Postal codes in Ghana explained

Postal codes were adopted in Ghana on 18 October 2017, following the launch of the National Digital Address System.[1] [2] As a joint venture between Ghana Post (with support from the Government of Ghana]) and Vokacom Ltd as GhanaPost GPS, the Digital Address System assigned postal codes and unique addresses to every square in Ghana.[3] [4]

Ghana's postal codes are alphanumeric. The first two characters form the postcode district - the first letter represents the region, and the second character represents the district in which the address is located.[5] The next three to five digits represent the postcode area and identify a more precise location within area.

Together, the postcode district and postcode area form the postal code.[6] For example, the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park & Mausoleum in Accra is located in postal code GA184, where GA represents the postcode district - G for the Greater Accra Region and A for the Accra Metropolitan District - and 184 represents the postcode area.

Examples of postal codes are GA107, EO1070, and N503074.

Format

The simplest address format, recognized by the national post, Ghana Post is: Recipient Name, Street Name, Digital Address, Area, Region. This is being implemented by Scuttle Box and Ghana Post which provide your address on your mailbox, to ensure there is consistency and accuracy in all deliveries and addressing. The postal codes are alphanumeric and are variable in length, ranging from five to seven characters. In general, five-digit postal codes denote metropolitan districts and major urban areas, six-digit postal codes denote municipal districts and peri-urban areas, and seven-digit postal codes denote ordinary districts and small towns.

Each postal code is divided into two parts: the postcode district and postcode area. The center of each postcode district falls within the district capital and is designated as postcode area "000".[7] For example, postal code GA000 denotes the center of postcode district GA within Accra, the district capital of the Accra Metropolitan district, and corresponds to the 5 meter square area around the Jubilee House.

Postcode areas are numbered sequentially and spiral out anticlockwise from the center of the postcode district, with sequential postcode areas located 500 meters apart.[8] [7] For example, postal code GA008, which corresponds to the area of the 37 Military Hospital in Accra is 500 meters from GA009 and suggests proximity to the center of the district - proximity to postal code GA000.

Ashanti RegionAAAsante Akim South DistrictJuaso
Ashanti RegionABBekwai Municipal DistrictBekwai
Ashanti RegionACAsante Akim Central Municipal DistrictKonongo
Ashanti RegionADKwabre East DistrictMamponteng
Ashanti RegionAEEjisu Juaben Municipal DistrictEjisu
Ashanti RegionAFAfigya Kwabre DistrictKodie
Ashanti RegionAGAtwima Kwanwoma DistrictAtwima Foase
Ashanti RegionAHAtwima Nwabiagya DistrictNkawie
Ashanti RegionAIAtwima Mponua DistrictNyinahin
Ashanti RegionAJEjura Sekyedumase Municipal DistrictEjura
Ashanti RegionAKKumasi Metropolitan DistrictKumasi
Ashanti RegionAMMampong Municipal DistrictMampong
Ashanti RegionANAsante Akim North DistrictAgogo
Ashanti RegionAOObuasi Municipal DistrictObuasi
Ashanti RegionAPSekyere Afram Plains DistrictDrobonso
Ashanti RegionAQSekyere Central District
Ashanti RegionARSekyere East DistrictEffiduase
Ashanti RegionASAsokore Mampong Municipal District
Ashanti RegionATBosomtwe DistrictKuntanase
Ashanti RegionAUKumawu DistrictKumawu
Ashanti RegionAVAmansie Central DistrictJacobu
Ashanti RegionAWAmansie West DistrictManso Nkwanta
Ashanti RegionAXAhafo Ano North DistrictTepa
Ashanti RegionAYAhafo Ano South DistrictMankranso
Ashanti RegionAZSekyere South DistrictAgona
Ashanti RegionA2Adansi North DistrictFomena
Ashanti RegionA3Adansi South DistrictNew Edubiase
Ashanti RegionA4, A9Bosome Freho DistrictAsiwa
Ashanti RegionA6Offinso North DistrictAkomadan
Ashanti RegionA7Offinso South Municipal DistrictNew Offinso
Bono East RegionBAAtebubu-Amantin DistrictAtebubu
Bono RegionBBBerekum Municipal DistrictBerekum
Bono RegionBCBanda DistrictBanda Ahenkro
Bono RegionBDDormaa Municipal DistrictDormaa-Ahenkro
Bono RegionBEDormaa East DistrictWamfie
Bono RegionBFDormaa West DistrictNkrankwanta
Bono East RegionBGSene East DistrictKajaji
Bono East RegionBHSene West DistrictKwame Danso
Bono RegionBIJaman South DistrictDrobo
Bono RegionBJJaman North DistrictSampa
Bono East RegionBKKintampo North Municipal DistrictKintampo
Bono East RegionBLKintampo South DistrictJema
Bono East RegionBNNkoranza North DistrictBusunya
Bono East RegionBONkoranza South Municipal DistrictNkoranza
Bono East RegionBPPru DistrictYeji
Ahafo RegionBQAsutifi North DistrictKenyasi
Ahafo RegionBRAsutifi South DistrictHwidiem
Bono RegionBSSunyani Municipal DistrictSunyani
Bono East RegionBTTechiman Municipal DistrictTechiman
Ahafo RegionBUAsunafo North Municipal DistrictGoaso
Ahafo RegionBVAsunafo South DistrictKukuom
Bono RegionBWWenchi Municipal DistrictWenchi
Bono East RegionBXTechiman North DistrictTuobodom
Bono RegionBYSunyan West DistrictOdomase
Bono RegionBZTain DistrictNsawkaw
Ahafo RegionB2Tano North Municipal DistrictDuayaw-Nkwanta
Ahafo RegionB3Tano South Municipal DistrictBechem
Central RegionCAAbura Asebu Kwamankese DistrictDunkwa
Central RegionCBAsikuma Odoben Brakwa DistrictBreman Asikuma
Central RegionCCCape Coast Metropolitan DistrictCape Coast
Central RegionCEEffutu Municipal DistrictWinneba
Central RegionCFEkumfi DistrictEssarkyir
Central RegionCGGomoa East DistrictAfransi
Central RegionCHTwifo Heman Lower Denkyira DistrictHeman
Central RegionCIGomoa West DistrictApam
Central RegionCJAjumako Enyan Esiam DistrictAjumako
Central RegionCKKomenda Edina Eguafo Municipal DistrictElmina
Central RegionCMMfantseman Municipal DistrictSaltpond
Central RegionCOAgona West Municipal DistrictSwedru
Central RegionCPAgona East DistrictNsaba
Central RegionCRAssin North Municipal DistrictAssin Fosu
Central RegionCSAssin South DistrictNsuaem-Kyekyewere
Central RegionCTTwifo-Ati Morkwa DistrictTwifo Praso
Central RegionCUUpper Denkyira East Municipal DistrictDunkwa-on-Offin
Central RegionCVUpper Denkyira West DistrictDiaso
Central RegionCWAwutu Senya DistrictAwutu Breku
Central RegionCXAwutu Senya East Municipal DistrictKasoa
Eastern RegionEAAsuogyaman DistrictAtimpoku
Eastern RegionEBBirim Central Municipal DistrictAkim Oda
Eastern RegionEDDenkyembour DistrictAkwatia
Eastern RegionEEEast Akim Municipal DistrictKibi
Eastern RegionEFFanteakwa DistrictBegoro
Eastern RegionEGNsawam Adoagyiri Municipal DistrictNsawam
Eastern RegionEHKwahu East DistrictAbetifi
Eastern RegionEIKwahu South DistrictMpreaso
Eastern RegionEJKwahu West Municipal DistrictNkawkaw
Eastern RegionEKKwaebibirem DistrictKade
Eastern RegionELLower Manya Krobo Municipal DistrictOdumase
Eastern RegionEMAkyemansa DistrictOfoase
Eastern RegionENNew Juaben Municipal DistrictKoforidua
Eastern RegionEOAyensuano DistrictCoaltar
Eastern RegionEPKwahu Afram Plains North DistrictDonkorkrom
Eastern RegionEQKwahu Afram Plains South DistrictTease
Eastern RegionESSuhum Municipal DistrictSuhum
Eastern RegionETAtiwa DistrictKwabeng
Eastern RegionEUUpper Manya Krobo DistrictAsesewa
Eastern RegionEVUpper West Akim DistrictAdeiso
Eastern RegionEWWest Akim Municipal DistrictAsamankese
Eastern RegionEXBirim North DistrictNew Abirim
Eastern RegionEYYilo Krobo Municipal DistrictSomanya
Eastern RegionEZBirim South DistrictAkim Swedru
Eastern RegionE2Akuapem North Municipal DistrictAkropong
Eastern RegionE3Akuapem South DistrictAburi
Greater Accra RegionGAAccra Metropolitan DistrictNorth Ridge - GA015 - GA017, GA028 - GA031, GA052 - GA054, GA076, GA080
West Ridge - GA050, GA051, GA077, GA107
Gold Coast City - GA078, GA079, GA110, GA111
Osu - GA032, GA035, GA055, GA056, GA081, GA082, GA112 - GA115, GA146 - 148
Victoriaborg - GA143 - GA145, GA184 - GA186
Asylum Down - GA027, GA028, GA048, GA049, GA073
Adabraka - GA050, GA074 - GA076, GA100 - GA103
Tudu - GA105, GA106, GA141, GA142
Greater Accra RegionGBAshaiman Municipal DistrictAshaiman, Tema communities 21 and 22
Greater Accra RegionGCGa Central Municipal DistrictSowutuom
Greater Accra RegionGDAdentan Municipal DistrictAdenta
Greater Accra RegionGEGa East Municipal DistrictAbokobi
Greater Accra RegionGKKpone Katamanso DistrictKpone, Oyibi, Tema communities 24 and 25
Greater Accra RegionGLLa Dade Kotopon Municipal DistrictLa, Labadi, Cantonments, Burma Camp, Airport City
Greater Accra RegionGMLa Nkwantanang Madina Municipal DistrictMadina
Greater Accra RegionGNNingo Prampram DistrictPrampram
Greater Accra RegionGOShai Osudoku DistrictDodowa
Greater Accra RegionGSGa South Municipal DistrictWeija
Greater Accra RegionGTTema Metropolitan DistrictTema communities 1 - 20, 23
Greater Accra RegionGWGa West Municipal DistrictAmasaman
Greater Accra RegionGXAda West DistrictSege
Greater Accra RegionGZLedzokuku-Krowor Municipal DistrictTeshie, Nungua, Baatsona
Northern RegionNAKpandai DistrictKpandai
Savannah RegionNBBole DistrictBole, Bamboi, Maluwe, Tinga, Tasilma, Mandari, Banda/Nkwanta
North East RegionNCChereponi DistrictChereponi
North East RegionNDWest Mamprusi DistrictWalewale
North East RegionNEEast Mamprusi DistrictGambaga
North East RegionNFTatale Sanguli DistrictTatale
Northern RegionNGGushegu DistrictGushegu
Northern RegionNIMion DistrictSang
Northern RegionNKKumbugu DistrictKumbugu
Northern RegionNLTolon DistrictTolon
North East RegionNMMamprugu Moaduri DistrictYagaba
Northern RegionNNNanumba North DistrictBimbilla
Northern RegionNONanumba South DistrictWulensi
North East RegionNPBunkpurugu-Yunyoo DistrictBunkpurugu
Northern RegionNRKaraga DistrictKaraga
Northern RegionNSSagnerigu DistrictSagnerigu
Northern RegionNTTamale Metropolitan DistrictTamale
Northern RegionNUSavelugu Nanton Municipal DistrictSavelugu
Savannah RegionNWSawla Tuna Kalba DistrictSawla
Northern RegionNXSaboba DistrictSaboba
Northern RegionNYYendi Municipal DistrictYendi
Northern RegionNZZabzugu DistrictZabzugu
Savannah RegionN2North Gonja DistrictDaboya
Savannah RegionN3Central Gonja DistrictBuipe
Savannah RegionN4East Gonja DistrictSalaga
Savannah RegionN5West Gonja DistrictDamongo
Upper East RegionUABawku Municipal DistrictBawku
Upper East RegionUBBolgatanga Municipal DistrictBolgatanga Municipal District
Upper East RegionUEBolgatanga East DistrictBolgatanga East District
Upper East RegionUGGaru Tempane DistrictGaru
Upper East RegionUKKassena Nankana Municipal DistrictNavrongo
Upper East RegionULKassena Nankana West DistrictPaga
Upper East RegionUNNabdam DistrictNangodi
Upper East RegionUOBongo DistrictBongo
Upper East RegionUPPusiga DistrictPusiga
Upper East RegionURBuilsa North DistrictSandema
Upper East RegionUSBuilsa South DistrictFumbisi
Upper East RegionUTTalensi DistrictTongo
Upper East RegionUUBinduri DistrictBinduri
Upper East RegionUWBawku West DistrictZebilla
Upper West RegionXDDaffiama Bussie Issa DistrictIssa
Upper West RegionXJJirapa DistrictJirapa
Upper West RegionXKLambussi Karni DistrictLambussi
Upper West RegionXLLawra DistrictLawra
Upper West RegionXNNandom DistrictNandom
Upper West RegionXONadowli Kaleo DistrictNadowli
Upper West RegionXSSissala East DistrictTumu
Upper West RegionXTSissala West DistrictGwollu
Upper West RegionXWWa Municipal DistrictWa
Upper West RegionXXWa East DistrictFunsi
Upper West RegionXYWa West DistrictWechiau
Volta RegionVAAdaklu DistrictAdaklu Waya
Oti RegionVBBiakoye DistrictNkonya
Volta RegionVCHohoe Municipal DistrictHohoe
Volta RegionVDNorth Dayi Municipal DistrictAnfoega
Volta RegionVESouth Dayi DistrictKpeve
Volta RegionVFAfadzato South DistrictVe Golokwati
Volta RegionVGAgotime-Ziope DistrictKpetoe
Volta RegionVHHo Municipal DistrictHo
Volta RegionVIHo West DistrictDzolokpuita
Oti RegionVJJasikan DistrictJasikan
Volta RegionVKKeta Municipal DistrictKeta
Oti RegionVMKadjebi DistrictKadjebi
Oti RegionVNNkwanta North DistrictKpassa
Oti RegionVONkwanta South Municipal DistrictNkwanta
Volta RegionVPKpando Municipal DistrictKpando
Oti RegionVQKrachi Nchumuru DistrictChindiri
Oti RegionVRKrachi East Municipal DistrictDambai
Oti RegionVSKrachi West DistrictKete Krachi
Volta RegionVTNorth Tongu DistrictBattor Dugame
Volta RegionVUSouth Tongu DistrictSogakope
Volta RegionVVCentral Tongu DistrictAdidome
Volta RegionVWAkatsi North DistrictAve Dakpa
Volta RegionVXAkatsi South DistrictAkatsi
Volta RegionVYKetu North Municipal DistrictDzodze
Volta RegionVZKetu South Municipal DistrictDenu
Western North RegionWAAowin DistrictEnchi
Western North RegionWBBibiani/Anhwiaso/Bekwai DistrictBibiani
Western North RegionWCBia East DistrictAdabokrom
Western North RegionWDBia West DistrictEssam
Western RegionWEEllembelle DistrictNkroful
Western North RegionWFSefwi Akontombra DistrictAkontombra
Western North RegionWGSefwi Wiawso Municipal DistrictWiawso
Western RegionWHAhanta West DistrictAgona Ahanta
Western RegionWJJomoro DistrictHalf Assini
Western RegionWMMpohor DistrictMpohor
Western RegionWNNzema East Municipal DistrictAxim
Western North RegionWOBodi DistrictBodi
Western RegionWPPrestea Huni Valley DistrictPrestea
Western North RegionWQJuaboso DistrictJuaboso
Western RegionWRShama DistrictShama
Western RegionWSSekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan DistrictSekondi-Takoradi
Western RegionWTTarkwa Nsuaem Municipal DistrictTarkwa
Western RegionWUSuaman DistrictDadieso
Western RegionWWAmenfi Central DistrictManso Amenfi
Western RegionWXAmenfi East DistrictWassa-Akropong
Western RegionWYAmenfi West DistrictAsankrangwa
Western RegionWZWassa East DistrictDaboase

Availability of the algorithm

The list of frequently asked questions,[9] as of December 2017, does not state if/where the algorithm for generating the postcodes is publicly available, or how the algorithm is licensed. It is also not stated if/how bulk conversion of coordinates into postcodes is possible. This suggests that, at least at present, the algorithm is likely proprietary. This is a feature also of other postcode systems, although open postcode systems are also available. Open postcode-like systems include the Open Location Code. An example for a proprietary system that was subsequently made available under an open license includes Postcodes in the United Kingdom.[10]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Akufo-Addo launches National Digital Property Addressing System.
  2. Web site: President Akufo-Addo Launches National Digital Property Addressing System – The Presidency, Republic of Ghana . presidency.gov.gh . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20171021125852/http://presidency.gov.gh/index.php/2017/10/18/president-akufo-addo-launches-national-digital-property-addressing-system . 2017-10-21.
  3. Web site: Vokacom wins contract for digital address system.
  4. Web site: Ghana's Digital Addressing System Is Officially Launched; GhanaPostGPS Is Live - Tech Nova . technovagh.com . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20171025023455/https://technovagh.com/2017/10/18/ghanas-digital-addressing-system-officially-launched-ghanapostgps-live/ . 2017-10-25.
  5. Web site: GhanaPostGPS. Ghanapostgps.com. 24 October 2017.
  6. Web site: Ghana's Official National Digital Address . GhanaPostGps . 2022-05-20.
  7. https://www.youtube.com/watchv=QGyCD1lte8Q
  8. Web site: Bawumia educates critics of Digital Addressing System. 6 November 2017.
  9. Web site: GhanaPostGps |Ghana's Official National Digital Address.
  10. Web site: Ghana Zip Code and Postal Code: The 00233 and 23321 Myth?. 23 April 2021.