Stories and facts

The Sagnarigu Municipality is a prominent administrative unit among Ghana's 261 Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs). This municipal body is an integral part of the Northern Region, contributing to the diversity and development of the area. Established on the 28th of June, 2012, the Sagnarigu Municipality emerged from the division of the Tamale region, marking its inauguration through Legislative Instrument (LI) 2066.

Location

Geographically positioned between latitudes 9º16’ and 9º34’ North and longitudes 0º36’ and 0º57’ West, the Sagnarigu Municipal encompasses an expansive land area of 454 km². The administrative focal point of this municipality is Sagnarigu, where the heartbeat of governance and community engagement resides.

Sagnarigu Municipal shares its boundaries with several neighboring regions, reinforcing its interconnectedness within the broader landscape. To the north lies Savelugu Municipal, while to the south and east, the bustling Tamale Metropolis sets its limits. The western edge is bordered by the Tolon District, and the northwestern boundary is defined by the Kumbungu District.

Population Insights

The Sagnarigu Municipal boasts a population of 148,099, as per the 2010 Population and Housing Census, contributing approximately 6 percent to the region's overall populace. Gender balance is evident, with males constituting 50.6 percent and females comprising 49.4 percent of the population. Notably, 63.2 percent of the population resides in urban areas, amounting to 93,550 individuals. A nuanced age distribution is observed, with a youthful demographic (0-14 years) accounting for 37.5 percent, while the elderly segment (60+ years) stands at 5.9 percent, rendering a distinctive pyramid-like population structure.

Fertility, Mortality, and Migration Patterns

Sagnarigu Municipal's fertility patterns mirror the broader regional trend, with a Total Fertility Rate of 3.3, slightly surpassing the regional average of 3.5. The General Fertility Rate is recorded at 92.8 births per 1000 women aged 15-49 years, accompanied by a Crude Birth Rate (CBR) of 24.2 per 1000 population. Notably, the district's crude death rate stands at 5.7 per 1000. Gender-specific disparities are observed in mortality rates among those aged 70+, with males registering 47.1 deaths per 1000 population, while females experience 28.4 deaths per 1000 population. Noteworthy is the fact that 7.2 percent of deaths within the district result from accident/violence/homicide/suicide, while other causes account for the remaining cases.

Migration dynamics within the district reveal that 58.7 percent of migrants originate within the Northern region, while 39.4 percent hail from other regions. Among the latter group, individuals from the Upper East constitute 30.7 percent, followed by Ashanti (14.2 percent), and Upper West (13.3 percent).

Household Landscape

Sagnarigu Municipal sustains a diverse household landscape, encompassing a population of 146,291 distributed across 23,447 households. The average household size remains robust at 6.3 individuals per household. Children are central to the household composition, contributing 43.3 percent, and spouses constitute 9.9 percent. Extended households, incorporating Heads, spouses, children, and relatives, form a significant portion, accounting for 50.5 percent of the total.

Marital dynamics reflect a diverse range of statuses. Approximately 48.5 percent of individuals aged 12 years and older are married, with 45.3 percent having never married. A small fraction, 0.6 percent, are in consensual unions, while 3.8 percent are widowed. The population includes 1.1 percent who are divorced, and 0.7 percent who are separated. Noteworthy is the age-specific marital alignment, with 70.1 percent of females aged 25-29 being married, in contrast to 30.7 percent of their male counterparts.

Educational Attainment and Literacy

Educational advancement within the district is evident, with 60.0 percent of individuals aged 11 years and above classified as literate, leaving 40.0 percent as non-literate. Notably, male literacy rates (68.3 percent) surpass those of females (52.0 percent). An impressive 59.1 percent of individuals possess the ability to communicate and write in both English and local Ghanaian languages. Among individuals aged 3 years and above (135,846), 33.7 percent have never attended school, while 44.7 percent are currently enrolled, and 21.5 percent have previously attended.

Economic Landscape

Economic participation underscores Sagnarigu Municipal's vibrancy, with 59.0 percent of individuals aged 15 years and above engaging in economic activities. The remaining 41.0 percent are categorized as economically inactive. Among the economically active segment, 92.1 percent are employed, while 7.9 percent experience unemployment. The economically inactive category features diverse roles, with 58.2 percent being students, 22.3 percent performing household duties, and 2.1 percent unable to work due to disabilities or illness. Notably, 54.6 percent of unemployed individuals are actively seeking employment for the first time.

Occupational diversity shines through, as 27.0 percent of the employed population serve in service and sales roles, followed by 22.0 percent in craft and related trades, 21.5 percent in skilled agricultural, forestry, and fishery positions, and 16.0 percent holding roles as managers, professionals, and technicians.

Employment Framework

The Sagnarigu Municipal's employment landscape features a self-employed demographic (57.2 percent) predominantly without employees. Employees constitute 25.6 percent of the workforce, with contributing family workers comprising 6.0 percent. Remarkably, the private informal sector holds the mantle of being the district's largest employer, absorbing 77.5 percent of the population, followed by the public sector with 15.9 percent.