The Tusugu Cliff Dwellings of the Mamprugu Kingdom

Located near the Gambaga Escarpment in the North East Region, the Tusugu Cliff Dwellings are built into the natural rock formations, showcasing ancient architectural techniques and adaptation in the Mamprugu Kingdom.

This mysterious and well-preserved remains of an ancient settlement is said to have been discovered around 1961 by a British surveyor, who was contracted by the then newly founded Ghana to demarcate Ghana and Togo.

The structures are still preserved in pretty much the same state over 55 years later. Some of them are small and others are over four metres high. Inside the taller rooms is soot on the walls from smoke, as well as in some other places under the rock shelter.

These cliff dwellings are believed to date back several centuries and are associated with the indigenous Mamprusi people. They served as defensive structures and residential homes for community members during times of conflict and as sanctuaries during peaceful periods.

The design and construction of the dwellings reflect the resourcefulness and ingenuity of the Mamprusi people in utilising natural terrain for protection and habitation. This beautiful scenery is located near Nakpanduri, the town of the Gambaga Escarpment.

 It is situated in the Tusugu village along the Ghana-Togo border, which is about 45 minutes’ drive from the Nakpanduri township. Currently, the site is not developed and one has to meander through the bush with the help of a local tour guide to climb the cliff and have a feel of it.

History

A local Tour Guide, Alhassan Konlan, told the Daily Graphic that the Tusugu Cliff Dwellings were an important cultural symbol for the Mamprusi people as it represented their history, resilience and connection to the land.

A close up of the Tusugu Cliff Dwellings

He added that it offered insights into traditional building methods, social organisation and daily life practices of ancient communities in the region. “Over the years, a number of tourists, historians and people have been visiting the site to learn and have a feel of it.

Although the site is not developed, the caretakers have been making efforts to ensure that all the dwellings and artifacts are preserved and made accessible for educational and cultural purposes,” he said.

Tourism potential

The North East Region can arguably be described as ‘a diamond in the rough’ with its numerous tourist sites. The tourism endowments of the region can attract high tourist traffic to the area and the country at large.

However, the Tusugu Cliff Dwelling sites and many others dotted across the region have not been developed and preserved to harness their full tourism potential. In a recent interview with the Daily Graphic, the North East Regional Minister, Yidana Zakaria, said the region was endowed with huge tourism attractions which had a huge potential to generate revenue to the state and create jobs for the youth when properly developed.

“As a new region, we have a lot of beautiful historic features which are not developed and I believe that when they are properly developed, it will create a lot of jobs for the youth,” he said.

While calling on potential investors to consider investing in the tourism potentials in the region, he indicated that plans were far advanced to develop some of the sites to preserve and promote that cultural heritage.

Writer’s email: mohammed.fugu@graphic.com.gh