Nadowli is a district in the Upper West Region of Ghana. Its capital is Nadowli. The district had a population of 77,057 at the 2021 census, up from 61,561 in 2010. The district is officially named Nadowli-Kaleo, after its two largest towns.
| Region | Upper West, Ghana |
|---|---|
| District capital | Nadowli |
| Status | District |
| Population (2021 census) | 77,057 |
| Population (2010 census) | 61,561 |
Towns and Communities in Nadowli
50 towns and communities in Nadowli are listed below, in alphabetical order.
- Bamkpongyili
- Bampana
- Banko
- Basie
- Bayalaw
- Benkeme
- Bile
- Bili
- Bo
- Bodole
- Bulo
- Butele
- Chang
- Changu
- Cherepon
- Daa
- Damba
- Dapori
- Dasi
- Domi
- Doung
- Dounjang
- Dowiri
- Gabilli
- Gbierun
- Gilli
- Goli
- Goyiri
- Goziri
- Guare
- Gule
- Iziri
- Jang
- Jangbogo
- Janguasi
- Jankoro
- Junkakala
- Kabaha
- Kaleo
- Kalsara
- Kaluri
- Kandomene
- Kango
- Kankanjia
- Kantua
- Kanyinguasi
- Kanyini
- Karbogu
- Katha
- Nyimbale
Geography
Nadowli-Kaleo lies north of Wa on the trunk road to Hamile, in the central belt of the
Upper West Region. Kaleo, the larger town, sits at the southern end of the district close to Wa;
Nadowli is further north along the same road. The land is flat to gently rolling Guinea savanna
drained by streams running west towards the Black Volta. Wa Municipal adjoins
the district to the south, Jirapa to the north and
Daffiama Bussie Issa to the east, which was carved out of
Nadowli-Kaleo in 2012.
Economy and Local Life
Households farm millet, sorghum, maize, groundnuts, cowpea, bambara beans and yam, and
keep cattle, goats, sheep, pigs and guinea fowl. Shea and dawadawa trees are left standing on
farmland and harvested for nuts and seed; shea butter processing is a common women’s trade. Kaleo and
Nadowli both hold periodic markets that serve the villages along the trunk road, and roadside trade
benefits from through traffic heading to the north-west.
Dagaare is the language of the district and Dagaaba custom shapes land holding, with farmland passed down within the family compound. Kaleo and Nadowli both have secondary schools and health facilities, and the district hospital at Nadowli serves villages well beyond its own boundary. Young people commonly travel south for dry-season work and return for the planting rains in May.
Getting There
Nadowli sits directly on the paved trunk road from Wa to Jirapa, Lawra and the Hamile
border, so access from the regional capital is straightforward and served by regular minibuses and
shared taxis. Villages away from the trunk road are reached on feeder roads that deteriorate in the
rainy season.
FAQ
What is the capital of Nadowli?
Nadowli is the district capital and the seat of the district assembly.
Which region is Nadowli in?
Nadowli is in the Upper West Region of Ghana.
What is the population of Nadowli?
The 2021 census recorded 77,057 people. The 2010 census recorded 61,561.
How many towns and communities are listed for Nadowli?
This page lists 50, sorted A–Z.