Birim North District Assembly
- Name of MMDA: Birim North District Assembly
- Region: Eastern Region
- Type of Assembly: District Assembly
- Capital: New Abirem
- Year Established: 1987 (Legislative Instrument 1422, carved out of Birim District Council)
The Birim North District Assembly (BNDA) is one of the administrative districts located in the Eastern Region of Ghana. It was originally established in 1987 under Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 1422. Following subsequent redelineations, including the carving out of the Akyemansa District in 2007, it continues to function as a vital local administrative authority under its establishing legal framework, with New Abirem serving as its administrative capital.
The District is situated in the north-western part of the Eastern Region. It shares boundaries with the Kwahu West Municipal Assembly and Kwahu South District to the north, Atiwa West District and Akyemansa District to the east, Birim Central Municipal Assembly to the south, and the Asante Akim South Municipal Assembly and Adansi South District (in the Ashanti Region) to the west. Positioned within the moist semi-deciduous forest belt, the District serves as a primary agricultural and mining node near the Ashanti Region border.
In terms of land area, the District covers approximately 550 square kilometres, comprising rich tropical forest cover, agricultural valleys, and mining concessions. The 2021 Population and Housing Census recorded a total population of 82,669, comprising 41,343 males and 41,326 females. Females therefore constituted approximately 49.99% of the population, compared with 50.01% males. The District is largely rural and semi-urban, with community growth strongly influenced by agricultural activities and large-scale gold mining operations.
The economy of Birim North is dual-powered, driven by large-scale commercial gold mining and extensive agricultural production. Agriculture employs a significant portion of the population, with cocoa, oil palm, citrus, and rubber cultivated as major cash crops, alongside food crops such as cassava, plantain, maize, and cocoyam. The presence of Newmont Golden Ridge Limited (Akyem Mine) makes the District one of Ghana’s premier gold-producing areas, generating substantial local economic activity, employment, and community development projects.
New Abirem is the District’s principal administrative, financial, and commercial capital. Other major communities and prominent settlements within the District include Nkamponase, Afosu, Noyem, Adausena, Hweehwee, Old Abirem, Mamanso, and Ntronang. Neighborhoods like New Abirem and Afosu function as central commercial and social nodes within the District.
Administratively, the Birim North District Assembly is the highest political, administrative, and planning authority within the District. The Assembly is responsible for local governance, spatial planning, social infrastructure provision, environmental management, public health, and internal revenue mobilization. The District operates through Area Councils, including the New Abirem Area Council and Afosu Area Council, to bring administration closer to community members.
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 Abirem Constituency. The General Assembly serves as the primary local decision-making and policy-formulating organ.
Birim North possesses significant natural, mineral, and socio-cultural assets. Key highlights include vast gold reserves, large-scale mining infrastructure, extensive cocoa plantations, oil palm processing enclaves, and strong traditional allegiances under the Kotoku and Bosome Traditional Councils. The traditional festivals celebrated across the communities highlight the District’s rich Akyem cultural identity.
The District faces environmental and socio-economic challenges, including environmental degradation from illegal small-scale mining (galamsey), pressure on local infrastructure due to population influx around mining enclaves, feeder road maintenance in agricultural zones, and the need for economic diversification beyond mining. However, its high cocoa production, substantial mineral royalties, active corporate social responsibility investments from large-scale mining, and fertile agricultural land offer strong opportunities for sustainable economic growth.
With New Abirem as its administrative capital, the Birim North District Assembly plays an important role in the Eastern Region. Its status as a major gold mining hub, combined with high agricultural output and a growing urban capital, makes it a vital resource-rich and agrarian district in Ghana.
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Population: 82,669
Male: 41,343
Female: 48,388
Female population share: 49.99%
Male population share: 50.01%
Land area: 550 km²
Capital: New Abirem
Area Councils: 2 (New Abirem Area Council, Afosu Area Council)
Parliamentary Constituency: 1 (Abirem Constituency)
Year established: 1987
Establishing legislation: L.I. 1422
Region: Eastern Region
- Total Land Area: ~ 550 km²
- Population: ~ 82,669 (2021 Census estimate)
- Major Towns/Communities: New Abirem, Afosu, Nkwateng, Mamanso, Ofoase, Akyem Ntronang
- Boundaries:
- North: Kwahu South District
- East: Atiwa West District
- West: Akyemansa District
- South: Birim Central Municipal Assembly
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- District Chief Executive (DCE): Hon. Hakeem Antwi Abdul
- Presiding Member: Elected from among Assembly Members
- Member of Parliament: Hon. Charles Asuako Owiredu (MP for Abirem Constituency)
- Assembly Structure: District Assembly with statutory sub-committees (Finance, Development Planning, Social Services, Works, Justice & Security)
- Assembly Membership: 26 elected members + government appointees + MP
- Key Sectors of Focus:
- Agriculture & Agribusiness – Cocoa, cassava, maize, plantain, and oil palm cultivation, with emphasis on agro-processing.
- Mining & Natural Resources – Regulation of small-scale mining and promotion of sustainable resource use.
- Infrastructure & Transport – Road rehabilitation, bridges, and improved transport systems to connect farming and mining 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.
- Mining: Formalization of small-scale mining, environmental monitoring, and alternative livelihood programmes for affected communities.
- Infrastructure: Rehabilitation of feeder roads linking New Abirem, Afosu, and surrounding communities; construction of bridges and culverts.
- Health: Upgrading New Abirem Government Hospital and establishment of new CHPS compounds in underserved rural communities.
- Education: ICT labs for schools, vocational training centers, and classroom blocks in New Abirem and Afosu.
- 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, plantain, and oil palm cultivation dominate, with New Abirem serving as a key trading hub.
- Mining – Small-scale gold mining and quarrying activities contribute to livelihoods, though requiring regulation for sustainability.
- Trading & commerce – Local markets in New Abirem, Afosu, and surrounding towns support vibrant trade in agricultural produce and goods.
- Small-scale agro-processing – Cassava flour, palm oil extraction, gari production, and maize milling.
- Artisanal activities – Carpentry, tailoring, mechanics, and small-scale manufacturing.
- Key Investment Opportunities:
- Agro-processing plants – Cocoa, cassava, palm oil, and maize processing for local and export markets.
- Market infrastructure – Modernization of New Abirem Market and satellite markets to boost trading activities.
- Agricultural mechanization – Tractor services, irrigation systems, and improved seed distribution.
- Mining & value addition – Sustainable mining practices, mineral processing, and alternative livelihoods.
- ICT & innovation hubs – Establishment of digital centers for youth training, entrepreneurship, and e-commerce.
- Eco-tourism – Development of tourism around forest reserves and cultural heritage sites.
- 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:
- New Abirem Government Hospital – The main referral hospital serving the district and surrounding communities.
- Afosu Health Centre – Provides outpatient, maternal, and child 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 New Abirem, Afosu, and surrounding towns.
- Senior High Schools – Institutions such as New Abirem SHS and Afosu SHS serve the district.
- Vocational & Technical Training – Skills centers supporting youth employment and entrepreneurship.
- Private Training Institutes – Offer ICT, business, and technical courses.
- Road Network Condition:
- Major Roads – New Abirem–Afosu 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 across farming and mining communities.
- Water & Sanitation Coverage:
- Water Supply – Boreholes, hand-dug wells, 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 like Zoomlion.
- 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 New Abirem and Afosu.
- Communal skips – Placed in densely populated areas to serve households without direct collection services.
- Recycling initiatives – Small-scale plastic recycling, composting, and school-based waste segregation projects.
- Challenges: Irregular collection schedules, inadequate disposal sites, and indiscriminate dumping in rural and mining communities.
- Climate Adaptation Efforts:
- Flood control – Construction of storm drains and desilting of waterways to reduce seasonal flooding in New Abirem and Afosu.
- 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, farming, and mining activities threaten forest reserves and river catchment areas.
- Flooding – Poor drainage systems in New Abirem and Afosu 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.
- Mining impacts – Small-scale mining activities contribute to land degradation, water pollution, and loss of biodiversity.
- Public Engagement Strategies:
- Town hall meetings – Regularly organized in New Abirem, Afosu, and surrounding communities to discuss budgets, development projects, and local concerns.
- Community durbars – Traditional gatherings used to engage residents, strengthen accountability, and solicit feedback on 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 and mining communities.
- Youth & Women Inclusion Mechanisms:
- Youth employment programs – Skills training, entrepreneurship support, and job creation initiatives targeting young farmers, miners, 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 New Abirem and Afosu.
- Youth councils – Platforms for young people to voice concerns and contribute to policy discussions.
| 1 | Adausena |
| 2 | Amoa |
| 3 | Kutenase/Asuabena |
| 4 | Nkwarteng |
| 5 | Praso |
| 6 | Amenam/Akrofonso |
| 7 | Amuana Praso-Ahen. |
| 8 | Nyafoman |
| 9 | Mamanso |
| 10 | Odontuase |
| 11 | Afosu-Ahebronum |
| 12 | Kyenkyenku |
| 13 | Pankese |
| 14 | Tweapease |
| 15 | Afosu |
| 16 | Nwinso/Noyem |
| 17 | Mpintimpi/Adadekrom |
| 18 | Hweakwae |
| 19 | New Abirem |
| 20 | Old Abirem-Gambia |
| 21 | Okaikrom/Abenaso |
| 22 | Akoase-Abuoso |
| 23 | Ntronang-Ahenbron |
| 24 | Akoasi Ahenbronum |
| 25 | Amuana Praso-Sant |
| 26 | Ntronang (Dadease) |