Stories and facts
Over time, it underwent transformative shifts, leading to the formation of distinct entities. Notably, the eastern sector of the district was partitioned to give rise to the 1st Sekyere Afram Plains District on November 1, 2007 (effectively recognized on February 29, 2008), positioning Kumawu as its central hub. An ensuing reconfiguration on June 28, 2012, led to the creation of the fresh Sekyere Afram Plains District, with Dobrosno as its administrative heart. Concomitantly, the remaining portion was officially redesignated as Sekyere Kumawu District, retaining Kumawu as its focal point. Effiduase, situated in the eastern expanse of the Ashanti Region, serves as the district assembly's administrative seat.
Demographic Patterns and Dynamics
The populace of Sekyere East District, as documented in the 2010 Population and Housing Census, stands at 62,172, representing approximately 1.3 percent of the region's entire population. Gender-wise, females constitute 52.5 percent of the populace, while males account for 47.5 percent. The urban-rural distribution is notable, with 54.1 percent of residents dwelling in urban locales, juxtaposed with 45.9 percent residing in rural settings. This demographic landscape delineates a sex ratio of 90.4, indicating a preponderance of females within the district. The age structure manifests a youthful complexion, exemplified by a pyramidal population structure tapering into a smaller cohort of elderly individuals. Noteworthy age dependency ratios include a district-wide rate of 86.2, with males displaying a higher ratio (93.3) than their female counterparts (80.3).
Fertility, Mortality, and Migration
Fertility dynamics in Sekyere East District are underscored by a Total Fertility Rate of 3.8. Notably, the General Fertility Rate tallies at 114.4 births per 1000 women aged 15-49 years, ranking as the region's second-highest. The Crude Birth Rate (CBR) for the district stands at 28.2 per 1000 population. Mortality indicators reveal a crude death rate of 7.5 per 1000 population. Migrant presence encompasses approximately 26 percent of the district's populace, with the majority originating from the Ashanti region (62.2%) and the Brong Ahafo region (6.9%). A substantial portion of migrants (one-third) have established residence within the district for durations ranging from one to four years.
Household Composition and Structure
Sekyere East District encompasses a household population of 61,136, distributed across 13,668 households. The average household size is recorded at 4.5 individuals, surpassing the regional mean of 4.1. Notably, progeny (sons/daughters) comprise 42 percent of household members, while spouses constitute 9 percent. Among households, nuclear arrangements, encompassing a head, spouse(s), and children, account for 24.6 percent of the district's total.
Marital Dynamics
Marital contours within the district reveal that 41.4 percent of individuals aged 12 years and above have never married, juxtaposed with 39.9 percent who are married. Intriguingly, the apex age for female marriage surfaces much earlier (35-39 years, 73.0%) than that of males (50-54 years, 82.3%). The prevalence of widowhood is notably higher among females, exhibiting an eightfold disparity compared to males. Among the married population, 20.4 percent lack formal education. Of the married individuals, 57.6 percent are engaged in employment, while 3.7 percent remain unemployed, and 38.7 percent are economically inactive. Within the segment that has never married, a significant 67.9 percent are economically inactive.
National Identity and Literacy
The district's fabric is primarily woven with Ghanaian threads, with 95 percent of its populace being Ghanaian by birth. Naturalized citizens constitute a mere 0.8 percent, while the non-Ghanaian contingent accounts for 2.2 percent. In terms of literacy, 84.2 percent of individuals aged 11 years and older possess reading and writing skills, while the remaining 15.8 percent are non-literate. Among the literate, proficiency extends to English and Ghanaian languages for 70.3 percent, Ghanaian language alone for 16.8 percent, and English alone for 11.9 percent. Among those aged 3 years and above, encompassing 56,569 individuals, 13.4 percent have not attended school, while 44.0 percent are presently engaged in education, and 42.5 percent have prior educational experience.
Economic Activity and Occupation
Economic vitality pulses through the district, with 68 percent of individuals aged 15 years and above actively participating in economic endeavors, while 31.9 percent remain economically inactive. Among the economically active, 96 percent are gainfully employed, while 6 percent experience unemployment. Notably, the economically inactive stratum is predominantly comprised of students (51.0%) and those engaged in household duties (22.4%). Noteworthy is the fact that 64 percent of the unemployed cohort are embarking on their inaugural job-seeking endeavors.
Occupational Landscape and Employment Sectors
In terms of occupations, a rich mosaic of engagement emerges. Skilled agricultural, forestry, and fishery roles encompass 42.3 percent of the employed populace, followed by service and sales roles at 22 percent, and craft and related trades at 14 percent. Males predominantly occupy the skilled agricultural, forestry, and fishery sector (43.5%), slightly surpassing their female counterparts (41.4%). The employment tapestry showcases a majority (60 percent) of self-employed individuals operating without employees, whereas 16.9 percent function as employees. Notably, female self-employment (70.1%) eclipses that of males (56.7%). The private informal sector serves as the district's largest employer, absorbing 87.1 percent of the population, followed by the public sector at 9.0 percent.
Sekyere East District, an integral unit within the Ashanti Region of Ghana, hosts a vibrant populace defined by diverse demographics and multifaceted socioeconomic dynamics. Anchored by distinctive administrative divisions and marked by migratory patterns, family structures, and employment landscapes, the district stands as a microcosm of Ghana's sociocultural tapestry. Its journey of evolution, coupled with demographic nuances and economic vibrancy, collectively contribute to the district's rich and complex identity within the regional mosaic.
