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 CENTRAL REGION

The Fantes claim to have separated from the Akan people, around 1250 AD. They were once part of the Ancient Bono State with its capital at Bono Manso (located about 16 kilometres north of modern Takyiman). This act became the origin of their name, "Fa-atsew" meaning "the half that left".

The Fantes left their Akan brethren at present day Techiman in the Brong-Ahafo Region of Ghana, and became their own distinct Akan group. They were led by three royals of the Bono State who eventually became warlords namely Obrumankoma, Odapagya and Oson meaning: the whale, the eagle and the elephant respectively. According to tradition, Obrumankoma and Odapagya died on their way from Brong Ahofo and were embalmed and carried the rest of the way. Oson led the people to what became Mankessim in 1252. Legend has it that the Fante's chief fetish priest, Komfo Amona, planted a spear in the ground and named the place the Akyin-Enyim, meaning "in front of god". The place became the meeting place for the Fante elders and the head fetish priest where important matters were discussed. The first Omanhene (king) of Mankessim was installed there. The Fantes on the move reached a village called Adoakyir by its existing inhabitants, which the Fante called "Etsi-fue-yifo" meaning people with bushy hair. The Fantes conquered these people and renamed the settlement Oman-kesemu, meaning large town. The name has evolved into the current name, Mankessim. The Fante settled on the land as their first independent kingdom where Obrumakankoma and Odapagya were buried in a sacred grove called Nana-nom-pow.

Mfanti is one of the three formal languages of the Akan language. It is the major local language spoken in the Central and Western Regions of Ghana as well as in settlements in other regions from mid to southern Ghana. Fante subgroup is mainly gathered in the south-western coastal region of Ghana, with some also in Ivory Coast. The main city of the Fantis is Cape-Coast in the Central Region of Ghana. Fante is the common language of communication among the several Kingdoms of the Fante people, been Kurantsi, Abura, Anyan, Akumfi, Nsukum, Ejumako and Gomoa. The direct dialects of these people were Agona, Anomabo, Abura, Gomua, Oguaa, Ahanta. Many Fantes are bilingual. Currently, The Fantis number about 2.5 million, the third largest grouping of Akan peoples. Inheritance and family succession among the Fantis are determined mostly by matrilineal descent, as is common among most Akans.

This region is known as "The heartbeat of Ghana tourism" because of its pivotal role in the development of tourism in Ghana. It has a wealth of beaches, forts and castles and festivals. 

The region’s population is 1,593,823. Roughly between 20 and 37 per cent of the population in the districts are migrants. Adult literacy rate in the region is slightly more than 50 percent, with the highest being 75.3 per cent in Cape Coast and the lowest 45.2 per cent in Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese. 

The Central Region was historically part of the Western Region until 1970 when it was carved out just before the 1970 Population Census. It occupies an area of 9,826 square kilometers or 4.1 per cent of Ghana’s land area. It shares common boundaries with Western Region on the west, Ashanti and Eastern Regions on the north, and Greater Accra Region on the east. On the south is the 168-kilometre length Atlantic Ocean (Gulf of Guinea) coastline. 

The region was the first area in the country to make contact with the Europeans upon their arrival on the coast of the then Gold Coast. 

The regions have very good educational institutions which have produced many illustrious and prominent people, notable among them are Dr. Kwame Nkrumah (Ghana’s first President who fought for the county’s independence), Dr. Kofi Annan (former UN Secretary General), John Atta Mills (Ghana's late former President), British journalist and writer Ekow Eshun, and a number of the advocates of independence, not only in Ghana but also in the West African sub-region, such as John Mensah Sarbah, James Kwegyir Aggrey and J. E. Casely Hayford and Roman Catholic Cardinal Peter Turkson.

Both regions are mostly into farming and fishing. The Kakum National Park is in the Central region.

Castles and Forts 

The Cape Coast Castle was the headquarters of the British merchants and the seat of government until 1877. There are number of museums which have exhibits from the prehistoric period to the mid-19th Century.

The dark underground dungeons where the slaves were held and the auction halls are places of great importance to most African-Americans because of the nostalgia they evoke.
Other castle and forts include Fort William at Anomabu, Elmina Castle, Fort Jago and other World’s Heritage Sites. The Slave River (Donkor Nsuo) located at Assin Manso on the Cape Coast-Kumasi road, this river, also known as "Nnonkuo Nsuo", is said to be the last bathing place of the slaves before they were locked up in the castle to await their journey to the "New World".

Festivals
There is the 300 year old Abuakyir Festival which is celebrated by the people of Simpa or Winneba in the Central Region of Ghana. The New Year Edina Bakatue Festival literally translated Edina Bakatue means "The opening of the Lagoon" or "the Draining of the Lagoon".
There are other festivals like Akwambo Festival, Panafest, Fetu Afahye in Cape Coast and many more.

WESTERN REGION

The Western Region covers an area of approximately 2,391 square kilometers (923 sq. miles), which is about 10 per cent of Ghana’s total land area. The region has about 75 per cent of its vegetation within the high forest zone of Ghana, and lies in the equatorial climatic zone that is characterized by moderate temperatures. It is also the wettest part of Ghana with an average rainfall of 1,600mm per annum. It is bordered on the east by the Central Region, to the west by the Ivory Coast (Côte d’Ivoire), to the north by Ashanti and Brong-Ahafo Regions, and to the south by the Gulf of Guinea. The southernmost part of Ghana lies in the region, at Cape Three Points near Busua, in the Ahanta West District. 

Socio-demographic characteristics 

The population of the region is 1,924,577, constituting about 10 per cent of the total population of the country. Females constitute 49.2 per cent of the population. There are five major indigenous ethnic groups, namely, the Ahantas, Nzemas, Evalue, Wassa, Sefwis and Aowins. There is freedom of religion in the region; however Christianity (81%) and Islam (8.5%) are the two major religious groups. 

Beaches
Western Region is famous for some of the best beaches in Ghana.
Busua Beach Resort, Ajua Beach, Sliamia Beach, Ankobra & Paradise Beaches and Alaska Beach
The beaches are located on the shore of the Gulf of Guinea on the Atlantic Ocean.

Castles and Forts
The Western Region is another region with a rich heritage demonstrated by the number of castles still open to visitors. The best examples in the region are: Fort St. Apollonia at Beyin, Fort Metal Cross at Dixcove. 

Other tourist attractions include the original grave of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, first President of Ghana, who is now buried in the Mausoleum in Accra. The grave can be found at Nkroful, 83km west of Takoradi.

Other attractions
Monkey Hill,
Egyambra Crocodile Sanctuary
The village on Stilts of Nzulezo built on the lake Tadane

Mine
The Western Region has several mines: Tarkwa- Manganese, Prestea- Goldmines, 

Festivals
There are several festivals including Kundum festival

Notable speakers include Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, the first president of Ghana