The focus of this chapter is on the economic characteristics of the population of Atwima Kwanwoma District. It includes the activity status, occupation and industry by sex. The final part outlines the employment status and the employment sector in the District.

Economic Activity Status

Table 4.1 indicates that about two third (68.4%) of persons 15 years and older in the Atwima Kwanwoma District are economically active and 31.6 percent are economically not active. Out of the economically active population, 93.88 percent are employed with males being 94.8 percent and females 92.8 percent. The proportion of the population who are unemployed in the District for both sexes stands at 6.2 percent; 5.2 percent for males and 7.2 percent for females.

The economically not active on the other hand, recorded 31.6 percent. Majority of the economically not active are those in full time education (46.5%) followed by those who did home duties/household chores (26.5%) of which 15.6 percent are males and 34.6 percent are females. Pensioner/Retired category has the lowest proportion (2.3%) with 3.8 percent males and 1.1 percent females.

Figure 4.1 shows the activity status of the population 15 years and older in Atwima Kwanwoma District. According to the chart, the total employed persons are 64.2 percent with 49.4 percent males and 50.6 percent females. The unemployed population is 4.3 percent and the economically not active population recorded 31.6 percent. For the unemployed population, 3.7 percent of them are males and 4.7 percent are females. About thirty percent (28.8%) males and 34 percent females are economically not active.

Table 4.2 shows the activity status of population 15 years and older by sex and age. The data shows a gradual rise from 4 percent at age 15-19 which peaks at 16.2 percent and at age 25-29 and gradually decreases as age increases. The proportions unemployed are quite high at lower age groups 15-29 but decreases with increase in age.

Between age 15-19, the proportion of the economically not active is as high as 44.5 percent. This proportion decreases sharply from 17.2 percent at age 20-24 to as low as 1.8 percent at age 55-59. The data by males and females show similar patterns.

Table 4.2 shows again the economic activity status of population 15 years and older by sex and age. The data reveals that, there are 64.2 percent of employed persons and 4.3 percent of unemployed in the District whilst the economically not active constitutes 31.6 percent. Employment increases with the age groups from 15 up to 49 years and then starts to decrease from 50 to 54 years. The age group, 20-24 years recorded the highest proportion of unemployed population (10.1%) as well as the age group 15 to 19 years which also recorded the highest proportion of the economically not active population (81.7%).

Male-female differentials show that for all the age groups, there are more employed males (67.5%) than females (61.2%). However, the proportion of females who are unemployed

Occupation

Table 4.3 examines the employed population by occupation and sex for persons 15 years and older. A little more than a quarter (27.5%) of the workers in the district are engaged as service and sales workers constituting the highest percentage of the employed. This is closely followed by skilled agricultural forestry and fishery workers (27.4%). A significant proportion (18.8%) is also employed as craft and related trades workers.

In addition, less than 10 percent are employed by elementary occupations, plant and machine operators and assemblers recorded 6.5 percent while 5.3 percent are professionals. Occupations by sex show that about equal proportions of male (26.0%) and females (28.7%) are engaged as skilled agricultural, forestry and fishery workers.

However, more males than females are engaged as craft and related trades workers; 28.1 percent males and 9.8 percent females; plant and machine operators and assemblers (12.9%) males and 0.3 percent females; professionals 6.3 percent males and 4.3 percent females. A high proportion of females 41.6 percent than males 13 percent are employed as service and sales workers.

Industry

This part of the analysis explains the employed population by industry and sex. The data indicates that 28.1 percent of the workforce 15 years and older are into agriculture forestry and fishing. About 24.4 percent are into wholesale and retail (repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles).

In addition 10.9 percent are employed in the manufacturing sector, while wholesale and retail, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles employ twice as many females (33.0%) as males (15.0%). Some industries also employ mainly males or females. Males are almost wholly employed in construction (15.7%) than females (0.5%); transportation and storage 11 percent males and 0.3 percent females. Females also predominate in accommodation and food services, 10.5 percent females and 1.5 percent males.

Employment Status

Table 4.5 analyses the employed population by employment status and sex. The data indicates that self-employed without employees constitute 65.6 percent being the highest employment status while employees are only 18 percent. About 4.9 percent are contributing family workers, 2.7 percent are casual workers and 0.3 percent are domestic employees (house helps). The proportion of male employees (25.7%) is higher than that of females (10.5%) with more of the females (6.9%) also serving as contributing family workers than males (2.8%)

Employment Sector

Table 4.6 shows the employed population by employment sector. The employment sector that employs majority of the people in the District is the Private Informal sector (86.7%). This is followed by the Private Formal sector (7.3%), then the Government sector which employs as low as 5.2 percent in the Atwima Kwanwoma District with 6.3 percent males and 4.1 percent females.

Table 4.6 further shows that Private Informal sector which employs majority of the employed population employs 82.1 percent males and 91.1 percent females, whereas the Private Formal sector employs 10.4 percent males and only 4.3 percent females. The Public (Government) sector employs 6.3 percent males and 4.1 percent females.

Investment and Business Potential

The district proximity to Kumasi promises ready markets for farmers and other economic. There is high demand for land in the District in such areas like Ahenema Kokoben, Ahenema Kokoben, Brofoyeduro, Ampayoo, Krofrom, Trade and other emerging peri-urban areas. The district is endowed with arable land. About 80% of the land is suitable for crop cultivation. Maize rice, Cassava, Yam, Cocoyam, Ginger, Groundnut and Plantain are the main food crops cultivate. The soils and the rainfall regime do support different of agriculture produce a citrus, cocoa, oil pal,, plantain, cassava, maize and rice.

Gold deposits are located in Adwuampong, Ampabame No. 1, Ahenema Kokobenn, Nkoranza, Trede, Trabuom, Kyekyebon and Adumase. The District however, cannot be said to be a mining District since information gathered was only on specific mining pits that have been abandoned. Sand deposits are located at Konkori, Trabuom, Twedie, Adumwamade, Dida, Gyekye, Afrancho Asaago. Stone deposits are located at Mpatasie, Ampabame No. 1 and 2, Kwawoma, Aboabo Kese and Ahenema Kokoben. Rock deposits on the other hand are located at Ampeyoo, Kokoben and Nwineso Nos. 1, 2 and 3.

There mineral deposit provides a great potential for socio-economic development of the District if they are exploited and managed properly. Jobs could be created for the local people and revenues to be delivered from these resources could be used to provide socio-economic infrastructure to quicken the pace of District’s development.

Investment Areas/Investment Opportunities

A potential investor interested in Real Estate sub-sector would be looking at the construction of residential houses, industrial and commercial houses as well as shopping centres.

Residential Property

There  is high demand for residential accommodation in the district. Current estimate points to a notable production notable of new residences in the district.
•    Residential houses
•    Industrial and commercial houses
•    Shopping centres /malls