Stories and facts
Established through Legislative Instrument (2316), its primary objective is to foster grassroots decision-making and promote development through effective administration and planning. The Assembly was officially inaugurated on March 15th, 2018.
According to the 2010 Housing and Population Census, Ga South Municipal Assembly had a gross population density of 8.18 persons per hectare. However, the population density has been rapidly increasing over the years, reaching an estimated 10.91 persons per hectare in 2017. Projections indicate that by the end of the plan period in 2021, the population density may rise further to 14.10 persons per hectare. This rapid population growth, if not well planned for, could exert immense pressure on existing facilities and necessitate direct efforts to meet the needs of the populace.
Presently, Ga South Municipal Assembly is among the 254 Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in Ghana and is one of the 26 MMDAs within the Greater Accra Region. The Assembly was carved out from the former Ga South Municipal Assembly (Weija) in November 2017. It comprises 2 Zonal Councils (Domeabra and Obom) that operate under its jurisdiction.
The General Assembly of Ga South Municipal Assembly, including the Municipal Chief Executive, consists of thirty members. This membership comprises nineteen elected members, eight government appointees, and two Members of Parliament representing the Ngleshie Amanfro-Bortianor and Obom-Domeabra Constituencies. The Municipal Chief Executive, appointed by the President and approved by the General Assembly, serves as the political head of the entire Municipality, while the Municipal Coordinating Director takes up the role of the administrative head.
Geographically, Ga South Municipality lies in the southwestern part of Greater Accra, with its boundaries adjoining Upper West Akim to the North, Weija-Gbawe Municipal Assembly to the East, Gomoa East to the South-West, Awutu-Senya East to the West, and the Gulf of Guinea to the South. The land area covers approximately 385.23 square kilometers, encompassing about 60 settlements with populations exceeding 3000, along with numerous satellite communities and hamlets.
The Municipality's vegetation covers comprise the Moist Semi-delicious forest, Mangrove swamp, and coastal Scrub and Grassland. However, due to climatic and human factors, there have been alterations to the vegetation over the past century. Ga South experiences a bi-modal rainfall pattern, with an average annual mean varying from 760mm on the coast to about 1120mm in the extreme north. The region experiences more dry seasons than wet seasons. The temperature varies between 26°C in August and 28°C in February and March, with relative humidity hovering around 75%.
Ga South Municipality features gentle slopes interspersed with plains, with elevations generally below 76 meters above sea level. The clay soils of the Dahomeyan gneiss dominate the slopes, and alluvial areas surround the low-lying coastal lagoons. Two main rivers, the Densu and Ponpon rivers, drain the Municipality. The Densu River serves as a vital water supply source for over half of Accra Metropolis' population and the central part of the Greater Accra Region. Additionally, several smaller water bodies, such as tributaries of the Adeiso, Doblo, Ntafafa, and Ponpon rivers, enrich the Municipality's natural resources.
The Ga South Municipality is projected to have a considerable economically active population. The local economy has been gradually shifting away from agriculture and fishery toward service and commerce, with over 57% of the economically active population engaged in service and sales occupations. However, there remains great potential for the agriculture and fishery sectors due to available land and the coastal location.
The Assembly has set ambitious visions for the economic development of the region. Plans include developing 200 acres of land at Danchira into an industrial and economic hub, generating employment opportunities, and increasing the Assembly's revenue base. Moreover, the development of the Solo Monkey Forest as a sustainable community tourism center aims to diversify and expand the tourism industry for economic growth and ecological sustainability.
The informal sector constitutes the largest employer in the Municipality, followed by the private formal sector. Female employment is higher in the private informal sector, while male employment is more common in the public sector, partially attributed to the lower literacy levels among females in Ghana.
The Ga South Municipal Assembly holds great potential for growth and development. With a strategic focus on effective administration, development planning, and proactive measures to manage the increasing population, it can chart a path towards sustainable progress and prosperity in the Greater Accra Region.
