Cultural and Social Structure

Traditional Set up

There are two main traditional paramount systems in the Municipal. These are the Nkoranzamanhene and the Momanhene. Each of these paramouncy has divisional chiefs under them. The Mo paramount has 19 sub chiefs and Nkoranza has over 30 sub chiefs. The ethnic composition of the Municipal is heterogeneous with the Mos and Nkoranzas being the indigenous custodians of the land. There are however, a large proportion of northern tribes which forms the third force in the Municipal not forgetting of other Akan tribes, Ewes, Gas and others.

Festivals celebrated in the Municipality include the Yam which is normally celebrated around September and Bush Burning festivals by the Mos which are dependent on the lunar calendar. Nkyefie festival of the Bonos, Damba festival of the Dagombas and Gonjas, Munufie festival by the Nkoranzas. The Krubi festival has a minor celebrated on the 27th day of Ramadan and the major one in November by the Wangara settlers in Kintampo

Ethnicity and Religion

The ethnic composition of the municipality is heterogeneous with the Mos and Nkoranzas being the indigenous custodians of the land.  There are however, a large proportion of northern tribes which forms the third force in the Municipality not forgetting of other Akan tribes, Ewes, Gas and others. In terms of religion, Christians dominate, comprising 62.2% of the total population and the Muslim Community 29.6%.  This may be due to immigration of settler farmers from the north who are mostly Muslims.  Traditional religion still has a place in the Municipality and is practiced by 8.2% of the population.

Kingship

The nature of change of chief is by Enstoolment.  Traditionally, Kintampo North is under two traditional paramount chiefs.  That is, the Nkoranza and the Mo traditional Councils.  Both the extended and nuclear family system is practiced in the Municipality.  While the Nkoranzas practise matrilineal system of inheritance, the Mos on the other hand practice patrilineal system.

Values and Taboos

Taboo systems in the municipality vary from tribe to tribe.  Whiles the Mos believe that anyone who goes to farm on Friday will have himself hurt; the Nkoranzas also have it that anyone who goes to farm on Tuesday will have the repercussions of the earth gods. The Mos also believe that an individual who sets fire to the bush and it gets to Old Longoro (the traditional head quarters) the fellow will die unless he goes through some spiritual purification.  Another taboo which is believed by the Mos to be an enemy to the gods of the land is black goat.  As such, any black goat that gets to the Mo Land is slaughtered to pacify the gods.

Festivals

Festivals celebrated in the Municipality include the Yam and Bush Burning festivals by the Mos, Nkyefie festival of the Bonos, Damba festival of the Dagombas and Gonjas, Munufie festival by the Nkoranzas and Krubi festival by the Wangara settlers in Kintampo.

Tourism Attractions

Tourism transcends socio-economic sectors and includes all the activities, attractions, facilities, services and infrastructure related to people’s travels away from their homes on long day trips or for over-night stays. Travels may be for holidays and recreation, business, meetings and conferences. Tourism refers to temporary travels and not to long-term stays or permanent migration. Tourism is a fast growing sector in the country and Ghana has the potential of getting a good share of the world trade. It is evident that primary products, which form the economic bedrock of this country, can no longer survive in this competitive advancing world economy.

The Municipal is unique in primary tourist attractions and plays a central role in the Brong Ahafo Region’s tourism industry. Tourist attractions in the district include the Kintampo Waterfalls along the Kintampo-Tamale road, the Fulla Falls at Yabraso, about eight kilometres from Kintampo, along the New Longaro road, and Nante Waterfalls at Nante, along the Techiman-Kumasi road.

There are other waterfalls in the Municipality but these have not yet been given much attention.Indeed, the Municipality has been nicknamed “The District of Waterfalls in Ghana”. Another interesting place for tourists to visit is the burial ground of world war British Military officers who died in Kintampo.

The main natural attractions are the Pumpum River falls 70m down some beautiful rocky steps to form the Kintampo Water Falls which continue its journey towards the Black Volta at Buipe and the Fuller falls 7km west of Kintampo which provides a cool swim in a pool; stool- like carved rocks to sit.

Another tourist attractions in the Kintampo North Municipality is the historical heritage which includes the geographical centre of Ghana located at the Municipality capital, Kintampo; the Slave market, Caves and night lamp at Kunsu; and the European cemetery where eight of the “Gold Coast Regiment” were buried. The British established several operational offices during the colonial period. Kintampo was the seat of the commissioner of the Ashanti Region. Several of the original British buildings are still standing.

Also, the Municipal is at the geographical centre of Ghana and a monument has been erected right at the spot. Other sites include the Bosomoa Forest Reserve with its flora and fauna, as well as the conical hills and ridges at the southern part of the district, all of which provide a wonderful sense of nature.

As Ghana adopts a deliberate policy of opening up the hinterlands to trade, investment and tourism, Kintampo North Municipal is an obvious choice in the Brong Ahafo Region for investment. The District Assembly is ready to support and encourage any investor interested in investing in the Municipality.

To diversify, the government has rightly identified tourism as a possible saviour in the country.  The tourist attractions are dotted all over the country of which Kintampo North Municipal is not left out.  The district abounds in tourism attractions.  These potential areas and activities need to be repackaged and promoted properly if the district is to be noticed in this highly sophisticated market, in the country.  Generally, the ecology of the Municipal has produced lots of tourist attractions. These could be classified as natural attractions, historical heritage, and cultural heritage.

a)     Natural attractions

The main natural attractions are the Pumpum River which falls 70m down some beautiful rocky steps to form the Kintampo Water Falls which continue its journey towards the Black Volta at Buipe and the Fuller falls 7km west of Kintampo which provides a cool swim in a pool; stool- like carved rocks to sit.

b)    Historical Heritage

Another classification of the tourist attractions in the Kintampo North Municipal is the historical heritage which includes the geographical centre of Ghana located at the district capital, Kintampo; the Slave market, Caves and night lamp at Kunsu; and the European cemetery where eight of the “Gold Coast Regiment” were buried. The British established several operational offices during the colonial period. Kintampo was the seat of the commissioner of the Ashanti Region. Several of the original British buildings are still standing.

Hotels and guest houses in this district include

Falls Executive Guest Lodge - Nwoase,

Prince of Peace Guest House - Nwoase,

St. Micheal Hotel - Nearer Magazine,

Life Hotel - Kyeremankuma,

Adom Guest House - Kyeremankuma,

Toronto Guest House - Sawaba,

Mid Way Hotel - Sawaba,

Unam Hotel - Sawaba and

Kintampo Guest House located at Sunkwa.

Tourism Development

One classification of the tourist attractions in the Municipal is the historical heritage which includes the Geographical Centre of Ghana located at the Municipal capital, Kintampo. The Slave Market, Caves and Night Lamp at Kunsu. European Cemetery where eight of the “Gold Coast Regiment” were buried also in Kintampo. The British established several operational offices during the colonial period. Kintampo was the seat of the Commissioner of the Ashanti Region. Several of the original British buildings are still standing. 

The main natural attractions are the Pumpum River which falls 70m down some beautiful rocky steps to form the Kintampo Water Falls which continue its journey towards the Black Volta at Buipe, and the Fuller falls 7km west of Kintampo North which provides a cool swim in a pool; stool- like carved rocks to sit. These natural sites have been sources of revenue to the Kintampo North Municipal.

Apart from the weekly markets at Kintampo, Babatorkuma, Dawadawa, Gulumpe, New Longoro which fall on every Wednesday, Sundays, Fridays and Saturdays respectively there is no market in the area anywhere. All communities come to these markets to sell or buy their needed goods. Apart from Kintampo and Babatorkuma, which has well-constructed market, there is no other well constructed market in the Municipality.

The main banking facilities in the Municipality include the Ghana Commercial Bank, National Investment Bank and the Kintampo Rural Bank. All these banks are located in the Municipal capital.

Lorry Stations are located at the Kintampo and Babatorkuma markets.  There are five lorry stations in the municipality. Four of them are located in Kintampo and the other at Babatokuma (i.e. the STC yard, Ntankoro Station, Tamale station and the Babatokuma ).However, some drivers still park by the main road for passengers to Tamale, Techiman, Sunyani, Kumasi and other parts of the country. Transport to the hinterlands is usually difficult to access on non-market days due to poor surface condition of feeder roads.

There are presently the vodafone, Tigo MTN, Expesso, Airtel and currently Glo GSM networks in the area. These however cover about 80% of the Municipal area. There are also few fixed lines by Vodafone Ghana available in the Municipality. Presently, there is only one Post Office located in Kintampo.

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