Tongu

Tongu is a geographic and ethnolinguistic area in the southern Volta Region of Ghana, and the name also refers to the people who inhabit it. The Tongu are a subgroup of the Ewe, and their language varieties are considered part of the broader Ewe speech continuum, with English used in formal settings.

Geography and communities: The Tongu area encompasses riverine and coastal communities along parts of the Volta River and its estuary, reaching toward the Volta coastal plains. The region features a tropical climate and a mix of agricultural and fishing settlements.

Population and culture: The Tongu are part of the larger Ewe-speaking population and share many cultural practices with neighboring Ewe groups. Social life typically centers on kinship, clan or lineage networks, and traditional chieftaincy institutions. Christianity is widely practiced, while traditional beliefs and rituals remain evident in some communities.

Economy: The Tongu area supports a mixed economy based on agriculture, fishing, and local trade. Common crops include cassava, maize, yams, and vegetables, produced for both subsistence and markets. Fishing along the Volta River and in coastal areas provides an important livelihood, complemented by market activity and small-scale commerce.

Administration: In modern Ghana, Tongu lands are administratively within the Volta Region and are divided into districts, notably the North Tongu District and the South Tongu District. The South Tongu District has Sogakope as a principal town on the Volta River.

History: The Tongu trace their roots to the broader Ewe ethnolinguistic group and have historical connections with other communities in the Volta region. Traditional governance operates through paramount chiefs and local councils within the district structures.