Tamale, Ghana

Tamale
Counter-Clockwise from top: entrance to Tamale Teaching Hospital, view of Tamale Central Mosque, Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium
Tamale
Location of Tamale in Northern region, Dagbon
Tamale
Tamale (Africa)
Coordinates: 09°24′27″N 00°51′12″W / 9.40750°N 0.85333°W / 9.40750; -0.85333
Country Ghana
RegionNorthern Region
DistrictTamale Metropolitan District
Government
  TypeMayor-Council
  Municipal chiefHon. Sule Salifu
Area
  Total
750 km2 (289.58 sq mi)
Elevation
151 m (495 ft)
Population
 (2024):67:4,35
  Total
371,351
  Density1,282.3/km2 (495.1/sq mi)
  Ethnicities
  Religions
Time zoneUTC
Postal codes
NT0000 - NT2701
area code037
ClimateAw
Websitetamalemetro.gov.gh

Tamale (Dagbani: [ˈtamali]) is the capital city of the Northern Region of Ghana. It is Ghana's third largest city, with a population of 371,351 people (as of 2010).:67 The city has been ranked as the fastest-growing city in West Africa. Tamale is located in the Kingdom of Dagbon, Ghana's oldest Kingdom. Major ethnic groups who resided in Tamale are Dagomba, Gonja, Mamprusi, Akan, and Dagaaba.

The city grew from a small village to an important economic center in the Northern Territories after the British had established administrative headquarters in the area. It became the capital of the Northern Region in 1960.:1,2,15 The biggest economic sector of Tamale is agriculture, followed by trading, teaching, and manufacturing.:42

Tamale boasts a thriving artistic and literary scene, evident in its numerous art studios, poets, and musicians. Numerous art studios are scattered throughout the urban landscape. Annual festivals are celebrated all around the city, such as fire festival, Eid ul-Fitr, Eid Adha and the Damba festival.:4,5