Stories and facts

Located in the Central Region of Ghana, AWMA is one of the twenty administrative districts in the region. The municipal assembly consists of one Urban Council, the Nyarkrom Urban Council (LI 1967), and five Zonal Councils.

Agona West is situated in the eastern corner of the Central Region, between latitudes 50 30’ and 5 0 50’N, and longitudes 00 35’ and 00 55’W. The municipality covers a total land area of 447 square kilometres and is divided into six sub-districts or Town/Area Councils. It shares borders with Agona East to the North, Gomoa East to the South, and Asikuma, Odoben, Brakwa, and Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam Districts to the Northwest and West.

Agona West features diverse relief with altitudes ranging from 75 to 150 meters above sea level, with the highest point at 350 metres. The region has undulating and sloping topography from north to south, with granite rock formations in the northeast. The primary river in the area is the Akora River, with additional small rivers like Abena and Enchiwi potentially useful for irrigation.

The major soil type in the municipality is classified as Forest ocschoolswhich are alkaline and nutrient-rich, making them suitable for cultivating various agricultural produce like cocoa, citrus, coconut, plantain, banana, cassava, cocoyam, maize, vegetables, and sugar cane. Agriculture occupies most of the land, with some areas designated for forestry and community settlements.

Agona West falls within the wet semi-equatorial climate zone, experiencing two maincrop-growingg seasons with rainfall peaks in May/June and September/October. The annual rainfall ranges from 1000mm to 1400mm. The area is part of the moist tropical and semi-deciduous forest, with valuable timber trees like mahogany, sapele, silk cotton, wawa, andOdumm. However, over-logging has led to the depletion of most timber trees, except for the silk cotton. Afforestation, particularly with teak and other forest trees, is seen as crucial for future economic ventures.

According to the 2010 Population and Housing Census, Agona West Municipality had an estimated total population of 115,358, with females slightly outnumbering males.

The economy of Agona West is largely agriculture-based due to its climate, soil, and labor conditions, with more than 64% of the population engaged in agriculture. The main agricultural outputs include cash crops like cocoa, citrus, oil palm, and coconut, as well as cassava, maize, plantain, cocoyam, vegetables, and local gin production.

The major health hazards in the municipality are malaria and gastrointestinal diseases, with the emergence of HIV/AIDS also being addressed through control programs.

Enrollment in basic schools has increased significantly in response to Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education, facilitated by infrastructure improvements, water and sanitation facilities, and the introduction of the capitation grant. Challenges in education include reform management, school information improvement, teacher development, deployment, supervision, and special partnership programs with non-state actors.

Agona West Municipal Assembly possesses economic potential, including markets in major towns promoting trade and commerce, and large agricultural production of cassava, maize, plantain, cocoyam, vegetables, cocoa, palm oil, and coffee. Other economic activities include granite production, sand mining, palm kernel oil processing, local gin distillation, and the presence of important second-cycle educational institutions.

AWMA aims to implement and sustain climate change issues in local planning processes, integrate climate change and disaster risk reduction into municipal development planning, and create awareness about the role of climate change and disasters in development efforts.

The Municipality has a diverse social and ethnic structure, with the Agonas being the indigenous people coexisting with various minority migrant groups. Festivals, funerals, marriage customs, and religious practices play significant roles in the social life of the inhabitants, promoting social integration and economic ties between communities.

Festivals play a significant role in the social life of the people residing in Agona West Municipality. The most important traditional festival is the "Akwambo" festival, observed annually between August and October. Apart from its spiritual significance, this festival serves as a social occasion where communities strategize and plan their developmental activities, including fundraising for various projects.

Funeral rites have also become occasions that bring communities together for solemn reflection. Among the youth, it is a crucial event that draws them back home to mourn with their families and visit their elders. The mourning cloth business is particularly brisk in Swedru during such occasions.

In Agona, the matrilineal inheritance system is practiced, giving great importance to female children within the extended family. In this system, inheritance is passed down from brothers to their sisters' children (nephews and nieces). Females significantly contribute to family income through labor in agriculture.

The Agona West Municipality stands as a bastion of deep religious beliefs, with Christianity reigning as the dominant faith. Alongside Christianity, smaller numbers of Islam and Traditional worship followers also exist, contributing to a diverse religious landscape where coexistence prevails harmoniously. The Urban, Town, and Area Councils particularly host a sizable Christian population, positioning the church as a potential platform for disseminating essential information on community mobilization and development within the municipality.

A noteworthy aspect of the municipality's religious fabric is the observance of taboos, which hold profound significance both in socio-economic and spiritual contexts. These taboos play a crucial role in regulating various activities, including farming days, land use, water resources utilization, and adherence to social norms. Additionally, the observance of non-farming taboo days is a shared practice across all Urban, Town, and Area Councils, fostering a sense of shared tradition and cultural identity.

Agona West Municipal serves as a shining example of the potential of community-led progress and proactive governance. Through its dedication to education, sustainable economic advancement, and cultural conservation, the municipality thrives as a symbol of development in Ghana's Central Region. As the region looks ahead, tackling obstacles and capitalizing on achievements will pave the path toward an even more promising and prosperous Agona West.