Ahafo | |
|---|---|
| Ahafo Region | |
 The Tano River | |
 Location of Ahafo in Ghana | |
| Country | Ghana |
| Capital | Goaso |
| Government | |
| • Largest Town | Mim, Ahafo |
| • Regional Minister | Charity Gardiner[1] |
| Area | |
• Total | 5,193 km2 (2,005 sq mi) |
| Population (2021 census) | |
• Total | 564,668[2] |
| • Rank | Ranked 16th |
| • Density | 109/km2 (280/sq mi) |
| GDP (PPP) | |
| GDP (Nominal) | |
| Time zone | GMT |
| Area code | 035 |
TheAhafo Region is a newly createdregion in Ghana withGoaso as its capital.[3][4] The region has administrative and governmental legislature like all the ten already existing regions in Ghana. The region was carved out of the south-eastern part of theBrong Ahafo Region and was in fulfillment of a campaign promise made by New Patriotic Party. Prior to the 2016Ghanaian general election, the then candidateNana Akufo-Addo declared that when elected, he would explore the possibility of creating new regions out of some of the existing regions in Ghana in order to bring government closer to citizens.
The execution of plans for the creation of the regions was assigned to the newly createdMinistry of Regional Reorganization and Development[5] which is under the leadership ofHon. Dan Botwe.Government of Ghana ministry charged with the responsibility of supervising the creation of new regions in Ghana.[5] In March 2017, the ministry sent the blue print for the creation of the region along with others to theCouncil of State. The council met over 36 times from the time of submission to August 2017.[6] The final stage for the creation of the region was decided through areferendum by the people within the catchment of the new region on 27 December 2018.[7]
| Major Towns of Ahafo Region. | |||
| No. | Settlement | Population | Population year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mim, Ahafo | 30,753 | 2017 |
| 2 | Goaso | 24,846 | 2017 |
| 3 | Bechem | 17,677 | 2013 |
| 4 | Duayaw Nkwanta | 16,541 | 2013 |
| 5 | Techimantia | ||
| 6 | Kenyasi | ||
| 7 | Hwidiem | ||
The political administration of the region is through the local government system. Under this administration system, the region is divided into six MMDA's (made up of 0 Metropolitan, 3 Municipal and 3 Ordinary Assemblies).[8] Each District, Municipal or Metropolitan Assembly, is administered by a Chief Executive, representing the central government but deriving authority from an Assembly headed by a presiding member elected from among the members themselves. The current list is as follows:
| # | MMDA Name | Capital | MMDA Type | Chief Executive | Member of Parliament | Party |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Asunafo North | Goaso | Municipal | Osei Yaw Boahen | Evans Bobie Opoku | NPP |
| 2 | Asunafo South | Kukuom | Ordinary | Frank Aduse Poku | Eric Opoku | NDC |
| 3 | Asutifi North | Kenyasi | Ordinary | Anthony Mensah | Patrick Banor | NPP |
| 4 | Asutifi South | Hwidiem | Ordinary | Robert Mensah Dwomoh | Collins Dauda | NDC |
| 5 | Tano North | Duayaw Nkwanta | Municipal | Ernest Kwarteng | Freda Prempeh | NPP |
| 6 | Tano South | Bechem | Municipal | Collins Takyi Offinam | Benjamin Yeboah Sekyere | NPP |
Areferendum on 27 December 2018[10] approved the creation of Ahafo Region. Out of a total of 307,108 registered votes, 277.663 took part in the referendum with 276,763 (99.68 per cent) voting in favour of the creation of the new region. 675 (0.24 per cent) rejected the motion and 225 rejected ballots representing 0.08% of total votes cast.[11][12][13] The region was created on 13 February 2019 by Constitutional Instrument 114.[8] Goaso was announced as the capital of the new region.
Residents of Ahafo Region are predominantly Agriculture farmers who produce bothcash crop andfood crops. The predominant cash crop grown in the region iscocoa.
Plantain andCassava are the majorfood crops produced in the region and these farm produce are mainly from Sankore,Kwadwo Addaikrom, andAsumura localities.
The Region is endowed with rich natural resources such asGold,Diamonds,Timber. Gold deposit abounds in large quantities inMim,Kenyasi andYamfo zones. Newmont Gold Ghana Limited which is one of the biggest mining companies in the world, currently have their mining operations in Kenyasi and Yamfo zones.
Ahafo Region which is one of the forest belts in Ghana has a lot of forest reserves. Timber industry is the second highest employer in the Region. There are large and medium timber companies scattered across the Region. Notable among the timber companies in the region are Ayum Forest Products Co. Ltd,[14] Exbo wood Co. Ltd, Ocean-wood Co. Ltd,[15] Supremo-wood processing Co LTD, all inMim, Ahafo.[16]
Ahafo Region is known to be the bread basket of Ghana. The soil type in the region supports the production of both food and cash crops. The region is known for its largecocoa andcashew productions.[17] The major agro-processing company in the region is the Mim Cashew & Agric Products company LTD located at Mim, Ahafo.[18]
Tourist Attractions in the Ahafo Region are:
The Ahafo Region isbordered on the north by theBono region, the east byAshanti Region, the west by theBono region, the south by theWestern North Region and is made up of 6 districts.
The Ahafo Region is part of the forest belt of Ghana and has a vegetation consists predominantly of fertile soil, grassland, especiallysavanna with clusters of drought-resistant trees such asbaobabs oracacias. Between December and April is thedry season. Thewet season is between about July and November with an average annual rainfall of 750 to 1050 mm (30 to 40 inches). The highest temperatures are reached at the end of the dry season, the lowest in December and January. However, the hotHarmattan wind from the Sahara blows frequently between December and the beginning of February. The temperatures can vary between 14 °C (59 °F) at night and 40 °C (104 °F) during the day.
Places adjacent to Ahafo Region | |
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