Year Established:2004, under Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 1753. The District was carved out of the former Kpando District and inaugurated on 24 August 2004
The South Dayi District Assembly (SDDA) is one of the administrative districts located in the Volta Region of Ghana. The District was carved out of the former Kpando District and established in 2004 under Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 1753, with the District formally inaugurated on 24 August 2004. Kpeve New Town serves as the administrative capital, where the District Assembly’s offices are located. The creation of South Dayi formed part of Ghana’s decentralisation programme aimed at bringing governance and development administration closer to local communities.
The District is situated in the central-southern portion of the Volta Region and occupies an important position between the Volta Lake and the Akwapim-Togo-Atakora mountain range. It shares boundaries with Kpando Municipal and Afadzato South District to the north, Ho West District to the east, and Asuogyaman District to the south, while the Volta Lake forms its western boundary. The District is accessible through major road corridors linking Kpando, Kpeve, Peki, Hohoe and Ho, while the Volta Lake provides an important geographical and economic resource for fishing, water transport, aquaculture and tourism.
In terms of land area, the District covers approximately 358.3 square kilometres, with about 20% of its area submerged by the Volta Lake. Its landscape is characterised by undulating terrain, valleys, ridges, hills and sections of the Akwapim-Togo-Atakora range. The 2021 Population and Housing Census recorded a total population of 57,526, comprising 28,721 males and 28,805 females. Females therefore constituted approximately 50.1% of the population, compared with 49.9% males. The District has a predominantly rural character, with approximately 68.3% of its population living in rural areas and 31.7% in urban areas.
The economy of South Dayi is predominantly driven by agriculture, commerce, fishing, livestock production and small-scale enterprise. Agriculture employs more than 43% of the working population and remains the principal source of livelihoods in the District. Major crops include maize, rice, cowpea and cassava, while the ecological conditions also support tree crops such as cashew, oil palm, coconut and citrus. Fishing is particularly important to communities along the Volta Lake, with Dzemeni serving as a major fish landing and marketing centre. The District also has opportunities for agricultural mechanisation, irrigation, aquaculture and agro-processing.
Kpeve New Town is the District’s principal administrative centre, while Peki serves as one of its major population, educational and commercial centres. Other important communities include Peki Avetile, Peki Dzake, Peki Blengo, Peki Adzokoe, Peki Wudome, Peki Dzogbati, Peki Sanga, Todome, Wegbe Kpalime, Dzemeni, Kpalime Duga, Tsatee, Tsiyinu, Tongor Tsanakpe and Tongor Dzemeni. The District’s three major markets are located at Kpeve, Dzemeni and Gbi/Peki, with Dzemeni particularly important for fish trading and lakeside commerce.
Administratively, the South Dayi District Assembly is the highest political, administrative and planning authority within the District. It is responsible for local development planning, infrastructure provision, spatial planning, environmental management, public health, education, sanitation, agricultural development and local economic development. The District operates through decentralised sub-district structures that bring administration and development planning closer to communities. The Assembly’s current official history identifies the Peki Town Council and Tongor Kaira Area Council as its two sub-district structures, with Peki headquartered at Peki Avetile and the Tongor structure serving communities around Dzemeni and the surrounding area.
The Assembly’s governance structure comprises elected Assembly Members representing the District’s 21 electoral areas, Government Appointees, the District Chief Executive (DCE) as the political and administrative head, and the Member of Parliament for the South Dayi Constituency. The General Assembly serves as the principal deliberative and decision-making organ, supported by the Executive Committee and statutory sub-committees. The current DCE is Hon. Courage Kwame Kokroko, who was appointed in April 2025. The current Presiding Member is Hon. George Lotsoo Bada, while the Member of Parliament for the South Dayi Constituency is Hon. Rockson-Nelson Etse K. Dafeamekpor. The 2026 Composite Budget records the Assembly as having 31 members for its legislative oversight functions.
South Dayi possesses significant natural, cultural, educational and tourism assets. The Volta Lake is one of its most important natural resources, supporting fishing, lake transport, aquaculture and water-based tourism. The District’s mountainous and undulating landscape also provides opportunities for hiking, sightseeing and eco-tourism. Important cultural attractions include the Peki Traditional Council, as well as the traditional areas of Kpeve, Kpalime and Tongor. The District celebrates festivals including Gbi-Dukorza in the Peki Traditional Area, Kpalikpakpaza in the Kpalime Traditional Area, Zendo in the Kpeve Traditional Area and Dunenyoza in the Tongor Traditional Area. Peki also has an important educational heritage, including Peki College of Education, while the District hosts several senior high and technical institutions.
The District faces several development challenges, including inadequate agricultural mechanisation, limited access to finance for businesses, poor market infrastructure, inadequate health and educational infrastructure, inadequate potable water, sanitation challenges, weak child protection systems and limited revenue mobilisation. Electricity coverage has improved but some communities remain unconnected to the national grid. Water supply is also uneven, with the Assembly reporting challenges concerning the reliability and sustainability of some boreholes. Environmental pressures include forest degradation resulting from logging, poor farming practices and bush burning, while the District’s mountainous and low-lying areas can experience flooding during heavy rainfall.
Despite these challenges, South Dayi has considerable opportunities for agriculture and agro-processing, fisheries and aquaculture, commercial activity, tourism, education, lake transport and private-sector investment. Its agricultural base provides opportunities for expanding production of maize, rice, cassava, cowpea, cashew, oil palm, coconut and citrus, while the Volta Lake provides a platform for fishing, fish farming, irrigation and water-based tourism. The District’s strategic road connections, including the routes through Kpeve, Peki and the Eastern Corridor, strengthen its potential as a commercial and transportation link. The development of markets, including the ongoing expansion of Kpeve and Dzemeni facilities, also provides opportunities to strengthen local commerce and revenue generation.
With Kpeve New Town as its administrative capital, the South Dayi District Assembly occupies an important position within the Volta Region. Its combination of agricultural resources, Volta Lake frontage, commercial markets, educational institutions, traditional heritage, mountain landscapes and strategic road connections provides a foundation for diversified local economic development. The sustainable development of agriculture, fisheries, tourism, infrastructure and commerce remains central to unlocking the District’s potential while improving livelihoods and strengthening social services.
Key Profile Data
Population: 57,526
Male: 28,721
Female: 28,805
Female population share: 50.1%
Male population share: 49.9%
Urban population: Approximately 31.7%
Rural population: Approximately 68.3%
Land area: 358.3 km²
Capital: Kpeve New Town
Sub-district structures: 2
Peki Town Council
Tongor Kaira Area Council
Electoral Areas: 21
Assembly membership: 31 members, according to the 2026 Composite Budget
Parliamentary Constituency: 1 (South Dayi Constituency)
DCE: Hon. Courage Kwame Kokroko
Presiding Member: Hon. George Lotsoo Bada
Member of Parliament: Hon. Rockson-Nelson Etse K. Dafeamekpor
Year established: 2004
Establishing legislation: L.I. 1753
Date inaugurated: 24 August 2004
Region: Volta Region
Major natural resource: Volta Lake
Major markets: Kpeve, Dzemeni and Gbi/Peki
Traditional areas: Peki, Kpeve, Kpalime and Tongor
Major festivals: Gbi-Dukorza, Kpalikpakpaza, Zendo and Dunenyoza
District Chief Executive (DCE):Hon. Courage Kwame Kokroko
Presiding Member:Hon. George Lotsoo Bada
Member of Parliament:Hon. Rockson-Nelson Kwami Dafeamekpor, (MP for the South Dayi Constituency)
Assembly Structure: The Assembly is the highest political and administrative authority in the District. Its structure comprises the General Assembly, Presiding Member, Executive Committee, statutory sub-committees, District Coordinating Directorate and decentralised departments. The District operates through two sub-district structures: the Peki Town Council and Tongor-Kaira Area Council.
Assembly Membership: The District has 21 electoral areas, thus having 21 elected members and 9 appointed members, giving 30 elected/appointed Assembly Members, with the DCE forming part of the Assembly structure and the MP serving as an ex-officio member without voting rights.
Agriculture – Cassava, maize, rice, yam, and vegetable farming dominate livelihoods, with livestock rearing (goats, sheep, poultry) also common.
Fishing – Artisanal fishing activities along Lake Volta, especially in Dzemeni, provide fresh fish for local consumption and trade.
Trading & commerce – Dzemeni Market is a major trading hub for food crops, fish, livestock, and household goods, attracting traders from across the Volta Region.
Community durbars – Traditional gatherings in Kpeve, Todome, and Dzemeni 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.
