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Central Region: Principles of Hospitality Management
Central Region: Principles of Hospitality Management
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
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