The population[1] of the Region rose from 920,089 in 2000 to 1,046,545 in 2010 an increase of 13.7 percent with 104 per/sqkm.  The Region’s share of the total national population is 4.2% percent. The age structure for the sexes shows that, in the Region, there are more females 540,149 (51.6%) than males 506,405 (48.4%) in 2010; this is similar to the national proportion of 51.2 percent females. The Region’s inter-censal rate is 1.2 percent per annum and is slightly below the national growth rate of 2.5 percent. In terms of density, the Region’s population density rose from 104.1/km² in 2000 to 120/km² in 2010. This is higher than the national density of 103.4 persons per square kilometer (km²).

The urban status of a community is based on population size only. Localities with population 5,000 or more are classified as urban. On the basis of this definition, the population is primarily rural (79.0%). At the national level the proportion of urban population rose from 32.0 percent in 1984, 43.8 percent in 2000 and 50.9 percent in 2010.

The population below 15 years was 41.5 percent in 2010. While that recorded for under 20 years was 52.6 percent. The dependency ratio in the Region rose from 96.7 in 1984 to 99.2 in 2000 and declined to 93.7 in 2010. Except in a few towns, majority of the inhabitants live in rural areas with subsistence farms around their houses. About 80% of the labour force is in agriculture[2]

The settlement pattern is generally dispersed and this has high cost implications in the provision of water and sanitation facilities, especially small town pipe systems. With a low per capita income, the youth usually migrate to the southern part of Ghana during the dry season to do menial jobs.

[1] 2010 Population and housing census

[2] 2010 PHC

The Upper East Region is underlain by two main geologic formations: the Pre-Cambrian Basement Complex and the Paleozoic Consolidated Sedimentary Formations. The Pre-Cambrian Basement Complex rocks are made up of crystalline igneous and metamorphic rocks which cover about 92% of the region. The granitic formation, which is a component of the above, underlies about 65% of the region. The Birimian rock formation is the second largest and covers about 25% of the region. The Lower Birimian Series comprises phyllites, schists, shales, greywackes and siltstones whereas the Upper Birimian consists of thick beds of agglomerate, pyroclastic and hypabyssal intrusive rocks and the rock types are mostly grewackes and phyllites.

Characteristically, the pyroclastic and basic volcanics in this region have been altered and metamorphosed into hornblende schists and amphibolotes and the folds in these rock formations dips in the direction of 300 – 900 in the NE – NW directions.

The Tarkwaian Rock Formation underlies about 2% of the region and it is found mostly in the Bolgatanga Municipal and the Bongo District. This rock formation is considered to be of shallow water continental origin, derived from the Birimian granitic complexes and has been subjected to low-grade metamorphism. The rock types are mainly phyllites, quartzites, schists and conglomerates.

The Paleozoic Consolidated Sedimentary Rocks, locally referred to as the Voltaian Formation, underlies about 8% of the region. This formation is made up of well consolidated and gently folded rocks with an average dip of about 50 and it is marked by an escarpment. On the basis of lithology and field relationships, the Voltaian is sub-divided into three sub-groups: Upper, Middle (Oti and Obosum) and Lower Voltaian (Basal Sandstones). These rocks are found at the South Western and South Eastern parts of the region. The Oti and Obosum formation have nodular structures and it is intensely weathered. The rock types are sandstones, shales, arkose, mudstone beds, conglomerate and limestone. Basal sandstones underlie the South Central to South Eastern parts of the region. These rocks when weathered are characteristically purple. These rocks include quartzites-sandstones, sandstones and pebbly grits.

Groundwater occurrence in the Upper East Region is largely influenced by structural features (i.e. the presence of faults, fractures, etc.), thickness of overburden, the geology and nature of the topography in the region and the degree of inter-connectivity.

Generally, it has been observed that the aquifer systems in the upper half of the region have higher yields than the southern half of the region. This is because the upper half is underlain by granites and its subsidiary Birimian metamorphics as compared to the Voltaian mudstones and shales in the southern half of the region. Borehole drilling success rate in the granites is about 75 – 80% whereas that of the Birimian metamorphics is about 65%. Hence, overall, the drilling success rate in the region hovers around 70 – 75%.

The three main aquifer zones identified are: the weathered, fractured zone and bedrock-weathered zone interface (zones intruded by quartz veins and pegmatites) aquifers. The weathered zone aquifer is found within the regolith which comprises a top soil and highly weathered mantle or saprolite. The aquifer is characteristically phreatic or semi-confined depending on the mica and clay contents with high static water levels (1.5m – 4.0m below ground level). The yield of this aquifer is related to the thickness of the weathered mantle and the nature of the topography. The fractured zone aquifer is the deepest of the three aquifers. It is located in the saprock and typically under semi-confined to confined conditions. Borehole characteristics show that the depths to this zone vary from 12m to 30m although deeper depths have been recorded in some locations. Yields from this aquifer type are relatively high. The bedrock-weathered zone interface (quartz-veined aquifers) aquifer, which is the third major, is found in bedrocks. This aquifer type can occur as semi-confined or confined and it is the most productive in the Upper East Region, with relatively high yields. Most boreholes in the region and other parts of Northern Ghana tap water from this aquifer.
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Culture of the region is projected through the medium of arts, music and dance. There are more than 8 languages and major dialects, including Gurune (frafra), Nankani, kassem, Taleni, Nadam, Kusal, Buili and Bisah.
The major ethnic groups in the region are;
1. Gurune (frafra)-Bolgatanga
2. Kassena- Nankani- Navrongo/Paga, Mirigu, Sirigu
3. Kusasi/Bisah-Bawku, Zebilla, Garu, Pusiga
4. Bonsi-Bongo
5. Talensi- Tongo
6. Nadams-Nangodi
7. Builsa-Sandema, Fumbisi

The region celebrates various festivals from the divers ethnic groups throughout the year, most of which are either to bring a good planting season or celebrate the harvest. Notably among them is the FEOK and the TENGANA festivals which is celebrated by the people in Builsa and Tongo respectively.

The Upper East Region has incredible tourist sites and beautiful features that attract tourist to the region. Notable among them are: Naa Gbewaa Shrine at Pusiga, Paga Crocodile Pond, Sirigu Pottery Women and Traditional Arts, Tongo Rocks and Tengzug shrine.

Electricity supply in the region is from the national grid and it serves about 60% of the towns and some portion of the rural communities.
Also, water supply in only Bolgatanga municipality is mainly from the Vea Dam, whiles the pipe-born water systems in the other townships make use of mechanised boreholes. There are also quite a number of hand-dug wells that serve some of the rural populations. A greater proportion of households in Upper East (70.2%) use protected wells and boreholes as their main sources of drinking water.

The region’s Small Towns and Rural water coverage is currently 65.64% as at December 2019. It is estimated that sanitation coverage is less than 5% even though some NGOs have intervened in this area. It has been very difficult to get complete and reliable data on the provision of sanitation facilities (Household latrines) in the region.

Water coverage in the Region as at December 2019

The region has one regional hospital and 517 health centers spread across the 15 MDAs

The region is endowed with 5 tertiary institutions, 49 second cycle institutions and 2,813 basic schools

1. The region’s economy is based on agriculture, primarily cattle and cereals like millet, groundnuts, sorghum and rice. The region is also known for its handicrafts such as northern “kente” weaving which is used in making smocks, basket weaving and a locally brewed beer known as ‘Pito’.
2. The economically employed population age of 15 years and above is 71.8 percent

• People live in dispersed settlements and do subsistence farming in and around their houses

1. 70% of Labour force are engaged in Agriculture with the technology being manual (hoe and cutlass).
2. Sources of income – Sale of farm produce, leather and craft works. Virtually, no industries
3. There is high incidence of youth migration to the South in the dry season

• Vegetation withers in dry season and is subject to bush burning, leading to serious degradation of the soil.
• Roads in the region are generally not bad, except in remote areas

1. All districts have access to at least one mobile phone operator. All district capitals have Ghana Telecom landlines
2. Groundwater conditions are good, ranging from between 60% – 80% in some districts

The Region is divided into 15 political administrative areas; four (4) Municipalities and eleven (11) Districts. These are:

Districts and their capitals

Location map of various Districts of UER

The number of Pipe Systems under CWSA management is 10 out of the targeted 20 for the year 2019. None revenue water is 31.75% as against the 30% target. Total water for the year under review was 337,441.55m3 as against an annual target of 610,040. Payment rate has risen to 87.48% from a target of 85%. Total income from sale of water for the year was GHS772,917.08 which fell short of the annual target of GHS3,486,082.24. Average water consumption was 8.26lcd as against the annual target of 30lcd with an average tariff of GHS4.60. Out of an annual target of 100% households to be connected, 84.94% was connected. Expenditure/Income ratio was 1.13 as against a target of 0.72%

High bacteriological contamination is prevalent across all districts in the region with high fluoride content in most parts of Bongo district and some part of Bolgantaga municipal assembly. Hardness of water is prevalent in Bawku West and East districts.

Disinfection of the Water Supply Systems has however reduced the bacteriological contamination. Hardness of the water levels has been reduced by applying the mixing method in the affected Districts.

Water quality challenges

1. Light bills from Bongo and Zebilla systems amounting to the tune of Ghs150,000.00 is still outstanding.
2. Chiana water system is currently running on one borehole and an additional borehole is needed as a matter of urgency.

• Half of the population in Pusiga, Chiana, Zebilla, and Sandema are not covered. This calls for expansion of the water supply system to meet the entire population.

1. There has been frequent bursting of pipelines in the first seven systems even though the region continues to fix them.
2. There is high fluoride content in underground water especially in Bongo and Kassena Nankana West Districts.
3. Insufficient number of mechanized boreholes to meet water demand.

• The dwindling yields of the Bongo Water System where the two out of the three boreholes being used currently is discharging a total of 50m³ thereabout per day as against a previous rate of 100m³ per day.
• Lack of tools for technical works as staff have to constantly search for tools to fix basic faults like constant pipe bursts. This is a major contribution to water losses.

1. Lack of capacity building for technical staff on submersible pump control panels
2. Chiana, Binaba-Kusanaba and Pusiga do not have permanent water system staff offices.
3. Lack of dedicated transformers for Sandema, Chiana, Pusiga and Zebilla is causing high production down times.

• Insufficient transportation for staff is hampering the effective operations of the systems.
• Pipelines for water systems have been out grown by the population and therefore more extension is required.