Stories and facts
This positioning not only establishes Ketu South Municipality as a prominent ground border crossing within West Africa but also highlights its pivotal role in regional connectivity.
The establishment of Ketu South Municipality dates back to 2007 when an Act of Parliament led to the division of the former Ketu area into Ketu North and Ketu South. This legislative change was formalized through the enactment of Legislative Instrument (LI) 1897 of 2007. Subsequently, in 2012, the Municipality's status was elevated to that of a municipality through the implementation of LI 2155 of 2012. Spearheading the administrative and planning affairs within the Municipality is the Ketu South Municipal Assembly, comprising 57 Assembly Members, which stands as the highest decision-making body responsible for shaping policies and laws.
Geographical Attributes and Demographics
Positioned within the Volta Region of Ghana, Ketu South Municipality is part of the assembly of eighteen municipalities and districts. Encompassing an area of approximately 279.64 square kilometres, it constitutes about 2.8 percent of the region's land expanse. The Municipality's strategic location is marked by its adjacency to the Republic of Togo in the east, the Keta Municipality in the west, Ketu North Municipal in the north, and the Gulf of Guinea in the south.
In terms of population, the 2010 Population and Housing Census recorded a total of 160,756 residents within Ketu South Municipality, with females comprising 52.9 percent. This population makeup accounted for 7.6 percent of the entire Volta Region's populace. Projected to grow at a rate of 2.4 percent, the Municipality's population is expected to reach 214,409 by the close of 2021. This population surge owes much to the influx of immigrants hailing primarily from neighboring countries such as Togo, Benin, Nigeria, and Niger. These immigrants engage in various commercial endeavors within the Municipality or utilize it as a transit point to other parts of the West African region.
Physical Landscape and Natural Features
Ketu South Municipality encompasses a diverse topography that ranges from low-lying coastal areas with altitudes below 15 meters to higher ground reaching up to 66 meters inland. Its coastline, characterized by smooth contours and sandbars, spans approximately 30 kilometers. Notably, the Municipality boasts an extensive wetlands and lagoon ecosystem, stretching from the Keta lagoon at Blekusu to the environs of Aflao. This aquatic expanse offers opportunities for activities such as aquaculture, eco-tourism, green belt development, and salt mining.
Climate, Vegetation, and Biodiversity
The Municipality falls within the dry coastal savanna climatic zone. Its average monthly temperatures range between 24℃ and 30℃, fostering favorable conditions for year-round plant growth. With an annual average rainfall of 850mm at the coastline, rising to 1,000mm inland, the Municipality experiences two distinct rainy periods: one from April to July and another from September to October. This seasonal pattern contrasts with the dry season, characterized by the prevalence of dry harmattan winds, which typically extends from December to February. However, it's important to note that rainfall can be inconsistent, particularly along the coastal strip between Agbozume and Aflao during the minor rainy season.
Ketu South Municipality's original vegetation comprises Coastal/Guinea Savannah Woodland, primarily consisting of short grassland with fewer clusters of bushes and trees, predominantly found in the northern sector. Additionally, coastal scrub, grassland, and mangrove forests are present in marshlands located in the southern region of the Municipality. This varied vegetation supports the region's ecological diversity and contributes to its natural beauty.
In essence, Ketu South Municipality stands as a remarkable crossroads of international connections and geographical features, playing an essential role in Ghana's landscape and the broader West African region.
