The Upper East Region, which borders Burkina Faso to the north and Togo to the east, is situated in Ghana's northeast. There are more than 1.2 million people living in the area, which has a land area of over 8,842 square kilometers.

Land Market

Traditional authorities, who are in charge of land allocation and use, control a large portion of the Upper East Region's land market. Land is typically owned by clans or families, with specific parcels of land being used for agricultural, grazing, or residential purposes by persons having usufructuary rights. Communal ownership and usage of property are permitted by the region's traditional land tenure system, and families or clans have the authority to distribute land to their members or other interested parties.

Conflicts over land ownership and use have arisen in the area as a result of unclear land titles and insufficient land registration procedures. The Ghanaian government has been working to enhance the nation's land management and administration, particularly by creating a new land registration system and a National Land Policy. The government has also been collaborating with traditional authorities to create rules for managing and administering land.

The demand for property in the Upper East Region has grown recently, particularly for large-scale commercial farming, mining, and other investment opportunities. Concerns have been raised concerning the impact on the food security of the area and the potential eviction of smallholder farmers as a result.

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Culture

The area is renowned for its distinct culture and historic buildings, especially the well-known adobe structures. There are various ethnic groups in Ghana's Upper East Region, each with its own distinctive cultural practices. The architecture of the area is unusual, with adobe buildings being a common sight. Dance and music are also fundamental components of the culture, with distinct musical traditions belonging to each group. For many households, weaving, especially of Kente cloth, is a substantial source of revenue. Along with Christianity and Islam, traditional religion is still practiced; common beliefs include ancestor worship and the use of charms and amulets. The Upper East Region's residents are deeply attached to their cultural history, which is still being passed down from one generation to the next.

Tourism

The region's cultural legacy, natural features, and festivals draw tourists from all around Ghana and beyond. Tourism is a growing sector of the economy. Opportunities for economic growth and development are provided by the region's diversified economic activity.

Predominant Activities

The bulk of the population in the Upper East Region works in agriculture, which is the mainstay of the region's economy. With an average annual rainfall of between 750 and 1050 millimeters, the area has a semi-arid climate that is ideal for the growth of crops including millet, sorghum, maize, and groundnuts. Cattle, sheep, and other livestock are reared as a significant economic activity in the area. On its lush soil, crops including millet, sorghum, maize, rice, groundnuts, and cowpeas are grown, and rearing of livestock.