DCE to Address Challenges

The Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese District Chief Executive (DCE) Miss Aba Edusah has pledged to work tirelessly to address the developmental challenges that confront the district.

According to her, the district is endowed with agriculture potentials that can be harnessed to attract the necessary investment, create jobs for the teeming unemployed youth and also improve the lives of the people in the district.

She therefore, called for the total support and cooperation of all stakeholders to enable the district achieve its developmental objectives.

The pledge was made when Miss Edusah paid a courtesy call on the chief and people of Abura Dunkwa, the district capital to officially introduce herself and also discuss development issues with the people.

The DCE implored all stakeholders to support her with good suggestions and also cooperate with the Assembly to implement policies that would improve the livelihood of the people, adding that teamwork was crucial in the development agenda of the district.

She express her readiness to be a DCE for all and urged the people to feel free to discuss their problems with her.

On his part, the chief of Abura Dunkwa, Nana Osam Kwesi VII advised the new DCE to ensure that all uncompleted projects started by the previous administration were completed for the benefit of the people.

He said the community had instituted a Development Fund and outlined a number of projects, including a market complex to be financed from the Fund.

The DCE was accompanied by the District Coordinating Director, Mr. Joseph Acquaye Derben and District Planning Officer, Mr. Gabriel Akora Mfodzo.

F.A. Ebow Taylor
A.A.K. District Information Officer

Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese District Profile

The Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese District was carved out of the Mfantseman District on 30th December 1988 and established by Legislative Instrument 1381. It is one of the nineteen (19) districts in the Central Region of Ghana with Abura Dunkwa as its capital

Location and Size of the District

The district has a total land area of 380 square kilometres. It is bounded on the north by Assin South District, on the south-west by Cape Coast Metropolis, north-west by Twifo Hemang-Lower Denkyira District, on teh east by Mfantseman District and on the south by a short coastal strip of 5.2 kilometres along the Gulf of Guinea.

Population

The growth and size of population is important in determining the provision of economic and social services and to address poverty in a district and for that matter the nation. According to the 2000 Population Census, the district had a total population of 90,093 represwenting 5.7% of the total population of Central Region. This was made up of 42,501 males reparesenting 47.2% and 47,592 female representing 52.8%.

The population growth rate for the district is 2.0% and the population density is 237 persons per square kilometre.

Environmental Situation

The Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese District is basically low-lying and undulating with elevation in most parts under 80 metres above sea level. It is drained by four water bodies, namely, the Kakum River, Bruku River, the Kura River and Bankansu Spring. There are also several streams and swamps, especially in the rainy season, which join other streams and flow into rivers.

The present natural vegetation of the district consist of shrubs of about 1.5m high, grasses and few scattered trees. The original vegetaion of dense shrub, which the rainfall supported, has been replaced by secondary vegetation as a result of clearing for farming, charcoal burning, bush fires and other human activities. Currently, trees are less dense except the Kakum Game and Wildlife Reserve along the Kakum valley.

Economy

Agricuclture is the main stay of the economy and employs about 74.5% of the population (2000 Population Census Report). Nevertheless, agriculture activity is predominantly small scale farming and it includes primary production of citrus (orange and lime), oil palm fruits, coconut, food crops (maize, cassava, plantain and cocoyam) and cocoa. With regard to non-agriculture activities, retail trade and commerce, palm oil and cassava processing are important areas of economic activity.

The district has a short coastal strip along the Gulf of Guinea, about 5.2 kilometres. Moree, the only fishing community in the district is estimated to have about 68% of its population engaged in fishing. According to the Fisheries Department of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, the annual catch by Moree is about 13,000 metric tons.

Investment Opportunities

Based on available resources,the District Assembly has identified a number of investment oppotunities likely to improve the income levels of the poeple and provide employment avenues for the youth. These include the following:

• Agricuclture
• Agron Processing
• Fishing
• Tourism
• Mining and Quarrying

The Assembly would like to collaborate with non-governmental organizations, relevant government agencies and other investors to invest in these areas.

Governance

The administrative and institutional arrangement of Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese District Assembly derives its mandate from the Local Government Act of 1993 (Act 462) and the National Development Planning Commission (System) of 1994 (Act 480). The Assembly has 43 members out of which 30 are elected by universal adult suffrage and the remaining appointed by government. It exercises political, administrative and legislative functions.

The are two Urban Councils, namely Abura Dunkwa, the district capital and Moree, the most populated community in the district. In addition to these are six Area Councils. The district has 92 Unit Committees which help the Assembly to execute its functions at the grassroot level.

The District Chief Executive is the political and excutive headf of the district, representing the central government and performing the day to day administrative functions of the Assembly. Tehe District Coordinating Director is the head of the the civil service at the district level and coordinates activities of both decentralised and quasi-government organizations.

F.A. Ebow Taylor
A.A.K. District Information Officer