Oti

Oti Region is one of Ghana's newest regions, carved from the northern Volta Region in 2019. Its capital is Dambai, a lakeside town on the eastern shore of Lake Volta. The region stretches from the eastern arm of Lake Volta to the Togo border, covering a landscape of rolling hills, river valleys, and forest-savannah transition zones.

The Oti River, which gives the region its name, flows through the area into Lake Volta. The population is diverse, including the Akan-related Guan groups, the Konkomba, and the Basare. The region is off the main tourist circuit but offers quiet lakeside villages, traditional culture, and the scenic Oti River valley.

The dry season (November–March) is the best time. The lake and river are accessible year-round, but roads to many towns become difficult during the rains (April–October). The region's festivals cluster in the post-harvest months (November–January).

The eastern lakeshore road connects Dambai with Kete Krachi in the south and Nkwanta in the north. Ferry services across Lake Volta connect to the Volta Region (Kpando, Ho). From Accra and Kumasi, buses reach Dambai via the Volta Region. Many smaller towns are served by shared taxis from Dambai and Jasikan.

• Dambai — regional capital, lakeside town overlooking Lake Volta
• Jasikan — commercial centre in the northern part of the region
• Kete Krachi — historic town on the western shore of Lake Volta, with the Krachi Shrine
• Kadjebi — farming town near the Togo border
• Nkwanta — district capital in the northern part of Oti
• Worawora — traditional centre of the Nkonya people
• Santrokofi — traditional Guan area in the Volta Gorge region
• Sallakope — lakeside community
• Dodo — rural farming town
• Akaa — village near the border with Togo

The cuisine blends Volta Lake seafood with northern Ghanaian staples. Smoked tilapia and other fish from Lake Volta feature prominently. Fufu with light soup, banku, and the local starch-based dishes of the Guan and Konkomba peoples are common. The Oti River valley is known for fresh vegetables and fruits.

The region is culturally diverse. The Guan people of Worawora and Santrokofi celebrate the Apoo and Kundum festivals. The Konkomba in the north observe the Kpano festival. The Krachi Shrine in Kete Krachi is a significant traditional religious site. Annual yam festivals are celebrated across the region from September to December.

• Taking a boat trip on Lake Volta from Dambai
• Visiting the Krachi Shrine in Kete Krachi — a traditional spiritual site
• Hiking the Volta Gorge and surrounding hills near Santrokofi
• Crossing Lake Volta by ferry between Dambai and Kpando
• Exploring the Togo border area and cultural exchange
• Observing the fishing communities along the lakeshore