Area Code 3522 – Berekum

Geographic Overview

The +233 3522 dialing prefix is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) assigned to the Berekum area in the Bono Region of Ghana. Berekum serves as the administrative capital of the Berekum East District and is a significant commercial and agricultural hub, known for its cocoa production and vibrant local markets. The code covers the urban center and surrounding localities, including Berekum Traditional Area villages, and is used for fixed-line PSTN services. The numbering area is part of Ghana's national numbering plan, which adheres to ITU-T E.164 recommendations.

Dialing Formats

To call a fixed-line number in Berekum from within Ghana, subscribers must dial the trunk prefix '0', followed by the NDC '3522' and the subscriber's 5-digit local number. For example, a local number such as 12345 would be dialed as 03522 12345 from any other part of Ghana. From abroad, callers must dial the international access prefix (e.g., 00 or +), then Ghana's country code +233, followed by the NDC without the leading '0', and the 5-digit subscriber number. Thus, the same number would be dialed as +233 3522 12345. The total number length after the country code is 9 digits (NDC + subscriber number), which is standard for Ghanaian fixed lines.

Caller Instructions

For local callers within the Berekum area, the use of the trunk prefix '0' is still required for all calls, even for on-net calls, as Ghana's numbering plan does not support local dialing without the area code. For international callers, it is essential to drop the leading '0' and use the +233 international format. Mobile callers within Ghana should also use the full national format (03522 + number) to ensure proper routing. The prefix is exclusively for fixed-line services; mobile numbers in Ghana are non-geographic and begin with '02' or '05', so they are not affected by this code.

Regulatory and Technical Notes

The National Communications Authority (NCA) of Ghana manages the numbering plan, and the 3522 code is allocated to fixed-line operators such as Vodafone Ghana (now AT) and other licensed PSTN providers. As of recent years, there have been no overlay codes for Berekum, meaning 3522 is the sole geographic code for the area. However, number portability allows subscribers to retain their numbers when switching operators, but the geographic significance remains. The code is not used for VoIP or non-geographic services, and callers should be aware that charges for calls to this prefix are typically based on national fixed-line tariffs.