Ganta

For the town in Burkina Faso, see Ganta, Burkina Faso.
Ganta
Gompa
Ganta is located in Liberia
Ganta
Ganta
Location in Liberia
Coordinates: 7°14′15″N 8°58′53″W / 7.23750°N 8.98139°W / 7.23750; -8.98139
Country Liberia
CountyNimba County
Government
 • TypeCity Council
 • Mayor/MayoressHon. Amos N. G. Suah
Population
 (2008)
 • Total
41,106
 • Religions
Christian

Ganta, also known as Gompa City, is a town approximately 323 kilometres (201 mi) from Monrovia in Nimba County of northern Liberia. It is located just south of the Guinea border. It is the second-most populous city in Liberia, with an estimated population of 41,106 as of 2008.[1] A bustling market town, it contains a prominent white mosque, noted for its decorated minarets of carved stars.[2]

Geography

It is connected by highway to Zwedru, some 238 kilometres (148 mi) to the southeast.[3][4] The Mani River passes through the northern part of the town, marking the border between Liberia and Guinea.

Economy

Ganta is an emerging city with a population of 41,106 as of 2008.[1] As early as 1983 it was observed by the Foreign Broadcast Information Service that it had the potential to become "one of the most developed and commercial cities in rural Liberia".[5] As of 2007 there are five banks in Ganta with other financial institutions. The city contains Jackie's Guest House, the Alvino Hotel,[2] the Beer Garden, Justina Bar and Restaurant etc. In 2004, some 20 acres of land near Ganta were purchased to build a new college, costing $13,500.[6]

Healthcare

American Methodist missionary and physician George Way Harley began working in Ganta in October 1925, where he established a new hospital, dispensary, church, school, and several residences.[7] He found a leper colony there at the time,[7] and established a new Mission in Ganta in 1926.[8] Ganta Hospital serves 450,000 people in Nimba County and surrounding areas. As of 2008 it had 32 beds, with the expectation to grow to 50.[9]

In September 2014, it was reported that two female victims of the Ebola virus in Ganta, Dorris Quoi and Ma Kebeh, had been "resurrected".[10]

References

  1. ^ a b "2008 Liberia National Population and Housing Census" (PDF). Government of Liberia. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 February 2012. Retrieved 8 November 2014.
  2. ^ a b West Africa. Lonely Planet. 2009. p. 469. ISBN 978-1-74104-821-6.
  3. ^ Africa South of the Sahara 2004. Europa Publications, Psychology Press. 2003. p. 616. ISBN 978-1-85743-183-4.
  4. ^ "Ganta" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved 8 November 2014.
  5. ^ Sub-Saharan Africa Report. Foreign Broadcast Information Service. 1983.
  6. ^ Buor, Sei (October 2009). No More War: Rebuilding Liberia Through Faith, Determination and Education. iUniverse. p. 123. ISBN 978-1-4401-5655-7.
  7. ^ a b Powell, William S. (28 October 1988). Dictionary of North Carolina Biography: Vol. 3, H-K. University of North Carolina Press. p. 35. ISBN 978-0-8078-6713-6.
  8. ^ Seamands, Stephen (8 March 2012). Give Them Christ: Preaching His Incarnation, Crucifixion, Resurrection, Ascension and Return. InterVarsity Press. p. 38. ISBN 978-0-8308-6983-1.
  9. ^ Megill, Esther L. (2008). Return to Africa: A Journal. AuthorHouse. p. 112. ISBN 978-1-4343-7528-5.
  10. ^ "Liberia: Dead Ebola Patients Resurrect?". AllAfrica.com. September 24, 2014.