Location & Size

The District is located at the North-Eastern part of the Ashanti Region between latitude 0o 20’ N and 1o 2’ N and longitudes 6o 52’W and 7o 32’W. The district covers an estimated land area of 2,450.39 square kilometers.

This makes the district the largest in terms of land area in the Region representing 14.5 percent of the total regional land size. 

The district shares common boundaries with Sekyere-Kumawu to the South, Sekyere Central to the West. It also shares boundaries withKwahu Afram Plains North District, in the Eastern Region to the East and the Atebubu-Amantin and Sene East Districts in the BrongAhafo Region to the North. It shares boundaries with Sene West in the BrongAhafo Region to the West.

Topology & Drainage

The District boosts of the following rivers: Drobon, Afram, Abrefa, Ongwam and Boumfum. Drobonso, the District capital actually derives its name from the River Drobon, which lies in the heart of the town. Few meters away from the capital lays the Afram River. 

In terms of relief, it lies in the Afram-Obosom divide with a scarp overlooking the Afram River which is 180m above sea level.  Behind the Afram-Obosom divide is a large undulating area, which slopes to the Sene - Volta and Obosom Rivers; the height is between 90m and 150m above sea level.

The northern part of the District, which lies within the basin of the Volta River, is drained by theAfram, Ongwam and Boumfum Rivers. During the rainy season, most of the streams and rivers overflow their banks and disappear entirely in the dry season.  Even in the case of River Afram, it sometimes becomes a chain of pools during the dry season.

As a result, fishing is a seasonal activity in the district. Aqua culture, an alternative livelihood activity to fishermen, could be explored to make fish farming a year round activity.

Climate

The climatic condition in the District conforms to that of the Middle Belt of Ghana. It has a monthly mean temperature of 26oC and a maximum temperature of about 29oC. The total annual rainfall is estimated to be 1,331. 7 mm. There are two rainfall seasons per year; the major rainy season is between April and June while the minor season ranges from September to October.

The main dry season occurs between December and March and is associated with drought conditions. This period is characterised by relatively high and low temperatures during the day and night respectively. Some streams and ponds dry up during this period and crop farming usually comes to a halt except vegetable cultivation which is usually undertaken along the banks of rivers and streams. 

Efforts should be made to create dams to ensure all year round farming. This would enhance the improvement in the livelihoods of the people in the district.  

Agroecological Zones and Vegetation

Agroecological zones (AEZs) are geographical areas exhibiting similar climatic conditions that determine their ability to support rained agriculture. At a regional scale, AEZs are influenced by latitude, elevation, and temperature, as well as seasonality, and rainfall amounts and distribution during the growing season (harvestchoice.org/maps/agro-ecological-zones-sub-saharan-africa).

The vegetation of the District is basically Guinea Savanna Woodland. It falls within two agro-ecological zones of the country. These are Transitional Forest and Deciduous Forest. It consists of short deciduous fire resistant trees like Lophiralaceolata. The Transitional Zone covers about 72.2 percent while the Deciduous Forest Zone covers about 27.8 percent of the total vegetation.  

There are two growing seasons in these agro ecological zones, major and minor season. In the transitional zone, the growing season in the major season ranges from 200 – 220 days while the minor season lasts for 60 days. Under the deciduous zone, the major season lasts between 150 – 160 days and the minor season lasts for 90 days. The major food crops within the transitional zone are root crops and plantains while the deciduous zone has the same features except that the latter supports cereals especially maize.

The District is fast degenerating into secondary forest due to the un-favourable human activities like indiscriminate tree felling for housing and charcoal burning. It is now a wooded savannah which shelters the North-eastern part of the Region.

The vegetation is subject to regular bush fires and the ecosystem appears to be a result of human use of fire. There is the need to make bye-laws on bushfires and strengthen the capacity of the NADMO district office to carry out sensitization efforts to curb the occurrence. 

Geology & Soil

The geology of the district is grouped into five; these are Alluvium, Shale and Sandstone, Voltaic Clay shales and Voltain Sandstone. Soils developed from Alluvium are suitable for the cultivation of vegetables, rice and sugar cane.  The Voltain Sandstone supports a variety of crops. It supports cereals, root and tubers. The Shale and Sandstone are suitable for the growth of oil palm, Citrus, Cocoa, Coffee and Pear.