Western North region

Western North region
Region
Fishing Boats on the Ankobra River
Fishing Boats on the Ankobra River
Location of Western North region in Ghana
Location of Western North region in Ghana
CountryGhana
CapitalWiawso
Districts9
Government
 • Regional MinisterKingsley Aboagye Gyedu[1]
Population
 (2021 census)[2]
 • Total
880,921
Time zoneGMT
Area code031

The Western North region is one of the six new regions of Ghana created in 2019.[3] The region is bounded by the Ivory Coast (Comoé District) on the west, the Central region in the southeast, and the Ashanti, Ahafo, Bono East and Bono regions in the north. The Western North region has the highest rainfall in Ghana, lush green hills, and fertile soils. There are numerous small and large-scale gold mines companies in the region. The ethnic culture of the region is dominated by the Sefwis. The main languages spoken are Sefwi, Akan, French and English.

History

The Western North region is a new region carved out of the existing Western region of Ghana. This creation of this new region was in fulfillment of a promise made by the New Patriotic Party prior to the 2016 Ghana general election. Upon winning the elections, the President, Nana Akuffo Addo created the Ministry of Regional Reorganization to oversee policy formulation and implementation. In all, six new regions were created from the existing ten regions of Ghana. The other new regions are Bono East, Ahafo, Savannah, North East, and Oti regions.[4]

The execution of plans for the creation of the regions was ceded to the newly created Ministry of Regional Reorganization and Development[5] which is under the leadership of Hon. Dan Botwe.[5] In March 2017, the ministry sent the blueprint for the creation of the region along with others to the Council of State. The council met over 36 times from the time of submission to August 2017.[6] The final stage for the creation of the region was decided through a referendum by the people within the area of the new region on 27 December 2018.[7][8]

Tourism

The region has several forest reserves which serve as tourist attractions.

Education

The Western North region has many post-secondary schools, including teachers' and nursing colleges.

Health

In August 2021, the region recorded an outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza.[9]

Administrative divisions

The political administration of the region is through the local government system. Under this administration system, the region is divided into nine MMDA's (made up of 0 Metropolitan, 3 Municipal and 6 Ordinary Assemblies).[3][10] Each District, Municipal or Metropolitan Assembly, is administered by a Chief Executive, representing the central government but deriving authority from an Assembly headed by a presiding member elected from among the members themselves. The current list is as follows:

Districts of the Western North region
Districts of the Western North region[11]
# MMDA name Capital MMDA type Population
census 2010[12] 		Population
2019 projected[12]
1 Aowin[13] Enchi Municipal 117,886 154,661
2 Bia East Adabokrom Ordinary 27,393 37,108
3 Bia West Essam Ordinary 88,939 111,355
4 Bibiani/Anhwiaso/Bekwai Bibiani Municipal 123,272 160,844
5 Bodi Bodi Ordinary 53,314 68,055
6 Juaboso Juaboso Ordinary 58,435 77,678
7 Sefwi-Akontombra Sefwi Akontombra Ordinary 82,467 108,266
8 Sefwi-Wiawso Wiawso Municipal 139,200 182,510
9 Suaman Dadieso Ordinary 20,529 27,832
Total 658,835 928,309

References

  1. ^ "Regional Ministers - Government of Ghana". Archived from the original on 2017-07-04. Retrieved 2019-06-18.
  2. ^ Ghana Statistical Service
  3. ^ a b Kaledzi, Isaac (26 June 2019). "Ghana: Six new regions created after a referendum". Africa Needs. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  4. ^ Bureau, Communications. ""Creation Of 6 New Regions In The Hands Of EC & Ghanaians" – President Akufo-Addo". presidency government of ghana. Retrieved 2018-12-21. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  5. ^ a b "2nd Ministerial list out: Akufo-Addo creates new ministries, re-aligns old". MyJoyonline. Retrieved 22 June 2017.
  6. ^ "Council of State met 36 times on new Regions – Nana Otuo Siriboe II". GhanaCrusader - Latest News in Ghana and Beyond. 2017-08-16. Retrieved 2017-12-12.
  7. ^ ""Creation Of New Region In Your Hands" – President Akufo-Addo To Nayiri – The Presidency, Republic of Ghana". presidency government of ghana. Retrieved 2017-12-12.
  8. ^ "EC sets December 27 for referendum on new regions | xxxxxxxxxxx 2018-08-23". GhanaWeb. Retrieved 2018-12-21.
  9. ^ "Western North Region records bird flu cases". Citi Business News. 2021-08-22. Retrieved 2021-09-15.
  10. ^ "Western". GhanaDistricts.com. Archived from the original on 18 January 2013. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
  11. ^ Western North Region – Districts
  12. ^ a b Ghana Statistical Service.
  13. ^ "Residents of Abrokyire carry woman in labour on wooden door due to poor road - MyJoyOnline.com". MyJoyonline. Retrieved 2021-05-19.

6°18′N 2°48′W / 6.300°N 2.800°W / 6.300; -2.800