Stories and facts
This area underwent significant transformations, leading to the establishment of the 1st Sekyere Afram Plains District on November 1, 2007 (officially inaugurated on February 29, 2008), with Kumawu designated as its principal town. However, on June 28, 2012, the Afram Plains segment of the district underwent further division, giving rise to the new Sekyere Afram Plains District, with Dobrosno serving as its capital town. Consequently, the remaining portion has since been designated as the Sekyere Kumawu District, with Kumawu retaining its role as the district's capital town. The district assembly's location resides in the eastern sector of the Ashanti Region, with Kumawu as its administrative hub.
Population: Size, Structure, and Composition
The population of Sekyere Kumawu District, as recorded by the 2010 Population and Housing Census, reached 65,402 individuals. Within this population, females constitute 52.6 percent, while males make up the remaining 47.4 percent. Of note, over half (52.8%) of the populace resides in rural areas. An analysis of the sex ratio reveals a value of 90.0. The district showcases a youthful population structure, with 49.0 percent representing the younger age groups, tapering towards a smaller elderly population of 4.9 percent. The total age dependency ratio for the district stands at 96.8, with males displaying a higher ratio (104.0) compared to females (90.6).
Fertility, Mortality, and Migration
In terms of fertility, the Total Fertility Rate within the district is calculated at 4.4. This metric extends to a General Fertility Rate of 127.4 births per 1000 women aged 15-49 years. The Crude Birth Rate (CBR) per 1000 population stands at 29.2, while the Crude Death Rate records 10.4 per 1000. Notably, fatalities resulting from accidents, violence, homicide, and suicide collectively constitute 6.8 percent of all district deaths, leaving other causes accountable for the remaining 93.2 percent. In the context of migration, a significant 50.3 percent of district residents originate from regions outside Sekyere Kumawu, with 49.7 percent born within the broader Ashanti Region. Of the migrants originating outside the Ashanti Region, 16.6 percent come from the Northern Region, followed by 8.8 percent from Upper East and 7.3 percent from Brong Ahafo.
Household Composition and Structure
Sekyere Kumawu District accommodates a household population totaling 64,469, distributed across 14,185 households. The average household size stands at 4.6 persons. Among these households, children constitute the largest segment at 41.4 percent, while spouses account for approximately 8.3 percent. Notably, nuclear households, comprising a head, spouse(s), and children, represent 22.7 percent of the district's total households.
Marital Status and Education
Marital status statistics reveal that approximately 33.0 percent of individuals aged 12 years and above are married, while 39.0 percent have never married. Additionally, 14.0 percent are in consensual unions, and 7.0 percent are widowed. Within the 25-29 age group, 43.3 percent of males are married, compared to 26.4 percent of females. Among individuals aged 65 and above, widowed females account for 58.4 percent, while widowed males represent 12.3 percent. Notably, 27 percent of married individuals lack formal education, while 6.5 percent of the never-married cohort have not pursued formal education. Among the married population, 87.0 percent are employed, with 1.3 percent unemployed and 11.7 percent not actively participating in the economy. Among those who have never married, 62.2 percent are not economically active, with 2.7 percent unemployed.
Nationality and Literacy
Within the district's populace, 96.0 percent were born as Ghanaians, while naturalized citizens constitute 0.6 percent, and non-Ghanaians account for 1.7 percent. In terms of literacy, individuals aged 11 years and above display an 81.0 percent literacy rate, with males exhibiting a higher literacy rate (87.2%) than females (75.7%). Notably, 73.1 percent of the population can read and write in both English and Ghanaian languages. Furthermore, among individuals aged 3 years and above, 17.0 percent have never attended school, 42.8 percent currently attend, and 40.2 percent have attended in the past.
Economic Activity and Occupation
The district's economic landscape reveals that 72.8 percent of individuals aged 15 years and above are economically active, while 27.2 percent are not economically engaged. Within the economically active segment, 96.8 percent are employed, while 3.2 percent are unemployed. Among the economically inactive, a majority (46.4%) are students, followed by 21.1 percent involved in household duties and 9.3 percent who are disabled or too ill to work. Notably, six out of ten unemployed individuals are actively seeking employment for the first time.
Occupational Diversity and Employment Sector
Within the employed population, 61.9 percent are categorized as skilled agricultural, forestry, and fishery workers, 14.2 percent are engaged in service and sales, 10.4 percent are involved in craft and related trades, and 6.6 percent hold positions as managers, professionals, and technicians. Delving into employment status and sector distribution, 68.7 percent of individuals aged 15 years and above are self-employed without employees, 13.3 percent are contributing family workers, 1.6 percent work as casual laborers, and 0.6 percent serve as domestic employees (house helps). Notably, the private informal sector represents the primary source of employment, accommodating 91.8 percent of the district's workforce, followed by the public sector with 5.4 percent.
Sekyere Kumawu District stands as a distinct entity within the Ashanti Region of Ghana, with a complex demographic makeup and economic dynamics that shape its character and future prospects.
