Nalerigu is the largest town in the East Mamprusi Municipal.[2] It is home to the overlord of the kingdom of Mampurugu (NaYiri). With the addition of 6 new regions in 2018, Nalerigu was declared the capital of the North East Region of Ghana.[3]

Nalerigu
Regional Capital
An old church at Nalerigu
An old church at Nalerigu
Nalerigu is located in Ghana
Nalerigu
Nalerigu
Location in Ghana
Coordinates: 10°32′N 0°22′W / 10.533°N 0.367°W / 10.533; -0.367
Country Ghana
RegionNorth East Region
DistrictEast Mamprusi Municipal
Government
 • NaYiriNa Bɔhagu Mahami Sheriga
Elevation
1,099 ft (335 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total14,927
 • Ethnicities
[1]
 • Religions
  • Islam
  • Christianity
  • African Traditional Religion
Time zoneGMT

History

edit

Nalerigu was the capital of the Mamprugu Kingdom, one of the earliest known states in the northern area of what is now present-day Ghana.[4] During the 16th century, a series of walls was built by Naa Jaringa using stones and mud all around the town. It was built to protect the town against slave raiders since they were located close to the historic slave route between Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) and Djenne (Mali).[5]

Education

edit

Nalerigu is the education hub of the region. The town is home to the College of Health Sciences and the Nalerigu Secondary School (NASS).[6][7][8]

Health

edit

It is home to the location of a private hospital, the Baptist Medical Centre.[9] It was established in 1958 and currently serves over 200 patients a day. It is the main hospital serving the entire region.[10]

Points of interest

edit
  • Doves Caves (Ŋmana Feeri), group of rocky outcrops
  • NaYiri Palace, home to the overlord of mampurugu kingdom.
  • Naa Jeringa Wall, remains of the walls whose surrounded the town during the 16th century[5][11]

Notable people

edit
  • Isaac Kolibilla Batesimah, politician
  • Issifu Seidu, politician

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ "East Mamprusi District 2010 Census" (PDF). Ghana Statistical Service. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 11 November 2018.
  2. ^ "Ghana Districts: A repository of all Local Assemblies in Ghana". www.ghanadistricts.com. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  3. ^ "Constituency Watch: Nalerigu-Gambaga Constituency -Home of scenic tourist sites". Graphic online. 31 March 2023.
  4. ^ "Mamprusi people: Ghana's ancient people in the north". ghanaweb.com. GhanaWeb. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
  5. ^ a b "Nalerigu Defence Wall – Ghana Museums and Monuments Board". gmmb.gov.gh. Ghana Museums and Monuments Board. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
  6. ^ "List of Secondary Schools in Ghana". www.ghanaschoolsnet.com/. Retrieved 12 August 2011.
  7. ^ "Educational Institutions". www.centralregion.gov.gh. Archived from the original on 1 August 2017. Retrieved 12 August 2011.
  8. ^ "References » Schools/Colleges". www.modernghana.com. Retrieved 12 August 2011.
  9. ^ "Baptist Medical Centre". Baptist Medical Centre. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  10. ^ "Nalerigu Baptist Medical Centre @ 60". modernghana.com. Modern Ghana. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
  11. ^ "Discover Ghana's North East Region". Retrieved 30 May 2020.

10°32′N 0°22′W / 10.533°N 0.367°W / 10.533; -0.367