Stories and facts

Sekyere Afram Plains District's inception traces back to a division from the Sekyere District Council. On November 1, 2007 (effectively February 29, 2008), a significant portion of the original district separated to form the 1st Sekyere Afram Plains District, with Kumawu serving as its capital. Later, on June 28, 2012, the Afram Plains area further split, resulting in the establishment of a distinct Sekyere Afram Plains District, with Dobrosno as its capital. Meanwhile, the remaining territory assumed the name Sekyere Kumawu District, retaining Kumawu as its capital. The district assembly is located in the eastern part of the Ashanti Region, with Drobonso as its capital town.

Population Overview

According to the 2010 Population and Housing Census, the population of Sekyere Afram Plains District stood at 28,535, contributing 6.0 percent to the region's total population. Gender-wise, males constituted 53.2 percent, while females represented 46.8 percent of the population. The district boasts a wholly rural populace. The sex ratio stands at 113.7, reflecting a slightly higher male population. With a median age of 46.0 percent, the district's population pyramid reflects a substantial youth presence (46.0%), tapering towards a smaller elderly segment (2.8%). The age dependency ratio, at 95.0, portrays a notable interdependence between age groups. Additionally, the age dependency ratio for females (99.4) exceeds that of males (91.3).

Demographic Dynamics

Key demographic indicators shed light on fertility, mortality, and migration patterns within the district. The Total Fertility Rate for the district is 5.0, with the General Fertility Rate standing at 153.0 births per 1000 women aged 15-49, ranking second highest within the region. The Crude Birth Rate (CBR) is 32.5 per 1000 population, and the Crude Death Rate is 3.9 per 1000. Accidents, violence, homicide, and suicide collectively accounted for 5.5 percent of all deaths, while other causes constituted the remaining 94.5 percent. Notably, 85.3 percent of migrants within the district originated from different regions, with the majority born in the Northern region, followed by Upper West and Upper East regions, comprising 84.3 percent of the migrant population.

Household Structure

Sekyere Afram Plains District comprises a household population of 28,112, distributed among 5,411 households. The district's average household size is 5.3 individuals. Children form the largest demographic group within households, accounting for 49.0 percent. Meanwhile, spouses represent about 12 percent of household members. Nuclear households, consisting of the head, spouse(s), and children, make up 36.2 percent of the district's households.

Marital Status

Marital status reveals intriguing social patterns within the district. Around 53.2 percent of individuals aged 12 and above are married, while 36.3 percent have never married. Consensual unions and widowed individuals constitute 4.0 percent and 4.6 percent, respectively. Noteworthy variations emerge across age groups, with 81.3 percent of females aged 25-29 being married compared to 50.8 percent of males. Moreover, among the married, a substantial proportion (73.7 percent) lack formal education, while approximately 43.8 percent of the unmarried have never attended school. Additionally, the majority of the married population (94.2 percent) are employed, contrasting with the economically inactive (5.1 percent) and unemployed (0.7 percent) segments. Economic inactivity is more prevalent among the unmarried (31.6 percent) than the married.

Nationality and Literacy

The district's demographic composition reflects its predominantly Ghanaian population, with 95.0 percent being Ghanaians by birth. Naturalized citizens account for 0.6 percent, while non-Ghanaians constitute 2.3 percent. In terms of literacy, 40.2 percent of individuals aged 11 and above are literate, with a higher literacy rate among males (42.8 percent) than females (37.2 percent). Notably, 61.9 percent of the population can read and write both English and Ghanaian languages. Regarding educational attendance, 53.6 percent of individuals aged 3 and above have never attended school, 29.4 percent are currently attending, and 17.0 percent have attended in the past.

Economic Dynamics

The district's economic activity profile unveils that 88.5 percent of individuals aged 15 and above are economically active, while 11.5 percent are not. Among the economically active, 98.7 percent are employed, and 1.3 percent are unemployed. The economically inactive group encompasses students (45.3 percent), individuals engaged in household duties (23.4 percent), and those unable to work due to disability or illness (7.3 percent). A significant proportion (60.2 percent) of the unemployed are first-time job seekers. Occupationally, the employed primarily comprise skilled agricultural, forestry, and fishery workers (89.6 percent), followed by service and sales roles (3.1 percent), craft and related trades (3.8 percent), and managerial and technical positions (1.7 percent).

Employment Status and Sector

The district's economic landscape reveals that 54.3 percent of individuals aged 15 and above are self-employed without employees. Contributing family workers account for 36.8 percent, while casual workers and domestic employees represent 0.8 percent and 1.0 percent, respectively. Males dominate all employment categories except contributing family workers, apprentices, and self-employed individuals with employees. The private informal sector is the district's largest employer, engaging 97.3 percent of the population, followed by the public sector with 1.5 percent.

The evolution and demographics of Sekyere Afram Plains District provide a comprehensive glimpse into its historical trajectory and present-day characteristics. From its origins as a part of Sekyere East District to its subsequent divisions and the emergence of distinct sub-districts, the area's administrative history reflects its evolving identity. The district's population makeup, age distribution, marital status patterns, economic activities, and literacy rates together showcase a vibrant community deeply rooted in the Ashanti Region of Ghana.