Bawku is a municipal district in the Upper East Region of Ghana. Its capital is Bawku town, the main market centre of Ghana’s north-eastern corner. The municipality had a population of 119,458 at the 2021 census, up from 98,538 in 2010.
| Region | Upper East Region |
|---|---|
| District capital | Bawku |
| Status | Municipal District |
| Population (2021 census) | 119,458 |
| Population (2010 census) | 98,538 |
Towns and Communities in Bawku
The district directory lists 40 towns and communities in Bawku, from the capital Bawku to outlying compound settlements. Names are listed alphabetically.
- Ariziem
- Badu
- Baribari
- Bawku
- Bawku Morgo
- Bawkuzua
- Boango
- Dulugu
- Gago
- Gangari
- Gbeogo
- Goseesi
- Gotisalaga
- Jentega
- Kabengo
- Kikaziegu
- Kolpielgo
- Koltanga
- Kpalugu
- Kuka
- Kukdabodi
- Kukosi
- Lalsaa
- Lamboya
- Megoga
- Missiga
- Mogonori
- Natinga
- Nyokoko
- Nyorigo
- Palaweaga
- Tambaligu
- Tampizua
- Timonde
- Yumboku
- Zabugu
- Ziedi
- Zorsi Natinga
- Zuli
- Zuulugu
Geography
Bawku lies in the far north-east of the Upper East Region, close to the borders with Burkina Faso and Togo. The land is flat Sudan savanna, drained by tributaries of the White and Red Volta, with a single rainy season from May to October and a long dry harmattan season. Settlement is dense by northern standards, with compound farms running out from the town in all directions.
The municipality borders Binduri to the west, Pusiga to the east and Garu to the south. Kusaal is the main language; Mampruli, Bissa, Moore and Hausa are widely used in the market.
Economy and Local Life
Bawku is a trading town before anything else. Its market is one of the largest in northern Ghana and draws sellers from Burkina Faso, Togo and Niger, dealing in grain, livestock, onions, tomatoes, second-hand clothing and manufactured goods. Cross-border trade shapes prices across the whole municipality.
Outside the town, households farm millet, sorghum, maize, rice, groundnuts and cowpea in the rains, and irrigate onions, tomatoes and pepper along the river valleys in the dry season. Cattle, sheep, goats and guinea fowl are kept in almost every compound and sold at the weekly livestock market. Smithing, weaving and cross-border transport provide additional income. Bawku also serves as the service centre for the surrounding districts, with a hospital, secondary schools and bank branches used by residents of Binduri, Pusiga and Garu.
Getting There
Bawku lies about 90 km north-east of Bolgatanga on the tarred road through Zebilla and Binduri. Long-distance buses from Accra, Kumasi and Tamale run to Bolgatanga, with minibuses and shared taxis covering the final stretch. Roads continue north to the Burkina Faso frontier and east through Pusiga towards Togo.
FAQ
What is the capital of Bawku?
The district capital is Bawku.
Which region is Bawku in?
Bawku is in the Upper East Region of Ghana.
What is the population of Bawku?
The 2021 census recorded 119,458 people. The 2010 census recorded 98,538.
How many towns and communities are listed for Bawku?
This page lists 40 towns and communities.