Physical and Natural environment

The Natural Environment Environmental concerns comprise of degradation through natural and artificial means. The natural degradation mostly is characterized by heavy downpours resulting in severe erosions causing the development of gullies in most of the communities. On the contrary, deforestation is the main artificial means prevalent in most zones and communities. In some areas quarrying and sand winning contribute to this threat to the environment. Irrespective of these, there are few timber resources and other potentials for tourist attractions.

Biodiverty, Climate Change, Green Economy and the Environment

Topography and Climatic Features

The topography of the district is undulating and its elevation ranges between 50 to 150 meters above sea level. The prominent highland is a ridge located in the north-western corner of the district and rises to about 180 meters above sea level.

The climate is the moist semi-equatorial type. The mean monthly temperature ranges from 26oC in the coolest month of August to about 30oC in hottest months, March -April. The most important single climatic element is rainfall, with double maxima. The two peaks occur in May-June, and SeptemberOctober and the mean annual rainfall is between 120-150mm. December to February is the driest period.

The District is characterized by dense drainage with the key rivers being Amissah and Narkwa, named after points where they enter the sea although both rivers are locally called Ochi. Lands bordering Narkwa towards the borders with Gomoa West District are frequently flooded.

Soil and Vegetation

There are stretches of secondary forest interlaced with farmlands. The forest vegetation is semi-deciduous and contains several economic species such as Wawa, Ofram, Emire and Mahogany etc. The Onyina tree is ubiquitous, whilst groves of bamboo are usually encountered in valley bottoms where moisture trees are minimal. But vast areas are fast declining to grassland because of the traditional methods of farming, the indiscriminate felling of trees mainly by illegal chainsaw operators and the absence of systematic reaforestation programmes.

This phenomenon accounts also for the reduction in soil fertility. The soil texture varies from zone to zone within the district. However, characteristically, it is mostly clayey in some parts, sandy in others and loamy in the rest.

Figure 7: Vegetation map of the District
Source: District Planning Coordinating Unit, 2017

Figure 8: Soil vegetation map of the district
Source: District Planning Coordinating Unit, 2017

Natural and Man-Made Disasters

Ghana is annually faced with both natural and man-made disasters; Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam district is not left out. The most affected perennial natural disasters are rainstorm and flooding in the district. Rainstorm affects almost all communities in the district annually from February to June. Flooding, which normally occurs in June/July most affect communities?

Natural resource utilization

It is worth noting to mention that the District also has mineral deposits. These include gold, Mica and Kaolin. Mica is available for about 13 km stretch from Ampia Ajumako to the west. Kaolin is also found behind Ochi, about 13km stretch between Ampia, Ajumako and Kwanyarko and Gold (Nkoso) at Nkwamase in the Enyan maim zone.

Figure 9: Mineral Deposit in the District
Source: District Planning Coordinating Unit, 2017