ADANSI SOUTH DISTRICT PROFILE
Adansi South District Assembly (ASDA) was created on 18th February, 2004 by a Legislative Instrument (LI 1752) through an Act of parliament (Act 462, 1993), after being carved out of Adansi West District and Adansi East District Assemblies in the same year. The creation of the district resulted from an effort to decentralise government system, by bringing it closer to local people. The district forms part of the forty-three (43) Administrative, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. The District capital, New Edubiase is about 92km from Kumasi, the regional capital, along the Cape Coast – Kumasi trunk road. The total population of Adansi South District, according to 2010 Population and Housing Census, is 115,378. This is made up of 58,039 males and 57,339 females.
The District is located in the South-Eastern part of the Ashanti Region, and lies within latitude 40” North and 6 degrees 22” North and longitude 1degree West and 1degree 38” West. The District shares boundaries with Obuasi Municipal and Adansi North Districts to the North and North East respectively. It also shares North-East and South-East of its boundaries with Amansie Central and Bosome Freho Districts of the Region in that order. The other districts with which the District shares boundaries are Assin District in the Central Region to the South and Akyemanso and Birim South Districts of Eastern Region to the East. The district is further bounded to the West by River Offin and the East by River Pra.
The district has a total land area of 1328.2 square kilometres which is approximately 4.0 percent of the total land area of Ashanti Region. About 25.2 (334.5sq.km) of this total land area is made up of forest reserves.
The land ranges from flat to gentle undulating landscape, with average elevation of about 350m above sea level. Generally, the district is hilly with several rivers and streams. Major rivers such as Pra, Fosu, Muma and Subin are in the district and are the major drainage channels. Minor streams also drain into the major rivers.
The climatic condition in the district is generally favourable, with mean monthly temperatures ranging between 26 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius. February and March are the hottest months in the year. The extensive forest reserves in the district ensures a very good rainfall distribution pattern, which is characterized by two raining seasons with peak periods around May to June in the major rainy season and October in the minor season.
Average annual rainfall figures are between 160cm and 180 cm with an average of 150 raining days recorded every year.
Figure 1.1: Map of Adansi South District
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, GIS
The Adansi South District is within the rain forest belt and it is characterized by moist semi-deciduous forest with thick vegetative cover and growth. In some parts of the district, the natural vegetation is steadily degenerating into secondary forest. Relatively, little virgin forest remains outside the main forest reserves and this condition can be attributed to persistent slash and burn methods as well as the incidence of bush fires in the dry season. Despite these poor environmental practices with their detrimental effects on the vegetation of the district, forest reserves still exist in the district.
The Agricultural Extension Department of the district describes the district’s soil as very fertile with a high humus content, which have the capacity to support tree crops such as cocoa, oil palm, cola nuts as well as staples (cassava and plantain) and a variety of vegetables. The identified types of soils in the District includes; Juaso – Morso Association, Swedru – Nsaba Simple Association, Bekwai – Oda Compound Association and Awaham – Kakum – Kyekyerewere Association, among others.
1.3 Political and Administrative Structure
The District Assembly is the highest political authority in the District, with a total membership of forty–five. This is made up of thirty (30) elected members, thirteen (13) Government Appointees, together with the MP representing New Edubiase Constituency, and the District Chief Executive. The District Assembly is headed by a District Chief Executive (DCE) as the representative of the government in the District.
There are also thirty (30) electoral areas represented by each elected Assembly Member, one town council, four area councils and 30 unit committees that serve as agents of development in the District.
The District Co-ordinating Director is the administrative head of the District Co-ordinating Council. He operates at the Central Administration, through the decentralized departments.
1.4 Cultural and Social Structure
Cultural activities in the district are very diverse as a result of the many migrants in the district. Adansi South District is made up of multi-ethnic communities, inhabited by many of the country’s ethnic groups, including the indigenous Asante, Ga-Dangbe, Fanti, Ewe, Akwapim, Akim as well as Mole-Dagbani and other ethnic groups from the North. These multi-ethnic settlers have come from far and near to engage in the production of cocoa crops which is the principal economic activity of the District. The Asante constitutes the highest percentage- (33.0%).
There are two main festivals that are celebrated by the people in the district namely, Akwasidae and Afahyea. Akwasidae is a religious festival of the Ashanti tribes celebrated every six weeks or forty-two days. The celebration marks a period of stock taking and fervent assessment of events in the lives of Ashanti people. It serves as a period to propitiate the ancestors through whom the Ashanti unity gains its ground. On that day, the Ashanti King comes out of the palace on a palanquin adorned in gold ornament to receive homage of his sub-chiefs and his people. It is a very colourful ceremony that lasts the whole day and it is held at Manhyia palace which is the Asantehene’s residence. And Afahyea festival is also celebrated from second week in November to first week in December every year.
There is a vibrant cultural troupe in the District that entertains guests during special occasions.
The main religious groupings in the district are Christianity, Islam and traditional religion. Analysis of religious composition indicates that about 82 percent of the population are Christians while about seven percent and two percent are Islam and traditionalists respectively.
Agriculture is the predominant economic activity in the district. It employs about 73 percent of the total work force in the area. The district also has one of the highest concentrations of cocoa producers in the Ashanti region while a greater number of farmers engage in oil palm, cassava, plantain cultivation as well as production of a variety of vegetables for the sustenance of their livelihood.
Due to the nature of the land and the presence of streams and rivers in the area, the District has available land which is very fertile and good for the production of cash crops like cocoa and oil palm. Thus it is a very good area for the establishment of Oil Palm Processing Plant as well as cocoa buying companies. However, the nature of the land makes it difficult to ply on the roads during the rainy season, which is a major disadvantage to such an area the area, involved in mainly farming activities.
The district has fertile soils and this, coupled with the even rainfall patterns and humidity, promotes propagation of cash crop like cocoa, palm oil plantations. It also creates a good environment for the growing of other food crops. Available of land space in the district is an incentive for private initiative to embark on large scale production of crops like cassava, plantain, yam, among others.
However, this potential is gradually declining due to improper farming practices such as slash and burn and shifting cultivation. This situation is further aggravated by the wanton felling of trees for fuel wood and timber.
Most of the North-Western parts of the district lie within the gold belt. Towns such as Akrofuom, Sikaman, and Nyankomase have been identified as having gold and diamond deposits. Despite the presence of these rich resources meaningful mining or extraction activities are yet to be carried out in the district.
A few tourism attraction sites can be found in Adansi South District. The district boasts of a bird known as White-necked Picathartes which is globally threatened (vulnerable). The species is wholly protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Conservation Regulation of Ghana. It is therefore an offence to capture or harm this bird at any time of the year. The district, in collaboration with the Wildlife Department, intends to protect this species which will serve as a tourist attraction. They are found at a place called Bonkrong and Dotom.
The confluence of Rivers Birim and Pra at Birim Aboye and Hwidiem are also nice places to see in the District.
ADANSI SOUTH DISTRICT ASSEMBLY
VISION STATEMENT
The Vision of the Adansi South District Assembly is “to become a transformed local economy through the creation of a vibrant agro-based sector and increasing access to basic services for development.”
MISSION STATEMENT
The Adansi South District is “to improve the standard of living of the people in the District through the provision of economic, social and political facilities with the enabling environment for private participation and investment in the District with qualified human resources.”
OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSEMBLY
The District Assembly is the highest political and administrative body of the District and therefore exercises deliberative, legislative and executive functions. Its mission and responsibility to improve the quality of life of the people through sustainable development can be achieved through the following objectives:
- To facilitate the effective functioning of the local government institutions in the District Assembly
- To ensure efficiency and effectiveness in the mobilization and utilization of resources in the District Assembly and its decentralized departments
- To monitor, co-ordinate and harmonize the implementation of development plans and activities in the District Assembly
- To facilitate the provision of basic social and economic infrastructure and services in the district
- To facilitate community-based and private sector development in private sector in the District.
FUNCTIONS
Subject to article 245 of the Constitution and to Local Government Act, 1993 (Act 462), Adansi South District Assembly shall exercise political and administrative authority in the district, provide guidance, give direction to, and supervise the other administrative authorities in the district.
The District Assembly also performs deliberative, legislative and executive functions among others.
Adansi South District Assembly is responsible for the overall development of the district and responsible for the preparation and submission through the regional co-ordinating council of development plans of the district to the National Development Planning Commission for approval, and
The District Assembly also prepares the budget of the district related to the approved plans to the Minister responsible for Finance for approval.
Adansi South Distict Assembly also formulate and execute plans, programmes and strategies for the effective mobilisation of the resources necessary for the overall development of the district.
The District Assembly also promotes and supports productive activity and social development in the district and removes any obstacles to initiative and development.
Adansi South District initiates programmes for the development of basic infrastructure and provide municipal works and services in the district.
The Assembly is responsible for the development, improvement and management of human settlements and the environment in the district.
The District Assembly in co-operation with the appropriate national and local security agencies is also responsible for the maintenance of security and public safety in the district.
The Assembly also guides, encourages and supports sub-district local government bodies, public agencies and local communities to discharge their roles in the execution of approved development plans;
In addition, the Assembly encourages other persons or bodies to undertake projects under approved development plans; and monitors the execution of projects under approved development plans as well as assesses and evaluates their impact on the people’s development, within the local, district and national economy.
Adansi South District Assembly in accordance with the general guidance and direction of the President on matters of national policies is also responsible for co-ordinating, integrating and harmonizing the execution of programmes and projects under approved development plans for the district, and any other development programmes promoted or carried out by Ministries, departments, public corporations or any other statutory bodies and non-governmental organisations in the district.
CHALENGES
The main development challenges facing the District are:
- Inadequate office and residential accommodation facilities for the staff of the Assembly, Decentralized Departments and the Police Service at New Edubiase.
- Youth unemployment
DEPARTMENTS OF THE ASSEMBLY
Central Administration
Agriculture
Social Welfare & Community Dev’t
Works
Disaster Prevention and Management (NADMO)
Health
Education
Finance
Physical Planning
Natural Resources Conservation, Forestry, Game & Wildlife
Trade and Industry
OTHER DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES
Department of Births and Death Registry
Controller and Accountant General
National Health Insurance Authority
Forestry Commission
Works Department (Public Works Department)
Information Service Department
Youth Employment Agency
National Youth Authority
Non-Formal Education Division
Centre for National Culture
National Commission for Civic Education
National Service Scheme
Office of the Administrator of Stool Lands
Ghana Police Service
Internal Revenue Service
Ghana Immigration Service
Ghana Fire Service
Ghana Education Service
Ghana Health Service
Electricity Company of Ghana
Ghana Postal Service Agency
Produce Buying Company
Quality Control Division of COCOBOD
Ghana Water Company
BANKS
Ghana Commercial Bank
Agricultural Development Bank
GN Bank
Adansi Rural Bank
LEGISLATIONS
The major legislations covering the existence and operations of the District consist include the following:
Legislative Instrument (LI) 1961
Local Government Act, 1993 (Act 462)
Local Government Service Act, 2003 (Act 656)
1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana (Chapter 6 and 20)
District Assembly’s Common Fund Act, 1994 (Act 455)
National Development Planning Commission Act, 1994 (Act 479)
National Development Planning Systems Act, 1994 (Act 480)
Town and Country Planning Ordinance of 1945 (Cap 84 under review)
Local Government (Urban, Zonal and Town Councils and Unit Committees)
Establishment Instrument of 1994, LI 1589 (which has now been replaced by LI 1967)
Financial Administration Act, 2003 (Act 654)
Institute of Local Government Studies Act. 2003 (Act 647)
Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663)
Internal Audit Agency Act, 2003 (Act 658)
Ghana Audit Service Act. 2000 (Act 584)
Financial Administration Regulations, 2004 (LI 1802)
Financial Memoranda for MMDAs – June, 2004
Education Act, 2008 (Act 778)
Health Service Act (Act 525)
Security and Intelligence Agencies Act, 1996 (Act 526)
Guideline for the Operationalisation of District Planning Coordinating Unit (DPCU)
Guidelines for the Preparation of the District Medium Term Development Plan
Guidelines for the Preparation of Composite Budgeting
Ghana Audit Service Act, 2000 (Act 584)
DACF Act 1993 – Act 455 (transfer 7.5% of national tax revenue to MMDAs)
KEYSTAKEHOLDERS
General Public/Civil Society
They constituted very vibrant civil society which collaborate and work in concert with the Assembly in all spheres.
The Assembly Members / Mps
The District has 44 Assembly members with the MPs for the New Edubiase
Ngos / Finance & Administration
There are three NGOs operating in the District, namely, Care for the Helpers, Save Life for Foundations and Various Faith Base Associations collaborating with the District Assembly.
The Press
The District always welcome both electronic and print media when necessary for interaction during its activities.
Traditional Authority
The New Edubiase Traditional councils exist under the Adansi Traditional Council with Fomena as the Headquarters. The Assembly enjoys maximum co-operation from the Traditional Councils in the administration of the District.
MAJOR EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
General Assembly Meetings
The Assembly conveners General Assembly meets every quarter which are preceded by the statutory sub committees as well as Executive Committee meetings.
Senior Citizens Day
In recognition of their contribution to Nation building and sacrifices demonstrated by the
Senior Citizens of this country; every 1st July which is also the Republican Day is set aside for the celebration of the Aged and the Senior Citizens of this country. This is heavily patronage in the district every year.
My First Day at School
Government recognized kids which are enrolled to the formal school system annually.
During this period assorted candies are poured and offered to school kids with assistance of District Education Officers.
Roll Bank Malaria
It is a sensitization programme organized every year to create awareness and the prevention of Malaria as the principal killer in Sub Saharan Africa and the need to be pro active in order to control the Disease.
6th March
Independence Day celebration on the 6th March 2013 is held at New Edubiase Senior High School (NESHS) Football field as well as all the Seven Education Circuit Centres in the District. The programme involves a parade of school children, security agencies and other identifiable groups and a march past where various awards are given to schools that excel in the parade. In all Independence Anniversary Celebrations, the DCE and all Heads of Department in the District have to be in attendance where the DCE read a speech on behalf of the President