Tamale (Dagbani: [ˈtamali]) is the capital city of the Northern Region of Ghana. It is Ghana's third largest city, with a population of 374,744 people (185,051 males and 189,693 females) as of 2021 population census). The city has been ranked as the fastest-growing city in West Africa. Tamale is located in the Kingdom of Dagbon, Ghana's oldest Kingdom.Dagombas are the traditional occupants of it. Other ethnic groups who resides in Tamale are Gonja, Mamprusi and Akan, As of 2025, the Mayor for Tamale is Hon. Abu Takoro.
The city grew from a small village to an important economic center in the Northern Territories after the British had established administrative headquarters in the area. It became the capital of the Northern Region in 1960. The biggest economic sector of Tamale is agriculture, followed by trading, teaching, and manufacturing.