Year Established:2018, under Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2370, after being carved out of the former Birim South District Assembly. The Assembly was inaugurated in February 2019.
The Achiase District Assembly (ADA) is one of the administrative districts located in the Eastern Region of Ghana. The District was carved out of the former Birim South District as part of Ghana’s decentralisation reforms and was established under Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2370. The District was created in 2018/2019, with Achiase serving as its administrative capital. The establishment of the District created a separate local government structure for the Achiase area and strengthened the delivery of public services and development planning at the local level.
The District is situated in the south-western part of the Eastern Region. It shares boundaries with Asene Manso Akroso District to the north-east and Birim South District to the north-west, while its southern boundary adjoins districts in the Central Region, namely Asikuma Odoben Brakwa, Assin Central Municipal and Assin North. Its location gives the District important connections to both the Eastern and Central regions and facilitates the movement of agricultural produce and people between the two regions.
In terms of land area, the District covers approximately 501 square kilometres. The 2021 Population and Housing Census recorded a total population of 56,348, comprising 27,412 males and 28,936 females. Females therefore constituted approximately 51.4% of the population, compared with 48.6% males. The District has a relatively dispersed settlement pattern, with a significant proportion of residents living in rural communities.
The economy of Achiase is predominantly agricultural, with agriculture engaging approximately 65.9% of the economically active population. The sector is supported by the District’s fertile soils, favourable climatic conditions and extensive agricultural land. Major crops include cocoa, oil palm, cassava, plantain, maize and other food crops. The service sector accounts for about 19.4%, while manufacturing accounts for approximately 14.7% of economic activity. Agriculture therefore remains the principal foundation of household livelihoods and local economic development.
Achiase is the District’s principal administrative and commercial centre. Other communities and settlements contribute to the District’s agricultural and trading activities, with many communities characterised by farming, small-scale commerce and informal economic activities. The settlement pattern reflects the District’s predominantly rural and agrarian character, while Achiase functions as the principal administrative hub.
Administratively, the Achiase District Assembly is the highest political, administrative and planning authority within the District. The Assembly is responsible for local development planning, spatial planning, infrastructure provision, environmental management, sanitation, public health, agricultural development, education support, local economic development and internal revenue mobilisation. Its mandate is exercised within the framework of Ghana’s decentralised local government system and the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936).
The Assembly’s governance structure comprises elected Assembly Members, Government Appointees, the District Chief Executive (DCE) as the political and administrative head, and the Member of Parliament for the Achiase Constituency. The General Assembly serves as the principal deliberative and decision-making organ, while its Executive Committee and various sub-committees support the Assembly in carrying out its legislative, planning and oversight responsibilities.
Achiase possesses important agricultural, natural, cultural and ecological resources. Its extensive agricultural lands provide opportunities for cocoa production, oil-palm cultivation and food-crop farming, while its forest and natural landscapes provide a foundation for environmental conservation and nature-based tourism. The District’s position between the Eastern and Central regions also gives it potential for developing agricultural marketing and processing activities.
The District faces several development challenges, including poor road infrastructure, inadequate feeder roads, limited agro-processing facilities, inadequate social infrastructure, unemployment and the need to improve access to markets and basic services in rural communities. Because agriculture is the dominant economic activity, the condition of feeder roads is particularly important for transporting farm produce from production areas to markets and processing centres. Improving rural infrastructure therefore remains critical to the District’s economic development.
Achiase nevertheless has strong opportunities for commercial agriculture, cocoa and oil-palm production, agro-processing, rural enterprise development, agricultural marketing and eco-tourism. Greater investment in agricultural value chains could allow farmers to move beyond the production of raw commodities into processing and packaging, thereby creating employment and increasing household incomes. Improved road connectivity would further strengthen links between farming communities, markets and neighbouring districts.
With Achiase as its administrative capital, the Achiase District Assembly occupies an important position in the south-western part of the Eastern Region. Its combination of fertile agricultural land, a strong farming population, extensive natural resources and strategic links with districts in both the Eastern and Central regions gives it considerable potential for sustainable economic development. Continued investment in roads, agriculture, agro-processing, education, health, sanitation and rural infrastructure will be central to unlocking the District’s full potential.
District Chief Executive (DCE):Hon. Samuel Owusu Brako.
Presiding Member:Hon. Eric Bamfo.
Member of Parliament:Hon. Kofi Ahenkorah Marfo, MP for Achiase Constituency.
Assembly Structure: The District Assembly is the highest political, administrative and policy-making authority in the district. It operates through the General Assembly, Executive Committee and statutory sub-committees, supported by the District Coordinating Directorate and decentralised departments. The Assembly also works through its sub-district structures and Unit Committees to facilitate grassroots governance.
Assembly Membership: The district has 16 electoral areas. The Assembly’s membership comprises elected Assembly Members, government appointees, the DCE and the MP as an ex-officio member. Official planning documentation confirms 16 electoral areas.
Agriculture & Agribusiness – Cocoa, oil palm, cassava, maize, and vegetable farming; promotion of irrigation, mechanization, and agro-processing.
Infrastructure & Transport – Road rehabilitation, bridges, and drainage systems to connect farming communities to Achiase and nearby markets.
Health & Social Services – Expansion of CHPS compounds, upgrading of Achiase Health Centre, and improved sanitation systems.
Education – Classroom expansion, ICT integration, and vocational training for youth.
Local Economic Development – MSME support, entrepreneurship training, and revenue mobilization.
Environmental Management – Waste management, afforestation, and climate adaptation programmes.
Flagship Projects & Programmes:
Agriculture: Establishment of cassava and palm oil processing centres; farmer support with improved seedlings and mechanization.
Infrastructure: Rehabilitation of feeder roads linking Achiase and surrounding farming communities; construction of bridges and culverts to reduce flooding.
Health: Upgrading Achiase Health Centre, expanding CHPS compounds, and maternal health outreach programmes.
Education: ICT labs for schools, vocational training centres, and classroom blocks in rural and peri-urban communities.
Local Economic Development: Business counselling for MSMEs, entrepreneurship training, and automation of IGF collection.
Environment: Waste segregation and recycling projects, afforestation campaigns, and flood control measures.
SDGs Alignment:
SDG 2 (Zero Hunger): Agricultural modernization and agro-processing to improve food security.
SDG 3 (Good Health & Well-being): Strengthening healthcare facilities and maternal health services.
