Ghana’s local government system is built on a network of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies, commonly shortened to MMDAs. As of 2025 to 2026, there are 261 of these assemblies spread across the country’s 16 regions, and each one has an administrative capital where the assembly’s offices and leadership are based [1, 4].
This structure is not unique to Ghana. Many countries across Africa and Asia, from Kenya’s counties to Indonesia’s kabupaten and the Philippines’ provinces, use a similar layered system where a national government sits above regional bodies, which in turn sit above local districts or municipalities with their own administrative centers. Readers familiar with any of these systems will recognize the same basic logic at work here: local government exists to bring planning, budgeting, and service delivery closer to the people who need them.
This article lays out where that system currently stands, how it got there, and a full, region-by-region list of every district and its capital, based on the most recent data available.
How the district system works
Ghana’s districts are governed by District Assemblies, established under the Local Governance Act of 2016 [1]. Assemblies fall into three categories based on population size:
- Ordinary District, minimum population of 75,000
- Municipal Assembly, minimum population of 95,000, usually a single compact town
- Metropolitan Assembly, minimum population of 250,000
Each assembly is led by a Chief Executive appointed by the President, along with elected assembly members and a Presiding Member chosen from among them [1]. Assemblies are responsible for local development planning, basic infrastructure, sanitation, local court access, business licensing, and public safety within their area [1].
From 110 districts to 261
The current district map is the result of several rounds of expansion, not a single decision.
The system in its modern form began with a decentralization reform in 1988, which created 110 districts [1, 3]. Additional rounds of splitting and upgrading followed:
- By 2006, the number had grown to 138 districts through the splitting of some original districts [1]
- In February 2008, further creations and municipal upgrades brought the total to 170 [1]
- In June 2012, 46 new districts were added, bringing the total to 216 [1, 3]
- In March 2018, 38 new MMDAs were carved out, most notably from fast-growing areas such as Kumasi and Accra, bringing the total to 254 [3, 5]
- Referendums in December 2018 also created six entirely new regions, splitting off from the older Northern, Brong-Ahafo, Western and Volta regions, and taking the total number of regions from 10 to 16 [2, 6]
- Further creations in 2019 brought the district count to 260 [4]
- Guan District, carved out of Biakoye District in the Oti Region, was inaugurated in October 2021 as the 261st district, with its capital at Likpe-Mate [3, 4]
As of 2025 to 2026, a Legislative Instrument has been laid in Parliament proposing five additional MMDAs, which would raise the total above 261, though this had not been finalized as of the latest reporting [4]. Readers should treat any figure above 261 as pending rather than confirmed until an official inauguration is reported.
Myth versus documented fact
Before the full list, it is worth separating a few common misconceptions from what is actually verified.
Myth: Ghana still has 10 regions. This was true until 2018. It is now outdated. Ghana has had 16 regions since the six new regions were created by referendum in December 2018 [2, 6].
Myth: a district capital is always the largest or richest town in the district. This is not necessarily the case. Many district capitals were chosen for historical, administrative, or central-location reasons rather than population size, and in some districts a different town has since grown larger than the official capital. This is a pattern seen in many countries where administrative centers were fixed decades ago, and settlement patterns have since shifted.
Myth: every district capital is also a regional capital. Only 16 towns, one per region, hold the status of regional capital. The other district capitals are purely local administrative centers [2].
Documented fact: the number of districts has grown by more than 130 percent since 1992. A 2018 policy analysis by the IMANI Center for Policy and Education, working with the civil society group Odekro, found that the number of MMDAs had risen 232.3 percent since 1992, alongside a 37 percent rise in the number of parliamentary constituencies over the same period [7]. The same report noted that this expansion had not always followed a consistent, policy-driven framework [7].
The complete list of districts and their capitals
The tables below are grouped by region, listed in alphabetical order. Each entry shows the district or municipal or metropolitan assembly and its capital. This structure mirrors how the assemblies are officially organized and sourced [1].
Ahafo Region (capital: Goaso, 6 districts)
| District | Capital |
|---|---|
| Asunafo North | Goaso |
| Asunafo South | Kukuom |
| Asutifi North | Kenyasi |
| Asutifi South | Hwidiem |
| Tano North | Duayaw Nkwanta |
| Tano South | Bechem |
Ashanti Region (capital: Kumasi, 43 districts)
| District | Capital |
|---|---|
| Adansi Asokwa | Adansi Asokwa |
| Adansi North | Fomena |
| Adansi South | New Edubiase |
| Afigya Kwabre North | Boamang |
| Afigya Kwabre South | Kodie |
| Ahafo Ano North | Tepa |
| Ahafo Ano South East | Adugyama |
| Ahafo Ano South West | Mankranso |
| Akrofuom | Akrofuom |
| Amansie Central | Jacobu |
| Amansie South | Manso Adubia |
| Amansie West | Manso Nkwanta |
| Asante Akim Central | Konongo |
| Asante Akim North | Agogo |
| Asante Akim South | Juaso |
| Asokore Mampong | Asokore Mampong |
| Asokwa | Asokwa |
| Atwima Kwanwoma | Twedie |
| Atwima Mponua | Nyinahin |
| Atwima Nwabiagya | Nkawie |
| Atwima Nwabiagya North | Barekese |
| Bekwai | Bekwai |
| Bosome Freho | Asiwa |
| Bosomtwe | Kuntanase |
| Ejisu | Ejisu |
| Ejura Sekyedumase | Ejura |
| Juaben | Juaben |
| Kumasi | Kumasi |
| Kwabre East | Mamponteng |
| Kwadaso | Kwadaso |
| Mampong | Mampong |
| Obuasi | Obuasi |
| Obuasi East | Tutuka |
| Offinso | Offinso |
| Offinso North | Akomadan |
| Oforikrom | Oforikrom |
| Old Tafo | Old Tafo |
| Sekyere Afram Plains | Drobonso |
| Sekyere Central | Nsuta |
| Sekyere East | Effiduase |
| Sekyere Kumawu | Kumawu |
| Sekyere South | Agona |
| Suame | Suame |
Bono Region (capital: Sunyani, 12 districts)
| District | Capital |
|---|---|
| Banda | Banda Ahenkro |
| Berekum East | Berekum |
| Berekum West | Jinijini |
| Dormaa Central | Dormaa Ahenkro |
| Dormaa East | Wamfie |
| Dormaa West | Nkrankwanta |
| Jaman North | Sampa |
| Jaman South | Drobo |
| Sunyani | Sunyani |
| Sunyani West | Odumase |
| Tain | Nsawkaw |
| Wenchi | Wenchi |
Bono East Region (capital: Techiman, 11 districts)
| District | Capital |
|---|---|
| Atebubu Amantin | Atebubu |
| Kintampo North | Kintampo |
| Kintampo South | Jema |
| Nkoranza North | Busunya |
| Nkoranza South | Nkoranza |
| Pru East | Yeji |
| Pru West | Prang |
| Sene East | Kajaji |
| Sene West | Kwame Danso |
| Techiman | Techiman |
| Techiman North | Tuobodom |
Central Region (capital: Cape Coast, 22 districts)
| District | Capital |
|---|---|
| Abura Asebu Kwamankese | Abura-Dunkwa |
| Agona East | Nsaba |
| Agona West | Agona Swedru |
| Ajumako Enyan Essiam | Ajumako |
| Asikuma Odoben Brakwa | Breman Asikuma |
| Assin Central | Assin Foso |
| Assin North | Assin Bereku |
| Assin South | Nsuaem Kyekyewere |
| Awutu Senya East | Kasoa |
| Awutu Senya West | Awutu Breku |
| Cape Coast | Cape Coast |
| Effutu | Winneba |
| Ekumfi | Esakyir |
| Gomoa Central | Afransi |
| Gomoa East | Potsin |
| Gomoa West | Apam |
| Komenda Edina Eguafo Abirem | Elmina |
| Mfantsiman | Saltpond |
| Twifo Atti Morkwa | Twifo Praso |
| Twifo Hemang Lower Denkyira | Hemang |
| Upper Denkyira East | Dunkwa-on-Offin |
| Upper Denkyira West | Diaso |
Eastern Region (capital: Koforidua, 33 districts)
| District | Capital |
|---|---|
| Abuakwa North | Kukurantumi |
| Abuakwa South | Kibi |
| Achiase | Achiase |
| Akuapim North | Akropong |
| Akuapim South | Aburi |
| Akyemansa | Ofoase |
| Asene Manso Akroso | Manso |
| Asuogyaman | Atimpoku |
| Atiwa East | Anyinam |
| Atiwa West | Kwabeng |
| Ayensuano | Coaltar |
| Birim Central | Akim Oda |
| Birim North | New Abirem |
| Birim South | Akim Swedru |
| Denkyembour | Akwatia |
| Fanteakwa North | Begoro |
| Fanteakwa South | Osino |
| Kwaebibirem | Kade |
| Kwahu Afram Plains North | Donkorkrom |
| Kwahu Afram Plains South | Tease |
| Kwahu East | Abetifi |
| Kwahu South | Mpraeso |
| Kwahu West | Nkawkaw |
| Lower Manya Krobo | Krobo Odumase |
| New Juaben North | Effiduase |
| New Juaben South | Koforidua |
| Nsawam Adoagyire | Nsawam |
| Okere | Adukrom |
| Suhum | Suhum |
| Upper Manya Krobo | Asesewa |
| Upper West Akim | Adeiso |
| West Akim | Asamankese |
| Yilo Krobo | Somanya |
Greater Accra Region (capital: Accra, 29 districts)
| District | Capital |
|---|---|
| Ablekuma Central | Lartebiokorshie |
| Ablekuma North | Darkuman |
| Ablekuma West | Dansoman |
| Accra | Accra |
| Ada East | Ada Foah |
| Ada West | Sege |
| Adenta | Adenta |
| Ashaiman | Ashaiman |
| Ayawaso Central | Kokomlemle |
| Ayawaso East | Nima |
| Ayawaso North | Accra New Town |
| Ayawaso West | Dzorwulu |
| Ga Central | Sowutuom |
| Ga East | Abokobi |
| Ga North | Amomole |
| Ga South | Ngleshie Amanfro |
| Ga West | Amasaman |
| Korle Klottey | Osu |
| Kpone Katamanso | Kpone |
| Krowor | Nungua |
| La Dade Kotopon | La |
| La Nkwantanang Madina | Madina |
| Ledzokuku | Teshie |
| Ningo Prampram | Prampram |
| Okaikwei North | Tesano |
| Shai Osudoku | Dodowa |
| Tema | Tema |
| Tema West | Tema Community 18 |
| Weija Gbawe | Weija |
North East Region (capital: Nalerigu, 6 districts)
| District | Capital |
|---|---|
| Bunkpurugu Nyankpanduri | Bunkpurugu |
| Chereponi | Chereponi |
| East Mamprusi | Nalerigu |
| Mamprugu Moagduri | Yagaba |
| West Mamprusi | Walewale |
| Yunyoo Nasuan | Yunyoo |
Northern Region (capital: Tamale, 16 districts)
| District | Capital |
|---|---|
| Gushegu | Gushegu |
| Karaga | Karaga |
| Kpandai | Kpandai |
| Kumbungu | Kumbungu |
| Mion | Sang |
| Nanton | Nanton |
| Nanumba North | Bimbilla |
| Nanumba South | Wulensi |
| Saboba | Saboba |
| Sagnarigu | Sagnarigu |
| Savelugu | Savelugu |
| Tamale | Tamale |
| Tatale Sanguli | Tatale |
| Tolon | Tolon |
| Yendi | Yendi |
| Zabzugu | Zabzugu |
Oti Region (capital: Dambai, 9 districts)
| District | Capital |
|---|---|
| Biakoye | Nkonya Ahenkro |
| Guan | Likpe-Mate |
| Jasikan | Jasikan |
| Kadjebi | Kadjebi |
| Krachi East | Dambai |
| Krachi Nchumuru | Chinderi |
| Krachi West | Kete Krachi |
| Nkwanta North | Kpassa |
| Nkwanta South | Nkwanta |
Savannah Region (capital: Damongo, 7 districts)
| District | Capital |
|---|---|
| Bole | Bole |
| Central Gonja | Buipe |
| East Gonja | Salaga |
| North East Gonja | Kpalbe |
| North Gonja | Daboya |
| Sawla Tuna Kalba | Sawla |
| West Gonja | Damongo |
Upper East Region (capital: Bolgatanga, 15 districts)
| District | Capital |
|---|---|
| Bawku | Bawku |
| Bawku West | Zebilla |
| Binduri | Binduri |
| Bolgatanga | Bolgatanga |
| Bolgatanga East | Zuarungu |
| Bongo | Bongo |
| Builsa North | Sandema |
| Builsa South | Fumbisi |
| Garu | Garu |
| Kassena Nankana | Navrongo |
| Kassena Nankana West | Paga |
| Nabdam | Nangodi |
| Pusiga | Pusiga |
| Talensi | Tongo |
| Tempane | Tempane |
Upper West Region (capital: Wa, 11 districts)
| District | Capital |
|---|---|
| Daffiama Bussie Issa | Issa |
| Jirapa | Jirapa |
| Lambussie Karni | Lambussie |
| Lawra | Lawra |
| Nadowli Kaleo | Nadowli |
| Nandom | Nandom |
| Sissala East | Tumu |
| Sissala West | Gwollu |
| Wa | Wa |
| Wa East | Funsi |
| Wa West | Wechiau |
Volta Region (capital: Ho, 18 districts)
| District | Capital |
|---|---|
| Adaklu | Adaklu Waya |
| Afadzato South | Ve Golokwati |
| Agotime Ziope | Kpetoe |
| Akatsi North | Ave-Dakpa |
| Akatsi South | Akatsi |
| Anloga | Anloga |
| Central Tongu | Adidome |
| Ho | Ho |
| Ho West | Dzolokpuita |
| Hohoe | Hohoe |
| Keta | Keta |
| Ketu North | Dzodze |
| Ketu South | Denu |
| Kpando | Kpando |
| North Dayi | Anfoega |
| North Tongu | Battor Dugame |
| South Dayi | Kpeve |
| South Tongu | Sogakope |
Western Region (capital: Sekondi-Takoradi, 14 districts)
| District | Capital |
|---|---|
| Ahanta West | Agona Ahanta |
| Amenfi Central | Manso Amenfi |
| Amenfi West | Asankragua |
| Effia Kwesimintsim | Kwesimintsim |
| Ellembelle | Nkroful |
| Jomoro | Half Assini |
| Mpohor | Mpohor |
| Nzema East | Axim |
| Prestea Huni Valley | Prestea |
| Sekondi Takoradi | Sekondi-Takoradi |
| Shama | Shama |
| Tarkwa Nsuaem | Tarkwa |
| Wassa Amenfi East | Wassa-Akropong |
| Wassa East | Daboase |
Western North Region (capital: Sefwi Wiawso, 9 districts)
| District | Capital |
|---|---|
| Aowin | Enchi |
| Bia East | Sefwi Adabokrom |
| Bia West | Essam-Debiso |
| Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai | Bibiani |
| Bodi | Sefwi Bodi |
| Juaboso | Juaboso |
| Sefwi Akontombra | Sefwi Akontombra |
| Sefwi Wiawso | Sefwi Wiawso |
| Suaman | Dadieso |
What the pattern shows
A few things stand out across the full list. First, urbanized regions such as Ashanti and Greater Accra have by far the most districts, 43 and 29 respectively, reflecting dense populations that push many local assemblies past the Metropolitan or Municipal population thresholds [1]. Second, several district capitals share names very close to their district, such as Bongo, Wa or Ho, which usually signals that the capital town is the original, oldest settlement the district was built around. Third, some capitals, like Likpe-Mate for the newest district, Guan, reflect very recent administrative decisions rather than old colonial-era boundaries [3, 4].
This layered, evolving structure is a useful case study for any reader interested in decentralization policy generally, not only in Ghana. Countries across Africa and Asia continue to debate the same core tension found here: creating more, smaller local government units can bring services and representation closer to communities, but it also multiplies the administrative and financial burden of running each one [7].
Disclaimer: administrative boundaries and district capitals in Ghana are periodically revised through Legislative Instruments and referendums, so figures in this article reflect the most recent confirmed data available at the time of writing. If you notice an outdated detail or an error, please contact us so it can be corrected.
Reference
- [1] Districts of Ghana, Wikipedia
- [2] Regions of Ghana, Wikipedia
- [3] Guan District inaugurated; Ghana’s MMDAs now 261, Citinewsroom
- [4] Bia East District Assembly tops national MMDA performance league table, Ghana News Agency
- [5] Government to create 5 new assemblies, Korle Klottey and Ayawaso, out of AMA, Graphic Online
- [6] Regions, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ghana
- [7] MMDAs up by 232.3 per cent since 1992, Graphic Online
