The central market in Bolgatanga is one of the most vibrant in northern Ghana, and it functions as a regional trading hub for the Upper East. The most celebrated products are the Bolga baskets — hand-woven from elephant grass in bright geometric patterns — and leather goods: sandals, pouches, and hats made by Fulani craftsmen.
The market operates daily but is at its fullest on Wednesdays and Saturdays, when traders come in from surrounding villages and the stalls expand outward into the streets. The atmosphere in the early morning, before the heat of the day sets in, is particularly good. Beyond the crafts, the food stalls sell stews, groundnut soup, yam and rice dishes, and fresh fruits that reflect the Sahelian diet of the north.
The basket sellers are generally willing to bargain; prices are reasonable compared to what the same baskets fetch in Accra or abroad. This is the place to buy them.