Tamale is a metropolitan district in the Northern Region of Ghana. Its capital is Tamale. It had a population of 374,744 at the 2021 census, up from 223,252 in 2010.
Tamale Metropolitan has since been divided. The 2021 census figure covers the metropolis together with the Tamale Central and Tamale South municipal districts formed from it.
| Region | Northern Region |
|---|---|
| District capital | Tamale |
| Status | Metropolitan District |
| Population (2021 census) | 374,744 |
| Population (2010 census) | 223,252 |
Towns and Communities in Tamale
This directory lists 33 towns and communities in Tamale, in alphabetical order.
- Aduyeli
- Bahalahi
- Balahi
- Banvum
- Boashe
- Bulpiela
- Dakrubongo
- Difa
- Foshogo
- Gumani
- Gwalingga
- Jerigo
- Kasalgo
- Kiong
- Kula
- Kwintalaga
- Kwotingli
- Lahago
- Moyer
- Nachimbiya
- Nalong
- Nyohini
- Tamale
- Ticheli
- Tua
- Tugu
- Vitin
- Wovogel
- Yapalsi
- Yong
- Zujung
- Zuo
- Zuorugu
Geography
Tamale lies at the centre of the Northern Region on flat guinea savanna, with no hills of consequence and no permanent river through the built-up area. It is the largest city in northern Ghana and the region’s administrative and commercial centre.
The metropolis is ringed by Sagnarigu, which took in much of its northern and western outskirts. Savelugu lies to the north, Tolon to the west and Mion to the east.
Growth has pushed the built-up area well beyond the old town. Neighbourhoods such as Gumani, Vitin, Lamashegu and Nyohini now run into one another, and settlements once counted as villages sit inside the city. The communities listed below include both inner suburbs and outlying farming villages.
Economy and Local Life
Trade, transport, public administration, health and education carry the local economy. The Central Market and the Aboabo market handle grain, yam, livestock and manufactured goods for a catchment covering the whole of northern Ghana. Shea butter processing, grain milling and small workshops employ many households.
Tamale is also a university town and a base for national and international agencies working across the north. Farming continues on the edges of the metropolis, mainly maize, rice, groundnuts and dry-season vegetables. Dagbani is the common language.
Tamale is the transport hub for the whole north. Lorries loading yam, maize and livestock for Kumasi and Accra pass through daily, and goods heading for Burkina Faso and the Upper regions move the other way. That traffic keeps the markets, fuel stations and repair yards busy all year.
Getting There
Tamale International Airport links the city to Accra and Kumasi by scheduled flights. The N10 trunk road runs north through Savelugu to Bolgatanga and south through Kintampo to Kumasi and Accra. A paved road heads east to Yendi, and long-distance buses use all three routes daily.
FAQ
What is the capital of Tamale?
Tamale is the district capital. It holds the assembly offices and the main market.
Which region is Tamale in?
Tamale is in the Northern Region of Ghana.
What is the population of Tamale?
374,744 at the 2021 census, compared with 223,252 at the 2010 census.
How many towns and communities are listed for Tamale?
This page lists 33 settlements in Tamale.
When does it rain in Tamale?
Tamale has one rainy season, running roughly between May and October. The dry Harmattan season follows, from November to February, and farming largely pauses until the next rains.
Is Tamale a district or a municipal district?
Ghana’s census records classify it as a metropolitan district. Local government is handled by its own assembly.