The economy of the District is mainly agrarian employing about 64% of the total workforce as revealed by the 2006 sample survey which was undertaken by the DPCU. Industrial and service sectors on the other hand employ 4% and 32% respectively.
The Afigya Sekyere District Assembly, like many Districts in the Ashanti Region, relies heavily on agriculture. The major food crops cultivated in the district include cassava, plantain, yam, cocoyam and maize. Cocoa, citrus, coffee and oil palm are the major cash crop cultivated.
The Bedies–Sutawa Association has adequate water holding capacity and are suited for mechanized agriculture to support crops like maize, yams, legumes, cassava, plantain and groundnuts. Whereas 21% of farmers farm on subsistence level, 6% farm on commercial levels. About 73% cultivate on both levels.
The main farming practices are mixed cropping 67%, Mono cropping 7% crop rotation 4% mixed farming 19% and Agro-Forestry 3%. The average distance to farm in the district is 2.68km, land under cultivated per farmer is 3.687 acres and the average number of farms under cultivation per farmer is 3 farms.
Livestock production in the district is developed. At the moment, there are over 38 cattle kraals with an average of 20 cows per kraal scattered over the district.
The industrial sub sector employs about 4% of the total labour force of the district. The sub sector is mainly small scale with activities centered on Agro-Based, wood-based, metal-base and Textile- Based.
The commercial sector of the economy in the district is basically made up of both private and public sub-sector. The sector therefore employs about 32% of the total force of the district. Those in the private sub- sector also operate on small scale levels.
The periodic market centers that generate income for the district are Boamang, Agona, Wiamoase and Bepoase. The district has a total of 180.2km lenth of road network. About 90% of roads in the district are not tarred but are routinely maintained.
Among the few tarred roads in the district are the main Kumasi- Mampong trunk road, Kumasi – Offinso trunk road and about 2km of Agona –Wiamoase road and a few kilometers of the Ahenkro-Kyekyewere road. Currently, there are postal services in most the communities. The installation of a digital radio multiply access subscriber system at Agona has improved tele communication in the district. A Scancom mobile phone service is also available on the district.
About 80% of the inhabitants in the district have been sensitized on the districts Mutual Health Insurance Scheme which has been established. Currently, 7000 people from the informal sector have been registered with about 3000 people making full payments and the remaining 4000 making part payments. The local administration of the district lies in the hands of the district Assembly.
The Assembly has a total of 72%members with 48 elected and 21 appointed. The district has 3 town councils, 9 area councils and 141 unit committees with 48 electoral areas and 2 constituencies.
Between 2001 and 2002, the District Assembly spent an amount of 4,293,250,000 billion cedis on its developmental projects. Out of this amount,586,000, 000 cedis came from the HIPC Fund while other agencies like DACF, IFAD/GOG/REP and World Bank also supported the Assembly. Between 2003 and 2004,the Assembly spent a huge amount of 35,907,953,295 billion cedis on construction projects. With this, GETFUND and S.I.F supported the Assembly with and amount of 4,546,656,544.06 billion cedis and the Assembly funded part of the projects.
The Assembly also assisted Women groups in the district with 25.5 million cedis in July 2002. The District therefore spent 25 million cedis on construction of socio- economic survey/collection data in 2002 and the development of tourist sites district wide also cost the district 20 million cedis.
The 2000 population and housing census put the district’s population at 119,93 people. By projection using a growth rate of 3.1%, the district’s population now stands at 139,057 people. In 1984, the population of the district was 72,125. The population of the district is growing at a rate of 3.1% with a population density of 179.5 persons per sq. km.
Urban population of the district constitutes 35.6% By implication 64.4% of the population is rural. 48.3% of the population of the district constitutes males whereas females form 51.7%. The 0-14 age cohort constitute 36.4% of the total population while those aged 65 and above make up of only 2.9%. The age group 0-14 and those who are 65 and above constitute the dependant population which total up to 39.3%.
On the other hand, the economically active population i.e those between the ages of 15-64 form 60.7% 0f the total population.
Form the table, it is evident that Agriculture and Services/commerce has over the years shed labour to industry. This was projected for in the last medium term plan. This is a sign of development however, it is important to formulate policies to strengthen the industrial sub sector majority of which are agro-based.
Service/Commerce Sector
The informal sector plays a dominant role in this sub sector. Their role is however, complimented by the formal sector through the services provided by departments of the District Assembly and other government organizations such as the police and the courts.
The informal sector comprises hairdressers, tailors, barbers, drivers, painters, etc. Their area of operation is scattered in various communities in the district and they operate in kiosks and stores, often rented. They sometimes train apprentices who support them in their daily business activities.
In the district, the commercial sub-sector comprises both retailers and wholesalers. It is however, worthy to note that retailers out number wholesalers. Both individuals and organized institutions engaged in commercial activities in the district. It is however, obvious that individuals dominate this sector. Manufactured goods that are sold including roofing sheets, ply wood, iron rods, cement, cutlasses, consumables and other chemical products such as hair creams and fertilizers.
Business activities are conducted in wooden structures, rented stores and stalls in the markets, on tables in open spaces and private buildings in various communities. Wholesale business activities are mainly found in bigger settlements like Wiamoase and Agona, the District Capital.
It is worthy to note that due to improved access and transportation, a considerable number of people in the district acquire manufactured goods from Kumasi. By implication, the full advantages of trade and commerce have not been realized in the district.
General Problems
Among the problems faced in this sub sector are:
- Lack of Capital
- High cost of inputs
- Poor managerial skills
- Exploitation by some landlords
- Lack of capital for investment
- Poor road network and conditions
- Inadequate marketing facilities
- Poor telecommunication network
- High transport cost
Revenue Situation of the District
The Local Government Act, (Act 642) enjoins District Assemblies to levy sufficient rates to provide for part of its total expenditure. Afigya Sekyere District is not an exception. In addition to the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF), the district also generates revenue for its developmental programmes and projects. The table below indicates the revenue situation of the district over the last few years.
The tables above show an increasing flow of funds (both grants from Central Government and Locally Generated Revenue) for the development agenda of the district.
It is however important to state that, even though, the above trend implies increase in development, the late release of the Government Grant, affects the cost of development especially, physical projects since the late release subject’s projects to the mercy of fluctuations and variations thereby increasing original values of projects. Again, there is the need for the district to set realistic targets for the collection of its IGF and also to mobilize enough revenue so as to reduce the over reliance on the Common Fund.
Date Created : 11/24/2017 5:22:44 AM