The Wa Naa’s palace is one of Ghana’s oldest traditional palaces, dating from the early nineteenth century and serving as the traditional residence of the Wala people’s king. The palace, which is located in the heart of Wa, the Upper West region’s regional capital, was built in the ancient Sudanese mud-brick architectural style, confirming historical accounts that the Wala people, who now dominate the Upper West region, migrated from the northern part of Africa, specifically Sudan.
The walls of the palace, unlike most buildings, feature massive visible y-shaped structures striking out of the walls. According to historical tales of the Wala people, the walls were built to defend the inhabitants, particularly the royal family, from the slave dealers’ constant attacks.
More astonishingly, the majestic mud-brick structure continues to function as a political, religious, and traditional emblem for the Wala people, standing tall and strong without exhibiting any indications of collapse.
The Wa Naa’s palace, as it was centuries ago, still functions as the Wala paramount chief’s royal residence, with royals from all of the several clans that originally dominated the Wala chiefdom residing there. More unusually, former monarchs’ graves can be discovered immediately in front of the palace.
The World Monuments Fund designated the Y-shaped palace as one of the best and last remaining old architecturally magnificent structures in need of preservation in 2009. In order to avoid destroying the structure’s old appearance, the organization collaborated with the Ghana Museum and Monuments Board to devise ways to preserve it using traditional materials and procedures. In 2012, the project was successfully finished.
The palace is now one of the most popular tourist destinations in Ghana’s northern region, with a large number of visitors each year.
Ghana Travel Restrictions
Ghana is open to most travelers again. I mean travelers from all over the world. However, you do need proof of your COVID-19 vaccination(s) or a negative test result before being allowed entry.
Many hotels, attractions, and private tours are open with new health & safety protocols in place, and you still have to follow certain guidelines. They are all good for our safety.
Read the ultimate travel guide to Ghana to help you plan your trip.