Stories and facts
Population Dynamics and Composition
The populace of Akatsi North District, as recorded by the 2010 Population and Housing Census, is 29,777, constituting approximately 1.4 percent of the entire regional population. Gender distribution within the district reflects a higher presence of females, accounting for 54.1 percent, in contrast to males at 45.9 percent, resulting in a sex ratio of 84.8. This district, characterized by its predominantly rural setting, is marked by a youthful demographic structure, with around 38.1 percent aged below 15 years and a smaller proportion (11.6%) comprising individuals aged 60 years and older. The district's population pyramid showcases a broad base, tapering gradually to include a smaller contingent of elderly individuals. The age dependency ratio for the district stands at 87.7, with distinct male and female dependency ratios at 94.6 and 82.1, respectively.
Fertility, Mortality, and Migration
The Total Fertility Rate in the district stands at 4.1, exceeding the regional average of 3.4. This elevated fertility rate is accompanied by a General Fertility Rate of 115.6 births per 1000 women aged 15-49 years, ranking as the second highest in the region. Notably, the Crude Birth Rate is 27.7 per 1000 population, while the Crude Death Rate registers at 18.7 per 1000. Within the district, a significant proportion (66.3%) of migrants originated from other parts of the Volta Region, whereas 33.7 percent were born outside the region. Noteworthy proportions of externally born migrants hail from Eastern (25.9%), areas outside Ghana (24.6%), Ashanti (20.3%), and Greater Accra (13.4%).
Household Characteristics
The district is home to a household population numbering 29,587, distributed across 8,003 households. The average household size within the district is approximately 3.7 individuals. Among the household members, children constitute a significant proportion, accounting for 40.3 percent, while spouses make up 27.0 percent of the household population. Nuclear households, encompassing the head, spouse(s), and children, represent 26.3 percent of the total households in the district.
Marital Status and Education
Marital status among individuals aged 12 years and older in the district reveals that 48.0 percent are married, 35.7 percent have never married, and 2.1 percent are in consensual unions. At ages 20-24, a notable contrast emerges between genders, with 53.2 percent of females and 20.1 percent of males married. Widowed females surpass widowed males significantly among individuals aged 65 and above, constituting 60.5 percent and 14.5 percent, respectively. In terms of education, a substantial proportion (42.0%) of the married population lacks formal education, while 50.1 percent possess basic education. Conversely, 9.4 percent of the never-married individuals lack education, and 76.9 percent possess basic education. Employment rates are higher among the married population (89.9%) compared to the never-married (36.9%). However, a more significant percentage of the never-married individuals (61.7%) are not economically active in contrast to the married population (9.2%).
Cultural and Religious Diversity
Within the district, 90.9 percent of the population is composed of Ghanaians by birth, while naturalized individuals comprise 2.1 percent, and non-Ghanaians account for 0.4 percent. In terms of religious affiliation, Christians constitute the majority (57.0%) of the population, with the Pentecostal/Charismatic denomination predominating at 27.4 percent, followed by Catholics at 14.0 percent. Additionally, traditional beliefs are held by 32.2 percent of the populace, while 6.4 percent identify with no religion.
Education and Literacy
Among individuals aged 11 years and above, 66.8 percent are literate, with a disparity between genders. Literate males stand at 80.6 percent, whereas literate females are at 55.9 percent. Among the literate population, 68.3 percent possess the ability to read and write both English and Ghanaian languages, while 25.3 percent are literate in English alone. Remarkably, 30.2 percent of the district's population aged 3 years and older have never attended school, 32.1 percent have attended previously, and 37.7 percent are currently enrolled. Among those attending school, 18.1 percent are in Kindergarten, 52.3 percent are in primary school, and 18.3 percent are in Junior High Schools.
Economic Activities and Occupation
Economic activity among individuals aged 15 years and above indicates that 75.5 percent are economically active, while 24.5 percent are not engaged in economic pursuits. Of the economically active group, 98.4 percent are employed, and 1.6 percent are unemployed. Within the unemployed segment, 65.5 percent are actively seeking employment for the first time. The economically inactive category comprises various groups, including students (52.7%), those deemed too young or old to work (17.5%), and individuals engaged in household duties (14.7%).
Occupational Diversity and Industry
Among the employed population, 71.6 percent are classified as skilled agricultural, forestry, and fishery workers, 12.5 percent engage in craft and related trades, and 12.5 percent are involved in service and sales. Notably, females exhibit a higher representation (19.6%) among service and sales workers compared to males (7.3%), whereas males (75.9%) dominate skilled agricultural, forestry, and fishery roles more than females (65.7%). The occupational distribution thus underscores gender-based disparities.
Employment Sector and Status
Within the district's population aged 15 years and above, 80.3 percent are self-employed without employees, 10.4 percent contribute as family workers, and 5.3 percent hold employee positions. A gender-based distinction emerges, with male employees (9.2%) outnumbering female employees (2.4%). Conversely, a higher percentage of females (12.0%) contribute as family workers compared to males (8.2%). The private informal sector assumes prominence in employment, accommodating 95.3 percent of the population, while the public sector employs 2.7 percent.
The Akatsi North District is a distinct administrative unit within the Volta Region of Ghana. It is characterized by a diverse demographic landscape, economic activities marked by agricultural prominence, and varying levels of educational attainment. Understanding these intricate aspects contributes to a comprehensive overview of the district's socio-economic fabric.
