Ayensuano District Assembly
- Name of MMDA: Ayensuano District Assembly
- Region: Eastern Region
- Type of Assembly: District Assembly
- Capital: Coaltar
- Year Established: 2012 (Legislative Instrument 2052, carved out of Suhum-Kraboa-Coaltar District)
The Ayensuano District Assembly (ADA) is one of the administrative districts located in the Eastern Region of Ghana. It was created in 2012 under Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2052, following its split from the former Suhum-Kraboa-Coaltar District, and was officially inaugurated on 28 June 2012, with Coaltar serving as its administrative capital.
The District is situated in the southern portion of the Eastern Region, sharing a direct administrative boundary with the Greater Accra Region. It shares boundaries with the Suhum Municipal Assembly to the north, Nsawam Adoagyiri Municipal Assembly and Akuapem South Municipal Assembly to the east, West Akim Municipal Assembly to the west, and Ga West Municipal Assembly and Amasaman enclaves (in the Greater Accra Region) to the south. Positioned along the strategic Accra–Kumasi (N6) highway corridor, it serves as a major agricultural and transit gateway into the Eastern Region.
In terms of land area, the District covers approximately 499 square kilometres, consisting of rolling plains, agricultural valleys, forest patches, and rural farming settlements. The 2021 Population and Housing Census recorded a total population of 94,594, comprising 47,161 males and 47,433 females. Males therefore constituted approximately 50.1% of the population, compared with 49.9% females. The District is overwhelmingly rural, with agrarian livelihoods underpinning community economic life.
The economy of Ayensuano is heavily agriculture-driven, complemented by informal retail trade, transport services, agro-processing, and quarrying activities. Farming employs over 70% of the active labor force. Major cash crops include cocoa, oil palm, citrus, and pineapple, while key food crops comprise cassava, plantain, maize, cocoyam, and fresh vegetables. The District is a major supplier of raw agricultural produce and fresh fruits to urban processing plants and food markets across Greater Accra and the Eastern Region.
Coaltar is the District’s principal administrative and historic capital. Other major communities, commercial centers, and transit nodes within the District include Kraboa-Coaltar, Anum Apapam, Dokrochiwa, Amanase, Teacher Mante, Yakoko, and Ayeh Kokooso. Communities along the main N6 highway, such as Teacher Mante and Amanase, act as busy commercial transit points for agricultural trade.
Administratively, the Ayensuano District Assembly is the highest political, administrative, and planning authority within the District. The Assembly is responsible for local governance, spatial planning, feeder road maintenance, social infrastructure provision, public health, and internal revenue mobilization. The District operates through Zonal/Area Councils, including the Coaltar Area Council, Anum Apapam Area Council, and Amanase Area Council, to bring local government services closer to rural communities.
The Assembly’s governance structure comprises elected Assembly Members representing various electoral areas, Government Appointees, the District Chief Executive (DCE) as the administrative head, and the Member of Parliament for the Ayensuano Constituency. The General Assembly serves as the primary local decision-making and policy-formulating organ.
Ayensuano possesses rich agricultural, natural, and socio-cultural assets. Key highlights include vast arable lands for commercial fruit and cocoa farming, extensive granite rock deposits supporting stone quarrying industries, and strong traditional allegiances under both the Akyem Abuakwa and Akuapem Traditional Councils. Local traditional festivals celebrated across the communities highlight the District’s rich cultural heritage and social cohesion.
The District faces typical rural development challenges, including poor feeder road networks connecting remote farming hubs to main highways, post-harvest losses due to inadequate storage infrastructure, limited access to potable water in rural areas, and low internal revenue generation. However, its immense commercial fruit farming potential, proximity to the Accra market, abundant granite resources for construction, and strategic location along the N6 highway offer strong opportunities for agribusiness investment and industrial development.
With Coaltar as its administrative capital, the Ayensuano District Assembly plays a critical role in the agricultural economy of the Eastern Region. Its high fruit and crop output, strategic transit positioning along the Accra–Kumasi corridor, abundant land resources, and strong agrarian workforce make it a vital agricultural and trade district in Ghana.
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Population: 94,594
Male: 47,161
Female: 47,433
Female population share: 50.1%
Male population share: 49.9%
Land area: 499 km²
Capital: Coaltar
Zonal/Area Councils: 3 (Coaltar Area Council, Anum Apapam Area Council, Amanase Area Council)
Parliamentary Constituency: 1 (Ayensuano Constituency)
Year established: 2012
Year inaugurated: 28 June 2012
Establishing legislation: L.I. 2052
Region: Eastern Region
- Total Land Area: ~ 499 km²
- Population: ~ 94,594 (2021 Census estimate)
- Major Towns/Communities: Coaltar, Anum Apapam, Kraboa, Obodanse, Teacher Mante, Amanase
- Boundaries:
- North: Suhum Municipal Assembly
- East: New Juaben North Municipal Assembly
- West: Nsawam-Adoagyiri Municipal Assembly
- South: Ga West Municipal Assembly (Greater Accra Region)
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- District Chief Executive (DCE): Hon. Joshua Lartey
- Presiding Member: Elected from among Assembly Members
- Member of Parliament: Hon. Ida Adjoa Asiedu (MP for Ayensuano Constituency)
- Assembly Structure: District Assembly with statutory sub-committees (Finance, Development Planning, Social Services, Works, Justice & Security)
- Assembly Membership: 27 elected members + government appointees + MP
- Key Sectors of Focus:
- Agriculture & Agribusiness – Cocoa, cassava, maize, vegetables, and livestock production, with emphasis on agro-processing.
- Infrastructure & Transport – Road rehabilitation, feeder road improvement, and bridges to connect farming communities.
- Health & Social Services – Expansion of health centres, CHPS compounds, and maternal health facilities.
- Education – Classroom expansion, ICT integration, and vocational training.
- Water & Sanitation – Boreholes, rural water projects, and improved waste management systems.
- Local Economic Development – SME support, market development, and youth employment initiatives.
- Flagship Projects & Programmes:
- Agriculture: Cocoa productivity enhancement, cassava processing plants, and farmer support programmes with improved seedlings and mechanization.
- Infrastructure: Rehabilitation of feeder roads linking Coaltar, Anum Apapam, Kraboa, and Amanase; construction of bridges and culverts.
- Health: Upgrading Coaltar Health Centre and establishment of new CHPS compounds in underserved rural communities.
- Education: ICT labs for schools, vocational training centers, and classroom blocks in Coaltar and Anum Apapam.
- Water & Sanitation: Borehole drilling, rural water supply systems, and improved waste collection logistics.
- Youth & Employment: Skills training, entrepreneurship support, and job creation initiatives for young people.
- 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.
- SDG 4 (Quality Education): Classroom expansion, ICT integration, and vocational training.
- SDG 6 (Clean Water & Sanitation): Boreholes, rural water projects, and waste management reforms.
- SDG 8 (Decent Work & Economic Growth): SME support, youth employment, and agro-industrial expansion.
- SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure): Road rehabilitation, ICT integration, and agro-processing facilities.
- SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities & Communities): Flood control, urban renewal, and community safety.
- SDG 13 (Climate Action): Climate resilience projects, afforestation, and disaster risk reduction.
- Main Economic Activities:
- Agriculture – Cocoa, cassava, maize, vegetables, and livestock production form the backbone of the district’s economy.
- Trading & services – Local markets in Coaltar, Anum Apapam, and Amanase serve as commercial hubs.
- Small-scale agro-processing – Cassava flour, gari, palm oil extraction, and maize milling.
- Timber & forestry – Logging and wood-related activities contribute to livelihoods.
- Artisanal activities – Carpentry, tailoring, and small-scale manufacturing.
- Key Investment Opportunities:
- Agro-processing plants – Cocoa, cassava, and palm oil processing for local and export markets.
- Market infrastructure – Modern market facilities in Coaltar and Anum Apapam to boost trading activities.
- Agricultural mechanization – Tractor services, irrigation systems, and improved seed distribution.
- Forestry & eco-tourism – Sustainable forestry management and eco-tourism initiatives.
- ICT & innovation hubs – Establishment of digital centers for youth training and entrepreneurship.
- Business Support Services:
- Business Advisory Centre (BAC) – Provides training, entrepreneurship support, and SME development.
- Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA) – Offers financial and technical support for small businesses.
- Rural banks & microfinance institutions – Provide credit facilities to farmers, traders, and artisans.
- NGO & donor programs – Initiatives in agriculture, women’s empowerment, and youth employment.
- Farmer cooperatives & market associations – Support collective bargaining, advocacy, and access to inputs.
- Health Facilities:
- Coaltar Health Centre – The main government facility serving the district capital.
- Anum Apapam Health Centre – Provides outpatient and maternal health services.
- CHPS Compounds – Spread across rural communities to deliver primary healthcare.
- Private Clinics & Pharmacies – Complement government facilities with specialized care.
- Educational Institutions:
- Basic Schools – Numerous public and private primary and JHS across Coaltar, Anum Apapam, Kraboa, and Amanase.
- Senior High Schools – Coaltar SHS and other second-cycle institutions serve the district.
- Vocational & Technical Training – Skills centers supporting youth employment and entrepreneurship.
- Private Training Institutes – Offer ICT and business-related courses.
- Road Network Condition:
- Major Roads – Coaltar–Anum Apapam corridor is tarred but requires maintenance.
- Feeder Roads – Many rural roads are untarred and become difficult to access during rainy seasons.
- Transport Challenges – Poor feeder road conditions affect access to farms, schools, and health facilities.
- Ongoing Projects: Road rehabilitation and bridge construction to improve connectivity.
- Water & Sanitation Coverage:
- Water Supply – Boreholes and rural water projects provide potable water in most communities.
- Sanitation Facilities – Public toilets and household latrines expanded to reduce open defecation.
- Waste Management – Door-to-door collection in urban centers, communal skips, and private contractors.
- Challenges: Irregular waste collection, poor disposal practices, and limited recycling facilities in rural areas.
- Waste Management Systems:
- Door-to-door collection – Managed by private contractors and supported by Zoomlion in urban centers like Coaltar.
- Communal skips – Placed in Anum Apapam, Amanase, and other towns to serve densely populated areas.
- Recycling initiatives – Small-scale plastic recycling and composting projects promoted by NGOs, schools, and private firms.
- Challenges: Irregular collection schedules, inadequate disposal sites, and indiscriminate dumping in rural communities.
- Climate Adaptation Efforts:
- Flood control – Construction of storm drains and desilting of waterways to reduce seasonal flooding in Coaltar and Anum Apapam.
- Afforestation projects – Tree planting campaigns in schools, parks, and degraded lands to combat deforestation.
- Watershed protection – Safeguarding river basins and water sources to ensure sustainable supply.
- Community sensitization – Education campaigns on waste disposal, flood preparedness, and climate resilience.
- Urban greening – Development of green spaces and beautification projects to improve air quality and reduce heat.
- Environmental Challenges:
- Deforestation – Logging and farming activities threaten forest reserves.
- Flooding – Poor drainage systems in Akropong and Mamfe cause seasonal floods.
- Waste disposal – Indiscriminate dumping of plastics and refuse in open spaces and drains.
- Soil erosion – Farming on slopes without proper conservation measures leads to land degradation.
- Rapid urbanization – Expansion of settlements without adequate planning, leading to environmental stress.
- Public Engagement Strategies:
- Town hall meetings – Regularly organized to discuss budgets, development projects, and community concerns in Coaltar, Anum Apapam, Kraboa, and Amanase.
- Community durbars – Traditional gatherings used to engage residents, strengthen accountability, and solicit feedback on local governance.
- Radio & local media – Local FM stations and newspapers provide civic education on sanitation, health, and Assembly initiatives.
- Digital platforms – WhatsApp groups and social media pages mobilize residents and share announcements.
- Participatory planning – Citizens involved in prioritizing projects and resource allocation, especially in farming communities.
- Youth & Women Inclusion Mechanisms:
- Youth employment programs – Skills training, entrepreneurship support, and job creation initiatives targeting young farmers and artisans.
- Women’s cooperatives – Support groups for women traders, farmers, and service providers to access credit and training.
- Scholarship schemes – Targeted support for girls and vulnerable youth in secondary and tertiary education.
- Microfinance initiatives – Credit facilities for women-led businesses and SMEs in Coaltar and Anum Apapam.
- Youth councils – Platforms for young people to voice concerns and contribute to policy discussions.
| 1 | Yakoko |
| 2 | Teacher Mante |
| 3 | Domeabra |
| 4 | Govinakrom |
| 5 | Kyekyewere |
| 6 | Apau Wawase |
| 7 | Asuobi |
| 8 | Mankrong |
| 9 | Aye Kokooso |
| 10 | Amanase South |
| 11 | Amanase North (Amanase) |
| 12 | Sowatey North (Sowatey) |
| 13 | Sowatey South |
| 14 | Kuano |
| 15 | Anum Apapam North |
| 16 | Anum Apapam South |
| 17 | Kofi Pare |
| 18 | Otoase |
| 19 | Marfokrom |
| 20 | Akotuakrom / Mamakrom |
| 21 | Kraboakese |
| 22 | Kraboa |
| 23 | Amanfoso |
| 24 | La-Mangoase |
| 25 | Dokrochiwa |
| 26 | Kwaboanta |
| 27 | Bepoase |