Stories and facts
The Mfantsiman Municipal Assembly is one of the twenty-two districts situated in the Central Region of Ghana. Initially established as an ordinary district assembly in 1988 under the name Mfantsiman District, it was carved out of the former Mfantsiman District Council. In 2008, it was elevated to the status of a municipal district assembly and became known as Mfantsiman Municipal District. However, on June 28, 2012, a portion of the district's eastern region was separated to form Ekumfi District, leaving the remaining area as Mfantsiman Municipal Assembly. The municipal capital is Saltpond, located in the southwestern part of the Central Region.
Geographically, Mfantsiman Municipality spans from latitudes 5° to 5°20’ north of the equator and longitudes 0°44’ to 1°11’ west of the Greenwich Meridian, covering approximately 612 square kilometres. It stretches about 21 kilometres along the Atlantic coastline and extends about 13 kilometers inland. The district shares borders with Gomoa West District to the east, Ekumfi District to the west, Ajumaku Enyan Essiam District to the north, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south.
As of the 2021 population and housing census, the population of Mfantsiman Municipality is approximately 168,905, with 78,033 males and 90,872 females.
The economy of the region primarily revolves around fishing, farming, and trading. Saltpond, the capital, is historically significant as the birthplace of the Convention People's Party (CPP), founded by Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana's first President. Additionally, it is noteworthy for being the location of the first tarred road in Ghana and the place where offshore oil drilling in the country first began.
The region has diverse physical features, including a coastal savannah with dense scrub and grassland. Agriculture plays a crucial role in the local economy, with cocoa, oil palm, pineapples, oranges, plantain, maize, cassava, cocoyam, and coconut being cultivated. Fishing is a major economic activity in the coastal towns and villages.
The Mfantsiman Municipality has several educational facilities, including private and public schools at various levels, as well as vocational training centers like Biriwa NVTI.
The area boasts cultural diversity, with the Akan group being the majority ethnic group, along with migrants from other ethnic backgrounds. The municipality celebrates various festivals, such as Odambea, Ahobaa, and Okyir, which reflect the rich cultural heritage.
The region has potential in tourism, with historical monuments like Fort Amsterdam and Fort William (Fort Anomabo) and beach resorts in Saltpond, Abandze, Anomabo, Biriwa, and Kuntu.
Trade and commerce thrive in Mfantsiman, with Mankessim serving as a significant market center. Some industries, such as gin distilleries, soap making, boat building, and saw milling, contribute to the local economy.
The municipality is connected by second and third-class roads, with the Accra-Takoradi trunk road passing through it. Access to water, electricity, and telecommunication services is widespread, facilitating economic activities and development.
