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Annex C7 -- Socioeconomics Supplemental Information C7 - 3
Of the 140 settlements in the District, in 2000, only two - Ayirebi and Akuase - could be
described as urban. These urban settlements contained 1.4 percent of the district’s
population while the rural settings had 98.6 percent of the population. Only settlements
with a population of 5,000 or more are classified as towns.
The Region has four main ethnic groupings: Akan (52 percent), the Ga-Dangme (19
percent), the Ewes (16 percent), and the Guans (13 percent). The Ewes are the only nonindigenous
ethnic group. The Akan predominate in 11 of the 17 districts (2000 Census). The
major languages spoken are Akan and Krobo (GRRL 2008).
Three main Traditional Groupings are represented in the District. The predominant group
is the Akim Kotoku Traditional Authority to which an estimated 85 percent of the District’s
population owes allegiance. The Kotoku Traditional Authority is headquartered at Akim
Oda. The other two groupings are Akim Abuakwa and Akim Bosome. Settlements owing
allegiance to Abuakwa Traditional Authority are Chia, Adubiase and Odumase, while
Ofoase, Brenase and Anyinase owe allegiance to the Bosome Traditional Authority. The
population of the District is predominantly Akims. Most tribal groups maintain inheritance
practices with assets passed through the female line. However positions of traditional
authority are almost exclusively male. Most of the country’s major tribal groups (Ashantes,
Kwahus, Ewes, Northerners, Ga-Adangbes, Akuapems and Fantes) are also represented.
The non-Akims are sometimes landowners and constitute the traditional authorities in a
sizeable number of settlements.
About 92 percent of residents of the Region are Christian, 4 percent are Muslim and 3
percent practice other religious beliefs. Traditional religions are practiced mostly in Afram
Plains, Asuogyaman, Akwapim North and Akim West Districts. (GRRL 2008). The majority
of the District’s inhabitants are Christians (83 percent of the total population) and Muslim (6
percent). Most Moslems are living in New Juaben and West Akim Districts. In parallel with
these mainstream religions, fetishism is still common place, especially in rural settlements
and hamlets (GRRL 2008).
The main economic activities in the District include farming, small-scale industrial activities,
small scale mining and commerce. The majority (73.5 percent) of the District’s labour
force works in the agriculture sector, with 15.2 percent working in commerce and 3.8
percent in services.
DISTRICT GOVERNMENT
The Birim North District Assembly is the highest administrative and political authority in the
District and is empowered to make and enforce by-laws. The District Assembly has 70
percent elected members and 30 percent government appointees, and is headed by the
District Chief Executive, who is appointed by the President with the approval of two-thirds
of the District Assembly. The District Assembly (DA) includes two Members of Parliament,
42 elected members and 18 government appointees.
The DA is responsible for development through preparation, implementation and
management of District development plans. The main sources of revenue (Table C7-1) to
the Birim North District Assembly are government grants and internally generated funds.
Akyem Gold Mining Project November 2008 FINAL EIS