Introduction

Upper West Akim District is located in the south western part of the Eastern Region and has Adeiso as its capital town, which is found along the main Nsawam-Asamankese highway. The total land size of the district is about 342.3 km2. The district shares boundary with eight districts.

These are Ayensuano District, located on the east, West Akim Municipal to the north, Birim Central Municipal on the south-west, Agona East and Awutu-Senya West on the west, Nsawam-Adoagyiri, Ga West Municipal and Ga South Municipal on the south-east.

The district's location is strategically unique because it allows socio-economic interactions between the border districts as well as its proximity to the national capital, Accra and the regional capital, Koforidua.

This socio-economic interaction which is in form of trade, movement of goods, services and people has led to a rapid social, economic and infrastructural development of the district since its creation especially in the district.


  • Vision

    "An effective and efficient development oriented Local Government institution ".

  • Mission

    "To improve the quality of life of its inhabitants through the provision of quality services and durable socio-economic infrastructure in a transparent and accountable manner".

  • Core Values

    The Assembly has adapted the following core values as part of it mandate to ensure successful implementation of the Medium Term Development Plan (2018-2021);

    • Anonymity and Permanence
    • Client Orientation, Loyalty and Commitment
    • Transparency and Accountability
    • Diligence, Disciplines and Timeliness
    • Creativity and Innovativeness
    • Equity and Impartiality
    • Integrity

  • Physical and Natural Environment

    Upper West Akim District is located in the south western part of the Eastern Region and has Adeiso as its capital town, which is found along the main Nsawam-Asamankese highway. The total land size of the district is about 342.3 km2. The district shares boundary with eight districts. These are Ayensuano District, located on the east, West Akim Municipal to the north, Birim Central Municipal on the south-west, Agona East and Awutu-Senya West on the west, Nsawam-Adoagyiri, Ga West Municipal and Ga South Municipal on the south-east.

    The district's location is strategically unique because it allows socio-economic interactions between the border districts as well as its proximity to the national capital, Accra and the regional capital, Koforidua. This socio-economic interaction which is in form of trade, movement of goods, services and people has led to a rapid social, economic and infrastructural development of the district since its creation especially in the district. Figure 1.2 shows the district map of Upper West Akim.

  • Vegetation and Climate

    The district lies within the wet-semi equatorial climatic zone which receives rainfall between 1238mm and 1660mm. This is characterized by a bi-modal rainy season which supports all-year round plant growth. The major rainy season is from March to June with the heaviest rainfall in June, and minor raining season from September to October. The average temperature ranges between 25.20C (minimum) and 27.90C (maximum). Relative humidity is highest during the rainy season of about 80-95% and 55-80% during the dry season. The fair distribution of temperature and rainfall patterns enhances the cultivation of many food and cash crops throughout the district.

    The District lies within the semi-deciduous forest zone. The vegetation is mainly characterized by tall trees with evergreen undergrowth and contains valuable economic trees like Odum, Wawa, Sapele, Obeche, Onyina, Emire and others. Most of the trees shed their leaves during the dry season. The district has broken forest on most hill tops, secondary forest on slopes and valleys, shrubs and bushes along the motor roads and main footpaths, thickets on the range facing the Adeiso Township and forest reserves. There are two major forest reserves, forest patches and sacred groves scattered all over the district. Notable ones can be found in towns such as Adeiso-Alafia called Korklofa, Okainkrom-Tigara and Afarikrom. However, bad farming practices and other activities such as real estate development and illegal chain saw operations are depleting some of these natural vegetation cover. Measures such as public sensitization/education on climate change issues would be implemented to address these problems.

  • Relief and Drainage

    The topography of the district is generally undulating with heights ranging between 60 meters and 460 meters above sea level. The Atewa Range runs through the east of the district and serves as a boundary between Upper West Akim District and Ayensuano District. Below the Atewa Range is the river Ayensu which is the main river that drains through from Ayensuano district in the eastern part of the district to join the Central Region in the west.

    The District is also well drained by River Adeiso and River Asuokaw. These rivers are mostly perennial due to the double maxima rainfall which feeds them. These rivers help some farmers, especially vegetable farmers in the dry seasons hence encouraging all year-round cultivation.

  • Population

    The settlement pattern of the district could be described as a linear type of settlement because most of the settlements are along the road transport networks in the district. However, the situation within the inner parts of the towns and villages is different as houses are dispersed with little possibility of creating lanes and roads for accessibility. The District has a total of about eighty-eight (88) settlements and has two Area Councils evenly distributed across the district to serve as service centers to these settlements or communities. These service centers are Adeiso and Mepom.

  • Road

    There are basically two (2) types of road, in the District. These are the truck roads which connect the District to Nsawam, Asamankese, and Bawjiase in the Central Region; and the feeder roads which links the various towns and villages within the District. The general condition of these roads especially the feeder roads are in a very deplorable state. Most of the feeder roads have deteriorated. During rainy seasons, surface accessibility becomes a challenge hence restricting the movement of people and farm produce especially to the market centres.

  • Tourist Attraction

    The Upper West Akim District has potential tourist attraction sites that could be harnessed to attract both domestic and foreign tourists for the development of the District. The major attraction sites are:

    1. Okurase Wood Carving Village where there is different carving of wood artifacts.
    2. The Three in One Coconut Tree at Nyanoah
    3. The mysterious Palm Tree (The Snake like-Palm Tree) at Sukrong- Cannan.
    4. KwakuYirebi /Odeng Cave (A funnel shaped cave on a hill) at Sukrong-Awenfi.

    The importance of tourism in a country cannot be over emphasized. Urgent steps are taken to develop these sites in consultation with Ghana Tourist Board as well as the Botanical Experts to attract domestic and foreign visitors.