Ghana has 16 regions, which serve as the country's primary administrative divisions. Although people sometimes ask how many "states" Ghana has, Ghana is a unitary republic rather than a federation, so it does not use states. Instead it is organised into regions, each governed by a regional coordinating council and headed by a presidentially appointed regional minister.
From 10 Regions to 16
For decades Ghana was divided into just 10 regions. That changed in December 2018, when voters in several areas approved the creation of six new regions through a national referendum. The new regions officially came into being in early 2019, raising the total from 10 to 16. The reorganisation was designed to bring government services closer to people, ease administrative pressure on large regions, and reflect distinct cultural and geographic identities that had grown within the older, oversized regions.
The six new regions were carved out of four existing ones: the old Brong-Ahafo Region was split into Bono, Bono East, and Ahafo; the Northern Region gave rise to Savannah and North East; the Volta Region was divided to create Oti; and the Western Region produced Western North. Greater Accra, Ashanti, Central, Eastern, Upper East, and Upper West kept their boundaries.
The Complete List of All 16 Regions
Below are all 16 regions of Ghana in alphabetical order:
- Ahafo
- Ashanti
- Bono
- Bono East
- Central
- Eastern
- Greater Accra
- North East
- Northern
- Oti
- Savannah
- Upper East
- Upper West
- Volta
- Western
- Western North
Largest and Most Populated Regions
The regions vary enormously in size and population. After the 2019 split, the Savannah Region became the largest by land area, covering a vast, sparsely settled stretch of northern Ghana that includes Mole National Park, the country's biggest wildlife reserve. The Northern Region, even after losing territory, remains one of the largest as well.
By population, Greater Accra and Ashanti dominate. Greater Accra, the smallest region by area, is the most densely populated because it contains the national capital, Accra, and the bustling port city of Tema. The Ashanti Region, centred on the historic city of Kumasi and the seat of the Asante kingdom, is the most populous overall, home to several million residents. At the other extreme, the newer northern regions such as North East and Savannah have comparatively small populations spread across wide rural districts.
How the Regions Are Governed
Each region is further divided into districts, which include metropolitan, municipal, and ordinary district assemblies. These local assemblies handle day-to-day governance such as sanitation, local roads, markets, and basic services, while the regional coordinating council oversees and harmonises their work. Ghana operates a decentralised system on paper, though many key decisions and much of the funding still flow from the central government in Accra.
The regions are not just bureaucratic units; they carry strong cultural meaning. The Ashanti Region is closely tied to Akan traditions and the Golden Stool; the Volta Region is associated with the Ewe people; and the three northern regions, Northern, Upper East, and Upper West, share distinct languages, cuisines, and the famous mud-and-thatch architecture of the savanna. To explore more about the country's geography, people, and landmarks, see our ghana country guide.
Why People Search for "States" in Ghana
The word "state" appears in searches partly because many large countries familiar to international audiences, such as the United States, Nigeria, or India, use states as their top-level divisions. Ghana's neighbour Nigeria, for example, has 36 states. Ghana, however, follows the British-influenced unitary model, so "region" is the correct term. The country itself is sometimes informally called a "state" in the sense of a sovereign nation, but internally it has no sub-national states, only regions and the districts within them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many regions does Ghana have in total?
Ghana has 16 regions. This number has been in place since 2019, when six new regions were created from the original 10 following a referendum.
What is the capital of Ghana?
The capital is Accra, located in the Greater Accra Region on the Atlantic coast. It is the seat of government and the country's largest urban centre.
Which is the largest region in Ghana?
By land area, the Savannah Region is the largest, occupying a wide expanse of northern Ghana. By population, the Ashanti Region is the most populous, while Greater Accra is the most densely settled.
Does Ghana have states like the United States?
No. Ghana is a unitary republic and does not have states. Its primary administrative divisions are called regions, of which there are 16, each subdivided into districts.