Kintampo, the neglected heart of Ghana

In the geographical heart of Ghana, where the nation’s center is said to lie, a single coordinate marked by a withering pavement block is all that identifies this significant location.

While the country’s coastal regions and major cities pulse with development, the center remains a stark reminder of uneven progress.

As part of our Ghana Month series, Belinda Tetteh explores the heart of Ghana.

The symbolic “Centre of Ghana” site in Kintampo, once envisioned as a national landmark, now tells a story of faded potential.

George Mensah narrates the history behind the discovery of Ghana’s geographical center.

“You can trace it from longitude 0°, spanning from London through Tamale to Kintampo. The discovery cannot be attributed to one person, but we can relate it to George Akim Ferguson, who led the survey, along with others.”

He expresses deep disappointment at how a once-promising tourist attraction now bears the marks of years of neglect and underinvestment.

“It also serves as the center of the world, but we lack the needed development.”

Shaibu Fuseini, a youth leader for the Kintampo Municipality, highlights the tourism potential of the area, citing historical landmarks such as one of the oldest police stations built under Kwame Nkrumah.

“Right behind us is one of the oldest police stations built by Kwame Nkrumah, which could be developed into a tourist site, but it has been abandoned.”

Simon Kuffuor notes that several stakeholders, including former Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) Isaac Baffoe, have visited the site with promises of development—yet the site remains in limbo.

“Various stakeholders have been here with several promises, but to no avail. This place has now turned into a smoking area for junkies.”

Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Abeiku Aggrey Santana, acknowledges the site’s tourism potential but stresses the need for collaboration with traditional authorities to drive its development.

“The traditional authority would have to reach out to us for collaboration. Then we can partner to build the place because we have the capacity.”

The question remains: will the heart of Ghana continue to beat faintly, or will it finally receive the attention it deserves?

The answer will shape not just the region’s future but also Ghana’s broader development.

By Belinda Tetteh

The post Kintampo, the neglected heart of Ghana first appeared on 3News.

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