Stories and facts
The western boundary is demarcated by the Volta Lake, stretching over 20km of the coastal line. The total land area of the Municipality is approximately 314.07 square kilometers, which represents 1.5% of the Volta Region. Notably, nearly 12% of the land is submerged by the Volta Lake. The Municipal capital, Kpando, is approximately 70km from Ho, the Regional Capital.
The Municipality experiences a tropical climate, heavily influenced by the South West Monsoon winds from the South Atlantic Ocean and the dry Harmattan winds from the Sahara. It has two distinct rainy seasons: a major one occurring from mid-April to early July, and a minor one from September to November. The annual rainfall averages between 900mm to 1,300mm. The mean annual temperature is around 27 degrees Celsius, with daily temperatures ranging from 22 to 33 degrees Celsius. The hottest months are usually February and March, while July and August are relatively cooler. The average relative humidity remains at 80 percent.
Population
According to projected population figures from the 2010 Population and Housing Census (PHC) by the Ghana Statistical Service, the total population of Kpando Municipality was approximately 62,240 in 2017. Males constituted 48.21% of the population, while females made up 51.79%. The population is estimated to be growing at a rate of 2.5% per annum. Kpando Municipality represents 2.5% of the regional population and is predominantly urban, with 55.01% residing in urban areas and 44.99% in rural areas.
Culture and Chieftaincy
The indigenous inhabitants of Kpando Municipality are mainly Ewe-speaking people who migrated from Notsie, Togo, in the 17th century. The population is organized into traditional areas, each headed by a paramount chief, supported by various sub-chiefs as symbols of authority. Property ownership follows a patrilineal inheritance system.
Traditionally, the Municipality is ruled by three authorities: Kpando, Gbefi, and Sovie. Each traditional area is led by a paramount chief, with sub-chiefs overseeing various communities. These traditional authorities are responsible for managing stool lands on behalf of the people and play a central role in organizing and celebrating festivals and other community events. Additionally, they are the custodians of traditional beliefs and customs.
Religion and Municipal Security
Kpando Municipality reflects religious diversity, with its inhabitants practicing Traditional, Christian, and Islamic religions. Christianity is the predominant faith, embraced by approximately 87.8% of the population, followed by Islam at approximately 6.0%. Traditional religion constitutes about 2.9% of the population, while other religions make up 0.7%. Approximately 2.6% of the population does not identify with any religion.
Security matters in the Municipality are overseen by the Municipal Security Council (MUSEC), chaired by the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE). The council collaborates with various security agencies operating in the Municipality, including the Police Service, Prison Service, Ghana Immigration Service, Fire Service, and Naval Command.
Occupation
The majority of the population in Kpando Municipality is engaged in the service sector, constituting 47.0% of the workforce. The Agriculture sector, including forestry and fishing, employs around 32.0% of the population. Craft and related services account for approximately 20.0% of the workforce, while other occupations represent the smallest proportion at 1%.
Vegetation
The Municipality's vegetation is primarily characterized by guinea savannah woodland, consisting of grasslands dotted with scattered trees like acacia, bamboo, and baobabs, especially along the River Dayi Basin. However, extensive human activities such as charcoal burning, farming, and logging have led to a reduction in the vegetation, resulting in secondary growth and savanna areas.
Kpando Municipality in the Volta Region of Ghana boasts a rich cultural heritage, a diverse population, and a tropical climate. Despite facing challenges such as vegetation loss and occupation distribution, the Municipality remains a vibrant and dynamic community with promising prospects for the future. Its unique blend of traditions, religions, and economic activities makes it a compelling and significant part of the Volta Region.
