Central Region
Region
Location of Central Region in Ghana
Country	Ghana
Capital	Cape Coast
Districts	17
Government
• Regional Minister	Kwamena Duncan[1]
Area
• Total	9,826 km2 (3,794 sq mi)
• Rank	Ranked 8th
Population  (2010 Census)
• Total	2,201,863
• Rank	Ranked 8th
• Density	220/km2 (580/sq mi)
GDP (PPP)
• Year	2013
• Per capita	$5,150
GDP (Nominal)
• Year	2013
• Per capita	$3,500
Time zone	GMT
Area code	033
ISO 3166 code	GH-CP
HDI (2017)	0.548[2] low · 4th

The Central Region is one of the sixteen administrative regions of Ghana. It is bordered by Ashanti and Eastern regions to the north, Western region to the west, Greater Accra region to the east, and to the south by the Gulf of Guinea. The Central Region is renowned for its many elite high schools and an economy based on an abundance of industrial minerals and tourism. The Central region boasts of many tourist attractions such as castles, forts and beaches dotted along the region's coastline.

Economy and tourism

The Central Region is a hub of education, with some of the best schools in the country. The region's economy is dominated by services followed by mining and fishing. Cape Coast Castle and Elmina Castle are prominent UNESCO World Heritage Sites and serve as a reminder of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade. The Central Region is a major center for tourism within Ghana and it has beaches and national parks (Kakum National Park).^[3] U.S. President Barack Obama made his first international trip to the city of Cape Coast in 2009.

Panorama of Elmina Castle that was erected by Portuguese in 1482 as São Jorge da Mina (St. George of the Mine) Castle, also known simply as Mina or Feitoria da Mina) in present-day Elmina, Ashantiland (formerly the Gold Coast region). It was the first trading post built on the Gulf of Guinea, so is the oldest European building in existence below the Sahara. First established as a trade settlement, the castle later became one of the most important stops on the route of the Atlantic slave trade. The Dutch seized the fort from the Portuguese in 1637, and took over all the Portuguese Gold Coast in 1642. The slave trade continued under the Dutch people until 1814. Today Elmina Castle is a historical site, and was a filming location for Werner Herzog's 1987 drama film Cobra Verde. The castle is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

Education

University of Cape Coast Faculty of Education Lecture Theatre building

Adisadel College

Cuisine

The Central Region is well known for its varied choices in cuisine. Etsew and Fantefante (fresh fish palm oil stew) is the main dish enjoyed. Kenkey and Fufu are both eaten with a variety of sauces, stews, and soups. Seafood is commonly eaten across the Central Region.

African threadfish (Alectis alexandrina), from Cape Coast on the Peninsula Ashantiland.

Black jack fish (Caranx lugubris), from Cape Coast on the Peninsula Ashantiland.

Administrative divisions

The political administration of the region is through the local government system. Under this administration system, the region is divided into 22 MMDA's (made up of 1 Metropolitan, 7 Municipal and 14 District Assemblies).^[4] Each District, Municipal or Metropolitan Assembly, is administered by a Chief Executive, representing the central government but deriving authority from an Assembly headed by a presiding member elected from among the members themselves. The current list is as follows:

Districts of the Central Region

Notable citizens

References

5°30′N 1°00′W / 5.500°N 1.000°W / 5.500; -1.000