Traditional Set Up and Culture

The Sefwi Akontombra District has its traditional council under the Sefwi Wiawso Traditional Council, which is headed by the Paramount Chief of the Traditional Area (Omanhene), with the title “Kogyeabour”. The inheritance system is matrilineal. The culture of the people is not different from the Akan speaking communities or districts in the country.

The chief and people of the district celebrate the Yam Festival or Aluelue. It is celebrated in December in the District Capital. Other towns celebrate the festival on convenient dates between December and February.

Ethnicity

Ethnicity refers to the ethnic group that a person belonged to. This information is collected only from Ghanaians by birth and Ghanaians with dual nationality. The classification of ethnic groups in Ghana is that officially provided by the Bureau of Ghana Languages and which has been in use since the 1960 census.

Birthplace

The birthplace of a person refers to the locality of usual residence of the mother at the time of birth. If after delivery a mother stayed outside her locality of usual residence for six months or more or had the intention of staying in the new place for six or more months, then the actual town/village of physical birth becomes the birthplace of the child.

Duration of Residence

Duration of residence refers to the number of years a person has lived in a particular place. This question is only asked of persons not born in the place where enumeration took place. Breaks in duration of residence lasting less than 12 months are disregarded. The duration of residence of persons who made multiple movements of one (1) year or more is assumed to be the number of years lived in the locality (town or village) since the last movement.

Religion

Religion refers to the individual’s religious affiliation as reported by the respondent, irrespective of the religion of the household head or the head’s spouse or the name of the person. No attempt was made to find out if respondents actually practiced the faith they professed.

Marital Status

Marital status refers to the respondent’s marital status as at Census Night. The question on marital status was asked only of persons 12 years and older. The selection of the age limit of 12 years was based on the average age at menarche and also on the practice in some parts of the country where girls as young as 12 years old could be given in marriage.