Stories and facts
However, a significant change occurred on February 29, 2008, when the northwestern segment of the district was separated to form the Upper Denkyira West District. This shift prompted the renaming of the remaining territory as the Upper Denkyira East District, subsequently achieving municipal district assembly status later in the same year under the name Upper Denkyira East Municipal District. The administrative hub of this district is situated in the northwestern part of the Central Region, with Diaso serving as its principal town.
Based on the 2010 Population and Housing Census, the populace of the Upper Denkyira West District amounted to 60,054 individuals. Males held a slight numerical advantage, constituting 50.3%, while females accounted for 49.7%. The district predominantly encompasses rural areas. Age distribution tilts towards the younger segment, with approximately 41.8% below the age of 15, while a relatively smaller proportion (6.5%) consists of individuals aged 60 and above.
The district's Total Fertility Rate is slightly lower than the regional average at 3.5, with the General Fertility Rate standing at 105.5 births per 1000 women aged 15-49, ranking as the second highest in the region. The Crude Birth Rate is 27.1 per 1000 population, while the crude death rate is 6.89 per 1000. Noteworthy is the fact that 21.7% of deaths can be attributed to accidents, violence, homicide, or suicide. In terms of migration, the bulk (68.4%) of migrants within the district were born in other regions, with Ashanti (29.3%), Western (16.1%), and Brong Ahafo (12.8%) emerging as the most prevalent regions of origin.
The district accommodates a total of 10,099 households, encompassing a resident population of 58,750. The average household size tallies at 4.4 individuals. Children form a significant part (45.4%) of household composition, whereas heads of households and spouses collectively represent 22.9% and 11.5%. Nuclear households, comprising the head, spouse(s), and children, account for 35.1% of total households.
Roughly 46.1% of the population aged 12 years and older are married, 37.5% have never married, and 5.5% are in consensual unions. Among the married demographic, a notable segment (34.7%) has not received formal education. In the realm of literacy, 73.7% of those aged 11 years and above possess the ability to read and write, with 82.0% being proficient in English. It's important to note that 21.8% of individuals aged 3 years and above have never attended school, while 41.8% are presently engaged in schooling, predominantly at the kindergarten (19.8%) and primary (49.8%) levels.
Approximately 77.5% of individuals aged 15 years and older are economically active, with 96.0% employed and 4.0% unemployed. A significant portion of the workforce (72.1%) engages in skilled agricultural, forestry, and fishery work. Agriculture forms a pivotal component of the district's economy, involving 82.9% of households. Key crops cultivated include cocoa, oil palm, cassava, plantains, and maize.
The district's housing stock comprises 10,099 units, with an average of 5.8 individuals per dwelling. Compound houses constitute over half (50.3%) of the dwelling units, with separate houses making up 37.4%. Noteworthy construction materials for outer walls encompass mud/mud bricks or earth (66.5%) and cement/concrete (26.2%). Key lighting sources encompass electricity (56.9%), flashlight/torch (24.0%), and kerosene lamp (17.8%). For cooking, wood (75.3%) and charcoal (14.8%) predominate.
Occupying the northernmost section of the Central Region of Ghana, the Upper Denkyira West District spans 579.21 square kilometers, contributing 3% to the region's total land area. The district's terrain is characterized by an undulating forest-dissected plateau, with prominent rivers such as the River Dia and River Offin flowing through the area. The climate exhibits semi-equatorial features, marked by two rainy seasons and a pronounced dry season.
The district's economic landscape is anchored by various sectors, including mining (primarily gold), agriculture, and tourism. Over ten mining companies operate within the district, accompanied by numerous small-scale mining ventures. The Ave Maria Grotto rock in Denkyira Obuasi holds untapped tourism potential. Furthermore, cocoa cultivation significantly contributes to the local economy, with the district playing a substantial role in production.
The Denkyira people, an integral part of the Akan ethnic group, constitute the indigenous population, representing approximately 47% of the total populace. The district is distinguished by the harmonious coexistence of diverse ethnic groups, including Ashanti, Fanti, Akuapem, Ewe, Nzema, Sefwi, and individuals of northern Ghanaian origin. Kinship systems vary across these groups, featuring matrilineal and patrilineal structures of inheritance and succession.
The Upper Denkyira West District in Ghana's Central Region is characterized by its predominantly rural population engaged in a spectrum of activities encompassing mining, agriculture, and tourism. The district's demographic, economic, and geographic attributes collectively contribute to its distinctive identity and prospects for development.
