Wa: See
1 Wa Naa's Palace (Behind the OA bus station). Built in a traditional Sudanese mud-brick architecture, this palace is home to the King of the Wala people who are majority in Wa in the Upper West Region of Ghana. (updated May 2021)
2 Central Mosque (Next to Wa Na palace.). A large mosque, towering over most other buildings in town. With permission of elders, and courage, one can climb the criss-crossing ladders through numerous trap doors to the top of the mosque spire, for a great view of Wa.
A great view of Wa and the surrounding sahel from the top of Ombo Mountain (accessed near Kalieo on the Nadowli road)
Wicchau hippo sanctuary, which is home to more than 50 hippos
An ancient, and crumbling, mud and pole mosque, behind the newer central mosque
Wa's prolific kasbah, the old part of the city located around the central mosque, known for its narrow, windy streets and passages
The impressive new University of Development Studies campus
Annual Dumba festival is the main traditional event of Wa. It is typically held in late September to correspond with the harvest. The highlight of the year was a ceremony in which the Wa-na stepped over a small cow lying on the ground. According to traditional belief, if any part of the chief or his clothing touched the cow, he would probably die within the year. If on the other hand he stepped over the cow successfully, he was guaranteed a successful coming year.
The sprawling 'Ministries' quarter of town
Slave caves and 2km square clearing of unique termite hills shaped like giant mushrooms in nearby Sankana (near Kaleo)
The Black Volta River, which serves as the border between Ghana and Burkina Faso, just West of Wa
The serene School of the Deaf
The beautiful School of the Blind
Impressive colonies of weaver birds in large trees downtown
Graves of former Wa Na (Wa chiefs) by the palace
Tombstones of former British colonial administrators
The graves of famous slave traders
Central market, which is bustling every sixth day, but more peaceful on other days
Mud and pole mosque in nearby Nakori (be expected to pay 5 GHC merely to behold it)
The centrally located famous Wa prison
The urban wetlands of Wa's Lower East Side
A significant chameleon population; individual chameleons can often be found crossing roads