HISTORY
BRIEF HISTORY
The eastern part of Ghana known as the Volta Region was part of Trans-Volta Togoland which was an integral part of the Republic of Togo. In the past, nearly half of the Volta Region, from the coast up to Kpeve area, were part and parcel of the then Gold Coast Colony under the British. Areas stretching from Kpeve up to Yendi in the Northern Region were under German, and hence part of the Trans-Volta Togoland. Even though the border often changed in the past, it was assumed that Kpeve was the border between the Gold Coast Colony to the South, and Trans-Volta Togoland to the north.
In 1956, after the defeat of the Germans in the Second World War, the German Colony was redesignated a Trust Colony under British and French rule. A plebiscite was held to determine which part of the Trust Colony should belong to the British and the French. A portion decided to join the Gold Coast while the other portion decided to remain under French rule and become part of Togoland. That portion that decided to join the Gold Coast (now Ghana) became part of the Volta Region of Ghana.
The main ethnic groups are Ewes occupying in the Southern section (low land areas), the Akans in the northern section, and some Guan-speaking groups such as Likpe, Nyagbo, Tafi, Logba, and Santrokofi. The Guans are supposed to be the original dwellers of the land while the Akans migrated from the Ashanti, Brong -Ahafo, Western, Central, and Eastern Regions. The Ewes migrated from Notsie in the present-day Republic of Togo centuries ago. All these ethnic groups live within the Volta Region, demonstrating unity in diversity.
Ghana Tourism Authority was established by the Tourism Act, 2011 (Act 817) as the main implementing body of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture. It replaced the Ghana Tourism Board which was established by NRCD224 in 1973 as amended by SMCD80 of 1977.
GEOGRAPHY
The Volta Region is an area of scenic beauty, of highly diversified cultural heritage, the fascinating landscape of rolling hills and valleys, and, above all, the home of highly ingenious, hardworking, and warm people.
LOCATION
Volta Region is one of Ghana’s ten administrative regions. The region covers an area of 20,570 square kilometers representing 8.6% of the total land surface area of Ghana. It is between latitudes 5° 45’N and 8°45’N. The Region lies to the West of the Volta Lake and East by the Republic of Togo and South by the Atlantic Ocean. The Region spans all the vegetational zones of the country stretching from the Atlantic Ocean in the South to the North.
It has three marked climatic and vegetation zones:
- Mangrove swamps and adjoining arid coastal plains
- The open, moist semi-deciduous forest zone, and,
- The northern savannah
The Mangrove Swamps and Adjoining Arid Coastal Plains
This zone is characterized by dense mangrove swamps at the estuarine area of the Volta River and the banks of the Angaw, Avu, and part of Keta Lagoons. The main species are the white and red mangroves. The coastal plains are marked by low savannah grassland which dries up completely during the drying seasons. Mango and coconut palm trees are planted in several areas. The area has two rainfall maximal:
- the main rainy seasons, occurring between May and August, and
- the minor season between September and October.
Between the rainy season is a prolonged dry season, culminating in the dry harmattan between November and February.
Daily temperatures are very high, averaging some 26°C. Humidity is high, averaging 60%.
The Moist Semi-Deciduous Forest Zone
This zone, occupying the central portion of the region, is made mostly of isolated forests and shrub-land. The main trees include the silk cotton tree, teak, obeche, and wawa. Wild mangoes, oil palm, and date palm grow in several areas. Most trees shed their leaves during the dry season.
The area also experiences the same rainfall pattern as the southern zone. The marked difference, however, is the intensity of the rains in the forest zone. Temperatures are a few degrees lower than the south, especially in the hilly areas. Once again the humidity is slightly lower.
The Northern Savanna Zone
This zone consists of mostly expansive savannah grassland, dominated in parts by tall elephant grass. There are several wild trees such as acacia, baobab, neem, and cola the area has one rainfall regime from May to August/September. The temperatures are slightly higher than in the south. Humidity is, however, slightly lower.