Damongo

{{Short description|Regional Capital of Savannah Region, Ghana}}

{{Distinguish|Damongto}}

{{Use Ghanaian English|date=January 2023}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2021}}

{{Infobox settlement

|official_name = Damongo

|other_name =

|native_name = Demanwu

|nickname =

|settlement_type = Regional Capital

|motto =

|image_skyline = GH Damongo St Anne.jpg

|imagesize = 250px

|image_caption = St Anne's Catholic Cathedral

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|pushpin_map = Ghana

|pushpin_label_position =bottom

|pushpin_map_caption =Location of Damongo in Savannah region

|subdivision_type = Country

|subdivision_name = {{flag|Ghana}}

|subdivision_type1 = Region

|subdivision_name1 = Savannah Region

|subdivision_type2 = Municipal

|subdivision_name2 = West Gonja Municipal

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|population_as_of =2000

|population_footnotes = {{cite web |url=https://www.citypopulation.de/en/ghana/cities/|title=Ghana: Regions, Major Cities & Urban Localities - Population Statistics, Maps, Charts, Weather and Web Information|website=www.citypopulation.de|publisher=citypopulation|access-date=25 May 2024}}

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|population_total = 14,442

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|timezone = GMT

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|elevation_m = 217

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Damongo is a town and the capital of West Gonja Municipal.{{Cite web |title=Google Chrome – Download the fast, secure browser from Google |url=http://westgonja.ghanadistricts.gov.gh/?arrow=dnf&_=89&r=6&rlv=towns |access-date=2024-03-19 |website=westgonja.ghanadistricts.gov.gh}}{{Cite web|date=2021-05-29|title=West Gonja Municipal Assembly launches 30-day countdown to 2021 population census|url=https://citinewsroom.com/2021/05/west-gonja-municipal-assembly-launches-30-day-countdown-to-2021-population-census/|access-date=2021-05-29|website=Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana|language=en-US}} It was declared the capital of the Savannah Region on 12 February 2019.{{Cite web|date=2021-05-28|title=UBA Ghana hands over GHS 130,000 sanitary facility to West Gonja Municipal Assembly|url=https://citinewsroom.com/2021/05/uba-ghana-hands-over-ghs-130000-sanitary-facility-to-west-gonja-municipal-assembly/|access-date=2021-05-29|website=Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana|language=en-US}} Damongo is home to Bikunuto Jewu Soale I, the paramount chief of the Gonja Kingdom. The languages spoken in Damongo include Gonja, Vagla, Hanga, Dagaare, Waale, Frafra, Kasim, Twi, Ewe, and Hausa.{{Cite web |title=About – Catholic Diocese of Damongo |url=https://stannescathedraldamango.com/about/ |access-date=2023-07-28 |language=en-US}} Damongo is renowned for hosting the prestigious Yagbon Skin.

History

The seat of the Gonja Kingdom was moved from Nyange to Damongo in 1944Shinnie Peter Lewis. Archaeology in Gonja, Ghana. In: 2000 ans d’histoire africaine. Le sol, la parole et l’écrit. Mélanges en hommage à Raymond Mauny. Tome I. Paris : Société française d'histoire d'outre-mer, 1981. pp. 65-70. (Bibliothèque d'histoire d'outre-mer. Études, 5-6-1) www.persee.fr/doc/sfhom_1768-7144_1981_mel_5_1_923 by Yagbonwura Awusi Ewuntomah Bunyangso, who ruled from 1942 to 1975. At that time, Damongo was a small community with less than ten households. Nevertheless, it became the focal point of Gonja's leadership and heritage.{{cn|date = April 2025}}

During the colonial era, Damongo played a vital role as an administrative center for the colonial government. Its strategic location facilitated communication and trade between the northern and southern parts of the country.{{Cite web |last=Jinapor |first=Samuel A. |date=July 17, 2023 |title=Damongo, constituency with rich culture, history |url=https://www.graphic.com.gh/features/features/damongo-constituency-with-rich-culture-history.html |access-date=July 28, 2023 |website=Graphic Online}}

Economy

Although Damongo is classified as urban, much of its population still heavily relies on agriculture. The primary crops cultivated include cash crops such as corn, millet, yams, okra, and groundnuts. In some regions of Damongo, upland rice is also grown.{{Cite web |last=Doudu |first=Samuel |date=12 April 2016 |title=SARI develops new millet varieties for farmers |url=https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/sari-develops-new-millet-varieties-for-farmers.html |access-date=28 July 2023 |website=Graphic Online}}

Additionally, shea nuts are sourced from wild trees, and they serve both as a food source and as raw material for the production of oils and cosmetics through refinement processes. The traditional agricultural practices and cultivation of these crops continue to play a vital role in the community's sustenance and economic activities.{{Cite journal |journal= Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology |last=Iddrisu |first=Abdullah |date=1986-06-26 |title=Road transport and foodstuff distribution in the Northern Region of Ghana |url=https://ir.knust.edu.gh/handle/123456789/4159 |language=en|access-date= 28 July 2023}}

Notable people

Education

The town of Damongo is the educational hub of the region. Aside from the many basic schools, Damongo has three senior high schools: the Damongo Senior High School, Ndewura Jakpa Secondary Technical High School, and St Annes Girls Senior High School. There is also the Damongo Agricultural College and the Damongo Health Assistant School.{{cite web|title=References » Schools/Colleges|url=http://www.modernghana.com/GhanaHome/regions/schools.asp?menu_id=6&sub_menu_id=310&gender=&s=a|publisher=www.modernghana.com|access-date=12 August 2011}}{{cite web|title=List of Secondary Schools in Ghana|url=http://www.ghanaschoolsnet.com/page/list-of-senior-secondary|publisher=www.ghanaschoolsnet.com/|access-date=12 August 2011}}

Issues

There is a lot of problems plaguing the town, preventing further development in the region.

= Water crisis =

Damongo (and surrounding areas) have been dealing with access to clean water since being settled. Residents have resorted to hand digging wells and boreholes included with hand pumps to receive water. The district, with help from the Government of Ghana plans to begin work on a water system that would provide safe drinking water to the whole community.{{cite web |url=https://wgda.gov.gh/president-akufo-addo-cuts-sod-for-damongo-water-supply-project/|title=President Akufo-Addo cuts sod for Damongo Water Supply project – West Gonja Municipal Assembly|website=wgda.gov.gh|publisher=West Gonja District Assembly|access-date=25 May 2024}}

= Lack of infrastructure =

The lack of proper infrastructure has led to an increase in crime in the town and a lack of protection to floods.{{Cite web|title=Damongo flood victims stranded without food or shelter - MyJoyOnline.com|url=https://www.myjoyonline.com/damongo-flood-victims-stranded-without-food-or-shelter/|access-date=22 May 2021|website=www.myjoyonline.com|language=en-US}} The increase in crime could be blame for the lack of functioning street lights, which is leading to an increase in car crashes.{{cite web |url=https://www.modernghana.com/news/1313551/shedding-light-on-damongos-darkness-the-urgent.html|title=Shedding Light on Damongo's Darkness: The Urgent Need to Restore Street Lighting in Ghana's Dark Capital|website=modernghana.com|publisher=Modern Ghana|access-date=25 May 2024}}{{Cite web|title=Driver's 'mate' feared dead in accident at Damongo - MyJoyOnline.com|url=https://www.myjoyonline.com/drivers-mate-feared-dead-in-accident-at-damongo/|access-date=2021-05-19|website=www.myjoyonline.com|language=en-US}}

See also

References

{{reflist}}

{{Savannah Region, Ghana}}

{{Ghana district capitals|state=collapsed}}

{{coord|9|05|N|1|49|W|display=title|region:GH_type:city_source:GNS-enwiki}}

Category:Populated places in the Savannah Region (Ghana)

Category:Regional capitals in Ghana