Fanteakwa South District Assembly
- Name of MMDA: Fanteakwa South District Assembly
- Region: Eastern Region
- Type of Assembly: District Assembly
- Capital: Osino
- Year Established: 2017 under Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2345; the district was carved out of the former Fanteakwa District and inaugurated in 2018.
The Fanteakwa South District Assembly (FSDA) is one of the administrative districts located in the Eastern Region of Ghana. The District was carved out of the former Fanteakwa District as part of Ghana’s decentralisation reforms and was established under Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2345 in 2018, with Osino serving as the administrative capital. The District was officially inaugurated on 15 March 2018, alongside other newly created Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies.
The District is situated in the central part of the Eastern Region and forms part of the agriculturally productive forest belt of the region. It shares boundaries with Kwahu South District to the north, Fanteakwa North District to the west, Abuakwa South Municipal Assembly to the south, and Atiwa East District to the east. The District’s location places it within an important agricultural corridor connecting several major districts in the Eastern Region. Its landscape consists largely of fertile agricultural areas, forest vegetation and numerous rural settlements.
In terms of land area, the Fanteakwa South District covers approximately 460 square kilometres according to the current District Assembly. The 2021 Population and Housing Census recorded a total population of 54,634, comprising 27,582 males and 27,052 females. Males therefore constituted approximately 50.5% of the population, compared with 49.5% females. The District is predominantly rural, with Osino being the principal urban locality and administrative centre. Most of the other settlements have relatively small populations and depend heavily on agriculture and related economic activities.
The economy of Fanteakwa South is predominantly agrarian, with agriculture employing approximately 60% of the employed population. The District produces a variety of cash and food crops, including cocoa, oil palm, citrus, cassava, maize, cocoyam, plantain and vegetables. Livestock rearing is also an important component of the agricultural economy, with farmers keeping sheep, goats, cattle, poultry, pigs and rabbits. The agricultural base provides considerable opportunities for agro-processing, food storage, value addition and commercial farming.
Osino is the District’s principal administrative, commercial and transportation centre. Other major communities and settlements include Akim Juaso, Saamang, Nsutam, Ofoase/Nkatease, Akyease, Abompe, Dwenase, Dome, Asuokorsu, Bontorsu, Maane/Kubease, Zongo/Ahenbrono, Adjeikrom, Ehiamenkyene, Asedja, Bepoase, Nsuta and Kankama. These communities form the core settlements of the Fanteakwa South District and are closely connected through agricultural, trading and social activities.
Administratively, the Fanteakwa South District Assembly is the highest political, administrative and developmental authority within the District. It exercises deliberative, legislative and executive functions and is responsible for local development planning, spatial planning, infrastructure provision, agriculture, sanitation, environmental management, public health, education support and internal revenue mobilisation. The Assembly operates through four Area Councils, which provide a decentralised framework for bringing local governance and development activities closer to residents. The Assembly has also worked to strengthen these sub-district structures as part of its efforts to deepen grassroots participation.
The Assembly’s governance structure comprises elected Assembly Members representing the District’s electoral areas, Government Appointees, the District Chief Executive (DCE) as the political and administrative head, and the Member of Parliament for the Fanteakwa South Constituency. The General Assembly serves as the principal deliberative and policy-formulating organ, supported by standing committees responsible for areas such as Finance and Administration, Works, Health and Sanitation, Education, Youth and Sports, and Agriculture and Environment. The Fanteakwa South Constituency has 18 electoral areas, which are also specified in the legal instrument establishing the District.
Fanteakwa South possesses significant agricultural, natural and cultural assets. One notable attraction is the Adjeikrom Cocoa Trail, which offers opportunities for cocoa farm tours, village experiences and mountain hiking. Adjeikrom’s cocoa-producing landscape provides a particularly strong foundation for agricultural tourism and community-based tourism. The District’s forested environment, traditional settlements and agricultural landscapes further enhance its potential for eco-tourism and rural tourism.
The District’s agricultural identity is also reflected in its active farmers’ organisations and agricultural programmes. The Assembly has supported initiatives involving coconut and oil palm seedlings, livestock production and climate-smart farming, while Farmers’ Day celebrations provide a platform for recognising outstanding farmers and promoting modern agricultural practices. The District’s fertile lands and crop diversity provide a foundation for strengthening food security and developing commercially oriented agriculture.
The District faces a number of development challenges, including poor feeder roads, inadequate market and storage infrastructure, limited agro-processing capacity, post-harvest losses and gaps in social infrastructure. The predominantly rural settlement pattern also creates challenges in extending roads, health facilities, educational infrastructure, water and sanitation services to smaller communities. The large network of feeder roads is particularly important because agricultural producers depend on these routes to transport farm produce to market centres.
Fanteakwa South nevertheless has strong opportunities for commercial agriculture, agro-processing, livestock production, agricultural tourism, rural enterprise development and local commerce. Cocoa, oil palm, citrus, cassava, maize, plantain, cocoyam and vegetables can support expanded processing and value addition, while markets at Ehiamenkyene, Hemang and Bosuso provide important outlets for agricultural produce. Improved feeder roads, storage facilities and processing infrastructure could significantly increase the economic returns from the District’s agricultural sector.
With Osino as its administrative capital, the Fanteakwa South District Assembly occupies an important position within the Eastern Region. Its combination of fertile agricultural land, strong farming communities, cocoa-producing areas, strategic location within the Eastern Region and emerging agricultural-tourism potential makes it an important rural development hub. Continued investment in roads, agro-processing, agriculture, education, health, sanitation and local enterprise development will be central to unlocking the District’s full development potential.
Key Profile Data
- Population: 54,634
- Male: 27,582
- Female: 27,052
- Male population share: 50.5%
- Female population share: 49.5%
- Land area: Approximately 460 km²
- Capital: Osino
- Area Councils: 4
- Electoral Areas: 18
- Parliamentary Constituency: 1 (Fanteakwa South Constituency)
- Year established: 2018
- Year inaugurated: 2018
- Establishing legislation: L.I. 2345
- Region: Eastern Region
- Parent Assembly: Former Fanteakwa District Assembly
- Major communities: Osino, Akim Juaso, Saamang, Nsutam, Ofoase/Nkatease, Akyease, Abompe, Dwenase, Dome, Bontorsu, Adjeikrom, Ehiamenkyene, Asedja, Bepoase, Nsuta and Kankama
- Major economic sectors: Agriculture, livestock production, commerce and small-scale enterprise
- Major crops: Cocoa, oil palm, citrus, cassava, maize, cocoyam, plantain and vegetables
- Major market centres: Ehiamenkyene, Hemang and Bosuso
- Major tourism asset: Adjeikrom Cocoa Trail
- Key development opportunities: Agro-processing, commercial agriculture, agricultural tourism, livestock production, rural enterprise and improved market infrastructure
- Total Land Area: 460 sq. km.
- Population: 54,634 (according to the 2021 Population and Housing Census, which projected it to 58,906 by 2025).
- Major Towns/Communities: Osino, Akim Juaso, Saamang, Nsutam, Ofoase, Nkatease, Akyease, Abompe, Dwenase, Dome, Asuokorsu, Bontorsu, Maane, Kubease, Zongo, Ahenbrono, Adjeikrom, Ehiamenkyene, Asedja, Bepoase, Nsuta and Kankama.
- Boundaries:
- North – Kwahu South District
- East – Atiwa East District
- West – Fanteakwa North District
- South – Abuakwa South Municipal Assembly
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- District Chief Executive (DCE): Hon. Mercy Korang
- Presiding Member: Hon. Emmanuel Padi
- Member of Parliament: Hon. Duke William Allen Kwame Amoako-Atta Ofori-Atta
- Assembly Structure: The Fanteakwa South District Assembly is the highest political, administrative and developmental authority in the district. It operates through the General Assembly, Executive Committee, statutory and other standing committees, the Central Administration and decentralized departments. Its grassroots governance structure includes Town/Area Councils and Unit Committees.
- Assembly Membership: The district has 18 electoral areas, each represented by an elected Assembly Member. The Assembly also includes government-appointed members, the DCE and the MP as an ex-officio member, in accordance with Ghana’s local government framework.
- Key Sectors of Focus:
- 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 Osino and other markets.
- Health & Social Services – Expansion of CHPS compounds, upgrading of Osino 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 Osino, Juaso, and surrounding farming communities; construction of bridges and culverts to reduce flooding.
- Health: Upgrading Osino 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.
- 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, oil palm, cassava, maize, plantain, and vegetable farming are the backbone of the district’s economy.
- Trading & commerce – Local markets in Osino, Juaso, and Nsutam facilitate vibrant trade in food crops, livestock, and household goods.
- Agro-processing – Cassava flour, palm oil extraction, gari production, and maize milling are common small-scale processing activities.
- Artisanal activities – Carpentry, tailoring, mechanics, and small-scale manufacturing provide employment.
- Mining – Small-scale gold mining and quarrying activities contribute to local livelihoods but require regulation for sustainability.
- Key Investment Opportunities:
- Agro-processing plants – Expansion of cassava, palm oil, and maize processing facilities for local consumption and export.
- Market infrastructure – Modernization of Osino Market and satellite markets to boost trading activities.
- Agricultural mechanization – Tractor services, irrigation systems, and improved seed distribution.
- Tourism development – Promotion of cultural heritage sites, eco-tourism initiatives, and hospitality services.
- ICT & innovation hubs – Establishment of digital centers for youth training, entrepreneurship, and e-commerce.
- Renewable energy projects – Solar and mini-hydro systems to support rural electrification and sustainable development.
- 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:
- Osino Health Centre – The main referral facility serving the district.
- Health Centres – Located in Juaso, Nsutam, and other communities, providing outpatient and maternal health services.
- CHPS Compounds – Spread across rural areas to deliver primary healthcare closer to residents.
- Private Clinics & Pharmacies – Complement government facilities with specialized care and laboratory services.
- Educational Institutions:
- Basic Schools – Numerous public and private primary and JHS across Osino and surrounding communities.
- Senior High Schools – Institutions such as Osino Presbyterian SHS serve the district.
- Vocational & Technical Training – Skills development centers focusing on carpentry, tailoring, ICT, and agriculture.
- Private Training Institutes – Provide ICT, business, and technical courses for youth employment.
- Road Network Condition:
- Major Roads – The Osino–Koforidua corridor is tarred but requires periodic maintenance.
- Feeder Roads – Many rural roads are untarred, becoming muddy and inaccessible during rainy seasons.
- Transport Challenges – Poor feeder roads affect access to farms, schools, and health facilities.
- Ongoing Projects: Road rehabilitation, culvert construction, and drainage works to improve connectivity and reduce flooding.
- Water & Sanitation Coverage:
- Water Supply – Boreholes, hand-dug wells, and small-town water systems provide potable water.
- Sanitation Facilities – Public toilets and household latrines expanded to reduce open defecation.
- Waste Management – Door-to-door collection in Osino township, 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 in Osino township to reduce indiscriminate dumping, supported by Zoomlion.
- Communal skips – Placed in densely populated areas to serve households without direct collection services.
- Recycling initiatives – School-based waste segregation, small-scale plastic recycling, and composting projects.
- Challenges: Irregular collection schedules, inadequate disposal sites, and poor compliance with sanitation bye-laws in rural communities.
- Climate Adaptation Efforts:
- Flood control – Construction of storm drains and desilting of waterways to reduce seasonal flooding in Osino, Juaso, and Nsutam.
- 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 settlement expansion threaten forest reserves and river catchment areas.
- Flooding – Poor drainage systems in Osino and riverine communities 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 biodiversity loss.
- Public Engagement Strategies:
- Town hall meetings – Regularly organized in Osino, Juaso, and Nsutam 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 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 trading communities.
- Youth & Women Inclusion Mechanisms:
- Youth employment programs – Skills training, entrepreneurship support, and job creation initiatives targeting young farmers, traders, 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 Osino and nearby towns.
- Youth councils – Platforms for young people to voice concerns and contribute to policy discussions.
| 1 | Akim Juaso |
| 2 | Saamang |
| 3 | Nsutam |
| 4 | Ofoase/Nkatease |
| 5 | Akyease |
| 6 | Abompe |
| 7 | Dwenase |
| 8 | Dome |
| 9 | Asuokorsu |
| 10 | Bontorsu |
| 11 | Maane/Kubease |
| 12 | Zongo/Ahenbrono |
| 13 | Adjeikrom |
| 14 | Ehiamenkyene |
| 15 | Asedja |
| 16 | Bepoase |
| 17 | Nsuta |
| 18 | Nkankama |