DISTRICT CHIEF EXECUTIVE
HON. ABASS FUSEINI SBAABE
Hon Abass Fuseini Sbaabe holds a B.A Secretaryship, French Option from the University of Cape Coast. He is a product of Presby Secondary School, Legon during his ‘A’ level and ‘O’ level at Begoro Presby School.
Hon. Abass has demonstrated a high level of leadership and management skills in his career as a politician. He worked as a teacher of French/English language at Begoro Salvation Army, and later proceeded to work as an Administrative Secretary with ABS Investment Ltd in Abossey Okai, Accra. His political aspirations got deepen perhaps when he got the opportunity to work for the Office of Parliament as a Trainee Verbatim Reporter in 2003.
He also worked at the office of the National Reconciliation Commission as a Verbatim Reporter /Editor of transcripts in 2004 and with the Searchlight Newspaper in 2005. Hon. Abass Fuseini Sbaabe also worked as a Project Co-ordinator with the Ark Foundation in 2006.
He has undertaken several training programs and workshops including Conference on National Security, conflict management and human rights approach to development training programmes among others.
In his political dispensation, he served in so many capacities of leadership positions including NDC Ward/Branch Secretary, 2001-2003, NDC Campaign Manager -2000 and 2008 elections.
He was sworn into office as the District Chief Executive of Fanteakwa in 2009 till date.
DISTRICT COORDINATING DIRECTOR
GILBERT ENYONAM AVEMEGAH
Gilbert Enyonam Avemegah is a product of University of Ghana, Legon. He graduated with a Master of Philosophy in Agricultural Administration in 1999 and Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics in 1990. He also pursued a Post Graduate Diploma course in Organization Development awarded by University of Cape Coast/Organization Capacity Improvement Consultants International, United Kingdom in 2009.
Gilbert obtained GCE “O” and “A” Level certificates at Anlo Secondary School and Koforidua Secondary and Technical School in 1984 and 1986 respectively.
He started work as a non-professional teacher at Akyem Swedru Senior High School in 1991. Gilbert however left the teaching field to pursue further studies. In 1998 he was employed by Ministry of Finance as Budget Analyst and posted to Eastern Region. He worked as a Budget analyst in Yilo Krobo District Assembly, West Akyem Municipal Assembly, Asuogyaman District Assembly and Lower Manya Krobo Municipal Assembly.
In December 2015, he was promoted to the position of a District Co-ordinating Director. Gilbert is currently the District Co-ordinating Director for Fanteakwa District Assembly, Begoro from January 2016 to date.
He has benefitted from a wide range of non-academic courses including management and leadership, basic media/public relation, financial management, public sector leadership, project management and organizational capacity assessment.
His main hobby is gardening.
FANTEAKWA DISTRICT ASSEMBLY
DISTRICT PROFILE
Creation of the District
The Fanteakwa District Assembly was carved out of the old East Akyem District Council by L. I. 1411 of 1988 in pursuance of the Government’s Decentralization Policy and local government reform policy with Begoro as its capital.
Vision of the Assembly
To become the most developed district and the preferred tourist destination in Ghana through increased agricultural productivity within a decentralized environment and efficient Local Government administration.
Mission Statement
The Fanteakwa District Assembly exists to improve the wellbeing of the people through effective and efficient mobilization and utilization of its resources and to provide an avenue for the people’s participation in Local Governance.
Geographical Size
The District ranks sixth (6th) in the Region in terms of landmass with an area of 1,150 square kilometers.
It lies within longitudes ‘0º32.5’ West and ‘0º10’ East and between Latitudes 6º40’. The District lies 762 metres above sea level and has an average temperature of 24ºC.
Location
The District is located within the central part of the Eastern Region of Ghana and shares boundaries with other Districts as indicated below:
To the West – Kwahu South
To the North – Kwahu East
To the South – East Akim
To the East – Manya Krobo and Yilo Krobo
To the South-West – Atiwa
Population Size
The District had a population of One Hundred and Eight Thousand, Six Hundred and Fourteen (108,614) with males constituting Fifty-four Thousand and ten (54,010) whilst females make up Fifty-four Thousand, Six Hundred and Four female (54,604). The projected population for 2016 is 121,729 (2010 Population and Housing Census (PHC). The District capital, Begoro has a projected population of 25,172.
Religion
The population of the District is dominated by Christians who constitute about 88.1%, Muslims, 5.0% and traditionalist 0.7%. Also found in the district are persons with no religion (5.1%) and others (1.1).
Ethnicity
Ethnicity in the district is varied with the Akan constituting 43.7% of the entire population, followed by the Ga-Adangbe who constitutes 40.1%. Others are the Ewes, 7.9%, Northern tribes (Mole dagbani, Frafra, Kotokoli, Gurma, Grusi and Mande) and Guan account for 5.5% and 2.3% of the district’s population, respectively.
Chieftaincy
Traditionally, Fanteakwa district is headed by the Fanteakwahene doubled as the Benkumhene, one of the five divisional chiefs of the Akyem Abuakwa state with their Head at Kyebi the district capital of East Akim. Under the Benkumhene (OsabarimaAwuahKotoko), are the Queen-mothers, sub-chiefs, Okyeames and Dade–Mantses manning the traditional affairs of the smaller areas, towns and communities on behalf of Osabearima. By tradition, the people of Fanteakwa serve Bosompra, a smaller god hence, consider Wednesdays as sacred days when no farming activities are carried out.
Festivals
The people in Fanteakwa celebrate two (2) major festivals namely Odwira and Ohum. The Odwira also known as Ahwie festival is observed usually in September and October. The Ohum festival on the other hand, is observed twice in a year, thus, Ohumkan (first Ohum) and Ohumukyire (last Ohum).The Ohumkan is celebrated in June and Ohumukyire is celebrated in January. Besides, people of Fanteakwa observe the Adae – (Akwasidae) and (Awukudae), which falls on every fortieth day in the year.
Occupation
In the Fanteakwa District, the distribution of employed population by occupation is made up of the skilled agriculture, forestry and fishery workers which formed the major occupation with 60.2 percent followed by the service and sales workers, which represent 14.3 percent and the third occupation being craft and related trade workers, which account for 10.7 percent. Others such as Technicians and associates, clerical support workers, services and sales workers among others represent (8.7%)
Employed population by occupation and sex
Source: 2010 PHC
Employment status
Statistics shows that (74.1%) of the workforce in District are self-employed . The proportions for females are 76.7 percent and 71.4 percent for males.
Employment sector
Private informal sector is the largest employer in the district with representing 90.0 percent. The proportion of employed females working in the private informal sector is 93.0 percent whiles that of males is 86.9 percent. Irrespective of sex, the private informal sector is the dominant employer of the workforce.
Employed population by sector and sex
| Employment Sector | Both sexes | Male | Female | |||||
| Number | Percent | Number | Percent | Number | Percent | |||
| Total | 46,359 | 100.0 | 23,118 | 100.0 | 23,241 | 100.0 | ||
| Public (Government) | 2,770 | 6.0 | 1,773 | 7.7 | 997 | 4.3 | ||
| Private Formal | 1,767 | 3.8 | 1,189 | 5.1 | 578 | 2.5 | ||
| Private Informal | 41,707 | 90.0 | 20,086 | 86.9 | 21,621 | 93.0 | ||
| Semi-Public/Parastatal | 39 | 0.1 | 24 | 0.1 | 15 | 0.1 | ||
| NGOs (Local and International) | 74 | 0.2 | 45 | 0.2 | 29 | 0.1 | ||
| Other International Organisations | 2 | 0.0 | 1 | 0.0 | 1 | 0.0 | ||
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census.
Markets
The district has three (3) major markets located at Begoro, Ahomahomasu and Ehiamankyene and (6) minor markets at Osino, Bosuso, Oboohu, Abourso, Dedeso and Adjeikrom. Markets are organized on either daily or weekly basis. The Assembly generates much of its Internally Generated Revenue from the three (3) major markets with the largest revenue generated at Ahomahomasu.
Major Markets and Commodities Sold
| Market Centre | Market Days | Main Food Item |
| Begoro | Fridays | Plantain, Cassava, Cocoyam, Pepper, Garden Eggs, Okro, Cabbage, Gari, Tomatoes, Green Pepper Onion, watermelon , Fish, Chillies etc. |
| Ahomahomasu | Wednesdays | Plantain, Cassava, Cocoyam, Pepper, Tomatoes Garden Eggs, Okro, Cabbage, Green Pepper, Onion, Cassava Dough, Gari and Goat and Sheep. |
| Ehiamenkyene | Tuesdays and Saturdays | Gari, Plantain, Cassava, Cocoyam, Potatoes, Pepper, Tomatoes, cabbage and palm oil |
Source: DPCU, 2013 (Refer to DADU reports)
Financial Institutions
There are four (4) Banking Institutions and two (2) Micro Finances. The Banking Institutions are the Mumuadu, Atiwa, Fanteakwa Rural Banks and GN Bank. The Mumuadu Rural Bank has its headquarters located at Osino with a branch in Begoro whilst Atiwa and Fanteakwa Rural Banks are in Begoro.
The Credit Unions are the St. Theresa’s Credit Union and UNICOM Investment Limited, both in Begoro.
Telecommunication
Cell phone services available in the district are:
| NO. | NAME OF NETWORK | LOCATION OF SERVICE MAST(S) |
|
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6*. |
MTN VODAFONE TIGO KASAPA AITEL GLOBACOM |
Begoro, Osino, Bosuso Feyiase, Dedeso Begoro and Osino Begoro , Osino, and Bosuso Begoro, Bosuso and Osino Begoro and Bosuso |
Tourism
The District offers a very wide range of opportunities that can be exploited for both financial and social benefits by private and public sectors. Apart from agriculture, there are numerous tourist potentials. These include:
| S/No. | Description | Location | Distance From District Capital, Begoro |
|
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. |
Trudu Water falls Osubinboum Water falls Apaa Water Falls Rocky Paradise/ Odumankuma Ahen fie Abegogro Begorohene’s Palace The Volta Lake Palm tree with 6 trunks
|
Begoro Nkankama Apaa Aboabo Begoro Begoro Dedeso Ahenkwasisi |
1 km 10 km 6 km 29 km Begoro town Begoro town 40 km 10 km |
Local Government Structure
Membership of the District Assembly
The total membership of the Assembly is sixty seven (67) including the District Chief Executive and the two (2) Members of Parliament – Fanteakwa North and South Constituencies, made up of fifty one (51) elected members and twenty-one (21) government appointees.
The organogram of the District has the District Assembly at the top with the District Chief Executive as the political head and the District Coordinating Director as the Administrative head, the structure has he Executive Committee as the executive wing of the assembly which is made up of one-third of the members of the District Assembly. The Assembly performs its functions through the Executive Committee and a network of sub-committees
Composition of the District Assembly
The District Assembly consists of Forty-six (46) Electoral Areas, forty-six (46) Unit Committees and 10 Urban/Town/ Area Councils.
Urban/Town/Area Councils
Urban/Town/Area Councils and their corresponding number of electoral areas.
| No. | Council | No. of Elected
Assembly members of the Council |
| 1. | Begoro Urban | 10 |
| 2. | Bosuso Town | 3 |
| 3. | Ehiamankyene Town | 3 |
| 4. | Osino Town | 5 |
| 5. | Feyiase Town | 4 |
| 6. | Ahomahomasu Town | 5 |
| 7. | Abooho Town | 5 |
| 8. | Abourso Town | 3 |
| 9. | Dedesawirako Town | 3 |
| 10 | Brimgya Area | 5 |
| TOTAL | 46 |
Education
Total Number of Schools and Pupils’ Enrolment
| LEVEL | PUBLIC | PRIVATE | TOTAL |
| Pre-School | 103 | 20 | 123 |
| Primary | 108 | 18 | 126 |
| J. H. S. | 62 | 12 | 74 |
| S. H. S. | 3 | 1 | 4 |
| Technical/Vocation | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 277 | 51 | 328 |
Source: District Directorate of G. E. S., Begoro
Health Care
Health Facilities and their Locations
| Facility | No. | Location |
| Hospital | 1 | Begoro |
| Health Centers | 2 | Bosuso and Osino |
| Clinics | 5 | Begoro, Ahomahomasu, Ehiamankyene, Abourso and Dedeso |
| CHPS compounds | 13 | Nsutem, Saamang/Juaso, Hemang, Dwenase, Oboohu, Dominase, Akwanserem, Otuater, Ayeinsu, Addokrom, Asarekwao, Asirebuso and Nkankama |
| Private maternity home | 1 | Hemang |
| Mission Clinic | 1 | Begoro |
| Adolescent Health Unit | 1 | Begoro |
Source: DHMT-2016
Energy
The District has been linked up to the national electricity grid. However, the distribution is uneven. The distribution of available power currently favours the southern section with few communities in the north being covered. This has made development of infrastructure concentrated in the district capital and major towns mostly in the southern part of the district.
Almost all the major towns in the district have electricity. Some of the major towns with electricity are; Bosuso, Begoro, Osino, Nsutam, Nsuapemso, Ehiamankyene, Dedeso, Abuorso, Ahomahomaso, Abompe, Hemang, Dome and Gyampomani, Agyeikrom, Obooho, Nkankama, Onuku, Onuku Quarters, Dua Police, Dorminase, Dorminase Quarters, Yorkpem, Akoradako, Konkonso, Amokom, Eduenase, Juaso and Saamang
Household access to energy in the district shows that households use a variety of lighting types to satisfy their energy needs. The major source of lighting is electricity (47.2%) followed by kerosene lamp (39.0%).
Distribution of main source of lighting for dwelling units
GSS, 2010 PHC
Housing
The total stock of houses in the district is 106,115 of which 28,897 were located in urban areas and 77,258 in rural areas.
There are a number of types of dwelling units in the district, the most common type of dwelling units is separate houses representing 47%. The next common type is the compound houses (42.8%).
The proportion of separate houses is higher in rural areas (54.8%) than the urban areas (29%). The percentage of compound houses was higher in urban areas (59.7)% than rural areas (35.6%). as expected the percentage of huts on the same compound was lower in the urban areas 0.5 than rural areas (3.4%).
Water and Sanitation
The main sources of drinking water in the District are rivers/streams, boreholes and others. (38.2%) of households in the district use water from river/streams while (24.8%) depend on borehole pump or tube wells. Although the trend appears to be the same, there are some slight variations in the main source of drinking water between urban and rural localities. Rivers or a stream still remains the main source in urban (33.5%) and rural (40.2%) areas.
The use of sachet water for drinking is also relatively high in urban areas (17.2%) compared to 3.7 percent in rural areas.
Toilet Facilities
The three (3) main toilet facilities available to households in the district are pit latrine in the house (51.1%), public toilets (22.4%) and KVIP (12.5%). In addition, 9.0% of households have no facilities and, therefore, resort to the use of the bush or free range system.
In both urban and rural areas, pit latrine is the highest facility used with each recording 39.8% and 55.9% respectively. KVIP is, however, (9.3%) in rural and (20.2%) in urban areas. The proportion that use the bush or free range are higher in rural (9.3%) areas compared to urban (8.2%). About 8.1% of households in urban areas use in-built (not public) WC compared with (2.4%) in rural areas.
Roads
Feeder roads forms the largest proportion of the road network in the district with a total length of about 352.14 km, out of this 77.25 km are non-engineered roads and 274.89km being engineered. The only trunk road in the district is the Osiem – Miaso road. The condition of the main trunk road from Osiem to Begoro is currently in a bad state with a lot of pothole