Stories and facts
Sekyere Central District, situated in the vibrant Ashanti Region of Ghana, is a distinct administrative region comprising a rich tapestry of history and evolution. Originally a part of the expansive Sekyere West District, established in 1988 through the reformation of the former Sekyere District Council, this region underwent a significant transformation on 1st November 2007. At that time, the eastern segment of the district was delineated to create the independent Sekyere Central District, while the remaining section was rechristened as the Mampong Municipal District. This transformation marked a pivotal moment as the latter district attained municipal district assembly status in the same year. The district assembly is headquartered in the northern vicinity of the Ashanti Region, with Nsuta serving as its central town.
Population Dynamics and Composition
As of the 2010 Population and Housing Census, the populace of Sekyere Central District stands at 71,232 individuals, accounting for nearly 1.5 percent of the total regional population. The gender distribution showcases a near balance, with males representing 49.5 percent and females comprising 50.5 percent of the populace. Notably, the majority of residents reside in rural areas, constituting 68.3 percent of the district's population. An examination of the district's age structure underscores its youthful character, depicted through a broad-based population pyramid that gradually narrows at the upper echelons, signifying a smaller number of elderly individuals. The age dependency ratio, standing at 93.9, signifies a reliance on the working-age population to support dependents. However, there is a gender disparity in this ratio, with males presenting a higher ratio (96.8) compared to females (91.3).
Fertility, Mortality, and Migration Patterns
The district's fertility indicators present a Total Fertility Rate of 4.0. Moreover, the General Fertility Rate, which stands at 118 births per 1000 women aged 15-49 years, ranks as the second highest in the region. In terms of mortality, the Crude Birth Rate (CBR) is recorded at 26.4 per 1000 population, while the crude death rate is 7.65 per 1000. Stratifying by gender, the death rate for males is highest among those aged 70 years and above, accounting for 45 deaths per 1000 population. For females, a similar trend is observed, with the highest death rate (22 deaths per 1000 population) occurring among those aged 70 years and above. The district also witnesses significant migration, with 7,726 individuals migrating within the same region. The primary origins of migrants are the Brong Ahafo (1,300), Northern (4,948), Upper East (2,770), and Upper West (1,920) regions.
Household Characteristics
Within Sekyere Central District, the household population totals 70,574, distributed across 4,902 households. On average, each household accommodates 4.8 individuals. Children form the largest segment of household composition, accounting for 43.7 percent. Spouses represent approximately 8.9 percent of households, while nuclear households—comprising a head, spouse(s), and children—constitute 27.2 percent of total households.
Marital Status and Socio-Economic Status
Marital status reveals diverse patterns within the district's population. Approximately 43.9 percent of individuals aged 12 years and older are married, while 38.1 percent have never married. Consensual unions, widowed, divorced, and separated statuses account for 5.3 percent, 6.2 percent, 4.5 percent, and 2.1 percent respectively. Notably, females aged 12-14 years in the district exhibit a higher prevalence of marriage (6.7 percent) compared to their male counterparts. The education-marital link is evident, as 47.1 percent of married individuals lack formal education. Economic activity status varies among these groups, with 86.9 percent of married individuals being employed, while 61.5 percent of those who have never married are not economically active.
Nationality, Literacy, and Education
The district's population is predominantly Ghanaian by birth, accounting for 95.3 percent. Naturalized citizens constitute 0.7 percent, and non-Ghanaians make up 2.1 percent of the population. The literacy landscape presents a positive outlook, with 66.2 percent of individuals aged 11 years and above being literate. The gender divide is evident in literacy rates, with 71.3 percent of males and 61.4 percent of females demonstrating literacy. An encouraging 68.6 percent of the population aged 3 years and above have mastered both English and Ghanaian languages. Of those aged 3 years and above, 29.1 percent have never attended school, while 70.9 percent are currently attending and 30.3 percent have received education in the past.
Economic Activities and Occupation
The district showcases an active economic landscape, with 72.7 percent of individuals aged 15 years and older engaged in economic activities. Within this cohort, 97.5 percent are employed, and 2.5 percent are unemployed. Economic inactivity is mostly attributed to students (47.7 percent) and individuals performing household duties (22.7 percent), with 7.2 percent being disabled or unwell. Among the employed, 74.6 percent are involved in skilled agricultural, forestry, and fishery work, while 9.1 percent are in service and sales, 6.8 percent in craft and related trade, and 3.5 percent are engaged as managers, professionals, and technicians.
Employment Status and Sectoral Distribution
The employment landscape demonstrates that 69.9 percent of individuals aged 15 years and older are self-employed without employees, and 16.5 percent are contributing family workers. Furthermore, 1.0 percent are casual workers, and 0.8 percent are domestic employees. Males dominate most employment categories except for contributing family workers and apprentices. The private informal sector plays a pivotal role as the district's primary employer, engaging 93.9 percent of the population, followed by the public sector with 4.5 percent contribution.
