Nalerigu

Nalerigu
Regional Capital
An old church at Nalerigu
Nalerigu Location in Ghana
Coordinates: 10°32′N 0°22′W
Country	Ghana
Region	North East Region
District	East Mamprusi Municipal
Government
• NaYiri	Na Bɔhagu Mahami Sheriga
Elevation	1,099 ft (335 m)
Population  (2010)
• Total	14,927
• Ethnicities	Mamprusi Bimoba Konkomba Tallensi Mossi Chakosi (Anufo) Hausas [1]
• Religions	Islam Christianity African Traditional Religion
Time zone	GMT

Nalerigu is the largest town in the East Mamprusi Municipal.[2] It is home to the overlord of the kingdom of Mampurugu (NaYiri). With the addition of 6 new regions in 2018, Nalerigu was declared the capital of the North East Region of Ghana.[3]

History

Photos of Naa Jeringa wall

• 
  a pillar that used to hold the Naa Jeringa wall in Nalerigu
• 
  sideview of the Naa Jeringa wall

Nalerigu was the capital of the Mamprugu Kingdom, one of the earliest known states in the northern area of what is now present-day Ghana.[4] During the 16th century, a series of walls was built by Naa Jaringa using stones and mud all around the town. It was built to protect the town against slave raiders since they were located close to the historic slave route between Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) and Djenne (Mali).[5]

Education

Nalerigu is the education hub of the region. The town is home to the College of Health Sciences and the Nalerigu Secondary School (NASS).[6][7][8]

Health

It is home to the location of a private hospital, the Baptist Medical Centre.[9] It was established in 1958 and currently serves over 200 patients a day. It is the main hospital serving the entire region.[10]

Points of interest

• Doves Caves (Ŋmana Feeri), group of rocky outcrops
• NaYiri Palace, home to the overlord of mampurugu kingdom.
• Naa Jeringa Wall, remains of the walls whose surrounded the town during the 16th century[5][11]

Notable people

• Isaac Kolibilla Batesimah, politician
• Issifu Seidu, politician

See also

• Bunkpurugu
• Walewale

References

1. "East Mamprusi District 2010 Census" (PDF). Ghana Statistical Service. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 11 November 2018.
2. "Ghana Districts: A repository of all Local Assemblies in Ghana". www.ghanadistricts.com. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
3. "Constituency Watch: Nalerigu-Gambaga Constituency -Home of scenic tourist sites". Graphic online. 31 March 2023.
4. "Mamprusi people: Ghana's ancient people in the north". ghanaweb.com. GhanaWeb. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
5. "Nalerigu Defence Wall – Ghana Museums and Monuments Board". gmmb.gov.gh. Ghana Museums and Monuments Board. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
6. "List of Secondary Schools in Ghana". www.ghanaschoolsnet.com/. Retrieved 12 August 2011.
7. "Educational Institutions". www.centralregion.gov.gh. Archived from the original on 1 August 2017. Retrieved 12 August 2011.
8. "References » Schools/Colleges". www.modernghana.com. Retrieved 12 August 2011.
9. "Baptist Medical Centre". Baptist Medical Centre. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
10. "Nalerigu Baptist Medical Centre @ 60". modernghana.com. Modern Ghana. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
11. "Discover Ghana's North East Region". Retrieved 30 May 2020.

10°32′N 0°22′W