Stories and facts
Initially functioning as a District Assembly, it took control of the day-to-day administration of the Municipality. In recognition of its growth and development, the Assembly was elevated to the status of a Municipality in 2012. Since then, ANMA has played a crucial role in driving the development of the area by performing executive, deliberative, and legislative functions.
The Akuapem North Municipality is located in the Southeastern part of the Eastern Region of Ghana, approximately 58 kilometers from the national capital, Accra. It shares borders with the Dangbe West District Assembly to the northeast, the Akuapem South District Assembly to the southeast, the Suhum Municipal Assembly to the West, and the New Juabeng Municipal Assembly to the North.
The Municipality covers a land area of about 480 square kilometers, accounting for approximately 2.3% of the entire land mass of the Eastern Region. It comprises around 280 settlements, with Akropong serving as its Municipal capital. The strategic location of the Municipality, close to both Accra and Koforidua (the regional capital), fosters socio-economic interactions and promotes economic development.
According to the 2010 Population and Housing Census, the population of the Akuapem North Municipality was 136,483, with males constituting 46.9% and females 53.1%. The growth rate at that time was 2.1%.
The Municipality's topography is primarily characterized by the Akuapem Range, a main hill range with heights ranging between 381 meters and 488 meters. The highest peak reaches 500 meters, situated at Amanokrom, near a natural water tank. The lowest point is approximately 152 meters. The rivers Brump, Ponpon, and Aponapong, along with their tributaries, form the main drainage channels in the Larteh-Mampong geographical area. In addition, the Aboabo, Nsaki, and Yensi streams drain the North-west segment of the Municipality.
While the topography provides a picturesque landscape, it poses challenges for farming due to the limited use of sophisticated machinery. As a result, subsistence farming using simple farm inputs such as hoes and cutlasses is prevalent. Furthermore, the rugged topography increases the cost and complexity of constructing physical infrastructure in the area.
The Akuapem North Municipality boasts a geological diversity with two main types of rocks—the Togo sandy shales series and the Birimian series—found within its boundaries. The Birimian series, found in the Adawso area, comprises metamorphic rocks such as benisses and schist with granite and pegmatites. On the other hand, the Togo series is present in the northeast to the southwest, near the Senya-Beraku part of the Akuapem Range, west of Accra.
The soil composition and the presence of various rocks favor agricultural activities and stone quarrying, which serve as significant sources of income for the local population.
The Akuapem North Municipality experiences a tropical rainfall climate, characterized by a bi-modal rainfall pattern and a wet semi-equatorial climate. The mean annual rainfall is 1270 millimeters, providing favorable conditions for major and minor season farming. The major rainy season typically occurs from April to July, while the minor rainy season spans from September to November.
Temperatures range from 20°C in August to 32°C in March, with an average temperature of approximately 23.88°C. A minor dry season occurs in August, while the main dry season takes place from December to February each year. The well-distributed temperature and rainfall patterns facilitate the cultivation of various food and cash crops throughout the Municipality.
The Municipality lies within the semi-deciduous forest zone, where most trees shed their leaves during the dry season. The landscape includes broken forests on hilltops, secondary forests on slopes and valleys, shrubs and bushes along motor roads and main footpaths, thickets facing the Accra Plain, and several forest reserves.
Despite the rich biodiversity, poor farming practices, real estate development, and illegal chainsaw operations have led to the degradation of the natural vegetation cover.
The Akuapem North Municipality is an integral part of the larger Akuapem State, which has one paramount chief known as the Okuapemhene. The paramount chief's seat is established in Akropong, the Municipal capital. The Akuapem State has five important and well-established divisions, namely the Kronti division (Akropong), Adonten division (Aburi), Gyase division (Amanokrom), Nifa division (Adukrom), and Benkum division (Larteh).
Although the divisions operated effectively and harmoniously, there was a period of discord when three divisions—Nifa, Benkum, and Adonten—decided to seek autonomous paramountcies. However, through determined efforts, the Akuapem State was reunited in the last quarter of 2013.
The Akuapem North Municipal Assembly has played a vital role in the development of the Municipality since its establishment. Despite facing challenges related to topography and environmental degradation, the region's strategic location, favorable climate, and rich natural resources offer opportunities for continued growth and prosperity. The unity and collaboration among the traditional divisions further enhance the prospects of progress and development in the Municipality.
