Nakore Ancient Mosque

The Nakore Mosque is located in Nakore near Wa in the upper west region of Ghana. The region is the home to various tourist sites such as wildlife, slave trade landmarks and great works of architecture.

The region is known for its production of cotton, groundnut and millet. The Nakore mosque has a unique Sudanese style structure similar to the Larabanga mosque located in the same region. The style of architecture is also found in Burkina Faso and Côte D'Ivoire. The structure has timber frame pillars serving as support to the roof. It is made up of two pyramids; The mihrab and minaret, and irregular shaped buttress. The mosque significantly serves as a prayer ground on Fridays for its community. It is believed to as well serve as a place of pilgrimage to Muslim communities.

History

The construction of the Nakore mosque and other mosques in the region was as a result of the spread of Islam in Ghana and Africa. As it should be known, the northern region of Ghana is predominantly occupied by Muslim communities. The spread of Islam in Africa first occurred through Egypt and progressed to the west and south of Africa. The mosque was constructed to serve as a place of worship to converted Muslims and already existing Muslims.

Explore

Nakore mosque serving as a place of worship is the ideal place to visit to immerse yourself into the Islamic culture of the country. It provides a better understanding of the Ghanaian Muslim community. Nakore Mosque helps tourists understand and appreciate the Sudanese style of architecture, a unique style which dates back to the 10th Century. 

Visiting the region serves as an opportunity to taste the special local cuisine and dishes of the people of Nakore. These include Tuo Zaafi; a dish made from millet served with green leave soup, Pito; a local alcoholic drink, Rice balls and peanut soup etc... 

Nakore is rich in cultural heritage. The local community celebrate various festivals such as Damba, Kobine and other significant festivals.

Nearby Attractions

The adventure does not end at the Nakore Mosque. The upper west region is full of exciting tourist attractions.

• Gwollu Slave Defense Wall: The wall is located near the Burkina Faso-Mali border. It was built by the Gwollu Koro Limann in the 19th century serving as a defence against slave traders for the local residents of Gwollu.
• Paga Crocodile Pond : This is a pond in Paga in the upper east region which is home to African crocodiles. These crocodiles are believed to be friendly.
• Wechiau Community Hippo Sanctuary: The sanctuary was established to protect hippopotamus and other species. It is home to the two remaining hippopotamus populations in Ghana.

Planning trips

Visiting Nakore Mosque like any other place in Ghana could be very disappointing if not well prepared. Here are some travel tips to help you have an amazing journey: 

• Visit any bus station in Accra to get a ride to the mosque. Traveling by VIP is advisable since its a very long journey. The comfort the vehicle provides makes it more suitable than the Ghanaian Troski. 
• Start your journey very early in the morning to avoid traffic. Ghana is known for having a lot of traffic in the morning and at night. 
• The best time to visit Nakore Mosque is during the dry season .This is to avoid road accidents since Ghana is full of dilapidated roads. 
• Make sure to always ask permission before taking photographs of people or places. This will prevent any inconvenience. 
• Respect the rules and regulations stipulated by the community.