Area Code 377 – Northern Region
The phone area code for Northern Region is 377 (international format +233377). Browse local exchange codes (NXX) and carrier assignments below.
📍 Geographic Location of Northern Region
Geographic Coverage and Administrative Jurisdiction
The area code 377 is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) assigned to the Northern Region of Ghana. This region is one of the country's major administrative areas, with its capital and largest city being Tamale. The code covers the metropolitan, municipal, and district areas within the Northern Region, including towns such as Sagnarigu, Tolon, Kumbungu, and Savelugu. As a geographic code, 377 is tied to a specific physical location, and calls to numbers bearing this prefix are routed to the PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) infrastructure serving that region.
Dialing Formats and Caller Instructions
For callers within Ghana, the national dialing format requires the trunk prefix 0 followed by the area code and the subscriber number. Thus, a typical local number in Tamale would be dialed as 0377XXXXXX (where X represents the subscriber digits). Note that the leading 0 is used only for domestic calls. For international callers, the country code for Ghana is +233, and the leading 0 of the area code must be omitted. Therefore, an international caller would dial +233377XXXXXX. This format is consistent with ITU-T E.164 recommendations.
Number Structure and Overlay Considerations
Ghana's national numbering plan uses a closed dialing plan, meaning the full national significant number (NSN) is always dialed, even for local calls. The NSN for geographic numbers is typically 9 digits, including the NDC (377) and a 6-digit subscriber number. As of the latest ITU-T operational bulletin, no overlay code has been introduced for the Northern Region; 377 remains the sole geographic code for this area. However, subscribers should always dial the full NSN to ensure proper routing, especially as mobile number portability and VoIP services may introduce non-geographic numbers that could be confused with local ones.
Practical Usage and Routing
The 377 code is primarily used by fixed-line operators, including traditional PSTN services and some fixed wireless or VoIP-based local loop services. Calls to 377 numbers are charged based on the caller's own tariff plan, typically at national or local rates. For businesses, having a 377 number signals a physical presence in the Northern Region, which can be important for local customer trust. For travelers or expatriates, understanding that 377 is a geographic code helps in distinguishing it from mobile prefixes (which are non-geographic and begin with 02, 05, etc.) and toll-free numbers (030, 0800).