Covering an area of 19,323sq.km, 8% of the total land area of Ghana, the region has a total of 5,432,485 among the Akyems, Kwahus, Krobos and Guans.

The Eastern Region is made up of 33 districts, with the regional capital sited at Koforidua. Topographically, the region is dominated by highlands; the Akuapim Ridge, Krobo Mountains, Kwahu Plateaux, with the Atiwa-Atwirebu range reaching an elevation of 2,240 feet near Kibi-a sharp contrasts with the low-lying Afram Plains. Temperature ranges from 24-28 degree celsius. Rainfall averages between 750mm in the low-lying areas and 1, 750mm on the highlands. The vegetation is predominantly semi- deciduous forest and woodland savannah. Thus, the scenery is largely green. The forest zone, which covers about 55% of the total land area supports tree crops such as oil palm, rubber, cocoa, coffee, citrus, cashew, and cola. Most of the region’s inhabitants engage in one agricultural activity or the other.

The Eastern Region is reputed as being one of the few regions with a little of everything in terms of tourism attractions. From Aburi on the Akwapim Ridge to Odonkorkrom on the Afram Plains, the landscape is fringed with enchanting hills, lush vegetation, historic monuments, intriguing waterfalls, rivers and caves. There is a sharp contrast between the old and new, Christianity and traditional religion, highlands and lowlands. It is also widely regarded as the cradle of protestant religion in Ghana.

Visitors to the Eastern Region will be enchanted by the mysterious but pleasant waterfalls, shrines, caves, ancient monuments and festivals. The proud past of the Eastern Region is vividly portrayed by its old buildings, monuments and relics.

 Boti Falls

Currently, the most popular waterfall in Ghana. This spectacular waterfall, located at Huhunya near Koforidua, falls with a rapidity of 25km per second from a height of 30 meters. It falls in two (2) large columns (regarded to be ‘male’ and ‘female’ deities by the locals) which ‘marry’ at the peak of the rainy season. Visit to the falls is incomplete until one has taken a 35-minute walk to discover a cave, cascades, umbrella rock and three-in-one palm tree. Current deforestation along its course, however, have rendered the falls seasonal.

Currently, efforts are being made to develop the falls into a viable tourism destination.

 Volta Lake

A dominant feature of the Eastern Region is the Volta Lake, one of the largest man-made lakes in the world, created through the damming of the Volta River in 1965. A cruise on the lake via the vessel Dodi Princess to Dodi Island is a pleasure that one will certainly treasure. For the less adventurous, relaxing on the balconies of the Volta Hotel or Maritime Club will provide panoramic view of the lake.

 Aburi Botanical Gardens

This is the most successful and largest botanical garden in the country, attracting about 5000 visitors monthly. 28Km from Accra, the century old garden covers 35 acres of land, and is replete with over 1,000 different species of plants and flowers. It’s cool and soothing temperature makes it a sanatorium for recuperating patients as well as a tourist haven.

 Kloyo Mountains

Located at Somanya, about 80km from Accra, this mountain stands as an island on the Accra plains, reaching a height of 1,094ft above sea level. The mountain has a history which is equally significant. A guided tour will unravel the history of the migration of the Krobos.

The Obosabea       

This is a mysterious natural landform, located one-and-a-half kilometres north of Akyeremanteng village. It depicts the shape of a heart as well as other varied and intricate designs. It is also believed to be standing on an ancient mausoleum and to have a cure for impotence.

Tetteh Quarshie’s Cocoa Farm

Located at Mampong-Akwapim, this is the first cocoa farm established in Ghana. Tetteh Quashie is believed to have brought the first cocoa seeds from the Fernando Po Islands in Equitorial Guinea. His house and some of the original cocoa plants dating from 1879 are still standing.

Slave Market of Abonse

As an important crossroads to the infamous trade in human cargo, this site still bares traces of the original slave market 17th and 198th centuries.

Akonodi Shrine

56km north of Accra, on the Akwapim Ridge, is the Larteh, which accommodates the famous Akonodi Shrine. It is the abode of the god “Akonedi” which is alleged to support the infirm and those yearning for prosperity. The fetish priest practices psychic healing and herbal medicine. Visitors can also pay to observe live religious ceremonies.

Craft Villages

The wood carving centre at Aburi offers both traditional and contemporary woodcarvings. Wood and pottery crafts are also produced at Nkawkaw, whilst wood and cane crafts are produced at Enyiresi. Plans for expansion of the villages into a world-class handicraft centre have stalled a bit, but talks are still on-going.

Festivals

The Odwira and Ohum festivals are perhaps the most popular festivals. They are celebrated in turns by the chains of towns on the Akwapim Ridge. The main purposes of these festivals are strengthening of political allegiance, traditional allegiance and purification of secret stools. They commence in September and end in January each year, and are characterized by colourful durbar of the chiefs and people of the area concerned. The annual festivals held in the region are:

• Odwira and Ohum festivals, Akwapim Ridge: September- January
• Apamfra festival, Akwamus: January
• Volo festival, Akuse: March
• Mgayem festival, Krobo Oduamse and Somanya: October
• Bohum or Dipo festivals, Krobo Odumase and Somanya: April
• Gyemprem festival, Tafo: June
• Ohum festival, Akyem Abuakwa traditional areas: June-July (Ohumkan), September-October (Ohumkyire)
• Kloyo Sikplemi festival, Yilo Krobos: November
• Akwantukese festival, New Juabeng, Koforidua: November
• Ahwie festival, Begoro

Natural Attractions

• Boti Falls, Huhunya
• Nsuta Falls, 1km north-east of Akyeremanteng near Akropong
• Asenema Falls, 500M north-east of Asenema village near Adukrom
• Akua Falls, 2km from Akyeremanteng village
• Obosomase Falls, Obosomase
• Amenapa Falls, Amenapa, a suburb of Akropong Akuapim
• Osubin buom Falls, Nkankama, 14km form Begoro
• Magic Forest, 10km north of Kibi
• Dodowa Forest, Dodowa
• Big tree, Asante Manso, Akyem Oda
• Six-in-one palm tree, Kwamoso, 200m off the Mamfe-Koforidua Road
• Unusual stones, Amate, 48km from Mpraeso
• Obuodan (stone house), within the Nsuta Falls

Heritage and Culture

• Tetteh Quarshie’s original cocoa farm, Mampong-Akuapim
• Presbyterian Training College, Akropong-Akuapim
• Akuffo Addo’s Tomb, Daakye, suburb of Akropong-Akuapim
• Old Basel missionary buildings doted along the Akuapim Ridge
• Samuel Otu Memorial Chapel, Larteh
• Abonse Slave Market, Abonse, near Adukrom
• Okomfo Anokye’s hometown, Awukugua, near Adukrom
• Akonodi Shrine, Larteh, 56km north of Accra
• Obuotabiri Shrine, Koforidua
• Bruku Shrine, Kwahu Tafo
• Cocoa Research Institute, Tafo