Ayawaso Central Municipal Assembly
- Name of MMDA: Ayawaso Central Municipal Assembly
- Region: Greater Accra Region
- Type of Assembly: Municipal Assembly
- Capital: Kokomlemle
- Year Established: 2019 (Legislative Instrument 2366, carved out of Accra Metropolitan Assembly)
The Ayawaso Central Municipal Assembly (ACMA) is one of the 261 Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in Ghana and forms part of the 29 MMDAs in the Greater Accra Region. The Municipality was carved out of the former Accra Metropolitan Assembly as part of national efforts to deepen decentralization, enhance local governance, and improve administrative efficiency. It was established in November 2017 under Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2306 and officially inaugurated on 15 March 2018, with Kokomlemle serving as its administrative capital.
Ayawaso Central Municipality is located in the central portion of the Greater Accra Region. It shares boundaries with Ayawaso West Municipal Assembly to the north, Okaikwei North Municipal Assembly to the north-west, Ablekuma Central Municipal Assembly to the west, Korle Klottey Municipal Assembly to the south, and Ayawaso East and Ayawaso North Municipal Assemblies to the east. Its central geographic position places it along vital transport and commercial arteries that connect central Accra to its northern and western suburbs.
In terms of land area, the Municipality covers approximately 6 square kilometres, making it a compact, highly urbanized, and densely populated inner-city district. The 2021 Population and Housing Census recorded a total population of 94,831, comprising 46,488 males and 48,343 females. Females therefore constituted approximately 51% of the population, compared with 49% males. The Municipality is fully urbanized and characterized by high residential and commercial density.
The economy of Ayawaso Central is predominantly service-driven, commercial, and light-industrial. Printing and publishing, auto repairs, corporate offices, retail trade, educational institutions, hospitality, and transport services dominate local economic activities. The Municipality contains major commercial districts, corporate headquarters, media houses, and specialized technical repair hubs.
Kokomlemle is the Municipality’s principal administrative, commercial, and educational center. Other major communities, historical neighborhoods, and commercial enclaves within the Municipality include Alajo, Kotobabi, Newtown (southern parts), Caprice, and Panama. Neighborhoods like Kokomlemle and Alajo represent key residential, commercial, and transport nodes within central Accra.
Administratively, the Ayawaso Central Municipal Assembly is the highest political, administrative, and planning authority within the Municipality. The Assembly is responsible for local governance, spatial planning, social infrastructure delivery, public environmental health, drainage management, and internal revenue mobilization. The Municipality operates through Zonal Councils, including the Kokomlemle/Kotobabi Zonal Council and the Alajo 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 Ayawaso Central Constituency. The General Assembly serves as the primary local decision-making and policy-formulating body.
Ayawaso Central possesses significant commercial, educational, and media infrastructure assets. Key landmarks include prominent tertiary institutions such as the Accra Technical University (Alajo campus/annex facilities) and private colleges, major printing presses, news media headquarters, health centers, and the strategic Caprice transport interchange zone.
The Municipality faces urban management challenges typical of high-density inner-city enclaves, including heavy traffic congestion along major transit routes, environmental sanitation demands, drainage infrastructure deficits, localized flooding (particularly along the Odaw River basin in Alajo), and spatial constraints for new municipal development. However, its strategic central location, high concentration of corporate and media businesses, active commercial markets, and dense population present strong opportunities for municipal revenue generation and sustained urban regeneration.
With Kokomlemle as its administrative capital, the Ayawaso Central Municipal Assembly occupies a vital position within the Greater Accra Region. Its compact urban area, bustling commercial and printing sectors, key educational institutions, and central location make it an essential residential, commercial, and service center in Ghana.
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Population: 94,831
Male: 46,488
Female: 48,343
Female population share: 51%
Male population share: 49%
Land area: 6 km²
Capital: Kokomlemle
Zonal Councils: 2 (Kokomlemle/Kotobabi Zonal Council, Alajo Zonal
Council)
Parliamentary Constituency: 1 (Ayawaso Central Constituency)
Year established: 2019
Year inaugurated: 9 February 2019
Establishing legislation: L.I. 2366
Region: Greater Accra Region
- Total Land Area: ~ 6 km²
- Population: ~ 94,831 (2021 Census estimate)
- Major Towns/Communities: Kokomlemle, Alajo, New Town, Kotobabi (parts), Accra Polytechnic enclave
- Boundaries:
- North: Ayawaso North Municipal Assembly
- East: Ayawaso West Municipal Assembly
- West: Okaikwei North Municipal Assembly
- South: Korle Klottey Municipal Assembly
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- Municipal Chief Executive (MCE): Hon. Rudolf Collingwoode-Williams
- Presiding Member: Elected from among Assembly Members
- Member of Parliament: Hon. Abdul Rauf Tongym Tubazu. (MP for Ayawaso Central Constituency)
- Assembly Structure: Municipal Assembly with statutory sub-committees (Finance, Development Planning, Social Services, Works, Justice & Security)
- Assembly Membership: 14 elected members + government appointees + MP
- Key Sectors of Focus:
- Infrastructure & Transport – Road rehabilitation, drainage construction, and traffic management in Kokomlemle, Alajo, and New Town.
- Health & Social Services – Expansion of health centres, CHPS compounds, and maternal health facilities.
- Education – Classroom expansion, ICT integration, and vocational training.
- Sanitation & Environment – Waste management, recycling, and flood control.
- Economic Development – SME support, market development, and job creation.
- Governance & Security – Strengthening local governance, digitization of services, and community safety.
- Flagship Projects & Programmes:
- Roads & Transport: Rehabilitation of Kokomlemle–Alajo roads, construction of storm drains to reduce flooding, and installation of street lights.
- Health: Upgrading Kokomlemle Health Centre and establishment of new CHPS compounds in underserved communities.
- Education: ICT labs for schools, vocational training centers, and classroom blocks in Alajo and New Town.
- Sanitation: Waste collection logistics, recycling plants, and improved landfill management.
- Markets & SME Support: Modernization of Kokomlemle Market and support for small businesses through training and credit facilities.
- Urban Renewal: Beautification projects, green spaces, and improved street lighting for community safety.
- SDGs Alignment:
- 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, market modernization, and job creation.
- SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure): Road rehabilitation, ICT integration, and 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:
- Trading & services – Kokomlemle, Alajo, and New Town host vibrant markets and service enterprises.
- Retail & hospitality – Shops, restaurants, hotels, and entertainment centers thrive due to the municipality’s central location in Accra.
- Transport services – Taxis, trotros, and logistics businesses support mobility and commerce.
- Small-scale manufacturing – Carpentry, tailoring, block-making, and food processing enterprises.
- Real estate – Rapid housing and commercial property development driven by urban expansion.
- Key Investment Opportunities:
- Market modernization – Upgrading Kokomlemle and Alajo markets with modern facilities.
- Real estate projects – Affordable housing estates and commercial complexes.
- Transport & logistics – Development of bus terminals, parking facilities, and logistics hubs.
- Hospitality & retail – Hotels, restaurants, and shopping centers to serve the growing urban population.
- 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.
- Microfinance institutions – Provide credit facilities to traders, artisans, and SMEs.
- NGO & donor programs – Initiatives in sanitation, women’s empowerment, and youth employment.
- Market associations – Trader unions and cooperatives that support collective bargaining and advocacy.
- Health Facilities:
- Kokomlemle Health Centre – Provides outpatient, maternal, and child health services.
- Alajo Health Post – Serves as a primary healthcare facility for surrounding communities.
- CHPS Compounds – Deliver basic healthcare in peri-urban and densely populated areas.
- Private Clinics & Pharmacies – Numerous facilities complement government services, offering specialized care.
- Educational Institutions:
- Basic Schools – Public and private primary and JHS across Kokomlemle, Alajo, and New Town.
- Senior High Schools – Institutions like Accra High School serve the municipality.
- Vocational & Technical Training – Skills centers supporting youth employment and entrepreneurship.
- Private Tertiary Institutions – Colleges and training institutes offering higher education.
- Education Priorities: ICT integration, classroom expansion, and scholarship support for vulnerable students.
- Road Network Condition:
- Major Roads – Kokomlemle–Alajo corridor, New Town link roads, and access routes to Ring Road Central.
- Urban Roads – Many inner roads are tarred but deteriorating, requiring rehabilitation.
- Transport Challenges – Congestion, poor drainage, and potholes in residential areas.
- Ongoing Projects: Road resurfacing, storm drain construction, and installation of street lights to ease traffic flow.
- Water & Sanitation Coverage:
- Water Supply – Ghana Water Company pipelines serve most communities; boreholes supplement peri-urban areas.
- Sanitation Facilities – Public toilets and household latrines expanded to reduce open defecation.
- Waste Management – Door-to-door collection, communal skips, and private contractors like Zoomlion.
- Challenges: Irregular waste collection, flooding due to poor drainage, and limited recycling facilities.
- Waste Management Systems:
- Door-to-door collection – Managed by private contractors and supported by Zoomlion.
- Communal skips – Located in Kokomlemle, Alajo, and New Town 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 drains and open spaces.
- Climate Adaptation Efforts:
- Flood control – Construction of storm drains and desilting of waterways to reduce seasonal flooding in Kokomlemle and Alajo.
- Afforestation projects – Tree planting campaigns in schools, parks, and degraded lands.
- 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:
- Flooding – Poor drainage systems in Kokomlemle, Alajo, and New Town cause seasonal floods.
- Waste disposal – Indiscriminate dumping of plastics and refuse in open spaces and drains.
- Air pollution – Vehicular emissions and small-scale industries contribute to poor air quality.
- 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.
- 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.
- Youth & Women Inclusion Mechanisms:
- Youth employment programs – Skills training, entrepreneurship support, and job creation initiatives.
- Women’s cooperatives – Support groups for women traders, artisans, 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.
- Youth councils – Platforms for young people to voice concerns and contribute to policy discussions.
| 1 | Alajo Central |
| 2 | Nii Nortey Agbo |
| 3 | Akoa Ndor |
| 4 | Alajo North |
| 5 | Kokomlemle West |
| 6 | Kokomlemle East |
| 7 | Kotobabi |
| 8 | Nkansah Djan |
| 9 | Aryee Diki |
| 10 | Quaye Mensah |
| 11 | Mallam Attah |
| 12 | Pig Farm |