Akuapem North Municipal Assembly
- Name of MMDA: Akuapem North Municipal Assembly
- Region: Eastern Region
- Type of Assembly: Municipal Assembly
- Capital: Akropong
- Year Established: 1988 (under Legislative Instrument 1430. It was subsequently elevated to a municipal in 2012 under L.I. 2041)
The Akuapem North Municipal Assembly (ANMA) is one of the administrative districts located in the Eastern Region of Ghana. Originally established as an ordinary district assembly in 1988, it was elevated to municipal status on 15 March 2012 under Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2041. Following the creation of the Okere District in 2018, the remaining administrative territory retained its designation as the Akuapem North Municipal Assembly, with Akropong serving as its administrative capital.
The Municipality is situated in the south-eastern part of the Eastern Region, sitting along the scenic Akuapem Ridge approximately 58 kilometres north-east of Accra. It shares boundaries with the Yilo Krobo Municipal Assembly to the north-east, New Juaben South Municipal Assembly to the north, Suhum Municipal Assembly to the west, Akuapem South District to the south-west, and the Shai-Osudoku District (of the Greater Accra Region) to the south-east. Its elevation and cool climate make it a notable highland destination along the Accra–Larteh–Koforidua transport route.
In terms of land area, the Municipality covers approximately 450 square kilometres. The 2021 Population and Housing Census recorded a total population of 105,315, comprising 49,546 males and 55,769 females. Females therefore constituted approximately 52.9% of the population, compared with 47.1% males. The Municipality features a mix of historic ridge settlements, semi-urban educational centers, and surrounding agricultural communities.
The economy of Akuapem North is largely driven by agriculture, commerce, real estate, eco-tourism, and educational services. Farming remains a primary source of livelihood, with key crops including cassava, maize, plantain, cocoyam, vegetables, citrus, and oil palm, along with poultry and livestock rearing. Commerce, retail trading, hospitality, and educational employment also contribute significantly to the local economy.
Akropong is the Municipality’s principal administrative, traditional, and cultural center. Other major communities and historic settlements within the Municipality include Amanokrom, Mamfe, Aburi (border enclaves), Larteh (bordering zones), Tutu, Obosomase, and Mampong. Towns like Mampong and Akropong hold strong national historical importance in education, healthcare, and religion.
Administratively, the Akuapem North Municipal Assembly is the highest political, administrative, and planning authority within the Municipality. The Assembly is responsible for local governance, spatial management, social infrastructure provision, public environmental health, educational support, and local revenue mobilization. The Municipality operates through Zonal and Town Councils, including the Akropong Town Council and Mamfe Zonal Council, to bring governance closer to community members.
The Assembly’s governance structure comprises elected Assembly Members representing various electoral areas, Government Appointees, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) as the administrative head, and the Member of Parliament for the Akuapem North Constituency. The General Assembly serves as the primary local decision-making and policy-formulating organ.
Akuapem North possesses rich historical, natural, and socio-cultural assets. Key highlights include the seat of the Okuapehene (the Okuapeman Traditional Council), the Tetteh Quarshie Cocoa Farm in Mampong (the site of Ghana’s first commercial cocoa farm established in 1879), historic Presbyterian missionary heritage sites, traditional botanical gardens, and premier educational institutions such as the Presbyterian Training College (PTC Akropong) and the Salem School. The annual Odwira Festival, celebrated with grand traditional pageantry by the chiefs and people of Okuapeman, serves as a major national and international cultural and tourism draw.
The Municipality faces development challenges, including feeder road infrastructure maintenance in farming communities, water supply distribution management across high-altitude topography, spatial development control on steep hill slopes, and waste management in expanding towns. However, its favorable climate, rich heritage assets, proximity to the national capital, strong educational foundation, and agricultural potential present excellent opportunities for sustainable economic development and tourism growth.
With Akropong as its administrative capital, the Akuapem North Municipal Assembly holds a prestigious position in the Eastern Region. Its historic contribution to Ghana’s cocoa sector, leadership in teacher education, rich traditional governance, and elevated ridge landscape make it an important administrative, agricultural, and cultural center.
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Population: 105,315
Male: 49,54
Female: 55,769
Female population share: 52.9%
Male population share: 47.1%
Land area: 450 km²
Capital: Akropong
Zonal/Town Councils: 4 (Akropong Town Council, Mamfe Zonal Council, Mampong Zonal Council, Adawso Zonal Council)
Parliamentary Constituency: 1 (Akuapem North Constituency)
Establishing legislation: L.I. 2041 [L.I. 2304 (2017 re-demarcation)]
Region: Eastern Region
- Total Land Area: ~ 450 km²
- Population: ~ 105,315 (2021 Census estimate)
- Major Towns/Communities: Akropong, Larteh, Mamfe, Abiriw, Adukrom, Tutu, Mampong, Dawu
- Boundaries:
- North: Yilo Krobo Municipal Assembly
- East: New Juaben North Municipal Assembly
- West: Okere District Assembly
- South: La Nkwantanang-Madina Municipal Assembly (Greater Accra Region)
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- Municipal Chief Executive (MCE): Hon. John Evans Ayerakwa Kumordzie
- Presiding Member: Elected from among Assembly Members
- Member of Parliament: Hon. Samuel Awuku (MP for Akuapem North Constituency)
- Assembly Structure: Municipal Assembly with statutory sub-committees (Finance, Development Planning, Social Services, Works, Justice & Security)
- Assembly Membership: 32 elected members + government appointees + MP
- Key Sectors of Focus:
- Infrastructure & Transport – Road rehabilitation, feeder road improvement, and drainage construction to link rural communities to markets.
- Agriculture & Agribusiness – Cocoa, citrus, vegetable farming, and agro-processing to boost local livelihoods.
- Health & Social Services – Expansion of health centres, CHPS compounds, and maternal health facilities.
- Education – Classroom expansion, ICT integration, and vocational training.
- Tourism & Culture – Promotion of cultural heritage sites, eco-tourism, and hospitality services.
- Sanitation & Environment – Waste management, afforestation, and flood control.
- Flagship Projects & Programmes:
- Roads & Transport: Rehabilitation of feeder roads linking Akropong, Larteh, and Mamfe; construction of storm drains to reduce flooding.
- Agriculture: Establishment of agro-processing centres for citrus and vegetables; farmer support programmes with improved seedlings and mechanization.
- Health: Upgrading Akropong Health Centre and establishment of new CHPS compounds in underserved rural communities.
- Education: ICT labs for schools, vocational training centers, and classroom blocks in Mamfe and Larteh.
- Tourism: Development of eco-tourism sites such as Aburi Botanical Gardens and cultural heritage promotion in Akropong.
- Sanitation: Waste collection logistics, recycling plants, and improved landfill management.
- Urban Renewal: Beautification projects, green spaces, and improved street lighting for community safety.
- 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): Waste management reforms and improved drainage systems.
- SDG 8 (Decent Work & Economic Growth): SME support, tourism development, and job creation.
- SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure): Road rehabilitation, ICT integration, and agro-industrial expansion.
- 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, citrus, vegetables, and food crops dominate farming activities.
- Trading & services – Local markets in Akropong, Mamfe, and Larteh serve as hubs for commerce.
- Tourism & hospitality – Cultural heritage sites, eco-tourism attractions, and hospitality services are key contributors.
- Handicrafts & small-scale manufacturing – Wood carving, bead-making, and artisanal crafts.
- Real estate – Growing demand for housing and commercial property development due to urban expansion.
- Key Investment Opportunities:
- Agro-processing – Citrus, cocoa, and vegetable processing for local and export markets.
- Eco-tourism – Development of Aburi Botanical Gardens, waterfalls, and cultural heritage sites.
- Hospitality services – Hotels, guesthouses, and restaurants to serve tourists and visitors.
- Real estate projects – Affordable housing estates and commercial complexes.
- ICT & innovation hubs – Establishment of tech incubators and co-working spaces for startups.
- 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:
- Tetteh Quarshie Memorial Hospital – The main referral hospital serving Akropong and surrounding towns.
- Akropong Health Centre – Provides outpatient and maternal health services.
- CHPS Compounds – Located in rural communities to deliver basic healthcare.
- Private Clinics & Pharmacies – Complement government facilities with specialized care.
- Educational Institutions:
- Presbyterian College of Education – A major tertiary institution in Akropong.
- Senior High Schools – Okuapeman SHS, Larteh SHS, and other second-cycle institutions.
- Basic Schools – Numerous public and private primary and JHS across Akropong, Mamfe, Larteh, and Abiriw.
- Vocational & Technical Training – Skills centers supporting youth employment and entrepreneurship.
- Road Network Condition:
- Major Roads – Mamfe–Akropong corridor and feeder roads linking farming communities.
- Urban Roads – Many inner roads are tarred but deteriorating, requiring rehabilitation.
- Transport Challenges – Poor feeder roads affect access to farms and markets.
- Ongoing Projects: Road resurfacing, feeder road rehabilitation, and storm drain construction.
- Water & Sanitation Coverage:
- Water Supply – Ghana Water Company pipelines serve urban centers; boreholes and rural water projects supplement smaller communities.
- Sanitation Facilities – Public toilets and household latrines expanded to reduce open defecation.
- Waste Management – Door-to-door collection, 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.
- Communal skips – Located in Akropong, Mamfe, and Larteh 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 and peri-urban communities.
- Climate Adaptation Efforts:
- Flood control – Construction of storm drains and desilting of waterways to reduce seasonal flooding in Mamfe and Akropong.
- 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 – Organized by the Assembly to discuss budgets, projects, and community concerns in Akropong, Mamfe, and Larteh.
- Community durbars – Traditional gatherings used to engage residents and solicit feedback on local governance.
- Radio & local media – Local FM stations and newspapers used for sensitization on sanitation, health, and civic duties.
- 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 rural 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 Akropong and Mamfe.
- Youth councils – Platforms for young people to voice concerns and contribute to policy discussions.
| 1 | Ahenbronomu |
| 2 | Aboasa |
| 3 | Mpeniase |
| 4 | Osaebronomu |
| 5 | Mampong Otubronomu |
| 6 | Mampong Asinbronomu |
| 7 | Besease |
| 8 | Akantsane/Asantede |
| 9 | Akaade |
| 10 | Kyiriahantan |
| 11 | Nyiresi |
| 12 | Awurede |
| 13 | Dwuma |
| 14 | Okoropo/Akwateakwaso |
| 15 | Obosomase |
| 16 | Mamfe West & South |
| 17 | Amanokrom |
| 18 | Borebea Abeefu |
| 19 | Kwamoso |
| 20 | New Mangoase |
| 21 | Old Mangoase |
| 22 | Jamaica/Paul Kuma |
| 23 | Tinkon |
| 24 | Konko |
| 25 | Amanfro |
| 26 | Okrakwadwo |
| 27 | Akyeremateng |
| 28 | Asenema/Klutiase |
| 29 | Asi Nkwanta |
| 30 | Asamang/Onyamebekyere |
| 31 | Tei Nkwanta |
| 32 | Behenase |