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Tamale, Ghana

City in Northern Region, Ghana

  • 6 min read
  • 14 chapters
View of Tamale Teaching Hospital showing waiting area at old building
Masssly · CC BY-SA 4.0

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The city grew from a small village to an important economic center in the Northern Territories after the British government established administrative headquarters in the area. It became the capital of the Northern Region in 1960. The local economy is based on agriculture, followed by trading, teaching, and manufactures.

Economic activities in Tamale revolve around farming and trading.

History

Early settlement

The area of Tamale used to consist of small villages, which were under the kingdom of Dagbon. it was a popular destination of cattle trails in the region. In 1907, the British decided to establish administrative headquarters in the area with help from the Dakpema after German officials have taken over Yendi. With the addition of a road in 1920, nicknamed the 'Great North Road', Tamale turned into an important center of business in the Northern Territories.

Throughout the 20th century, the population of Tamale was growing rapidly of people looking for abundant water supply and electricity. This have resulted in massive amounts of land used for infrastructure, threatening residents ability to farm. During this time, a series of disputes between the Gulkpe Na and the Dakpema for power in Tamale occurred. This is in part due to the British incorporated indirect rule in the town, resulting in the imbalance of power between the chiefs. Although local councils were introduced and indirect rule was discontinued, tension between the chiefs continues even to this day.

In 1960, Tamale became the capital of the Northern Region after the region had separated from the rest of the north.

21st century

Lamashegu shooting

On 13 February 2022 at approximately 1:00 p.m., Ghana Police officers clashed with youth in Lamashegu, a community in Tamale, due to them driving off after allegedly riding in an unregistered vehicle. This resulted in one person, Abdul Hakim Yakubu, being killed and 8 others getting injured.

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