Western North is not about spectacle — it's about sincerity. From cocoa farms to sacred rivers, mining towns to forest trails, it offers travelers a humble and heartfelt Ghanaian experience, full of hidden stories and warm welcomes. For those willing to travel slower and look deeper, the region holds rare and meaningful rewards.
Tucked away in Ghana’s forested hinterlands, the Western North Region offers a raw and grounded encounter with the country’s natural bounty and quiet cultural strength. This is a region where winding forest roads lead to cocoa farms, sacred rivers, and remote gold mining towns, and where traditions are preserved not for display, but for daily life. The Western North is a land of resilience, depth, and beauty — best explored with an open mind and a genuine respect for its people and pace.
Created in 2019 from the northern section of the former Western Region, Western North shares its borders with Côte d'Ivoire to the west and Ashanti, Ahafo, and Bono regions to the north and east. Its administrative capital is Sefwi Wiawso, a hilltop town surrounded by cocoa plantations and dense rainforest.
This is a region steeped in agriculture, particularly cocoa and timber, and rich in mineral resources. Culturally, it is home to the Sefwi, a proud and hospitable people whose traditions remain central to daily life. While it remains one of Ghana’s less-traveled regions, Western North offers deeply authentic experiences for travelers looking to connect with rural life, forest environments, and rich oral histories.
Accommodation in the Western North Region is functional and welcoming, but modest in scale. Sefwi Wiawso hosts the majority of the region’s hotels and guesthouses, with additional lodgings available in towns like Bibiani, Juaboso, and Enchi. While luxury is rare, comfort, cleanliness, and community are consistently found.
Sefwi Wiawso (Regional Capital)
Mid-Range Hotels – Suitable for NGO staff, government workers, and business visitors. These offer basic amenities such as private bathrooms, air-conditioning, and restaurant service.
Budget Inns & Guesthouses – Affordable and locally run, with simple rooms and warm hospitality. Often used by domestic tourists and traveling professionals.
Mission Rest Houses – Quiet, secure, and often situated near churches or hospitals. Ideal for travelers seeking peace and simplicity.
Other Towns (Bibiani, Juaboso, Enchi, Bodi)
District Guesthouses – Typically government-affiliated or privately operated inns offering basic lodging for regional workers and tourists on the road.
Community Lodges – Small, locally built accommodations often close to ecotourism sites or cultural towns. Offer traditional meals and personalized guidance from locals.
Mining Town Hostels – Basic, functional lodgings used by business visitors or those exploring the region’s mining history.
Though off the mainstream tourist path, Western North holds rich cultural sites, sacred natural landmarks, and untouched landscapes. It is a place to slow down and let the stories, rhythms, and forested beauty of rural Ghana unfold.
Cultural & Historical Sites
Sefwi Wiawso Palace – The seat of the Sefwi traditional council, the palace stands as a symbol of local authority and heritage. Traditional events and festivals often begin here.
Bonsu Nkwanta Sacred Grove – A revered forest believed to house ancestral spirits. Accessible with local guides, often involving rituals and storytelling.
Old Mining Settlements (Bibiani area) – Historical remnants of early gold mining operations with colonial-era buildings and oral histories tied to Ghana’s mineral past.
Natural Attractions & Eco-Tourism
Bia National Park – A UNESCO biosphere reserve, home to elephants, primates, forest buffalo, and over 300 bird species. Guided tours and basic eco-lodging are available.
Ankasa River Source (near Sefwi Bekwai) – A calm, sacred spot believed by locals to hold spiritual significance. Surrounded by thick forest and ideal for quiet reflection.
Rainforest Trails (Juaboso & Bodi areas) – These forest belts are great for nature walks, butterfly spotting, and birdwatching. Some routes are maintained with local eco-tourism efforts.
Tano River Sites – The river is central to spiritual life in many communities and features in purification rites and festivals.
Crafts & Local Markets
Cocoa Farm Tours (Various towns) – The region is one of Ghana’s cocoa powerhouses. Visitors can tour smallholder farms, learn about harvesting, and sample local cocoa products.
Artisan Woodcarving (Sefwi-Wiawso) – Though limited in scale, some communities maintain traditional woodcraft techniques used in stools, drums, and ceremonial items.
Enchi Market Days – A vibrant rural marketplace offering local produce, textiles, herbal medicines, and everyday life at its most authentic.
Festivals & Cultural Life
Alluolue Festival (Sefwi) – Celebrated by the Sefwi people to mark unity, harvest, and ancestral remembrance. Features durbars, drumming, and traditional pageantry.
Yam Festivals (Enchi and surrounding communities) – These honor the first harvest and are marked by dance, song, and community feasts.
Mining Day Celebrations (Bibiani) – Local observances in mining towns that reflect both pride and reflection on the region’s extractive history.
| Base Location | Recommended Stay | Nearby Attractions |
|---|---|---|
| Sefwi Wiawso | Mid-range hotels, guesthouses | Palace, Cocoa Farms, Sacred Grove, Alluolue Festival |
| Juaboso | Community inn or guesthouse | Forest Trails, Local Markets, Tano River Sites |
| Bibiani | Budget hotel or hostel | Mining History Tours, Local Craft Shops |
| Enchi | Guesthouse or mission house | Market Days, Yam Festival, River Crossings |
| Bia National Park | Basic eco-lodge or day visit | Wildlife Viewing, Birdwatching, Rainforest Walks |
Best Time to Visit: The dry season (November to March) is best for road travel and forest access. Rainy periods can make rural roads difficult to navigate.
Getting There: Most visitors arrive via Kumasi or Takoradi. From either city, buses and shared taxis connect to Sefwi Wiawso, Bibiani, and other towns. A private vehicle is ideal for flexibility.
Health & Safety: The region is generally safe, but visitors should bring mosquito repellent, sunscreen, and sturdy footwear. Health centers and hospitals are located in major towns.
Cultural Etiquette: Respect is key — greet elders properly, dress modestly, and ask permission before entering sacred areas or taking photos.
Languages: Sefwi is the dominant local language. English is spoken in towns, especially by officials and young people.