Name of District: AHANTA WEST
Capital: AGONA AHANTA
Size of district: (sq km) 673 sq km
Population to gender: M 52,570) 108,168
F 55,598)
Agric. population by gender: M 25,095
Population Growth rate: 3.2%) – National: 2.6%
Population density 160.00/sq. km
Geographic Location : RAIN FOREST VEG. ZONE
Coastline (length in km): 52.8 Km
Principal Natural resources: MANGANESE, GOLD, TIMBER, SALT PETROLIUM,
GRANTITE GAS, KAOLIN, SEA, TIMBER
Number of major towns and villages: 123
Ethnic groups (indicate indigenes: majority and minority groups) AHANTA, NZEZMAS, EWES, WASSAS FANTIS, ASHANTIS
KROBOS, GAS, SEFWIS
Major stakeholders in agriculture; GHANA RUBBER ESTATES LTD. ( GREL)
: NORPALM
: WORLD VISION GHANA (W.V.G)
RICERCA COOPERAZIONE (R/C).
CONSERVATION FOUNDATION
- BOVIC INTERGRATED AGRICULTURAL CENTREW
- MANAGECRAFT
- GREEN GROW
Gender roles in the district
MALE: FARMING/LANDCLEARING
: FISHING
: AGRO PROCESSORS
: ARTISANS
: PUBLIC & CIVIL SERVANTS
FEMALE: FARMING/WEEDING/HARVESTING
: TRADING
: AGRO-PROCESSING/MARKETING
: ARTISANS
PUBLIC & CIVIL SERVANTS
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Major Towns and Villages in the Ahanta West District.
Location and Size
Ahanta West District is located at the southern most point of the Republic of Ghana and the entire West African Sub-Region with its capital Agona Nkwanta also called Agona Ahanta. The Ahanta West District has a total land area of 591 square kilometers and it is occupied by 95,140 people according to the 2000 Population and Housing Census report. The District is bounded on the East by the Shama Ahanta East Metropolitan Assembly (SAEMA), on the West by the Nzema East District, and the North by Mpohor Wassa East and Wassa West Districts and the Gulf of Guinea to the South. The District is about 15 minutes drive from the commercial capital of Western Region, Takoradi and about 25 minutes drive from the administrative capital, Sekondi. In terms of distance, it is approximately 25 kilometers from the central business district of Takoradi. This proximity to the central business district of Takoradi enhances business and trade in particular. The District lies between latitude 4º.45”N and longitude 1º.58”W.
Climate and Temperature
The District is found within the South-Western Equatorial Climatic Zone of Ghana the highest mean temperature is 34ºC which is recorded between March and April, while the lowest mean temperature of 20ºC is experienced in August. Relative humidity is very high averaging between 75% to 85% in the rainy season and 70% to 80% in the dry season. The District is located within the wettest region in Ghana. It experiences a double maxima rainfall of over 1,700 millimeters. This abundant rainfall supports agrarian activities in the District. . However, due to the high number of third class roads in the district, accessibility to most parts of the district is thwarted during the rainy season.
Mineral Resources
Geological study has indicated that Princess Town has industrial granites that have not been exploited. A number of companies are also prospecting for gold in the district.
Oil Wealth
The recent oil discovery is located within the district at Cape Three Points and plans are far advanced in its drilling by the Ghana government.
Demographic Characteristics
According to the 2000 Population and Housing Census, Ahanta West District has population of 95,140. This is made up of 46,024 males and 49,116 females. Out of the total population, only 3,219 are in gainful employment. The current population growth rate of the district is 3.2%. Based on this growth rate the current projected population is about 115,278. Most of the people are found in the urban areas of Agona-Nkwanta, Apowa, Dixcove and Abura. The average household size is about 4.1 and the population density is about 161 persons per square kilometre. The average household size could have adverse effects on savings and per capital income.
The bulk of the populations are Christians with Traditionalists and Muslims following. About 60% of the total population is employed by the Agriculture sector. The remaining is engaged in small-scale trading, fishing and the formal sectors. Immigration by and large takes place only in the fishing industry. Large proportions of fishermen in the District emigrate from other coastal districts during the major fishing season which is normally between July and September to the coastal areas of Ahanta West District.
Population Distribution By Age/Sex
| AGE GROUP (YRS) | MALE | FEMALE | TOTAL | % OF POP |
| 0 – 14 | 19,751 | 20,771 | 40,522 | 42.60 |
| 15 – 64 | 23,663 | 26,075 | 49,738 | 52.28 |
| 65+ | 1,986 | 2,892 | 4,878 | 5.13 |
Source: 2000 Population And Housing Census, Ghana Statistical Service.
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Distribution of population in the six area councils
Vegetation
The District falls largely within the High Rain Forest Vegetation Zone, capturing several hectors of plantation of the rubber plant. To a large extent, this contributes significantly to reducing the problem of global warming, since a chunk of CO2 emissions by the automobile especially, are absorbed. Due to human activities, all the forest except Cape Three Points Forest Reserve which occupies an area of 51.02 square kilometers has been reduced to secondary forest.
Drainage
The largest river in the District is Butre which enters the sea at Butre. However, there are other rivers such as Whin, Suoni, Nyila and Yani. The District has also considerable lagoons such as Ehonle, Mabowodindo, Akpluho, Mfuma and Nana Pete at Butre.
Water Bodies:
Muddy and polluted from mining activity
B. Hwin River provides relatively good quality water and provides wildlife habitation for crabs and fish
C. Butre River has relatively good quality water.
Relief
The District is generally flat land with a few isolated hills at Butre and Banso with height ranging between 20 to 40 metres above sea level between Cape Three Point and Princess Akatekyi. There is also a plateau at Egyambra. Some of these hills are the sources of some of the rivers in the District. The coastline has features such as capes and bays especially at Cape Three Points. As a result of the sandy nature of the coast, it has attracted beach resorts along the coastlines.
Soil Types
Generally, the soils in the District are very fertile and their types range from loose sand to clay. The table below depicts the various soil types and the crops suitable for cultivation on them.
Soil types & Crops
|
SOIL |
SUITABILITY |
| Sandy – Clay – Loam.
|
Cocoa, coffee, citrus, oil palm, rubber and food crops. |
| Moderately well drained clayey loam.
|
Cocoa, coffee, citrus, oil palm, rubber and food crops. |
| Loamy sand. | Maize, vegetables, legumes, and food crops. |
| Silty clay. | Maize, vegetables, legumes, and food crops and sugar cane. |
| Loose sand. | Vegetables and sugar cane. |
| Clay. | Vegetables sugar cane and rice. |
LAND USE, VEGETATION, SOILS AND CLIMATE
Land Use (Specific to Agriculture)
| Land use | Hectares | % |
| Total land Area (T.L.A.) : 673 sq km
Agric. Land Area (A.L.A) Area under cultivation (2004) : 202km2 Total area under irrigation (2004) : 2 km2 Area under inland waters: 13km2 Others(forest reserves, savannah woodland.etc: 67km2 |
67,300
38,900 20,200 200 1,300 6,700 |
100.0
57.80 30.0 0.20 1.93 9.96 |
| Total | 67,300 | 99.89 |
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Tourism Belts
Place of Tourism
| Facility | Are a (km2) | Functions and Attractions | Portion(%) | ||
| Ahanta Coastal Tourism Belt | Princess Town | 2 | Tourism Complex | Soroma Capital, Fort (Groot) Fredericksburg | 0.3% |
| River Kpani | 1.5 | Tourism Complex | Co-development with Princess Town | 0.3% | |
| Busua, Dixcove | 1.2 | Resort, | Most Famous Touristic Attraction in Western Africa, Fort Metal Cross | 0.2% | |
| Butre | 1.2 | Farm Tourism | Scenic Environment, Fort Batensteyn | 0.2% | |
| Cape Three Points | 3.0 | Recreation Forest | Southern Most Part of West Africa | 0.5% | |
| New Amanful | 2.6 | Tourism Complex | Neighboring Takoradi , Marina | 0.4% | |
| Sub-Total | 11.5 | Tourism Site | 1.9% | ||
| Other | Cape Three Points Forest Reserve | 79 | Natural Park (Green Zone) | Globally Significant Biodiversity Area | 13.4% |
| Total | 90.5 | 15.3% | |||
| Land Use | Category | Area (km2) | Functions | Proportion (%) |
| Green Space | Strictly Preserved | 204 | Ecologically preserved area including CTPFR and eco-corridors | 34.5% |
| Green | 308 | Green space including farming, public space, and other | 52.1% | |
| Sub-Total | 512 | 86.6% | ||
| Reserved | Rurban Modular System | 15 | Reserved for the possible additional urban growth in the future | 2.5% |
SOURCE: AWDA
Type of Agro-Ecological zone
| Agro-ecological zone | Mean annual Rain (mm) | Growing Period (Days)
Major season Minor season |
|
| Rain Forest
Deciduous Forest Transitional Coastal Savana Guinea Savanna Sudan Savanna |
1,700
N. A. NA – N.A |
APRIL – JUNE
N. A. NA – N.A |
SEPT. – NOV
N. A. NA – N. A. |
NB: N A means Not Applicable
- Climate (annual average temperature distribution) : HIGH TEMP. – 35°C
LOW TEMP. – 22°C
- Topography: UNDULATING
Vegetation(type of vegetation in the district)
| Vegetation Zone | Area (.000sq.km) | % |
| RAIN FOREST | 673 | 100 |
| TOTAL |
District/Local Economy
The small scale farming continues to dominate the economy of Ahanta West District. The Agriculture sector which formerly employed about 58% currently employs about 65% of the population. The average farm size per farmer is 0.35 hectares since most farmers still use simple tools such as hoes and cutlasses. The five major crops grown in the district are maize, oil palm, rice, plantain and cassava.
NORPALM and GREL are the two major companies with large hectares of oil palm and rubber plantations respectively. These two companies employ considerable number of the youth in the district. GREL employs about 2,500 people while NORPALM also gives employment to 1,500 people.
AGRICULTURAL OUTPUT
i) Crop Sub-Sector
- Principal Agricultural Produce:
Tree crops : COCONUT, CITRUS, COLA, OIL PALM
Industrial Crops : RUBBER, OIL PALM
Roots & Tubers : CASSAVA, COCOYAM, YAM TARO
Cereals : MAIZE, RICE
Fruits and Vegetables: BANANA, PINEAPPLES, PEPER, TOMATOES,
GARDEN EGGS, OKRO, CITRUS, CABBAGES
Others: Sugar Cane
Average Crop production & yield from 2000-2009 (metric tons/ha)
| Maize | Rice | Cassava | Plantain | Cocoyam | Yam | Oil Palm | ||
| 2000 | Production
Yield Area |
1840
1.23 1496 |
79
1.05 75 |
35445
9.5 3731 |
860
4.7 183 |
436
4.0 109 |
64.0
3.56 18.0 |
|
| 2001 | Production
Yield Area |
1524
0.97 1568 |
87
1.09 80 |
37572
9.78 3843 |
912
4.83 189 |
445
4.05 110 |
65.0
3.42 19 |
|
| 2002 | Production
Yield Area |
1750
0.96 1817 |
140
1.13 124 |
42102
10.58 3978 |
986
3.27 301 |
454
3.6 126 |
90
3.33 27 |
|
| 2003 | Production
Yield Area |
1760
0.96 1840 |
150
1.15 130 |
43240
10.59 3990 |
990
3.3 300 |
460
3.54 130 |
90
3.0 30 |
|
| 2004 | Production
Yield Area |
1469
0.98 1499
|
131
1.15 114 |
43703
1062 4021 |
1349
4.0 308 |
489
4.04 121 |
88.0
3.37 26 |
|
| 2005 | Production
Yield Area |
1600
|
45727
|
1485
|
||||
| 2006 | Production
Yield Area |
2390
|
48778
|
2378
|
11169
|
|||
| 2007 | Production
Yield Area |
1764
1.20 1303 |
37068
9.26 4003 |
1770
6.0 283 |
18377 | |||
| 2008 | Production
Yield Area |
4041
2.05 1971 |
31131
10.45 2979 |
2516
6.5 387 |
||||
| 2009 | Production
Yield Area |
4613
|
28613
|
1688
|
Source: Dadu Agona Ahanta
AGRO-PROCESSING
BAMBOO PROCESSING
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SOURCE: AHANTA WEST DISTRICT ASSEMBLY
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COCOA PROCESSING
SOURCE: AHANTA WEST DISTRICT ASSEMBLY
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CASSAVA PROCESSING
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RUBBER PROCESSING
SOURCE: AHANTA WEST DISTRICT ASSEMBLY
Main Agriculture-related Research Institutions in the district
| Name of Company/Group | location | main activity |
| Ghana rubber estate ltd | Apimenim no.2 | Rubber processing |
| Nor palm | Pretsea | Palm oil processing |
| Community palm oil processing | Ahuntumano | Palm oil processing |
| “ “ “ | Hotopo | “ “ “ |
| “ “ “ | Ewusiejoe | “ “ “ |
| “ “ “ | Akentenchie | “ “ “ |
| “ “ “ | Kojokrom | “ “ “ |
| Community Gari processing | Fulkpole | Gari processing |
| “ “ “ | Cape ‘3’ points | “ “ |
| “ “ “ | Yaakow | “ & corn mill |
| “ “ “ | Abura | “ “ |
| Community palm oil processing | Sankor | Palm oil processing |
| “ “ “ | Himakrom | “ “ “ |
| “ “ “ | Abaase | “ “ “ |
| Madam Gladys Aboabola | Ntaakrom | “ “ & Corn mill |
| Community palm oil processing | Azani |
Number of NGOs operating in the district and in agriculture: 4
World Vision Ghana – Ricerca & Cooperazione(R&C)
Level and type of support from District Assembly, NGOs, projects and
Other Service Providers
| Organization/Agency | Support/Service |
| World Vision International
SNV(NETHERLANDS) RICERCA et COOPERAZIONE CONSERVATION FOUNDATION |
|
AGRICULTURAL PROJECTS:
CASSAVA
Fig: CASSAVA TRIAL AT HIMAKROM
Coconut: – Apimenim No. 2. – Himakrom, Agona, Aboade
Pro-Poor Interventions: – (In number of communities), Yabiw, Funkoe,
Food and Agric. Budget Support: Kajebil, Agona, Kwesikrom,
– Kubekor, Mpanyinasa, Ntaakrom