Wa, Ghana

Wa
Wa
Town
	View of a high street in Wa
	Etymology: Dagbani: Wa ("te wa kaa yeng seore", English: "we came to watch a dance")
	Wa Location of Wa in Upper West Region
	Coordinates: 10°4′N 2°30′W / 10.067°N 2.500°W
Country	Ghana
Region	Upper West Region
District	Wa Municipal District
Elevation	305 m (1,001 ft)
Population (2021)
• Total	200,672
Time zone	GMT
• Summer (DST)	GMT
Postal code	XW
Area code	039
Website	wamunicipal.gov.gh

Wa is a town and the capital of the Wa Municipal District and the Upper West Region of Ghana.^[3] It has a population of 200,672 people according to the 2021 census.^[4]^[5]

The town is a transportation hub for the Upper West region, with major roads leading north to Hamile, and northeast to Tumu and the Upper East Region. There is also a small airport, named the Wa Airport.^[6]

History

Etymology

Wa is a Dagbani word meaning te wa kaa yeng seore ('we came to watch a dance').^[1]

Formation

Wa emerged as an important center of trade. The town was also where most of the [[K

Under the Northern Protectorates, the town experienced slow infrastructure development due to neglection by the colonial administration.^[7]

Administration

Wa has a mayor–council form of government. The mayor is appointed/approved by the town council, the Wa Municipal Assembly. The current mayor of Wa is Hon. Tahiru Issahaku Moomin.^[8]

Economy

Despite its urban status, Wa is in many ways still an agricultural community with the majority of the town's population engaged in small scale farming. Main crops grown include corn, millet, yams, okra and groundnuts. The town also grows cash crops, which include soya beans, and groundnuts, bambara beans.^[9]^[5]

Demographics

Historical population
Year	Pop.	±%
1921	2,806	—
1931	13,025	+364.2%
1948	14,406	+10.6%
1970	13,740	−4.6%
1984	36,067	+162.5%
2000	66,644	+84.8%
2010	125,479	+88.3%
Source: Ghana Statistical Service.^[10]^[7]^[11]^[12]

In 1880, it was estimated that Wa had about 8,000 people. This number is thought to have fallen to 2,000 by 1900. In the 1921 census, the population of the town was 2,806. The population had risen to 5,207 by 1931. In that same year, the Wa district, which was now a part of the Wala Native Authority had a population of 13,025. In 1948, Wa had a population of 14,406 while the district had 15,827 people. In 1960 the population was 14,406. In 1970 the population had risen to 13,740.^[10]^[7] In the 2000 census, the town's population was 66,644 while in the 2010 census the population was 125,479.^[11]^[12]

Islam is the largest religion in the town making up 65.9% of the population. This is followed by Christianity (29%), traditionalists (4.1%), and other religions (0.4%).^[5] Major ethic groups who resided in Wa include the Wala, the Sisaala, and the Dagaaba.^[13]

Transportation

There is public transport from Wa to major cities such as Accra; Kumasi, Mim, Ahafo; Cape Coast, Sunyani; Tamale; Tema; Ho; Bolgatanga; Elubo; Aflao, and Techiman.^[5]

Geography

Wa is located in the north-western part of Ghana. It has a size that covers a total land area of 579.86 km² (223.89 sq mi). The average land height of the town sits between 160 mm (0.52 ft) and 300 mm (0.98 ft) above sea level.^[7] The municipal share surrounding borders Daffiama-Bussie-Issa District to the north-west, Nadowli-Kaleo District to the north-east, Wa East District to the east and to the west and south the Wa West District.^[5]

Climate

Wa has a tropical savanna climate (Köppen climate classification Aw), with a wet season and a dry season and the temperature being hot year-round. The wet season usually occurs between March to July while the dry season can happen from September to November. The mean maximum temperatures can range from 34–40 °C (93–104 °F) whilst the mean minimum temperatures can reach 29 °C (84 °F). The average monthly relative humidity stands around 40.67%.^[14]

Climate data for Wa (1991-2020, extremes 1952-present)
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °C (°F)	39.5 (103.1)	42.0 (107.6)	42.6 (108.7)	42.5 (108.5)	40.0 (104.0)	38.0 (100.4)	38.2 (100.8)	35.7 (96.3)	36.5 (97.7)	37.5 (99.5)	39.0 (102.2)	38.5 (101.3)	42.6 (108.7)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)	35.1 (95.2)	37.2 (99.0)	38.1 (100.6)	36.5 (97.7)	34.2 (93.6)	32.1 (89.8)	30.6 (87.1)	29.8 (85.6)	30.7 (87.3)	33.3 (91.9)	35.5 (95.9)	35.3 (95.5)	34.0 (93.2)
Daily mean °C (°F)	27.7 (81.9)	30.3 (86.5)	31.8 (89.2)	30.9 (87.6)	29.3 (84.7)	27.6 (81.7)	26.6 (79.9)	26.0 (78.8)	26.4 (79.5)	28.0 (82.4)	28.8 (83.8)	27.8 (82.0)	28.4 (83.1)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)	20.4 (68.7)	23.3 (73.9)	25.6 (78.1)	25.4 (77.7)	24.3 (75.7)	23.2 (73.8)	22.5 (72.5)	22.1 (71.8)	22.1 (71.8)	22.7 (72.9)	22.0 (71.6)	20.3 (68.5)	22.8 (73.0)
Record low °C (°F)	12.8 (55.0)	15.6 (60.1)	17.9 (64.2)	17.5 (63.5)	17.4 (63.3)	18.4 (65.1)	17.9 (64.2)	18.3 (64.9)	18.3 (64.9)	18.9 (66.0)	16.0 (60.8)	12.2 (54.0)	12.2 (54.0)
Average precipitation mm (inches)	5.0 (0.20)	10.9 (0.43)	20.9 (0.82)	86.4 (3.40)	130.1 (5.12)	141.8 (5.58)	139.7 (5.50)	241.0 (9.49)	198.1 (7.80)	82.9 (3.26)	5.2 (0.20)	0.3 (0.01)	1,035.3 (40.76)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm)	0.2	0.7	2.4	5.5	8.8	9.2	10.6	13.0	14.0	7.4	0.8	0.0	72.6
Average relative humidity (%) (at 15:00)	16	18	28	44	55	63	66	69	68	51	33	19	44
Mean monthly sunshine hours	271.7	241.6	239.3	235.5	247.6	219.2	193.4	161.9	187.0	256.9	269.7	276.0	2,799.8
Mean daily sunshine hours	9.2	9.4	8.6	7.5	8.6	7.6	6.7	5.7	6.3	9.2	9.3	9.6	8.1
Source 1: NOAA^[15]
Source 2: Deutscher Wetterdienst (extremes, humidity 1973-1994, daily sun 1958-1962)^[16]

Culture

The Wa Naa's Palace, located in Wa, is home to chief (Wa Naa) of the Wala people. Cattle is a symbol of wealth in the town and is sometimes used for marriage payment.^[17]

Festivals

The Damba festival is an annual event celebrated in the town and throughout Northern Ghana. It is typically held in late September.^[18] The Dumba festival is another annual event celebrated in the town. It is usually celebrated in the month of September or October.^[19]

Cuisine

Human resources

Health

Wa has a total of 26 health facilities, including community health planning services and four private facilities.^[7] The largest hospital in the town is the Wa regional hostipal. It is a 160-bed facility that opened in 2019 with a project cost of GH₵5,254,500,000 (US$339 million).^[20]

Education

The town is the educational hub of the region. University for Development Studies, Nusrat Jahan Ahmadiyya College of Education and Wa Polytechnic have branches or are located in Wa.^[7] The Wa Technical University, formerly Wa Polytechnic, was establish in 1999 and begin program offerings in 2004. There are currently 600 students enrolled in the institution.^[21]

The following is a list of educational institutions in Wa:^[22]

Senior high schools

Wa Islamic Senior High School
Jamiat Al-Hidayyat Al-Islamiat Girls Senior High School
Northern Star Senior High School
St. Francis Xavier Minor Seminary
Wa Senior High School
Wa Senior High Technical School
Wa Technical Institute
T. I. Ahmadiyya Senior High School

Colleges/Universities

SD Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies
Nusrat Jahan Ahmadiyya College of Education
Wa Nursing Training College
Wa Technical University (formally Wa Polytechnic)

Notable People

Abdul Haye Mumin

Shamima Muslim

References

Citations

^ ^a ^b Awedoba 2009, p. 47.
^ Population of Regions and Districts (PDF) (Report). Ghana Statistical Service. November 2021.
^ "Campaign on effective handling of food items held in Wa". Graphic Online. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
^ "Ghana Districts: A repository of all Local Assemblies in Ghana". GhanaDistricts. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e "2010 Population and Housing Census – Wa Municipal" (PDF). Ghana Statistical Service. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
^ Touring Ghana – Upper West Region. touringghana.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Ahmed, A.; Korah, P.; Dongzagla, A.; Nunbogu, A.; Niminga-Beka, R.; Kuusaana, E.; Abubakari, Z. (2020). "City profile: Wa, Ghana". Cities. 97 102524. doi:10.1016/j.cities.2019.102524. Retrieved 19 July 2024.
^ "Upper West Regional Peace Council". National Peace Council, Ghana. Retrieved 11 August 2024.
^ Naazie, G.; Agyemang, I.; Tampah-Naah, A. (2024). "Characterization of urban agriculture and farmers' climate change adaptation: the case of Urban Wa, Ghana". Discover Sustainability. 5 (58). Bibcode:2024DiSus...5...58N. doi:10.1007/s43621-024-00227-0. Retrieved 20 July 2024. ...The Wa Municipality has about 200,672 residents with 143,358 urban dwellers. Also, out of about 70% who engage in agricultural activities, only 30.2% are direct food crops...
^ ^a ^b Wilks 2002, pp. 11–13.
^ ^a ^b "2000 population & housing census – special report on urban localities". Ghana Statistical Service. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
^ ^a ^b "Population of Regions and Districts Report (2010)" (PDF). Ghana Statistical Service. p. 107. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
^ Awedoba 2009, p. 39.
^ Bessah, E.; Amponsah, W.; Ansah, S.; Afrifa, A.; Yahaya, B.; Wemegah, C.; Tanu, M.; Amekudzi, L.; Agyare, W. (2022). "Climatic zoning of Ghana using selected meteorological variables for the period 1976–2018". Meteorological Applications. 29 (1): 2049. Bibcode:2022MeApp..29.2049B. doi:10.1002/met.2049.
^ "Wa Climate Normals 1991–2020". World Meteorological Organization Climatological Standard Normals (1991–2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
^ "Klimatafel von Wa / Ghana" (PDF). Baseline climate means (1961-1990) from stations all over the world (in German). Deutscher Wetterdienst. Retrieved 18 October 2016.
^ Wilks 2002, pp. 5–7.
^ "Damba as a festival and dance form". Arts Ghana. 11 July 2014. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
^ "At the peak of Dumba Festival". Graphic Online. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
^ "Nana Addo commissions Upper West Regional Hospital". Citi Newsroom. 18 August 2019. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
^ "Where's Wa?". Saskatchewan Polytechnic. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
^ "Senior High Schools in Upper West Region of Ghana". schoolsingh.com. Archived from the original on 6 May 2024.

Bibliography

Awedoba, A. K. (2009). An Ethnographic Study of Northern Ghanaian Conflicts. Sub-Saharan Publishers. ISBN 9789988647384.
Wilks, Ivor (4 July 2002). Brown, Carolyn; Anderson, David (eds.). Wa and the Wala: Islam and Polity in Northwestern Ghana. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9780521894340.

External links

[FOOTNOTEAwedoba200947-1] Awedoba 2009, p. 47.

[World_Gazetteer-2] Population of Regions and Districts (PDF) (Report). Ghana Statistical Service. November 2021.

[3] "Campaign on effective handling of food items held in Wa". Graphic Online. Retrieved 20 May 2021.

[4] "Ghana Districts: A repository of all Local Assemblies in Ghana". GhanaDistricts. Retrieved 23 August 2023.

[2010_census-5] "2010 Population and Housing Census – Wa Municipal" (PDF). Ghana Statistical Service. Retrieved 20 July 2024.

[Touring_Ghana_–_Upper_West_Region-6] Touring Ghana – Upper West Region. touringghana.

[Wa_ghana_overview-7] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Ahmed, A.; Korah, P.; Dongzagla, A.; Nunbogu, A.; Niminga-Beka, R.; Kuusaana, E.; Abubakari, Z. (2020). "City profile: Wa, Ghana". Cities. 97 102524. doi:10.1016/j.cities.2019.102524. Retrieved 19 July 2024.

[8] "Upper West Regional Peace Council". National Peace Council, Ghana. Retrieved 11 August 2024.

[9] Naazie, G.; Agyemang, I.; Tampah-Naah, A. (2024). "Characterization of urban agriculture and farmers' climate change adaptation: the case of Urban Wa, Ghana". Discover Sustainability. 5 (58). Bibcode:2024DiSus...5...58N. doi:10.1007/s43621-024-00227-0. Retrieved 20 July 2024. ...The Wa Municipality has about 200,672 residents with 143,358 urban dwellers. Also, out of about 70% who engage in agricultural activities, only 30.2% are direct food crops...

[FOOTNOTEWilks200211–13-10] Wilks 2002, pp. 11–13.

[2000_census-11] "2000 population & housing census – special report on urban localities". Ghana Statistical Service. Retrieved 20 July 2024.

[2010_population_census-12] "Population of Regions and Districts Report (2010)" (PDF). Ghana Statistical Service. p. 107. Retrieved 12 July 2024.

[FOOTNOTEAwedoba200939-13] Awedoba 2009, p. 39.

[climate_overview-14] Bessah, E.; Amponsah, W.; Ansah, S.; Afrifa, A.; Yahaya, B.; Wemegah, C.; Tanu, M.; Amekudzi, L.; Agyare, W. (2022). "Climatic zoning of Ghana using selected meteorological variables for the period 1976–2018". Meteorological Applications. 29 (1): 2049. Bibcode:2022MeApp..29.2049B. doi:10.1002/met.2049.

[WMOCLINO-15] "Wa Climate Normals 1991–2020". World Meteorological Organization Climatological Standard Normals (1991–2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 28 September 2023.

[DWD-16] "Klimatafel von Wa / Ghana" (PDF). Baseline climate means (1961-1990) from stations all over the world (in German). Deutscher Wetterdienst. Retrieved 18 October 2016.

[FOOTNOTEWilks20025–7-17] Wilks 2002, pp. 5–7.

[18] "Damba as a festival and dance form". Arts Ghana. 11 July 2014. Retrieved 6 March 2021.

[19] "At the peak of Dumba Festival". Graphic Online. Retrieved 27 August 2020.

[20] "Nana Addo commissions Upper West Regional Hospital". Citi Newsroom. 18 August 2019. Retrieved 22 July 2024.

[21] "Where's Wa?". Saskatchewan Polytechnic. Retrieved 22 July 2024.

[22] "Senior High Schools in Upper West Region of Ghana". schoolsingh.com. Archived from the original on 6 May 2024.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

[17]

[18]

[19]

[20]

[21]

[22]