Districts of Ghana
The Districts of Ghana are second-level administrative subdivisions of Ghana, below the level of region. There are 216 districts.[1]
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History
The districts of Ghana were re-organized in 1988/1989 in an attempt to decentralize the government and to assist in development.[2] 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.[3] Since then, a further 46 districts have been added since 28 June 2012 bringing the total to 216 districts.[4]
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[5] 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)[6]
- Liquor licensing, as provided by the Liquor Licensing Act, 1970 (Act 331)[7]
- Control bushfires, as provided by the Control and Prevention of Bushfires Act, 1990 (P.N.D.C.L. 229)*[8]
- 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
Ahafo Region
The Ahafo Region of Ghana was created by a referendum in December 2018. The regional capital is Goaso.[9] It was part of the then Brong-Ahafo Region and contains 6 districts, 3 municipal and 3 ordinary districts. These are:
- Asunafo North Municipal
- Asunafo South District
- Asutifi North District
- Asutifi South District
- Tano North Municipal
- Tano South Municipal
Ashanti Region
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The Ashanti Region of Ghana contains 30 districts. This is made up of 1 Metropolitan, 11 Municipal and 18 Ordinary districts. These are:[10]
- Adansi North District
- Adansi South District
- Afigya-Kwabre District
- Ahafo Ano North Municipal
- Ahafo Ano South District
- Amansie Central District
- Amansie West District
- Asante-Akim Central Municipal
- Asante Akim North District
- Asante Akim South Municipal
- Asokore Mampong Municipal
- Atwima Kwanwoma District
- Atwima Mponua District
- Atwima Nwabiagya Municipal
- Bekwai Municipal
- Bosome Freho District
- Botsomtwe District
- Ejisu-Juaben Municipal
- Ejura-Sekyedumase Municipal
- Kumasi Metropolitan
- Kwabre East District
- Mampong Municipal
- Obuasi Municipal
- Offinso North District
- Offinso South Municipal
- Sekyere Afram Plains District
- Sekyere Central District
- Sekyere East District
- Sekyere Kumawu District
- Sekyere South District
Bono
The Brong (pronounced Bo'no) Region of Ghana was created by a referendum in December 2018. It was part of the then Brong-Ahafo Region and contains 12 districts, 5 municipal and 7 ordinary districts. These are:
- Banda District
- Berekum East Municipal
- Berekum West District
- Dormaa Central Municipal
- Dormaa East District
- Dormaa West District
- Jaman North District
- Jaman South Municipal
- Sunyani Municipal
- Sunyani West District
- Tain District
- Wenchi Municipal
Bono East
The Brong (pronounced Bo'no) East Region of Ghana was created by a referendum in December 2018. It was part of the then Brong-Ahafo Region of Ghana and contains 11 districts, 4 municipal and 7 ordinary districts. These are:
- Atebubu-Amantin Municipal
- Kintampo North Municipal
- Kintampo South District
- Nkoranza North District
- Nkoranza South District
- Pru East District
- Pru West District
- Sene East District
- Sene West District
- Techiman Municipal
- Techiman North District
Central Region
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The Central Region of Ghana contains 20 districts. These are made up of 1 metropolitan, 6 municipal and 13 ordinary districts. These are:[11]
- Abura/Asebu/Kwamankese District
- Agona East District
- Agona West Municipal
- Ajumako/Enyan/Essiam District
- Asikuma/Odoben/Brakwa District
- Assin Central Municipal
- Assin South District
- Awutu Senya East Municipal District
- Awutu Senya West District
- Cape Coast Metropolitan
- Effutu Municipal
- Ekumfi District
- Gomoa East District
- Gomoa West District
- Komenda/Edina/Eguafo/Abirem Municipal District
- Mfantsiman Municipal
- Twifo-Ati Morkwa District
- Twifo/Heman/Lower Denkyira District
- Upper Denkyira East Municipal
- Upper Denkyira West District
Eastern Region
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The Eastern Region of Ghana contains 26 districts made up of 9 municipal and 17 ordinary districts. These are:[12]
- Akuapim North Municipal
- Akuapim South District
- Akyemansa District
- Asuogyaman District
- Atiwa District
- Ayensuano District
- Birim Central Municipal
- Birim North District
- Birim South District
- Denkyembour District
- East Akim Municipal
- Fanteakwa District
- Kwaebibirem Municipal
- Kwahu Afram Plains North District
- Kwahu Afram Plains South District
- Kwahu East District
- Kwahu South District
- Kwahu West Municipal
- Lower Manya Krobo District
- New-Juaben Municipal
- Nsawam Adoagyire Municipal
- Suhum Municipal
- Upper Manya Krobo District
- Upper West Akim District
- West Akim Municipal
- Yilo Krobo District
Greater Accra Region
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The Greater Accra Region of Ghana contains 17 districts made up of 2 metropolitan, 10 municipal and 5 ordinary districts. These are:[13]
- Accra Metropolitan
- Ada East District
- Ada West District
- Adenta Municipal
- Ashaiman Municipal
- Ga Central Municipal
- Ga East Municipal
- Ga North Municipal
- Ga South Municipal
- Ga West Municipal
- Kpone Katamanso District
- La Dade Kotopon Municipal
- La Nkwantanang Madina Municipal
- Ledzokuku Municipal
- Ningo Prampram District
- Shai Osudoku District
- Tema Metropolitan
Northern Region
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The Northern Region of Ghana contains 15 districts; 1 metropolitan, 3 municipal and 11 ordinary districts. These are:[14]
- Gushiegu District
- Karaga District
- Kpandai District
- Kumbungu District
- Mion District
- Nanton District
- Nanumba North Municipal
- Nanumba South District
- Saboba District
- Sagnarigu Municipal
- Savelugu-Nanton District
- Tamale Metropolitan
- Tatale-Sangule District
- Yendi Municipal
- Zabzugu District
North East Region
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The North East Region of Ghana was created by a referendum in December 2018. It was part of the then Northern Region of Ghana. It contains 6 districts, 2 municipal and 4 ordinary districts. These are:[15]
- Bunkpurugu-Nyankpanduri District
- Chereponi District
- East Mamprusi Municipal Assembly
- Mamprugu Moaduri District
- West Mamprusi Municipal District
- Yunyoo-Nasuan District
Oti Region
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The Oti Region of Ghana was created by a referendum in December 2018. It was part of the then Volta Region of Ghana. It contains 8 districts, 2 municipal and 6 ordinary districts. These are:[16]
- Biakoye District
- Jasikan District
- Kadjebi District
- Krachi East Municipal
- Krachi Nchumuru District
- Krachi West District
- Nkwanta North District
- Nkwanta South Municipal
Savannah Region
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The Savannah Region of Ghana was created by a referendum in December 2018. It was part of then Northern Region of Ghana. It contains 7 districts, 1 municipal and 6 ordinary districts. These are:[17]
- Bole District
- Central Gonja District
- East Gonja Municipal
- North Gonja District
- Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District
- Tolon District
- West Gonja
Upper East Region
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The Upper East Region of Ghana contains 13 districts, 3 municipal and 10 ordinary districts. These are:[18]
- Bawku Municipal
- Bawku West District
- Binduri District
- Bolgatanga Municipal
- Bongo District
- Builsa North District
- Builsa South District
- Garu-Tempane District
- Kassena Nankana East Municipal
- Kassena Nankana West District
- Nabdam District
- Pusiga District
- Talensi District
Upper West Region
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The Upper West Region of Ghana contains 11 districts, 4 municipal and 7 ordinary districts. These are:[19]
- Daffiama-Bussie-Issa District
- Jirapa Municipal
- Lambussie Karni District
- Lawra Municipal
- Nadowli-Kaleo District
- Nandom District
- Sissala East Municipal
- Sissala West District
- Wa East District
- Wa Municipal
- Wa West District
Volta Region
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The Volta Region of Ghana used to contains 17 districts, 5 municipal and 20 ordinary districts. These are:[20] It now has a total of 18 districts made up of 6 municipal and 12 ordinary districts since the regional demarcation in December 2018[21]
- Adaklu District
- Afadjato South District
- Agotime Ziope District
- Akatsi North District
- Akatsi South District
- Anloga District
- Central Tongu District
- Ho Municipal
- Ho West District
- Hohoe Municipal
- Keta Municipal
- Ketu North Municipal District
- Ketu South Municipal
- Kpando Municipal District
- North Dayi District
- North Tongu District
- South Dayi District
- South Tongu District
Western Region
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The Western Region of Ghana contains 13 districts, 1 metropolitan, 8 municipal and 4 ordinary districts. These are:[22]
- Ahanta West Municipal
- Ellembele Municipal
- Jomoro Municipal
- Mpohor District
- Nzema East Municipal
- Prestea-Huni Valley Municipal
- Sekondi Takoradi Metropolitan
- Shama District
- Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipal
- Wassa Amenfi Central District
- Wasa Amenfi East Municipal
- Wasa Amenfi West Municipal
- Wassa East District
Western North Region
The Western North Region of Ghana was created by a referendum in December 2018. It was part of the then Western Region of Ghana. It contains 9 districts, 3 municipal and 6 ordinary districts. These are:
- Aowin Municipal
- Bia West District
- Bia East District
- Bibiani/Anhwiaso/Bekwai Municipal
- Bodi District
- Juaboso District
- Sefwi Akontombra District
- Sefwi Wiawso Municipal
- Suaman District
References
- "ghanadistricts.com". GhanaDistricts.com. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
- Ayee, Joseph RA (2013-10-01). "The Political Economy of the Creation of Districts in Ghana". Journal of Asian and African Studies. 48 (5): 623–645. doi:10.1177/0021909612464334. ISSN 0021-9096.
- "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
- "Know the 16 regional capitals of Ghana". BusinessGhana. Retrieved 2020-05-27.
- "Ashanti Region". GhanaDistricts. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
- "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. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
- Ngon, Diana (28 December 2018). "Referendum: Residents endorse North East Region with 99.67 YES vote". Citi Newsroom. Retrieved 28 December 2018.
- Duncan, Jude. "Referendum: Oti residents okay new region with 99% YES vote". Citi News Room. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
- "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.
- Kaledzi, Isaac (26 June 2019). "Ghana: Six new regions created after a referendum". Africa Needs. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
- "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.