The Upper East Region has always been a transit place for traders from Mali and Burkina Faso on their way south to Tamale and other part of the country in the south. The villages in this region have their distinctive building styles that have evolved through the centuries and have been adapted so well to the lifestyle of the people and local conditions, providing a distinct contrast to those in other parts of Ghana.
Bolgatanga
This is the capital of this Region and is simply referred to as 'Bolga'. It is 160 km (100 miles) directly north of Tamale and 821 km (513 miles) from Accra, and is strategically located at the joining of several roads of which the major ones go into neighboring Burkina Faso and Togo. Most famous in Bolga is the outdoor market, with skillfully crafted leather bags and hats, straw/reed hats and baskets, traditional musical instruments and metal jewelry.
Bolga has grown into a modern town with a hospital that serves most areas around it, schools and a small range of hotels and guesthouses. Major Banks and leading commercial firms have branches in the town. State transport buses go there form Accra and Kumasi through Tamale.
