Source | ZooriTours
Photography | North-East Ghana & Elaa Shots
Supervisor Editor | Zakaria Abdul Hakim Cisse
The fragmentation of the Northern Region into three autonomous regions has brought questions on the state of tourism in the region. While we are working on bringing you attractive sites in Northern Ghana, spare some time to check out these beautiful and must-visit tourist sites in the Northeast region of Northern Ghana.
#1 The Nalerigu Wall
In trying to flee from slavery, the King of Mamprugu in the 1700s charged his people to build a wall to safeguard them from capture. Anyone who dared not participate in building this defence wall would be executed. Honey, pito, milk and shea butter; some people believe were added as adhesive for the construction of the wall to complement the mud and coarse aggregate.
If you ever go to Nalerigu, don’t forget to visit this beautiful scene.
Naa Gɛriŋŋa’s historic defense wall built in the mid 1700s. Variant: ‘Birin’ 
#2 Kwame Nkrumah’s Resthouse
“A generation which ignores history has no past and no future” – Robert Heinlein. This rest house is located in Napkanduri along the escarpment. It was built by the first president of Ghana Dr Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah. Many believe it was strategically positioned in this area to protect him and also serve as a resting place when he’s tired and want to have some quiet time. However, this facility, which is still in good standing has been abandoned by the tourism ministry and district assembly.
#3 Buyuori Caves
The cave is located in yikpabongo in the North-East region of Ghana. People say that the caves were used as a hiding place during the slave trade era in northern Ghana. However, this has not been confirmed with any evidence. These caves are very large that as many as seventeen (17) people can comfortably enter without stress. Sometimes, Honey bees occupy the caves and upon entering you can see proof of the smoke on the ceiling and walls. This is from fires set by people to smoke the bees out to get honey. Also, one must be very careful when entering these caves as the caves serve as habitats for large snakes. One can see large shed skins of snakes lying around.
#4 Napkanduri Escarpment and Historic Caves
The Napkanduri escarpment is a line of cliffs that run along the Northern border of the North-East region. These mountains have existed since the 16th century and are said to have been the secret hide-out of their ancestors during the slave trade era. In addition, there are caves located at the site which is believed to have been the dwelling place of dwarfs.
All along the escarpment, there are many opportunities for hiking and mountain climbing. Decades ago, you could stand at the top of the Napkanduri escarpment and look down upon herds of elephants, lions and antelopes.
Today, seeing elephants are rare (but are seen sometimes) and the antelopes have been hunted. Monkeys are still regularly seen along the cliffs. Also in the forest below the cliffs, animals like squirrels, porcupines, cane rats and possibly Jinns still roam at night. Trekking along and down the mountains will enable you to see all sorts of wonderful and interesting creatures you have never seen but heard of.
A Togolese woman looks at the remains of an ancient settlement on the Gambaga Escarpment at the Ghana-Togo border. First discovered by a British surveyor in 1961, the well-preserved cliff dwellings receive very few visitors due to their remote and inaccessible location on the cliff face. This woman farms with her husband and children just below the cliff and had no idea about the age and significance of the settlement.
#5 Napkanduri Waterfalls
“Water is life and good health” – Audrey Hepburn. The waterfalls from rocks above the hills in Napkanduri along the road leading to Garu in the Upper-East region of Ghana. This water glows very heavy in the rainy season and less in the dry season. It is said that a white man and his wife settled in Napkanduri in 1960 just above the waterfalls where they reared animals like donkeys, horses, sheep and all other kinds of animals.
When they send these animals to graze for grass in the forest, they stop by the waterfall with the animals so they can drink water. But the water flowed very heavy that it always took some of the animals with it. This Whiteman decided to build a wall for the waterfall to allow his animals and his family access to water easily. Year’s passed and the people of Napkanduri started using this place for events on festive seasons, holiday parties and picnics.
A few years later, the Whiteman became sick and decided to go back to his country for treatment. Sadly, it was later communicated by his wife that he has passed on. And up to date, the water flows and the wife of the Whiteman still lives in Napkanduri taking care of her animals.
#6 The Ancient Yipkpabongo Statues
Yipkabongo is a remote village located in the Mamprugu moagduri district in the North-East region of Ghana. In a mainly mamprusi area, this village and a few others are populated by the “Koma” who speak an entirely different language. When digging for clay to build shelter, the people of yikpabongo and other nearby villages from time to time dug up clay figures in the ground. Some had the shapes of humans and others animals. Sometimes even a person riding an animal! The people who live in the villages named them “kronkronbua” which means “Olden days’ children” in koma.
It is said that, in the 1960s, some mossi traders travelling through these villages saw these artefacts and took some with them. They later returned and asked for more, saying they were for their children to play with. It appears, these mossi traders recognized these artefacts are valuable and were ripping the people of yikpabongo off the artefacts. In the 1980s, a Ghanaian scientist visited the village to excavate 1985. He was surprised at both the quality and quantity of what he found. It wasn’t until over twenty years (20) later that a larger operation was organized and funded. They began digging around and removed dozens of amazing artefacts ranging from decorated clay humans and animals.
Koma Land Figurines 
#7 Zayaa Mud Mosque/House
The only thing new in the world is the history you do not know – Harry Truman
Zayaa mud mosque; This ancient mosque is located at Wulugu in the North-East region of Ghana, Built by Sheik Abubakar Abkab in the 1960s. The Sheik had a dream one night, and it was revealed to him, the plan of a mosque/house with instructions on where and how to build a mosque/house. Upon waking up from this dream, he quickly rushed to the location of which was revealed to him. Sheik Abubakar Abkab arrived at the chosen location and signed a well full of water.
Sheik Abubakar Abkab then gathered friends and family and told them about his dream. The building of the mosque commenced immediately. He guided the people during the day on how to build it and in the night when everyone is tired and asleep, he stepped in and continue with the building of the mosque/house.
Sheik Abubakar Abkab wasn’t building with his hands during the night hours, Sheik Abubakar Abkab was built by words. As they built, they noticed that each day they woke up, another level of the building mysteriously adds to that which was built by both the people and Sheik Abubakar.
This continued day after day until they completed the enormous, consistent mud mosque/house. Sheik Abubakar then communicated to the people of wulugu saying “This is a holy ground. Therefore, everyone must remove their sandals before entering”. In addition, there is a belief that the well which was located at this site contains water directly from Mecca’s holy ‘Zamzam well” and it hasn’t dried up since its discovery.
Finally, every Friday and special Eid prayers, the Islamic congregation in wulugu and its surrounding villages enter the courtyard of the mosque and walk around it performing “Tawaf” (Circumambulation). This is in imitation of the ritual done at the Kaaba and restates the belief that Zayaa has a mystical connection to the holy city of Mecca.
