Bolgatanga

Bolgatanga, universally shortened to Bolga, is the capital of the Upper East and the trading centre of the northeast corner of Ghana. It is best known for baskets: the bolga basket, woven from dyed elephant grass in a tight spiral with a leather-wrapped handle, is made across the surrounding villages, particularly around Sumbrungu and Zuarungu, and sold in the central market and exported widely. The market is the other draw, a large regional market that runs on a three-day cycle and brings in traders and produce from across the region and from Burkina Faso. Smocks, leatherwork and pottery are also made locally. A regional museum covers Upper East culture and history.

History

The name comes from the Gurene words for migrant, bolba, and for a gathering rock, tanga. The town lay close to the trans-Saharan trade routes, and because many routes crossed the Gurensi region it had grown into an important trading hub by the end of the 19th century (Wikipedia, Bolgatanga).

Highlights

• The basket market - bolga baskets in quantity at the central market.
• The regional market - the three-day cycle market and its traders.
• Weaving villages - the surrounding settlements where baskets are made.
• Smocks and leather - the other northern crafts sold in town.

When to go

November to March in the dry season. The market runs on a three-day cycle, so check which days are the big ones. Harmattan in December and January brings dust and haze but cooler nights.

What to expect

The town itself is workaday with little to see beyond the market. Basket prices are heavily negotiated and quality varies considerably. Heat outside the harmattan months is severe. Accommodation is basic.

Nearby

Sirigu lies northwest; Tongo Hills are south.

Key facts