Year Established:1989 as a District Assembly. It was elevated to Municipal status in 2012 under Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2073
The Kpando Municipal Assembly is one of the administrative municipalities located in the Volta Region of Ghana. The Assembly originated as the Kpando District Assembly, established under Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 1463 of 1989. Following the creation of South Dayi District in 2004 and subsequently North Dayi District in 2012, the remaining Kpando District was elevated to municipal status under L.I. 2073 of 2012. Kpando serves as the administrative capital of the Municipality.
The Municipality is situated in the northern part of the Volta Region along the eastern shores of Lake Volta. It shares boundaries with Biakoye District to the north, Afadzato South District to the east, and North Dayi District to the south, while the Volta Lake forms its western boundary. The Municipality lies within Latitudes 6°55’N and 7°05’N and Longitude 0°23’E and is strategically positioned within the Volta corridor, providing connections to major centres including Ho, Hohoe and Dambai. The extensive Lake Volta frontage also gives Kpando potential for water transport, fishing, aquaculture, irrigation and tourism.
In terms of land area, the Municipality covers approximately 314.07 square kilometres, with almost 12% of its land area submerged by the Volta Lake. The 2021 Population and Housing Census recorded a total population of 58,552, comprising 29,294 males and 29,258 females. Males and females therefore each accounted for approximately 50.0% of the population. The census recorded about 27,983 people in urban areas and 30,569 in rural areas, giving the Municipality a mixed urban-rural character.
The economy of Kpando is driven by services, agriculture, fishing, commerce, agro-processing, handicrafts and small-scale manufacturing. The service sector accounts for the largest share of employment, while agriculture, forestry and fishing also provide livelihoods for a substantial proportion of residents. The fertile basin of the River Dayi supports the cultivation of maize, cassava, yam, vegetables and other food crops, while the Volta Lake provides opportunities for fishing and aquaculture. The Municipality also has deposits of clay around Kpando, Gbefi and Kudzra, which have potential for pottery, ceramics, bricks and tiles. Local informal industries include cassava processing into gari and chips, palm-oil extraction, fish processing, blacksmithing, welding, wood carving, pottery and weaving.
Kpando, the Municipal capital, is the principal administrative, commercial and service centre of the Municipality. Other important communities include Gbefi, Sovie, Torkor, Fesi, Dzoanti, Gadza, Agbenoxoe, Kudzra, Dzigbe, Aziave and Dafor. The Kpando Main Market is the largest market in the Municipality and serves communities beyond the municipal boundaries, attracting traders from neighbouring municipalities and districts. The Torkor Market, which developed around the fishing economy, is another important commercial centre, particularly for communities along the Volta Lake.
Administratively, the Kpando Municipal Assembly is the highest political, administrative and planning authority within the Municipality. It is responsible for coordinating local development, physical planning, infrastructure provision, sanitation, public health, agriculture, roads, social services and economic development. The Assembly operates through three Zonal Councils, namely the Kpando, Gbefi and Sovie Zonal Councils, supported by Unit Committees at the community level. The Municipality also has decentralised departments that support the Assembly in delivering its statutory responsibilities.
The Assembly’s governance structure comprises elected Assembly Members, Government Appointees, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), and the Member of Parliament for the Kpando Constituency. The Assembly currently has 19 elected members and 9 Government Appointees, alongside the MCE and MP in the Assembly’s governance structure. The General Assembly is the principal deliberative and decision-making body, while an Executive Committee chaired by the MCE coordinates implementation of Assembly decisions. The current MCE is Hon. Killian Donkor, while Hon. Agboka Timothy has served as Presiding Member in the Assembly’s recent official activities. The current Member of Parliament for Kpando is Hon. Sebastian Deh.
Kpando possesses significant natural, historical and cultural assets that provide a foundation for tourism development. The scenic Volta Lake and its islands, particularly around Kpando Torkor, are among its most prominent natural attractions. Other attractions include the historic German colonial administrative remains at Kpando Todzi, Fesi Pottery Village, the grottoes at Agbenoxoe and Kpando Aziave, Melili Peninsula at Torkor, and traditional handicraft production. The Municipality’s cultural heritage is further expressed through festivals such as Sasaduza, Danyigbakaka and Duawokpeza, with the famous Borborbor dance forming an important part of local cultural expression.
The Municipality faces development challenges including poor road conditions, inadequate infrastructure in some rural communities, sanitation and waste-management pressures, limited investment in tourism, agricultural constraints, inadequate post-harvest facilities, and environmental pressures around the Volta Lake and River Dayi. The Assembly’s road network covers approximately 242 kilometres, of which a significant proportion remains unpaved. Climate variability, limited access to finance and post-harvest challenges also affect agricultural productivity. Recent development interventions have included investments in educational facilities, healthcare infrastructure, police facilities and community-level infrastructure.
Despite these challenges, Kpando has considerable opportunities for agriculture and agro-processing, aquaculture and fisheries, lake-based tourism, pottery and ceramics, handicrafts, commerce, hospitality, transport and small-scale manufacturing. Its location on the Volta Lake provides opportunities for expanded water transport and tourism, while its agricultural resources support food production and value-added processing. The Municipality’s strategic location within the Volta corridor, combined with its cultural heritage, lakeside landscape and entrepreneurial base, provides a foundation for broader private-sector investment and local economic development.
With Kpando as its administrative capital, the Kpando Municipal Assembly occupies an important position in the northern part of the Volta Region. Its combination of Lake Volta resources, agricultural potential, commercial activity, traditional heritage, tourism assets and strategic transport connections makes it an important administrative and economic centre within the region. The Municipality’s future development potential is closely linked to the sustainable utilisation of its water resources, agricultural land, cultural heritage and local enterprise base.
Key Profile Data
Population: 58,552
Male: 29,294
Female: 29,258
Female population share: 50.0%
Male population share: 50.0%
Urban population: 27,983
Rural population: 30,569
Land area: 314.07 km²
Capital: Kpando
Zonal Councils: 3 (Kpando, Gbefi, Sovie)
Assembly membership: 19 elected + 9 Government Appointees
Year established: 1989 as Kpando District Assembly
Year elevated to Municipal status: 2012
Establishing legislation: L.I. 2073 for municipal status
Original district legislation: L.I. 1463 of 1989
Region: Volta Region
Major natural resource: Volta Lake
Major traditional/cultural attractions: Kpando Torkor, Fesi Pottery Village, Kpando Todzi historic site, Agbenoxoe and Aziave grottoes, Sasaduza and Danyigbakaka festivals
Total Land Area: Approximately 314.07 sq. km. The Volta Lake occupies about 12% of the Municipality’s land area and forms its western boundary.
Population:58,552, according to the 2021 Population and Housing Census. The Assembly’s 2026 budget projects the population at approximately 64,630 for 2025.
Major Towns/Communities: Kpando, Kpando-Torkor, Gbefi, Sovie, Dzoanti, Dafor, Kudzra, Aziave, Fesi, Agbenoxoe, Dzigbe, Sovie-Nyewedome and surrounding communities. The Municipality’s major traditional areas are Kpando, Gbefi and Sovie.
Municipal Chief Executive (MCE):Hon. Killian Donkor
Presiding Member:Hon. Agboka Timothy
Member of Parliament:Hon. Sebastian Deh, (MP for the Kpando Constituency)
Assembly Structure: The Assembly is the highest political, administrative and planning authority in the Municipality. Its structure comprises the General Assembly, Presiding Member, Executive Committee, statutory sub-committees, Municipal Coordinating Directorate and decentralised departments and units. It operates through three Zonal Councils: Kpando, Gbefi and Sovie, together with Unit Committees in the communities.
Assembly Membership: The Assembly comprises 19 elected members and 9 government-appointed members, giving 28 elected and appointed Assembly Members. The MCE and MP form part of the broader institutional composition.
Agriculture – Cocoa, maize, cassava, rice, and vegetable farming dominate livelihoods, with livestock rearing (goats, sheep, poultry) also common.
Fishing – Artisanal fishing activities along Lake Volta, providing fresh fish for local consumption and trade.
Trading & commerce – Kpando Central Market and satellite markets in Gbefi and Tafi serve as major trading hubs for food crops, livestock, and household goods.
Kpando Health Centre – The main municipal facility offering outpatient services, maternal and child health, and minor surgical procedures.
Margaret Marquart Catholic Hospital – A major referral hospital providing comprehensive healthcare, including surgery, laboratory, and specialized services.
CHPS Compounds – Located in rural communities such as Gbefi, Tafi, and Anfoega, offering primary healthcare, immunization, and family planning.
Private Clinics – Complement public facilities with maternal care, laboratory services, and emergency response.
Challenges: Shortage of medical staff, inadequate equipment in rural facilities, and limited ambulance services.
Educational Institutions:
Senior High Schools – Institutions such as Kpando Senior High School and Tafi Senior High Technical School provide second-cycle education.
Basic Schools – Numerous public and private primary and JHS across Kpando township, Gbefi, and Tafi.
Vocational & Technical Training – Centres offering carpentry, tailoring, mechanics, ICT, and artisanal training.
Teacher Training Colleges – Institutions like Law Memorial College provide teacher education and professional development.
Challenges: Overcrowding in urban schools, inadequate classroom blocks, and limited ICT facilities in rural schools.
Road Network Condition:
Major Roads – The Hohoe–Kpando corridor serves as a key transport route, though some sections suffer potholes and erosion.
Township Roads – Rehabilitation projects ongoing in Kpando township to improve mobility.
Feeder Roads – Many rural roads remain untarred, becoming impassable during rainy seasons, especially in farming communities.
Challenges: Poor maintenance, flooding, and limited connectivity between farming communities and markets.
Water & Sanitation Coverage:
Boreholes – Mechanized boreholes provide water to peri-urban and rural communities.
Public Toilets – Available in urban centres, though rural areas still face open defecation challenges.
Waste Management – Refuse collection services concentrated in Kpando township, with sanitation exercises in smaller communities.
Drainage Systems – Ongoing construction of storm drains to reduce flooding in low-lying areas.
Challenges: Inadequate coverage, poor maintenance, and need for improved hygiene education.
Community durbars – Traditional gatherings in Kpando township, Gbefi, and Tafi where chiefs, Assembly members, and residents deliberate on development priorities.
Town hall meetings – Quarterly forums organized by the Assembly to present budgets, project updates, and receive citizen feedback.
Radio and local media – Local FM stations broadcast Assembly announcements, civic education, and interactive programmes for community input.
Participatory planning – Citizens involved in prioritizing projects such as road rehabilitation, school expansion, and sanitation initiatives.
Feedback mechanisms – Suggestion boxes at the Assembly office, complaint desks at zonal councils, and liaison officers documenting community concerns.
Digital platforms – WhatsApp groups for youth and traders, Facebook pages for Assembly updates, and SMS alerts for sanitation exercises or health campaigns.
Stakeholder consultations – Engagement with NGOs, CSOs, religious leaders, and traditional authorities to co-design development programmes.
Youth & Women Inclusion Mechanisms:
Youth empowerment programmes – Skills training in ICT, carpentry, tailoring, and entrepreneurship, with youth involvement in decision-making committees.
Women’s cooperatives – Platforms for women traders, farmers, and artisans to access credit, training, and advocacy.
Gender mainstreaming – Ensuring women’s representation in Assembly sub-committees and leadership roles.
Youth councils – Formal structures for young people to contribute to local governance and community development.
Social protection initiatives – Targeted support for vulnerable women and youth, including livelihood programmes, scholarships, and microfinance access.
