Districts of Ghana
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The Districts of Ghana are second-level administrative subdivisions of Ghana, below the level of region. There are 216 districts.[1]
History
The districts of Ghana were re-organized in 1988/1989 in an attempt to decentralize the government and to combat the rampant corruption amongst officials. The reform of the late 1980s subdivided the regions of Ghana into 110 districts, where local district assemblies should deal with the local administration. By 2006, an additional 28 districts were created by splitting some of the original 110, bringing their number up to 138. In February 2008, there were more districts created and some were upgraded to municipal status. This brought the final number to 170 districts in Ghana.[2] Since then, a further 46 districts have been added since 28 June 2012 bringing the total to 216 districts.[3]
Types of Districts
Districts
Ordinary Districts have a minimum population of seventy-five thousand people.
Municipalities
Municipal Districts have a minimum population of ninety-five thousand people.
Metropolises
Metropolitan Districts have a minimum population of two hundred and fifty thousand people.
Governance and Administration
District Assemblies
Districts are governed by District Assemblies, which are established by the Minister of Local Government, and serve as the highest political authority in each district. They consist of:
- the District Chief Executive, appointed by the President of the Republic
- one person from each electoral area within the district elected by universal adult suffrage
- the member or members of Parliament from the constituencies that fall within the area of authority of the District Assembly
- other members that shall not exceed thirty per cent of the total membership of the District Assembly appointed by the President in consultation with the traditional authorities and other interest groups in the district
District Chief Executive
The District Chief Executive is appointed by the President of the Republic and serves as the representative of the Central Government in the district. The incumbent presides at meetings of the Executive Committee of the District Assembly, and is responsible for:
- the day-to-day performance of the executive and administrative functions of the District Assembly
- the supervision of the departments of the District Assembly and
Executive Committee
The Executive Committee exercises the executive and coordinating functions of the District Assembly, and has the following members:
- the District Chief Executive, who serves as chairperson
- the chairpersons of the following Sub-Committees of the Executive Committee:
- Development Planning,
- Social Services
- Works
- Justice and Security
- Finance and Administration
- the chairperson of one ad hoc Sub-Committee of the Executive Committee elected by the District Assembly
- any two other members elected by members of the District Assembly, at least one of whom is a woman
Presiding Member
Each District Assembly elects a Presiding Member from among their number, who convenes and presides at meetings of the District Assembly.
Functions of District Assemblies
As the political and administrative authorities over the districts, the primary function of District Assemblies is to promote local economic development.
The Local Government Act of 2016[4] also tasks District Assemblies to:
- formulate and execute plans, programs and strategies for the effective mobilization of the resources necessary for the overall development of the district
- promote and support productive activity and social development in the district and remove any obstacles to initiative and development
- sponsor the education of students from the district to fill particular manpower needs of the district especially in the social sectors of education and health, making sure that the sponsorship is fairly and equitably balanced between male and female students
- initiate programs for the development of basic infrastructure and provide municipal works and services in the district
- be responsible for the development, improvement and management of human settlements and the environment in the district
- in co-operation with the appropriate national and local security agencies, be responsible for the maintenance of security and public safety in the district
- ensure ready access to courts in the district for the promotion of justice
- act to preserve and promote the cultural heritage within the district
- initiate, sponsor or carry out studies that may be necessary for the discharge of any of their duties
The Act also grants the District Assemblies with the following authorities:
- Auction sales, as provided by the Auction Sales Act, 1989 (P.N.D.C.L. 230)[5]
- Liquor licensing, as provided by the Liquor Licensing Act, 1970 (Act 331)[6]
- Control bushfires, as provided by the Control and Prevention of Bushfires Act, 1990 (P.N.D.C.L. 229)*[7]
- Execute the following provisions of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29) within its district: section 296 in respect of throwing rubbish in the street; and section 300 in respect of stray cattle
List of Districts
Ashanti Region
The Ashanti Region of Ghana contains the following 30 districts. This is made up of 1 Metropolitan, 7 Municipal and 22 Ordinary districts. They are as follows:[8]
- Adansi North District
- Adansi South District
- Afigya-Kwabre District
- Ahafo Ano North District
- Ahafo Ano South District
- Amansie Central District
- Amansie West District
- Asante Akim Central Municipal District
- Asante Akim North District
- Asante Akim South District
- Asokore Mampong Municipal District
- Atwima Kwanwoma District
- Atwima Mponua District
- Atwima Nwabiagya District
- Bekwai Municipal District
- Bosome Freho District
- Botsomtwe District
- Ejisu-Juaben Municipal District
- Ejura - Sekyedumase District
- Kumasi Metropolitan District
- Kwabre East District
- Mampong Municipal District
- Obuasi Municipal District
- Offinso North District
- Offinso South Municipal District
- Sekyere Afram Plains District
- Sekyere Central District
- Sekyere East District
- Sekyere Kumawu District
- Sekyere South District
Brong-Ahafo Region
The Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana was created in April 1959. It contains 27 districts. They are made up of 8 municipal and 19 ordinary districts as follows:[9]
- Asunafo North Municipal District
- Asunafo South District
- Asutifi North District
- Asutifi South District
- Atebubu-Amantin District
- Banda District
- Berekum East Municipal District
- Berekum Municipal District
- Dormaa East District
- Dormaa Municipal District
- Dormaa West District
- Jaman North District
- Jaman South District
- Kintampo North Municipal District
- Kintampo South District
- Nkoranza North District
- Nkoranza South District
- Pru District
- Sene East District
- Sene West District
- Sunyani Municipal District
- Sunyani West District
- Tain District
- Tano North District
- Tano South District
- Techiman Municipal District
- Techiman North District
- Wenchi Municipal District
Central Region
The Central Region of Ghana contains 20 districts. These are made up of 1 metropolitan, 6 municipal and 13 ordinary districts as follows:[10]
- Abura/Asebu/Kwamankese District
- Agona East District
- Agona West Municipal District
- Ajumako/Enyan/Essiam District
- Asikuma/Odoben/Brakwa District
- Assin North Municipal District
- Assin South District
- Awutu Senya East Municipal District
- Awutu Senya West District
- Cape Coast Metropolitan District
- Effutu Municipal District
- Ekumfi District
- Gomoa East District
- Gomoa West District
- Komenda/Edina/Eguafo/Abirem Municipal District
- Mfantsiman Municipal District
- Twifo-Ati Morkwa District
- Twifo/Heman/Lower Denkyira District
- Upper Denkyira East Municipal District
- Upper Denkyira West District
Eastern Region
The Eastern Region of Ghana contains 26 districts made up of 7 municipal and 19 ordinary districts as follows:[11]
- Akuapim South District
- Akuapim North District
- Akyemansa District
- Asuogyaman District
- Ayensuano District
- Atiwa District
- Birim Central Municipal District
- Birim North District
- Birim South District
- Denkyembour District
- East Akim Municipal District
- Fanteakwa District
- Kwaebibirem District
- Kwahu Afram Plains North District
- Kwahu Afram Plains South District
- Kwahu East District
- Kwahu South District
- Kwahu West Municipal District
- Lower Manya Krobo District
- New-Juaben Municipal District
- Nsawam Adoagyire Municipal District
- Suhum Municipal
- Upper Manya Krobo District
- Upper West Akim District
- West Akim Municipal District
- Yilo Krobo Municipal
Greater Accra Region
The Greater Accra Region of Ghana contains 27 districts made up of 2 metropolitan, 19 municipal and 5 ordinary districts as follows:[12]
- Ablekuma North Municipal District
- Ablekuma West Municipal District
- Accra Metropolitan District
- Ada East District
- Ada West District
- Adenta Municipal District
- Ashaiman Municipal District
- Ayawaso East Municipal District
- Ayawaso North Municipal District
- Ayawaso West Municipal District
- Ga Central District
- Ga East Municipal District
- Ga North Municipal District
- Ga South Municipal District
- Ga West Municipal District
- Kpone Katamanso Municipal District
- Krowor Municipal District
- La Dade Kotopon Municipal District
- La Nkwantanang Madina Municipal District
- Ledzokuku Municipal District
- Ningo Prampram District
- Okaikwei Municipal District
- Shai Osudoku District
- Tema Metropolitan District
- Tema West Municipal District
- Weija Municipal District
Northern Region
The Northern Region of Ghana contains 26 districts. 24 are ordinary districts in addition to 1 municipal and 1 metropolitan districts.:[13]
- Bole District
- Bunkpurugu-Yunyoo District
- Central Gonja District
- Chereponi District
- East Gonja District
- East Mamprusi District
- Gushegu District
- Karaga District
- Kpandai District
- Kumbungu District
- Mamprugo Moaduri District
- Mion District
- Nanton District
- Nanumba North District
- Nanumba South District
- North Gonja District
- Saboba District
- Sagnarigu District
- Savelugu Municipal District
- Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District
- Tamale Metropolitan District
- Tatale Sangule District
- Tolon District
- West Gonja District
- West Mamprusi District
- Yendi Municipal District
- Zabzugu District
Upper East Region
The Upper East Region of Ghana contains 13 districts made up of 2 municipal and 11 ordinary districts as follows:[14]
Upper West Region
The Upper West Region of Ghana contains 11 districts consisting of 1 municipal and 10 ordinary districts as follows:[15]
Volta Region
The Volta Region of Ghana contains 25 districts made up of 5 municipal and 20 ordinary districts as follows:[16]
- Adaklu District
- Afadjato South District
- Agotime Ziope District
- Akatsi North District
- Akatsi South District
- Biakoye District
- Central Tongu District
- Ho Municipal District
- Ho West District
- Hohoe Municipal District
- Jasikan District
- Kadjebi District
- Keta Municipal District
- Ketu North District
- Ketu South Municipal District
- Kpando Municipal District
- Krachi East District
- Krachi Nchumuru District
- Krachi West District
- Nkwanta North District
- Nkwanta South District
- North Dayi District
- North Tongu District
- South Dayi District
- South Tongu District
Western Region
The Western Region of Ghana contains 22 districts made up of 1 metropolitan, 2 municipal and 19 ordinary districts as follows:[17]
- Ahanta West District
- Aowin/Suaman District
- Bia West District
- Bia East District
- Bibiani/Anhwiaso/Bekwai District
- Bodi District
- Ellembele District
- Jomoro District
- Juaboso District
- Mpohor District
- Mpohor/Wassa East District
- Nzema East Municipal District
- Prestea-Huni Valley District
- Sefwi Akontombra District
- Sefwi Wiawso Municipal District
- Sekondi Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly
- Shama District
- Suaman District
- Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipal District
- Wasa Amenfi East District
- Wasa Amenfi West District
- Wassa Amenfi Central District
See also
References
- ↑ "New Districts and nominated DCEs" (PDF). GhanaDistricts,com. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 March 2013. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
- ↑ "BREAK DOWN OF METROPOLITAN, MUNICIPAL AND DISTRICT ASSEMBLIES IN GHANA" (PDF). GhanaDistricts.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-02-16. Retrieved 2009-11-23.
- ↑ "New Districts and nominated DCEs" (PDF). GhanaDistricts,com. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 March 2013. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
- ↑ http://lgs.gov.gh/index.php/2017/01/25/local-governance-act-of-2016-act-936/
- ↑ http://laws.ghanalegal.com/acts/id/503/section/15/Sale_Of_Land
- ↑ http://laws.ghanalegal.com/acts/id/87/liquor-licensing-act
- ↑ http://laws.ghanalegal.com/acts/id/506/control-and-prevention-of-bushfires-act
- ↑ "Ashanti Region". GhanaDistricts. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
- ↑ "Brong Ahafo". GhanaDistricts.com. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
- ↑ "Central". GhanaDistricts.com. Archived from the original on 18 January 2013. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
- ↑ "Eastern". GhanaDistricts.com. Archived from the original on 18 January 2013. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
- ↑ "Greater Accra". GhanaDistricts.com. Archived from the original on 18 January 2013. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
- ↑ "Northern". GhanaDistricts.com. Archived from the original on 18 January 2013. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
- ↑ "Upper East". GhanaDistricts.com. Archived from the original on 18 January 2013. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
- ↑ "Upper West". GhanaDistricts.com. Archived from the original on 18 January 2013. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
- ↑ "Volta". GhanaDistricts.com. Archived from the original on 12 December 2012. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
- ↑ "Western". GhanaDistricts.com. Archived from the original on 18 January 2013. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
- "Districts of Ghana". Statoids.
- GhanaDistricts.com
- Many Pictures Of Ghana
- Berry, LaVerle Bennette: A Country Study: Ghana, Federal Research Division, U.S. Library of Congress. Washington D.C., 1995.