Akyem Mansa means “three Akyem States”. The District therefore got its name from the three Akyem traditional states of Abuakwa, Bosome and Kotoku, parts of which constitute the district. The traditional institution of chieftaincy is an important component of the social organization of the people of the district who are predominantly Akyems with the people of Akyem Kotoku constituting about 75 percent of the population.

There are however other ethnic groups such as the Kwahus, Ewes, Gas, Krobos and people of northern origin who are employed in the agricultural and other sectors of the district economy. The language mainly spoken in the district is Akan, however English as the official language of the country is also widely spoken.

The main festivals celebrated by the people of the district include the Odwira festival of Akyem Kotoku and the Ohum festival of Akyem Abuakwa. The system of inheritance of the majority of the people is the matrilineal in line with the Akan system of inheritance. However, the matrilineal system of inheritance is practiced by the other ethnic groups in the district. The people in the district are predominantly Christians with a small proportion being traditionalists and Moslems.

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.