The Upper Denkyira Municipal Assembly has been charged by law to mobilize its own funds to implement its projects and programmes. There are two sources of funds, ie. Internally Generated Funds and External Sources. The internally generated sources are Rates, Lands, Fees and Fines, Licences, Investments and Rent from Assembly buildings. The external sources include; District Assemblies’ Common Fund, salaries paid to staff by the Government, EU/GOG Micro Project Fund, Community Based Rural Development Project Fund, Community Water and Sanitation Project Fund, Ghana Aids Commission, HIPC, Getfund, etc.

Fees and Fines, Rates and Lands have been the major source of internally generated revenue contributing more than 80% of annual local revenue since 2002. The tables below show the revenue pattern of the District since 2002. In 2006, the Assembly budgeted to collect an amount of 01,714,270,000.00 from its traditional sources. As at the end of August, 2006, the Assembly had collected an amount of 0717,203,560.00 representing 41.8% of the annual estimated budget.

Performance in Local Revenue Mobilization

Despite the introduction of other interventions under Grants, the Assembly has not relaxed in the mobilization of revenue from its traditional sources. However, revenue mobilization over the years has been low. Achievement rates for the  revenue have not been stable as depicted on the tables.

 It was reduced from 165% in 2002 to 66.7% in 2003. It however increased to 82.8% and 84.6% in 2004 and 2005 respectively. For the development aspirations to be realized, the Assembly needs to do better than its current performance, so far as 
revenue mobilization is concerned.

Efforts should therefore be made to step up the revenue generation capacity of the Assembly so as to increase the contribution of local revenue to total revenue from the current average of 15% to 30% and above in subsequent years.

Current efforts to Increase Local Revenue Base

The district being predominantly rural depends on agriculture. Due to accessibility problems, marketing of farms produce has become very difficult. The people are therefore poor resulting in their inability to honour their tax obligations to the Assembly. The Assembly has therefore rehabilitated many feeder roads and markets to facilitate accessibility and marketing. This would improve the income of farms thereby enhancing their capacity to pay taxes.

In addition to these, the following measures have also been put in place to improve revenue of the Assembly.

• Pay -your-levy (tax) educational campaigns have been intensified.
• Revenue Mobilization, vehicle has been given to the Revenue Unit for tax education and collection.
• Zoning of the revenue stations to coincide with the Area Councils.
• Area Councils area to assist in the collection of revenue in their areas of authority.
• Improvement in the capacities of revenue collectors through training and motivation.
• Monitoring and supervision of revenue collection and reporting systems have been strengthened to ensure that leakages are reduced to the minimum.
• Organizing trade associations and identifiable groups so as to involve them in the collection of revenue.
• Data on rateable items is being collected to facilitate realistic budgets.
• Revaluation of all properties .
• Privatization of the collection of property rate on pilot basis
  
  

  Assembly’s Expenditure

The expenditure pattern of the  from 2002 to 2005 is shown in the Table bellows. The main areas that funds are expended include personnel emoluments, traveling and transport, general expenditure; maintenance and repairs/renewals, miscellaneous expenditure, and capital items.

Priorities for Private Sector Competitiveness

The strengthening of the capacities of the private sector to effectively perform as the engine of growth and poverty reduction is fundamental in the development of the Municipality’s economy. This section therefore focuses on the analysis of the private sector in the Upper Denkyira Municipal Assembly as the basis for wealth creation, employment generation and a source of livelihood for its inhabitants.

It includes an analysis of the Agricultural, Industry, Service, transportation,energy,mining,tourism,market sectors and the employment/unemployment situation as well as the finances of the Assembly.

 Agriculture

The local economy of the Assembnnly is dominated by the Agriculture sector. The Upper Denkyira Municipal Assembly lies in the semi-deciduous forest zone of the country. It has a mean annual temperature of 29°C in the hottest months and 24°C in the coolest months. The Municipality has a bi-modal pattern of rainfall distribution with an annual rainfall ranging from 1,200mm to 1,500mm.

The Municipality has about 75,626 hectares of arable land alongside water resource such as river Offin and other streams which could be used for irrigated agriculture all year round. The Agricultural Development Unit (MADU) is divided into sectors. These are;

•  Crops sub-sector
• Livestock sub-sector
  
  

Animal Production Veterinary/Animal Health

•  Women in Agricultural Development (WIAD)
• Extension sub-sector and
• Management Information System
• Fisheries sub-sector(now Ministry of Fisheries)
  
  

Employment

Of the total employed labour force, Agriculture employs 78% of the active population of the municipality. This is made up of 32% female and 68% male. The table 1.4 below summarizes the age distribution of the farming population .

Another feature of agriculture in the Municipality is that it is predominantly subsistence. Food are grown to feed the family and the excess is sold for income. However, cash crops are grown mainly for commercial purposes. Livestock and poultry are kept in the backyard as a supplementary source of food and income.

The Crops Sub-Sector

By virtue of the Assembly’s location in the forest zone, almost all of the entire agricultural population is engaged in the crop sub sector. The major crops grown are; Cocoa, Oil palm, Citrus, Maize, Cassava, Plantain, Cocoyam Yam, pepper and the other vegetables.

The first three crops are considered as cash crops. Cocoa is the most significant since the others are still developing. According to records from the district cocoa office, coca occupies about 27,204.2 hectares which is approximately 40% of the arable lands.

Extension activities are carried out to encourage farmers to adopt improved farming technologies to increase production. This is done through the establishment of demonstrations, field days and farmer trainings. This has helped to increase production as well as farmers’ incomes and standard of living over the years.

Below is a table 1.5 on the production levels of the major crops since 2004 and their areas under cultivation. Although production level is encouraging, the average farm sizes are still quite small. The table 1.6 below summarizes the average farm sizes for the major staples This situation is not the best since no commodity on the average has one hectare of land under cultivation.

Livestock Sub-Sector

The livestock sub-sector is not as developed as that of the crops but it could be a potential for improvement in farmers’ incomes. Every household however keeps few numbers of local poultry or small ruminants.
The sector is divided into two sections, i.e Animal production and Veterinary/Animal health.

 Animal Production

This sector sees to the housing and general management of livestock (good management practices). Under this section, farmers are advised to keep their animals under good hygienic conditions and be given the right feed to ensure disease free and healthy animals.

Veterinary

The veterinary section sees to the treatment and control of livestock diseases in the Municipality. In the execution of this duty, animals are vaccinated against schedule diseases such as rabies for dogs, monkeys and cats as well as Pest de Petite Ruminants (PPR) for sheep and goats. In the area of poultry, vaccinations are done against Fowl pox, Newcastle, and Gumboro diseases.
The table below gives a comparative summary of the animals vaccinated against the scheduled diseases in 2004 as against 2005

Diseases Control

In addition to vaccination of scheduled diseases, the sector does normal clinic & field activities. This includes deworming, castration, dipping/spraying and other clinical cases.

 Public Health

It is the duty of the veterinary section to see that meat sold in the market is wholesome. In this regard, an officer is scheduled to inspect all animals at the slaughter house before and after they are slaughtered.

Women in Agricultural Development (WIAD)

This sector educates women on kitchen improvement and proper nutrition and the preparation of balanced dietary ration and management of the home.

Fisheries Sub-Sector

Upper Denkyira has the highest comparative advantage over other districts in the region as far as aquaculture is concerned. This is due to the nature of the terrain, soil characteristics and water resources. However, the size of fish ponds are relatively very small hence the total surface area of ponds is not very significant. Currently there are 180 functional fish ponds  with a surface area of 3.9 hectares.

These notwithstanding, Upper Denkyira can still boast of a formidable coherent Fish Farmers Association which has been in existence since July 1997. It should be mentioned that the National best fish farmer was selected from the Upper Denkyira during the 2005 Farmers Day Celebration. Fish Farming is an area that needs focus because of the importance of the commodity (fish) as a dietary input.

Non Traditional Commodities

Education has been going on for farmers to incorporate Grasscutters, Snails, mushroom and honey production. These commodities though not developed, it can be mentioned that they are gaining grounds. The district can boast of a formidable beekeepers association which benefited from a loan facility provided by the Food and Agricultural Budgetary Support (FABS) to expand their projects. Few other individuals can be spotted across are into grasscutter production, snail farming and beekeeping.

Post Harvest

Processing of farm products is another area has not been developed over the years. This situation has led to many farm produce, especially cassava to experience heavy losses due to the difficulty in selling the raw cassava.

Processing of cassava is currently being given a big boost with the commissioning  and coming into operation of the multi purpose cassava processing equipment at the Dunkwa Continental Gold fields premises and the assistance given to four ) cassava production and processing groups to procure and establish cassava processing equipments by the  Assembly and the Food and Agricultural Budgetary Support (FABS).

Farmer Based Organizations

With the collaboration of the Department of Co-operative, many farmers have been sensitized to form groups so that they can take advantage of the opportunities that exist in group formation. Some of these groups and individuals have benefited from FABS loans.

Special Projects

The Assembly has benefited from a number of projects. These are;

Village Land and Water Management Project

This project started in 2005. Under it, four communities were selected and given a grant of fifteen million cedis (15,000,000.00) each to address the degraded land problems facing the communities. The communities are; Adwumam, Buabin Camp, Imbraem and Jameso Nkwanta.

Cocoa Hi-Tech Project

This project started in 2003. Here, farmers were given Cocoa fertilizers on credit to be paid after harvesting of the cocoa. The project has been very successful but the recovery rate is very low. Below is a summary of beneficiaries of the project. This project which is intended to boost maize production. The Assembly received inputs which can cultivate three hundred (300) acres of maize to be given to farmers as loan. So far, all the farms are doing very well which gives an indication of a good harvest this year.

 Some Major Achievements

In the year 2002, the National Best Farmer was selected from the Upper Denkyira , (Baba Abudu Takora). That same year, the Regional Best Farmer was selected from the Municipality (Ignatius Agbo).

A year later in 2003, the Regional Best Farmer, for the Central Region again emerged from the Upper Denkyira (Chief Imam Sid Mohamed Abdallah). This is a feat which to us can not be broken for a very long time to come.

In the year 2005 (last year), the National Best Farmer for Aquaculture was selected and went to Nana Akwasi Tutu of Nkronua. Not only that, the Regional Best Farmer went to Mr. Ignatius Agbo for the second time and the Best Livestock Farmer was given to Mr. Emmanuel Eghan also in the Municipality.
GAPS

There are a number of constraints which needs to be addressed for Agriculture to move forward.The under listed are some identified problems;

• The Assembly needs a new office building since the old one is directly under the high tension which poses health hazards to staff.

• The Assembly is very under staffed: There are only three graduates instead of six who are to assist the director. The Veterinary section has only two technical staff and two assistants, making it impossible to give adequate coverage.It is recommended that mobile clinic be set up to serve remote communities.

• The Extension officer -farmer ratio which is presently 1:996 instead of 1:200 is too wide for effective extension work.

•  The Municipality is divided into 30 Operational AreaSbut there are only 17 officers to man them, leaving a yawning gap of 13 Operational Areas yet to be occupied.Very few officers have motorbikes and the bad nature of the road together with the terrain makes extension activities very difficult.

• The assembly has only 6 staff quarters therefore officers posted to the ’villages fund it difficult to get accommodation to stay at their areas of operation.
  
  

Protective clothing such as raincoats and Field boots are required to enhance extension activities. The low rate of T & T for AEAs is also an issue to be addressed.  It has been suggested that it should be tied up with the cost of one gallon of petrol. Maintenance allowance for the motor bikes is too small to maintain the machine.

Forestry

The Upper Denkyira Municipality falls within the Forest processing zone of the Central Region - covering a total area of 2,386.42km2 which includes the whole of Upper Denkyira, parts of Twifo-Hemang Lower Denkyira, Mpohor Wassa East District and Wassa Amenfi East District.

Forest Reserves

Out of the total area of 2,386.42km2, forest reserves covers 438.34km2 (18%) whilst off - reserve covers 1948.08km2 (82.6).
Some of the major timber species that are in high demand in these forests are Awienfosamina, Hyedua, Edinam, Emire, Wawa, Mahogany etc.

Logging

Logging which is a key activity in the Municipality occurs bite in an off - reserves. There are 65 genuine contactors . Out of this number only 29 are activity operating in both on - reserve and off- reserve areas.

Plantation Development

An area of 90.56ha. of land has been developed into plantation in Opon Mansi forest reserve. Total number of species planted are 100,612 comprising Teak, Cedrella, Ofram and Otie. Three (3) communities are involved in the programme namely Tegyamoso,Atobease and Faomanyo; i.e. communities leaving around the reserve.Unfortunately the programme had to be suspended for that fact that there were no more degraded areas in the reserve to enable the programme to continue.
 
Private Plantation Development

There are about 60 private plantations developed by individuals within the Municipality covering total area of about 450ha with major species planted being Teak and few indigenous trees ranging between 1-10 years old ©fcatg.©. The programme is on-going..
 
Internal Generated Fund (IGF)

Revenue accrued from stumpage fees for the period January 2005 and disbursed to various stake holders are as detailed below.

The Upper Denkyira Municipal Assembly has been charged by law to mobilize its own funds to implement its projects and programmes. There are two sources of funds, ie. Internally Generated Funds and External Sources. The internally generated sources are Rates, Lands, Fees and Fines, Licences, Investments and Rent from Assembly buildings.

The external sources include; District Assemblies’ Common Fund, salaries paid to staff by the Government, EU/GOG Micro Project Fund, Community Based Rural Development Project Fund, Community Water and Sanitation Project Fund, Ghana Aids Commission, HIPC, Getfund, etc.

Fees and Fines, Rates and Lands have been the major source of internally generated revenue contributing more than 80% of annual local revenue since 2002. The tables below show the revenue pattern of the District since 2002.

In 2006, the Assembly budgeted to collect an amount of 01,714,270,000.00 from its traditional sources. As at the end of August, 2006, the Assembly had collected an amount of 0717,203,560.00 representing 41.8% of the annual estimated budget.
.
Performance in Local Revenue Mobilization

Despite the introduction of other interventions under Grants, the Assembly has not relaxed in the mobilization of revenue from its traditional sources. However, revenue mobilization over the years has been low. Achievement rates for the  revenue have not been stable as depicted on the tables.

 It was reduced from 165% in 2002 to 66.7% in 2003. It however increased to 82.8% and 84.6% in 2004 and 2005 respectively. For the development aspirations to be realized, the Assembly needs to do better thanits current performance, so far as 
revenue mobilization is concerned.

Efforts should therefore be made to step up the revenue generation capacity of the Assembly so as to increase the contribution of local revenue to total revenue from the current average of 15% to 30% and above in subsequent years.

Current efforts to Increase Local Revenue Base

The district being predominantly rural depends on agriculture. Due to accessibility problems, marketing of farms produce has become very difficult. The people are therefore poor resulting in their inability to honour their tax obligations to the Assembly. The Assembly has therefore rehabilitated many feeder roads and markets to facilitate accessibility and marketing. This would improve the income of farms thereby enhancing their capacity to pay taxes.

In addition to these, the following measures have also been put in place to improve revenue of the Assembly.

• Pay -your-levy (tax) educational campaigns have been intensified.
• Revenue Mobilization, vehicle has been given to the Revenue Unit for tax education and collection.
• Zoning of the revenue stations to coincide with the Area Councils.
• Area Councils area to assist in the collection of revenue in their areas of authority.
• Improvement in the capacities of revenue collectors through training and motivation.
• Monitoring and supervision of revenue collection and reporting systems have been strengthened to ensure that leakages are reduced to the minimum.
• Organizing trade associations and identifiable groups so as to involve them in the collection of revenue.
• Data on rateable items is being collected to facilitate realistic budgets.
• Revaluation of all properties .
• Privatization of the collection of property rate on pilot basis
  
  

  Assembly’s Expenditure

The expenditure pattern of the  from 2002 to 2005 is shown in the Table bellows. The main areas that funds are expended include personnel emoluments, traveling and transport, general expenditure; maintenance and repairs/renewals, miscellaneous expenditure, and capital items.

Priorities for Private Sector Competitiveness

The strengthening of the capacities of the private sector to effectively perform as the engine of growth and poverty reduction is fundamental in the development of the Municipality’s economy. This section therefore focuses on the analysis of the private sector in the Upper Denkyira Municipal Assembly as the basis for wealth creation, employment generation and a source of livelihood for its inhabitants.

It includes an analysis of the Agricultural, Industry, Service, transportation,energy,mining,tourism,market sectors and the employment/unemployment situation as well as the finances of the Assembly.

The Upper Denkyira Municipal Assembly has been charged by law to mobilize its own funds to implement its projects and programmes. There are two sources of funds, ie. Internally Generated Funds and External Sources. The internally generated sources are Rates, Lands, Fees and Fines, Licences, Investments and Rent from Assembly buildings.

The external sources include; District Assemblies’ Common Fund, salaries paid to staff by the Government, EU/GOG Micro Project Fund, Community Based Rural Development Project Fund, Community Water and Sanitation Project Fund, Ghana Aids Commission, HIPC, Getfund, etc.Fees and Fines, Rates and Lands have been the major source of internally generated revenue contributing more than 80% of annual local revenue since 2002. The tables below show the revenue pattern of the District since 2002.

 In 2006, the Assembly budgeted to collect an amount of 01,714,270,000.00 from its traditional sources. As at the end of August, 2006, the Assembly had collected an amount of 0717,203,560.00 representing 41.8% of the annual estimated budget.

Performance in Local Revenue Mobilization

Despite the introduction of other interventions under Grants, the Assembly has not relaxed in the mobilization of revenue from its traditional sources. However, revenue mobilization over the years has been low. Achievement rates for the  revenue have not been stable as depicted on the tables.

 It was reduced from 165% in 2002 to 66.7% in 2003. It however increased to 82.8% and 84.6% in 2004 and 2005 respectively. For the development aspirations to be realized, the Assembly needs to do better than its current performance, so far as

revenue mobilization is concerned.

Efforts should therefore be made to step up the revenue generation capacity of the Assembly so as to increase the contribution of local revenue to total revenue from the current average of 15% to 30% and above in subsequent years.

Current efforts to Increase Local Revenue Base

The district being predominantly rural depends on agriculture. Due to accessibility problems, marketing of farms produce has become very difficult. The people are therefore poor resulting in their inability to honour their tax obligations to the Assembly. The Assembly has therefore rehabilitated many feeder roads and markets to facilitate accessibility and marketing. This would improve the income of farms thereby enhancing their capacity to pay taxes. In addition to these, the following measures have also been put in place to improve revenue of the Assembly.

Pay -your-levy (tax) educational campaigns have been intensified.

Revenue Mobilization, vehicle has been given to the Revenue Unit for tax education and collection.

Zoning of the revenue stations to coincide with the Area Councils.Area Councils area to assist in the collection of revenue in their areas of authority.

Improvement in the capacities of revenue collectors through training and motivation.Monitoring and supervision of revenue collection and reporting systems have been strengthened to ensure that leakages are reduced to the minimum.
Organizing trade associations and identifiable groups so as to involve them in the collection of revenue.
Data on rateable items is being collected to facilitate realistic budgets.

Revaluation of all properties 

Privatization of the collection of property rate on pilot basis

 Assembly’s Expenditure

The expenditure pattern of the  from 2002 to 2005 is shown in the Table bellows. The main areas that funds are expended include personnel emoluments, traveling and transport, general expenditure; maintenance and repairs/renewals, miscellaneous expenditure, and capital items.

Priorities for Private Sector Competitiveness

The strengthening of the capacities of the private sector to effectively perform as the engine of growth and poverty reduction is fundamental in the development of the Municipality’s economy. This section therefore focuses on the analysis of the private sector in the Upper Denkyira Municipal Assembly as the basis for wealth creation, employment generation and a source of livelihood for its inhabitants.

It includes an analysis of the Agricultural, Industry, Service, transportation,energy,mining,tourism,market sectors and the employment/unemployment situation as well as the finances of the Assembly.

 Agriculture

The local economy of the Assembnnly is dominated by the Agriculture sector. The Upper Denkyira Municipal Assembly lies in the semi-deciduous forest zone of the country. It has a mean annual temperature of 29°C in the hottest months and 24°C in the coolest months. The Municipality has a bi-modal pattern of rainfall distribution with an annual rainfall ranging from 1,200mm to 1,500mm.

The Municipality has about 75,626 hectares of arable land alongside water resource such as river Offin and other streams which could be used for irrigated agriculture all year round. The Agricultural Development Unit (MADU) is divided into sectors. These are;

 Crops sub-sector

Livestock sub-sector

Animal Production Veterinary/Animal Health

 Women in Agricultural Development (WIAD)

Extension sub-sector and
Management Information System
Fisheries sub-sector(now Ministry of Fisheries)

Employment

Of the total employed labour force, Agriculture employs 78% of the active population of the municipality. This is made up of 32% female and 68% male. The table 1.4 below summarizes the age distribution of the farming population .

Another feature of agriculture in the Municipality is that it is predominantly subsistence. Food are grown to feed the family and the excess is sold for income. However, cash crops are grown mainly for commercial purposes. Livestock and poultry are kept in the backyard as a supplementary source of food and income.

The Crops Sub-Sector

By virtue of the Assembly’s location in the forest zone, almost all of the entire agricultural population is engaged in the crop sub sector. The major crops grown are; Cocoa, Oil palm, Citrus, Maize, Cassava, Plantain, Cocoyam Yam, pepper and the other vegetables.

The first three crops are considered as cash crops. Cocoa is the most significant since the others are still developing. According to records from the district cocoa office, coca occupies about 27,204.2 hectares which is approximately 40% of the arable lands.

Extension activities are carried out to encourage farmers to adopt improved farming technologies to increase production. This is done through the establishment of demonstrations, field days and farmer trainings. This has helped to increase production as well as farmers’ incomes and standard of living over the years.

Below is a table 1.5 on the production levels of the major crops since 2004 and their areas under cultivation. Although production level is encouraging, the average farm sizes are still quite small. The table 1.6 below summarizes the average farm sizes for the major staples This situation is not the best since no commodity on the average has one hectare of land under cultivation.

Livestock Sub-Sector

The livestock sub-sector is not as developed as that of the crops but it could be a potential for improvement in farmers’ incomes. Every household however keeps few numbers of local poultry or small ruminants.

The sector is divided into two sections, i.e Animal production and Veterinary/Animal health.

 Animal Production

This sector sees to the housing and general management of livestock (good management practices). Under this section, farmers are advised to keep their animals under good hygienic conditions and be given the right feed to ensure disease free and healthy animals.

Veterinary

The veterinary section sees to the treatment and control of livestock diseases in the Municipality. In the execution of this duty, animals are vaccinated against schedule diseases such as rabies for dogs, monkeys and cats as well as Pest de Petite Ruminants (PPR) for sheep and goats. In the area of poultry, vaccinations are done against Fowl pox, Newcastle, and Gumboro diseases.

The table below gives a comparative summary of the animals vaccinated against the scheduled diseases in 2004 as against 2005

Diseases Control

In addition to vaccination of scheduled diseases, the sector does normal clinic & field activities. This includes deworming, castration, dipping/spraying and other clinical cases.

 Public Health

It is the duty of the veterinary section to see that meat sold in the market is wholesome. In this regard, an officer is scheduled to inspect all animals at the slaughter house before and after they are slaughtered.

Women in Agricultural Development (WIAD)

This sector educates women on kitchen improvement and proper nutrition and the preparation of balanced dietary ration and management of the home.

Fisheries Sub-Sector

Upper Denkyira has the highest comparative advantage over other districts in the region as far as aquaculture is concerned. This is due to the nature of the terrain, soil characteristics and water resources. However, the size of fish ponds are relatively very small hence the total surface area of ponds is not very significant. Currently there are 180 functional fish ponds  with a surface area of 3.9 hectares.

These notwithstanding, Upper Denkyira can still boast of a formidable coherent Fish Farmers Association which has been in existence since July 1997. It should be mentioned that the National best fish farmer was selected from the Upper Denkyira during the 2005 Farmers Day Celebration. Fish Farming is an area that needs focus because of the importance of the commodity (fish) as a dietary input.

Non Traditional Commodities

Education has been going on for farmers to incorporate Grasscutters, Snails, mushroom and honey production. These commodities though not developed, it can be mentioned that they are gaining grounds. The district can boast of a formidable beekeepers association which benefited from a loan facility provided by the Food and Agricultural Budgetary Support (FABS) to expand their projects. Few other individuals can be spotted across are into grasscutter production, snail farming and beekeeping.

Post Harvest

Processing of farm products is another area has not been developed over the years. This situation has led to many farm produce, especially cassava to experience heavy losses due to the difficulty in selling the raw cassava.

Processing of cassava is currently being given a big boost with the commissioning  and coming into operation of the multi purpose cassava processing equipment at the Dunkwa Continental Gold fields premises and the assistance given to four ) cassava production and processing groups to procure and establish cassava processing equipments by the  Assembly and the Food and Agricultural Budgetary Support (FABS).

Farmer Based Organizations

With the collaboration of the Department of Co-operative, many farmers have been sensitized to form groups so that they can take advantage of the opportunities that exist in group formation. Some of these groups and individuals have benefited from FABS loans.

Special Projects

The Assembly has benefited from a number of projects. These are;

Village Land and Water Management Project

This project started in 2005. Under it, four communities were selected and given a grant of fifteen million cedis (15,000,000.00) each to address the degraded land problems facing the communities. The communities are; Adwumam, Buabin Camp, Imbraem and Jameso Nkwanta.

Cocoa Hi-Tech Project

This project started in 2003. Here, farmers were given Cocoa fertilizers on credit to be paid after harvesting of the cocoa. The project has been very successful but the recovery rate is very low. Below is a summary of beneficiaries of the project. This project which is intended to boost maize production. The Assembly received inputs which can cultivate three hundred (300) acres of maize to be given to farmers as loan. So far, all the farms are doing very well which gives an indication of a good harvest this year.

 Some Major Achievements

In the year 2002, the National Best Farmer was selected from the Upper Denkyira , (Baba Abudu Takora). That same year, the Regional Best Farmer was selected from the Municipality (Ignatius Agbo).

A year later in 2003, the Regional Best Farmer, for the Central Region again emerged from the Upper Denkyira (Chief Imam Sid Mohamed Abdallah). This is a feat which to us can not be broken for a very long time to come.

In the year 2005 (last year), the National Best Farmer for Aquaculture was selected and went to Nana Akwasi Tutu of Nkronua. Not only that, the Regional Best Farmer went to Mr. Ignatius Agbo for the second time and the Best Livestock Farmer was given to Mr. Emmanuel Eghan also in the Municipality.

GAPS

There are a number of constraints which needs to be addressed for Agriculture to move forward.The under listed are some identified problems; The Assembly needs a new office building since the old one is directly under the high tension which poses health hazards to staff.

The Assembly is very under staffed: There are only three graduates instead of six who are to assist the director. The Veterinary section has only two technical staff and two assistants, making it impossible to give adequate coverage.It is recommended that mobile clinic be set up to serve remote communities.

The Extension officer -farmer ratio which is presently 1:996 instead of 1:200 is too wide for effective extension work. The Municipality is divided into 30 Operational AreaSbut there are only 17 officers to man them, leaving a yawning gap of 13 Operational Areas yet to be occupied.Very few officers have motorbikes and the bad nature of the road together with the terrain makes extension activities very difficult.The assembly has only 6 staff quarters therefore officers posted to the ’villages fund it difficult to get accommodation to stay at their areas of operation.

Protective clothing such as raincoats and Field boots are required to enhance extension activities. The low rate of T & T for AEAs is also an issue to be addressed.  It has been suggested that it should be tied up with the cost of one gallon of petrol. Maintenance allowance for the motor bikes is too small to maintain the machine.

Forestry

The Upper Denkyira Municipality falls within the Forest processing zone of the Central Region - covering a total area of 2,386.42km2 which includes the whole of Upper Denkyira, parts of Twifo-Hemang Lower Denkyira, Mpohor Wassa East District and Wassa Amenfi East District.

Forest Reserves

Out of the total area of 2,386.42km2, forest reserves covers 438.34km2 (18%) whilst off - reserve covers 1948.08km2 (82.6).

Some of the major timber species that are in high demand in these forests are Awienfosamina, Hyedua, Edinam, Emire, Wawa, Mahogany etc.

Logging

Logging which is a key activity in the Municipality occurs bite in an off - reserves. There are 65 genuine contactors . Out of this number only 29 are activity operating in both on - reserve and off- reserve areas.

Plantation Development

An area of 90.56ha. of land has been developed into plantation in Opon Mansi forest reserve. Total number of species planted are 100,612 comprising Teak, Cedrella, Ofram and Otie. Three (3) communities are involved in the programme namely Tegyamoso,Atobease and Faomanyo; i.e. communities leaving around the reserve.Unfortunately the programme had to be suspended for that fact that there were no more degraded areas in the reserve to enable the programme to continue.

 Private Plantation Development

There are about 60 private plantations developed by individuals within the Municipality covering total area of about 450ha with major species planted being Teak and few indigenous trees ranging between 1-10 years old ©fcatg.©. The programme is on-going..

Internal Generated Fund (IGF)

Revenue accrued from stumpage fees for the period January 2005 and disbursed to various stake holders are as detailed below.

The Upper Denkyira Municipal Assembly has been charged by law to mobilize its own funds to implement its projects and programmes. There are two sources of funds, ie. Internally Generated Funds and External Sources. The internally generated sources are Rates, Lands, Fees and Fines, Licences, Investments and Rent from Assembly buildings.

The external sources include; District Assemblies’ Common Fund, salaries paid to staff by the Government, EU/GOG Micro Project Fund, Community Based Rural Development Project Fund, Community Water and Sanitation Project Fund, Ghana Aids Commission, HIPC, Getfund, etc.

Fees and Fines, Rates and Lands have been the major source of internally generated revenue contributing more than 80% of annual local revenue since 2002. The tables below show the revenue pattern of the District since 2002.

In 2006, the Assembly budgeted to collect an amount of 01,714,270,000.00 from its traditional sources. As at the end of August, 2006, the Assembly had collected an amount of 0717,203,560.00 representing 41.8% of the annual estimated budget.

Performance in Local Revenue Mobilization

Despite the introduction of other interventions under Grants, the Assembly has not relaxed in the mobilization of revenue from its traditional sources. However, revenue mobilization over the years has been low. Achievement rates for the  revenue have not been stable as depicted on the tables.

 It was reduced from 165% in 2002 to 66.7% in 2003. It however increased to 82.8% and 84.6% in 2004 and 2005 respectively. For the development aspirations to be realized, the Assembly needs to do better than its current performance, so far as

revenue mobilization is concerned.

Efforts should therefore be made to step up the revenue generation capacity of the Assembly so as to increase the contribution of local revenue to total revenue from the current average of 15% to 30% and above in subsequent years.

Current efforts to Increase Local Revenue Base

The district being predominantly rural depends on agriculture. Due to accessibility problems, marketing of farms produce has become very difficult. The people are therefore poor resulting in their inability to honour their tax obligations to the Assembly. The Assembly has therefore rehabilitated many feeder roads and markets to facilitate accessibility and marketing. This would improve the income of farms thereby enhancing their capacity to pay taxes.

In addition to these, the following measures have also been put in place to improve revenue of the Assembly.

Pay -your-levy (tax) educational campaigns have been intensified.

Revenue Mobilization, vehicle has been given to the Revenue Unit for tax education and collection.

Zoning of the revenue stations to coincide with the Area Councils.

Area Councils area to assist in the collection of revenue in their areas of authority.

Improvement in the capacities of revenue collectors through training and motivation.

Monitoring and supervision of revenue collection and reporting systems have been strengthened to ensure that leakages are reduced to the minimum.

Organizing trade associations and identifiable groups so as to involve them in the collection of revenue.

Data on rateable items is being collected to facilitate realistic budgets.

Revaluation of all properties .

Privatization of the collection of property rate on pilot basis

  Assembly’s Expenditure

The expenditure pattern of the  from 2002 to 2005 is shown in the Table bellows. The main areas that funds are expended include personnel emoluments, traveling and transport, general expenditure; maintenance and repairs/renewals, miscellaneous expenditure, and capital items.

Priorities for Private Sector Competitiveness

The strengthening of the capacities of the private sector to effectively perform as the engine of growth and poverty reduction is fundamental in the development of the Municipality’s economy. This section therefore focuses on the analysis of the private sector in the Upper Denkyira Municipal Assembly as the basis for wealth creation, employment generation and a source of livelihood for its inhabitants.

It includes an analysis of the Agricultural, Industry, Service, transportation,energy,mining,tourism,market sectors and the employment/unemployment situation as well as the finances of the Assembly.