Amenfi East District Assembly
Mission Statement
The Wassa Amenfi East District Assembly exists to improve the quality of life of the residents through the provision of effective and efficient socio-economic services.
Vision
The vision of Wassa Amenfi East District Assembly is to be an effective public institution capable of meeting the needs of its people.
Location and Size
The Wassa Amenfi East District Assembly is located in the Western region of Ghana. The district can be found in the middle part of the region. It lies between Latitudes 5, 30 N, 6,15 N, Longitudes 1, 45 W and 2, 11 W. It is bounded to the west by Wassa Amenfi Central District Assembly, to the East by Upper Denkyira East District Assembly, to the south by Preastea Huni Valley District Assembly and to the north by Upper Denkyira West and District Assembly.
The district occupies a total land area of 1,600 square kilometers which is about 7.5% of the total size of the Western region. The capital Wassa Akropong is 180km away from the regional capital Sekondi – Takoradi and 136km from Kumasi by road.
The Wassa Amenfi East recorded a population of 83,478 in the 2010 Population and Housing Census. Thus, at the current population growth rate of 3% per annum, the projected population of the district is 94,121. At the same rate, the district population is expected to increase to over 102,000 by the end of the plan period as shown in table 1.2. This has a tendency of putting so much pressure on existing socio-economic infrastructure. Constant demand for expansion and provision of basic infrastructure is a critical fallout of this population phenomenon.
YEAR | POPULATION |
2010 | 83,478 |
2014 | 94,121 |
2015 | 96,988 |
2016 | 99,942 |
2017 | 102,985 |
The population of the District is very youthful (under 15), accounting for about 42% of the total population. This reveals a common characteristic of rural communities in third world countries. The table below gives the Age-sex distribution of the population of the district.
AGE- SEX STRUCTURE
AGE | MALE | FEMALE | TOTAL | |||
| NO. | % | NO. | % | NO. | % |
0 – 9 | 8,887 | 8% | 7,438 | 7% | 16,325 | 15% |
10 – 19 | 14,442 | 13% | 11,687 | 10% | 26,129 | 23% |
20 – 44 | 25,551 | 23% | 19,127 | 17% | 44,678 | 40% |
45 – 64 | 9,998 | 9% | 8,502 | 8% | 18,500 | 17% |
65+ | 3,334 | 3% | 2,126 | 2% | 5,460 | 5% |
TOTAL | 62,212 | 56% | 48,880 | 44% | 111,092 | 100% |
SOURCE: Field survey, 2005.
There are 162 communities and 28 electoral areas. Also, the district has 1 Town Council and 6 Area Councils. These are Wassa Akropong Town Council, Japa, Afransie, Nsueam, Opon Valley, Bawdie and Nananko area Councils
District Assembly Economy
The people of Wassa Amenfi East are predominantly farmers. The main products are Cocoa, Oil Palm, Rice, Plantain and Cassava. Vegetable growing is mostly done on subsistent basis.
The district has one major market at Wassa Akropong and the market day is on Thursdays. Other satellite markets such as Opon Valley market, Nananko market, Bawdie/Dompim market and Japa market also boost economic activities.
Roads
The road network in the district is mostly feeder roads with 284km engineered and 53.2 partially engineered and 68.9km non engineered. With the help of COCOBOD and the Central Government, a number of these feeder roads are being tarred and reshaped.
Forest
The district has four forest reserves covering a total of 212.62 sqkm. The forest reserve provides a natural habitat for animal species such as antelopes, deer, elephants, birds and snails. It also serves as the abode for some herbs and trees of high medicinal value to the inhabitants. Tree species such as Sapele, Odum, Mahogany, Wawa and others can be found in these forests. Other part of the forest zone inhabits large tracks of bamboo that could be exploited for socio-economic growth and development. This enables for the carting of timber from the district for in commercial quantities for use.
Tourism
Tourism potentials exist in the district. The district has a natural lake called Lake Broso. This can be developed into a full site for the benefit of the district and Country.
Education
Banking
There is one rural bank in the district known as Amenfiman rural bank and an agency at Bawdie, one of the towns in the district. Aside the rural bank, four micro credit organisations also operate in the district. These are namely, Ghamfo Savings and loans Company, Multicredit Company Ltd, Boin microfinance company and Jodga financial Consult. There is potential for the establishment of more banks as small scale mining activities is rising at various parts of the district.
GEOLOGY AND MINERAL DEPOSITS
The geographical formation of the district is the lower and Upper Birimian types of volcanic rocks and have been solidified form molten materials. Gold deposits are found almost in every corner of the district. Currently small scale mining activities is taking place in most of communities.
The Land is also rich in large enclaves of clay deposits which is available for exploitation. This can be exploited for brick and tile industry.