CENTRAL

REGION
Principles of Hospitality Management
BRIEF HISTORY
 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 was
the former administrative center of the Gold
Coast. The region was the first area in the
country to make formal contact with the
Europeans. Its capital, Cape Coast, with the local
name Oguaa was the capital of the Gold Coast
until 1877, when the capital was moved to Accra.
DISTRICTS
 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). 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.
 ETHNIC GROUPS
 The region consists mainly of Akans (Fantis) who constitute 81.7 percent of the

population. The other ethnic groups in the Region are Ewes (6.2%) and Guans (5.3%).

In six districts, Akans make up over 90 percent; the highest proportions are in Asikuma-

OdobenBrakwa (98.4%) and Gomoa West (97.4%). In the farming districts, there are

Ewes, Ga Adangbes and other ethnic groups from the north who are engaged in

agricultural work in cocoa and oil palm plantations.

LANGUAGES SPOKEN
 Ewutu-Effutu is the language spoken by the indigenous people of

Awutu, Senya, and Winneba. The Effutus are Guans therefore in

Effutu district, the largest ethnic group is the Guan who
constitutes 58.5 percent of the population. Similarly, in Ewutu
Senya, 28.5 percent are Guans and 17.4 percent are Ewes. The
sizeable Ewe community in Effutu-Senya may be linked with
fishing. About one in ten persons in Agona East (10.0%) and
Assin North Municipal (10.2%) are Ewes.
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.
The main dishes of the the costal part of Central Region
is "dorkunu" or kenkey with fish and gravy.
 FESTIVALS
 The Region’s culture is depicted through its many exciting festivals

which are held throughout the year. Some of the best known festivals are
‘Bakatue’, literally the opening up of Benya Lagoon into the sea, which
symbolised the beginning of the fishing season for the people of Elmina;
‘Edina Buronya’, a native version of Christmas celebrated by the people
of Elmina on the first Thursday of the New Year; ‘Aboakyer’ or game
hunting, one of the most famous festivals celebrated by the chiefs and
people of Winneba on the first Saturday in May; and ‘Fetu Afahye’
celebrated with a durbar of chiefs by the people of Cape Coast on the
first Saturday of September. Another famous festival is ‘Odambea’
celebrated on the last Saturday in August in Saltpond Traditional Area,
and reflecting a migration of the local people centuries ago.
TOURIST ATTRACTION AND
RECREATION
 Central Region is steeped in history. There are castles

and other monuments that attract tourists and other

travelers who wish to discover the historical links
between Africa and the Americas and Europe
originating from the trans-Atlantic slave trade. This
region is known as "the heartbeat of Ghana tourism"
because of its pivotal role in the development of
tourism in the country, and its wealth of beaches, forts
and castles and festivals.