Greater Accra Region
Region of Ghana
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Greater Accra Region has the smallest area of Ghana's 16 administrative regions, occupying a total land surface of 3,245 square kilometres.[3] This is 1.4% of the total land area of Ghana. It is the most populated region, with a population of 5,455,692 in 2021, accounting for 17.7% of Ghana's total population.[4][5] The Greater Accra region is the most urbanized region in the country, with 87.4% of its total population living in urban centres.[6]
Greater Accra Region | |
|---|---|
Aerial View of Accra | |
 Flag | |
 Location of Greater Accra Region in Ghana | |
| Country | Ghana |
| Capital | Accra |
| Districts | 29 |
| Government | |
| • Regional Minister | Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo |
| • Mayor | Mohammed Adjei Sowah |
| Area | |
• Total | 3,245 km2 (1,253 sq mi) |
| • Rank | Ranked 10th |
| Population (2021 Census)[1] | |
• Total | 5,455,692 |
| • Rank | Ranked 2nd |
| • Density | 1,681/km2 (4,354/sq mi) |
| GDP (PPP) | |
| • Year | 2013 |
| • Per capita | $5,150 |
| GDP (Nominal) | |
| • Year | 2013 |
| • Per capita | $2,500 |
| Time zone | GMT |
| Area code | 030 |
| ISO 3166 code | GH-AA |
| HDI (2021) |  0.707[2]high · 1st |
The Greater Accra Region is bordered on the north by the Eastern Region, on the east by the Volta Region, on the south by the Gulf of Guinea, and on the west by the Central Region. It is made up of 29 administrative areas.[7] In 1960, Greater Accra, then referred to as Accra Capital District, was geographically part of the Eastern Region. It was administered separately by the Minister responsible for local government. With effect from 23 July 1982, Greater Accra was created by the Greater Accra Region Law (PNDCL 26) as a legally separate region.[8]
Governance
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The political administration of the region is through the local government system. Under this administration system, the region is divided into 29 MMDA's (made up of 2 Metropolitan, 23 Municipal and 4 Ordinary Assemblies).[1] Each District, Municipal or Metropolitan Area and it's corresponding constituency, is administered by a Chief Executive and a Member of Parliament, representing the central government but deriving authority from an Assembly headed by a presiding member elected from among the members themselves. The MMDA's were increased from 3 to 5 in 1988; then from 5 to 6 in 2004; then from 6 to 10 in 2008; then from 10 to 16 in 2012; and recently from 16 to 29 in 2018. The number of constituencies increased/spread from 22 to 27 in 2004 making and 34 prior to the 2012 Ghanaian general election. The list is as follows:
Demographics
Population
The center of population of the Greater Accra region is located in the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area which comprises the Accra Metropolitan, Tema Metropolitan, Adenta Municipal, La Nkwantanang Madina Municipal District, Ashaiman Municipal, Ledzokuku-Krowor Municipal, Ga East Municipal, Ga West Municipal, and Ga South Municipal districts[9]
According to the 2010 census, the region had a population of 4,010,054, making it the second most populous (total number of people) region of Ghana behind the Ashanti Region.[4]
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1984 | 1,431,099 | — |
| 2000 | 2,905,726 | +103.0% |
| 2010 | 4,010,054 | +38.0% |
| 2021 | 5,455,692 | +36.1% |
| source:[10] | ||
The Ga sub-group of the Ga-Dangme people is the historical population of Accra. They form the largest ethnic sub-group in the Greater Accra Region, with 18.9% of the population.[11][circular reference] The Ga peoples were organized into six independent towns (Accra (Ga Mashie), Osu, La, Teshie, Nungua, and Tema). Each town had a stool, which served as the central object of Ga ritual and war magic. The town of La has a community bank which offers banking services to them.[12]
The largest portion of the population of Accra is Akan, at 39.8% of the population. The next largest group is Ga-Dangme at 29.7% of the population. After this 18% of the population is Ewe.[13]
In 1960 the population of the Greater Accra Region was 491,817. In 2000 the population was 2,905,726. In 2010 the population was 4,010,054.[13][4]
Religion
The religious affiliations of the people of the Greater Accra region are below:[1]
Transportation
The Greater Accra region is served by the Accra International Airport in Accra. The airport offers flight to destinations within Ghana, the African continent and to other continents.[14]
There is an active railway line connecting Accra and Tema.[15]
Festivals
The Ga people celebrate the Homowo festival, which literally means "hooting at hunger." This festival originated several centuries ago. It is celebrated in remembrance of a famine that hit the Ga people in the 16th century. It is mainly a food festival which celebrates the passing of that period in Ga history. It takes place in August every year and is celebrated by all the Ga clans.[16]
The Adangbe people from Ada celebrate the Asafotu festival, which is also called 'Asafotufiam', an annual warrior's festival celebrated by Ada people from the last Thursday of July to the first weekend of August commemorates the victories of the warriors in battle and is a memorial for those who fell on the battlefield. To re-enact these historic events, the warriors dress in traditional battle dress and stage a mock battle. This is also a time for male rites of passage, when men are introduced to warfare. The festival also coincides with the harvest cycle, when these customs and ceremonies are performed. These include purification ceremonies. The celebration reaches its climax with a durbar of chiefs, a colourful procession of the Chiefs in palanquins with their retinue. They are accompanied by traditional military groups called 'Asafo Companies' amidst drumming, singing and dancing through the streets and on the durbar grounds. At the durbar, greetings are exchanged between the chiefs, libations are poured and declarations of allegiance are made.[17]
