- Source: Wa, Ghana
Wa is a town and the capital of the Wa Municipal District and the Upper West Region of Ghana. It has a population of 200,672 people according to the 2021 census.
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.
History
= Etymology
=Wa is a Dagbani word meaning te wa kaa yeng seore ('we came to watch a dance').
= 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.
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.
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.
Demographics
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. In the 2000 census, the town's population was 66,644 while in the 2010 census the population was 125,479.
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%). Major ethic groups who resided in Wa include the Wala, the Sisaala, and the Dagaaba.
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.
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. 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.
= 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%.
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.
= Festivals
=The Damba festival is an annual event celebrated in the town and throughout Northern Ghana. It is typically held in late September. The Dumba festival is another annual event celebrated in the town. It is usually celebrated in the month of September or October.
= Cuisine
=Human resources
= Health
=Wa has a total of 26 health facilities, including
community health planning services and four private facilities. 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).
= 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. 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.
The following is a list of educational institutions in Wa:
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
Siita Sofo Hissan
Wiyaala
Samini
Mohammed Kudus
Abdul-Rashid Pelpuo
Salma Mumin
Abdul Haye Mumin
Shamima Muslim
See also
Lobi people
Wala people
References
= Citations
== Bibliography
=External links
Official website
Ghana-pedia webpage – Wa
Wa, Ghana oriented website
Kata Kunci Pencarian:
- Katedral Wa
- Bandar Udara Wa
- Daftar keuskupan di Ghana
- Keuskupan Wa
- Liga Utama Ghana
- Daftar katedral di Ghana
- Gereja Katolik di Ghana
- Peter Poreku Dery
- Ieper
- Region Upper West
- Wa, Ghana
- WA
- Legon Cities FC
- Wa Senior High Technical School
- Upper West Region
- Wa Airport
- SD Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies
- Wa Naa's Palace
- Ghana
- Wa Technical University
