Stories and facts
Borne from the heart of the Kwahu North District, this new district has swiftly become a focal point for development initiatives and challenges. This article delves into the district's origins, geographical features, population dynamics, and key development challenges it currently grapples with.
The creation of the Kwahu Afram Plains South District marked a significant moment in Ghana's administrative landscape. Formed through Legislative Instrument 2045 in 2012, the district's birth was a result of strategic administrative restructuring. Geographically, the district is situated in the Eastern Region, bordered by the Kwahu Afram Plains North to the north, Kwahu South to the south, the Volta River to the east, and the Ashanti-Akim and Sekyere East Districts to the west. Encompassing approximately 3,095 square kilometers, it occupies the North-Western corner of the Eastern Region.
As of the 2021 Population and Housing Census, the Kwahu Afram Plains South District is home to a population of 74,002 individuals. This population is divided into 39,423 males and 34,579 females, contributing to the district's social fabric and diversity. The district's accessibility is primarily facilitated by two main road routes. The Nkawkaw-Mpraeso-Bepong-Kwahu Tafo route and the Adawso entryway, which features a ferry service operated by the Volta Lake Transport Company, provide crucial connections for both transportation and trade.
Located within the savannah vegetation zone, the district's landscape is characterized by undulating terrain that rises between 60 to 120 meters above sea level. Its distinct soils include the Swedru-Nsaba-Offin Compound, dominated by the Swedru series – red silty, well-drained loams – and the Nsaba series – yellowish red silty clay loam. The district's climate features two main rainy seasons, spanning June and October, with mean annual rainfall ranging between 1150mm and 1650mm. The dry season, from November to late February, is counterbalanced by high relative humidity year-round.
At the heart of the district's governance is the Kwahu traditional council, overseen by the Omanhene. This council, supported by divisional chiefs, adjudicates cases and plays a pivotal role in upholding local traditions. On the administrative front, a District Chief Executive, as the President's representative, leads the district. The Local Government System is structured with a General Assembly as the supreme decision-making body, followed by area councils and unit committees. The General Assembly comprises 38 Assembly Members, 27 elected and 11 appointed, overseeing 11 decentralized departments.
While the Kwahu Afram Plains South District holds immense potential, it grapples with multifaceted development challenges. Key sectors like education, health, infrastructure, roads, telecommunications, and electricity demand targeted interventions to unlock growth. The overarching development goal is to achieve accelerated socio-economic progress, sustainable development, and significant poverty reduction within the framework of decentralization.
The district's development focus hinges on key pillars – industrialization supported by local economic growth, sustainable agricultural development, infrastructure enhancement, and environmentally conscious management. As the district forges ahead, it seeks to harness its resources, address challenges, and establish a trajectory toward a more prosperous and resilient future.
The Kwahu Afram Plains South District's journey since its inception in 2012 paints a picture of evolution, challenges, and aspirations. As it navigates through development hurdles, the district's strategic location, rich cultural heritage, and commitment to progress position it as a promising area to watch in Ghana's ever-changing administrative and developmental landscape.
