) | 29.8 (85.6) | 29.2 (84.6) | 29.9 (85.8) | 32.2 (90.0) | 34.8 (94.6) | 34.9 (94.8) | 33.4 (92.1) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 27.9 (82.2) | 30.1 (86.2) | 30.9 (87.6) | 29.8 (85.6) | 28.6 (83.5) | 26.8 (80.2) | 26.0 (78.8) | 25.8 (78.4) | 25.9 (78.6) | 27.3 (81.1) | 28.2 (82.8) | 27.5 (81.5) | 27.9 (82.2) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 20.4 (68.7) | 22.8 (73.0) | 24.6 (76.3) | 24.6 (76.3) | 23.6 (74.5) | 22.5 (72.5) | 22.1 (71.8) | 21.9 (71.4) | 21.8 (71.2) | 21.9 (71.4) | 21.6 (70.9) | 20.3 (68.5) | 22.3 (72.1) |
| Record low °C (°F) | 15.0 (59.0) | 16.1 (61.0) | 18.9 (66.0) | 19.4 (66.9) | 18.9 (66.0) | 18.9 (66.0) | 18.3 (64.9) | 18.9 (66.0) | 18.9 (66.0) | 18.9 (66.0) | 16.1 (61.0) | 13.9 (57.0) | 13.9 (57.0) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 4 (0.2) | 12 (0.5) | 48 (1.9) | 88 (3.5) | 112 (4.4) | 146 (5.7) | 142 (5.6) | 198 (7.8) | 231 (9.1) | 92 (3.6) | 14 (0.6) | 3 (0.1) | 1,090 (42.9) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.3 mm) | 1 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 19 | 12 | 2 | 1 | 97 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 27 | 32 | 45 | 61 | 70 | 77 | 80 | 79 | 80 | 74 | 59 | 40 | 60 |
| Mean monthly sunshine hours | 266.6 | 237.3 | 251.1 | 231.0 | 248.0 | 204.0 | 161.2 | 139.5 | 156.0 | 260.4 | 282.0 | 272.8 | 2,709.9 |
| Mean daily sunshine hours | 8.6 | 8.4 | 8.1 | 7.7 | 8.0 | 6.8 | 5.2 | 4.5 | 5.2 | 8.4 | 9.4 | 8.8 | 7.4 |
| Source: Deutscher Wetterdienst[14] | |||||||||||||
Government
edit.jpg)
Tamale has a mayor–council government system in which the mayor is vested with extensive executive powers. The mayor is appointed by the Ghana president and approved by the town council, the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly, although suggestions have been made by the residents of Tamale to increase accountability of the office by having the mayor elected. The current mayor of Tamale is Hon. Sule Salifu.[15] The name Tamale Metropolitan Assembly serves both for the local parliament and for the local executive. Local policies are always executed in this name, so for example, illegal constructions often show the command "remove by TMA" (meaning that the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly or its executive has ordered to remove the building as it is contrary to current urban land-use planning). As the local executive, Tamale Metropolitan Assembly is the strong arm of the mayor, his or her civil service. If mention is made of assembly women or men, however, the reference is to the elected representatives of the inhabitants of Tamale. They form the assembly properly speaking, and must decide about local by-laws before they can come into force.The name "Tamale Metropolitan District" is used in the geographical sense, to refer to the area within its borders.
Education
edit_in_Tamale.jpg)
Tamale is the educational hub of Northern Ghana. Currently, a total of 742 basic schools are within the metropolis. This comprises 94 kindergartens, 304 primary, 112 junior high, and 14 senior high schools. The rest are technical/vocational institutions, two colleges of education, a technical university and two other universities – one public and the other private.[8]
In the Education Ridge neighbourhood in the north-western part of the town and covering an area around 3 km2, 20 schools ranging from kindergartens through junior high and senior high schools, teachers' training colleges, the Tamale Technical University, and a university are located. The numerous trees lining the streets in this part of the town give it a tropical rainforest outlook. The University for Development Studies (UDS) has two campuses located in Tamale and one in nearby Nyankpala. The headquarters of the UDS is also located in Tamale.[16]
- Primary schools
- Munawara Ahmadiya E/A Primary School
- OLA Primary School
- Koblimahigu Sobriya E/A Primary School
- Kukuo AME Zion Primary School, Wurishe Kukuo
- Ansuari-Deen Islamic Primary School
- Anbariya Ibnitaimiya English/Arabic Primary School
- Amriya Islamic Primary School, Kakpagyili
- Aminiyat Islamic Primary School, Sawaba
- Amania Islamic Primary/Kg School
- Al-Markazia Islamic Junior High School, Zogbeli
- Al -Mal Islamic Basic Schools, Tamale
- Al-Egasa Islamic Primary School, Kasaligu
- Adubliyili Preby Primary School
- Adabiya Garibiy Islamic Kg/Primary School, Tamale
- Abubakar Sadoq Islamic Primary School, Vittin
- Aalu Ibrahim Islamic Primary School
- Junior high schools
- Munawara Ahmadiya E/A Junior High School
- Wurishe Kukuo Junior High School
- Koblimahigu Sobriya E/A
- Nahada Islamic Junior High School
- Badariya Islamic Junior High School
- Senior high schools
- Tamale Senior High School
- Ghana Senior High School
- Northern School of Business
- Business Senior High School
- Tamale Girls Senior High School
- Viting Senior High School
- Kalpohin Senior High School
- Tamale Islamic Science Senior High School
- St Charles Minor Seminar Senior High School
- Adventist Senior High School
- Presbyterian Senior High School
- Business College International
- Tamale Girls International School
- Ambariya Senior High School
- Dabokpa Technical and Vocational School
- T- Poly Senior High School
- Abubakar Al-sadiq Senior High School
- Ideal College
- Kasuliyili Senior High school
- Colleges and Universities
- Bagabaga College of Education
- Tamale College of Education
- Jackson College of Education
- University for Development Studies
- Tamale Technical University
- Technical University College of Tamale
- New Life College
- Driving Schools
- Johnson Driving School
- Abele Driving School
Transportation
editTamale is served by Tamale International Airport. Located about 11 km (6 nmi; 7 mi) 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 currently. They run regular flights between Tamale and Accra's Kotoka International Airport, along with other regional capitals.[17]
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, Techiman;Public transportation in the form of taxis used to be the most convenient means of getting around Tamale for visitors to the town until the arrival of the Tri-cycles, popularly called "Mahama-Cambuu" or yellow-yellow. Mahama Cambuu is a coined name by the local people from the expression "Mahama can do". This is because these Tri-cycles (mostly yellow in color) came in the era of the former president, H.E John Dramani Mahama. It is comparatively cheaper than the Taxis and usually on the move unlike the Taxis that are regularized and stationed at a points. It is however, not very safe compared to the Taxis. The popular means of travel for the locals, however, is by motorbike. This phenomenon is helped by the existence of bike paths in the town, making it one of the most bike-friendly settlements in the Northern region. Transportation out of town is facilitated by the Tamale's bus rapid transit system, tro-tro private mini-bus system, MetroMass Bus-Based Mass Transit system, and STC Bus Lines, along with a host of charter bus companies, all of which provide transport to connect Tamale with the many other surrounding towns and cities.
Gallery
edit
Tamale interchange side view
Road view in Tamale
Highway view in Tamale
Tamale Central Mosque, downtown
Ahmadiyya Muslim Mosque
Agriculture Factory in Tamale
Sister cities
editTamale is twined with:
| Country | City | County / district / region / state | Date | Ref | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | United States |  | Louisville |  | Kentucky | 1979 | [18] |
 | Burkina Faso | Fada N'gourma | Est Region (Fada N'Gourma) | 2003 | [19] | ||
 | Niger |  | Commune II Niamey | | Niamey | 2007 | [20] |
Notable people
edit- Mubarak Wakaso, professional footballer
- Haruna Iddrisu, Member of Parliament for Tamale South and the former Minister for Employment and Labour Relations in Ghana, Minority leader of Parliament[21]
- Abdul Majeed Waris, professional footballer[22]
- Fancy Gadam, Afro-pop and dancehall artist[23]
- Alhassan Yahaya Seini, barrister and director of the Legal Aid Commission
- Mahamudu Bawumia, politician
- Sheikh Bayan Basha, Islamic preacher
- Alhassan Suhiyini, politician
- Inusah Fuseini, politician[24]
- Alhassan Bashir Fuseini, politician
- Mona 4Reall, Socialite, model, musician, and businesswoman
- Maccasio, Hip hop, hip life artist and an entrepreneur[25]
- Ibrahim Mahama, artist[26]
See Also
editNotes
editReferences
edit- ^ "Location & Size". Ghanadistricts.com. Archived from the original on 11 July 2011. Retrieved 24 August 2010.
- ^ a b GhanaWeb.com ghanaweb.com
- ^ "Tamale, Ghana Metro Area Population 1950-2023". www.macrotrends.net. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
- ^ "The largest cities in Ghana, ranked by population". Mongabay.com. 2013. Retrieved 1 May 2014.
- ^ "Ghana City Tamale". www.ghanaweb.com. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
- ^ Hamelo, Gameli (22 August 2023). "Three Institutions Redefining Art in Tamale". Frieze. No. 236. ISSN 0962-0672. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
- ^ Tamale, capital of Northern region, Ghana. ghana-net.com.
- ^ a b Tamale Children's Home Tamale, Northern Region (Ghana). catointl.org
- ^ a b Tamale metropolitan
- ^ "About TaMA – Tamale Metro Assembly". Retrieved 17 October 2023.
- ^ "Tamale 1907-1957 : between colonial trade and colonial chieftainship". Universiteit Leiden. 8 May 2012. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
- ^ a b MacGaffey, Wyatt (2006–2007). "A HISTORY OF TAMALE, 1907-1957 AND BEYOND". Transactions of the Historical Society of Ghana (10): 109–124. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: date format (link) - ^ "Advances in forecast verification". Weather. 70 (1): 14–14. January 2015. doi:10.1002/wea.2445. ISSN 0043-1656.
- ^ "Klimatafel von Tamales / Ghana" (PDF). Baseline climate means (1961-1990) from stations all over the world (in German). Deutscher Wetterdienst. Retrieved 18 October 2016.
- ^ "Sule Salifu confirmed as MCE for Tamale". Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana. 30 September 2021. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
- ^ Introduction to Tamale and the Northern Region. sclou.org.
- ^ Tamale Airport Listings. Ghanapedia.
- ^ Sister City International Listings – Directory Search Results – Tamale, Ghana Archived 31 August 2010 at the Wayback Machine. sister-cities.org.
- ^ Tamale establishes links with sister city in Burkina-Faso. ghanaweb.com. 31 December 2003.
- ^ TAMALE : Sister city relations should improve trade and investments Archived 14 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine. ndn.nigeriadailynews.com. 2 July 2007.
- ^ "Hon. Iddrisu Haruna". Parliament of Ghana.
- ^ "Abdul Majeed Waris". Right to Dream. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
- ^ "Fancy Gadam". mobile.ghanaweb.com. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
- ^ "'Nothing wrong with criticizing judges constructively' – Inusah Fuseini backs Ayine". Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana. 10 June 2021. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
- ^ "Rapper and Afrobeat star, Maccasio drops new single". GhanaWeb. 20 February 2017. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
- ^ "Ibrahim Mahama". www.documenta14.de (in German). Retrieved 20 November 2023.
External links
edit
