Tarkwa | |
|---|---|
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  Tarkwa Location of Tarkwa inWestern region, South Ghana | |
| Coordinates:05°18′00″N01°59′00″W / 5.30000°N 1.98333°W /5.30000; -1.98333 | |
| Country |  Ghana |
| Region |  Western Region |
| District | Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipal |
| Population (2013) | |
• Total | 34,941[1] |
| Time zone | GMT |
| • Summer (DST) | GMT |
Tarkwa is a town and is the capital ofTarkwa-Nsuaem Municipal district, a district in theWestern Region southwest of SouthGhana.[6][7] Frequently dubbed as the "Golden City" by its indigenous populace, the region is characterized by a rich tapestry ofFante communities, among which include Efuanta, Tamso, Aboso, Akoon, Nzemaline, and Kwabedu.
Tarkwa has a population of 218,664 people according to 2021settlement.[1][8]
Tarkwa is noted as a centre ofgoldmining andmanganesemining.Tarkwa Mine, which is a large open-cast gold mine, is situated to the northwest of the town, and Nsuta manganese mine is situated to the east of the town. Tarkwa Mine mines several low-grade conglomeratic "reefs" of Tarkwaian type.[6] These reefs are of mid-Proterozoic age.
A number of mining companies cluster between the villages ofAboso andTamso in the late 19th century.[9]
Tarkwa Mine has the distinction of being one of the largestgold mines in SouthGhana. Approximately 24 tons of gold is produced annually, and 100 million tons of earth is moved to achieve this production rate. TheIduapriem Gold Mine is also located near Tarkwa, 10 km south of the town.[10] The Tarkwa Goldfield was discovered a few years before theWitwatersrand Goldfield inSouth Africa.
There are a number of accidents that have occurred in mining sites in Tarkwa with the latest being recorded onSaturday,September 23, 2023, when a pit caved in, killing 7 people.[11]
Though mining is common in Tarkwa, some areas such as Ndumfri forest reserve are restricted from any mining activity and 3 people were jailed over 60 years for mining in a restricted area in September 2023.[12]
| Climate data for Tarkwa | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 32 (89) | 32 (90) | 32 (90) | 31 (87) | 32 (89) | 30 (86) | 27 (80) | 27 (80) | 29 (84) | 30 (86) | 31 (87) | 30 (86) | 32 (90) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 24 (75) | 25 (77) | 25 (77) | 25 (77) | 25 (77) | 24 (75) | 23 (73) | 22 (71) | 22 (72) | 24 (75) | 24 (76) | 23 (74) | 22 (72) |
| Averageprecipitation mm (inches) | 25 (1.0) | 25 (1.0) | 100 (4.0) | 130 (5.0) | 200 (8.0) | 330 (13.0) | 100 (4.0) | 25 (1.0) | 51 (2.0) | 150 (6.0) | 130 (5.0) | 51 (2.0) | 1,320 (52.0) |
| Source: Myweather2.com[13] | |||||||||||||
Tarkwa Senior High School (TARSCO) andFiaseman Senior High School (FIASEC) are located in Tarkwa.
University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), is located in Tarkwa.[14]
Tarkwa is a junctionrailway station and is served by Tarkwa Train Station on theGhana Railway Corporation.
Tarkwa is the main political region of theTarkwa-Nsuaem Municipal Assembly. Tarkwa Nsuaem is a parliamentary constituency in theWestern Region of Ghana, recognized for its contributions to the country's mining sector.[15] Politically, it has consistently supported theNew Patriotic Party (NPP), which has won the parliamentary seat in the last five consecutive elections. The constituency's political landscape is marked by high voter turnout and a history of strong support for the NPP.[16]
During election periods, the area sees active engagement from candidates representing various political parties, though the NPP has maintained its electoral success in recent years.
Cities and towns ofGhana by population | ||
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