Twifo Atti Morkwa District Assembly
- Name of MMDA: Twifo Atti Morkwa District Assembly
- Region: Central Region
- Type of Assembly: District
- Capital: Twifo Praso
- Year Established: 2012, established under Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2023 following the division of the former Twifo-Hemang-Lower Denkyira District into the Twifo Atti Morkwa District and Hemang Lower Denkyira District.
The Twifo/Ati-Morkwa District Assembly is one of the administrative districts located in the Central Region of Ghana. The District was carved out of the former Twifo-Hemang-Lower Denkyira District in 2012 and established under Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2023, with Twifo Praso serving as its administrative capital. The creation of the District formed part of Ghana’s decentralisation programme and was intended to bring local governance and development administration closer to the people of the Twifo and Ati-Morkwa areas.
The District is situated in the north-western portion of the Central Region. It shares boundaries with the Upper Denkyira East Municipal Assembly to the north, Hemang Lower Denkyira District to the south, Wassa East District in the Western Region to the west, and Assin North and Assin South Districts to the east. Its location within the forest belt of southern Ghana and its connections to major routes linking Cape Coast, Twifo Praso and the Western Region give it an important agricultural, commercial and transport role within the Central Region.
In terms of land area, the District covers approximately 956 square kilometres. The 2021 Population and Housing Census recorded a total population of 100,851, comprising approximately 49,998 males and 50,853 females. Females therefore constituted approximately 50.4% of the population, compared with 49.6% males. The District has a predominantly rural settlement pattern, with approximately 26.5% of the population living in urban areas and 73.5% in rural areas. The forested landscape, extensive agricultural areas and dispersed settlements contribute to this predominantly rural character.
The economy of Twifo/Ati-Morkwa is predominantly agrarian, with agriculture serving as the major occupational activity. Crop farming, livestock rearing and tree-crop cultivation are widely practised, with cocoa and oil palm being particularly important commercial crops. The District’s agricultural base also provides opportunities for food-crop production, agro-processing and the establishment of agro-based small-scale industries. In addition to agriculture, trading and other economic and financial services contribute to the local economy, particularly in Twifo Praso and other major settlements.
Twifo Praso is the District’s principal administrative and commercial capital and serves as the main centre for government administration, trade and economic activity. Other important communities and settlements include Twifo Mampong, Twifo Agona, Twifo Wamaso, Twifo Nyinase, Aboso, Nuamakrom, Agyeikrom, Awiesu, Merekokrom, Asenso and Bonsaho. Twifo Praso is particularly significant as a market centre, with the District Assembly identifying its market as one of the major markets in the Central Region, attracting traders from neighbouring districts and other parts of the region.
Administratively, the Twifo/Ati-Morkwa District Assembly is the highest political, administrative and planning authority within the District. It is responsible for local development planning, physical and spatial planning, infrastructure provision, environmental management, public health, sanitation, education support, agricultural development and local revenue mobilisation. The District operates through five Area Councils, namely Twifo Praso, Twifo Mampong, Twifo Agona, Twifo Wamaso and Twifo Nyinase, which facilitate grassroots administration and community participation in development activities.
The Assembly’s governance structure comprises elected Assembly Members representing the various electoral areas, Government Appointees, the District Chief Executive (DCE) as the political and administrative head, and the Member of Parliament for the Twifo/Ati-Morkwa Constituency. The General Assembly serves as the principal local decision-making and policy-formulating organ. The Assembly has 28 elected members and 13 Government Appointees, alongside the DCE and Member of Parliament in the wider Assembly structure. The current DCE is Hon. Isaac Yawson, who was confirmed to the position on 17 April 2025, while the current Member of Parliament is Hon. David T. D. Vondee.
Twifo/Ati-Morkwa possesses notable natural, cultural and tourism resources. The District’s densely forested landscape, the Pra River, distinctive rock formations and traditional sites provide a foundation for tourism and environmental conservation. Identified attractions include the snake-like palm tree at Canaan, the Oven Cage at Canaan, the natural footbridge over the Pra River at Tufoi, the strange rock outcrop at Nuamakrom and the ancestral cave at Mintaso. The District is also traditionally associated with the Ati-Morkwa and Mampong paramountcies, while the Afahye Festival forms part of its cultural heritage.
The District faces a number of development and environmental challenges, including poor feeder-road infrastructure, inadequate educational and health facilities, limited agricultural mechanisation, inadequate potable-water facilities, waste-management difficulties and environmental degradation. The 2026 Composite Budget indicates that the District has approximately 323.5 kilometres of roads, of which about 66% are feeder roads, and notes that roughly 75% of the feeder-road network is in poor condition. The extensive forest cover is also under pressure from timber extraction, illegal chainsaw operations, farming and small-scale mining.
Despite these challenges, Twifo/Ati-Morkwa has considerable opportunities for sustainable economic development. Its extensive agricultural land and established cocoa and oil-palm sectors provide opportunities for agro-processing, value addition, commercial agriculture and rural enterprise development. The District’s forest resources, Pra River, distinctive geological formations and cultural heritage provide opportunities for eco-tourism and heritage tourism, while its large market at Twifo Praso supports trade and regional commerce. The Assembly has also identified opportunities for agro-based small-scale industries and has undertaken initiatives including the distribution of 58,928 oil-palm seedlings and 12,000 coconut seedlings to farmers.
With Twifo Praso as its administrative capital, the Twifo/Ati-Morkwa District Assembly occupies an important position within the Central Region’s agricultural and commercial landscape. Its extensive forest and agricultural resources, strategic road connections, major market centre, traditional institutions and emerging tourism assets provide a strong foundation for local economic development. The sustainable development of agriculture, agro-processing, roads, water, tourism and environmental resources remains central to unlocking the District’s wider socio-economic potential.
Key Profile Data
- Name of MMDA: Twifo/Ati-Morkwa District Assembly
- Region: Central Region
- Type of Assembly: District
- Capital: Twifo Praso
- Year Established: 2012
- Establishing Legislation: L.I. 2023
- Parent District: Former Twifo-Hemang-Lower Denkyira District
- Population: 100,851
- Male: 49,998
- Female: 50,853
- Female Population Share: 50.4%
- Male Population Share: 49.6%
- Urban Population: 26.5%
- Rural Population: 73.5%
- Land Area: 956 km²
- Area Councils: 5
- Parliamentary Constituency: 1, Twifo/Ati-Morkwa Constituency
- Elected Assembly Members: 28
- Government Appointees: 13
- District Chief Executive: Hon. Isaac Yawson
- Member of Parliament: Hon. David T. D. Vondee
- Traditional Paramountcies: Ati-Morkwa and Mampong
- Total Land Area: Approximately 956 sq. km.
- Population: 100,851 according to the 2021 Population and Housing Census. The Assembly’s 2026 budget projects the population to reach 125,072 in 2026.
- Major Towns/Communities: Twifo Praso, Twifo Mampong, Nyinase, Wamaso, Agona, Morkwa, Darmang, Ntafrewaso, Tufoi, Aboabo, Moseaso, Nuamakrom, Adiembra, Ayaase and Hemanso.
- Boundaries:
- North: Upper Denkyira East Municipal Assembly
- East: Assin Foso Municipal Assembly and Assin South District Assembly
- West: Mpohor-Wassa East area
- South: Hemang Lower Denkyira District, Cape Coast Metropolitan Assembly and Komenda Edina Eguafo Abirem Municipal Assembly.
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- District Chief Executive (DCE): Hon. Isaac Yawson
- Presiding Member: Hon. Daniel Agbodza
- Member of Parliament: Hon. David Theophilus Dominic Vondee, (MP for the Twifo Atti Morkwa Constituency)
- Assembly Structure: The Assembly operates through the General Assembly, Presiding Member, Executive Committee, statutory sub-committees, District Coordinating Directorate and decentralized departments. Its five statutory sub-committees are Finance and Administration, Social Services, Works, Development Planning, and Justice and Security. The district has five Area Councils: Praso, Nyinase, Wamaso, Agona and Mampong, together with Unit Committees.
- Assembly Membership: The 2026 Composite Budget records 28 elected Assembly Members and 13 government-appointed members, giving 41 elected and appointed Assembly Members. The DCE forms part of the Assembly’s institutional composition, while the MP is an ex-officio member. The district has 28 electoral areas.
- Key Sectors of Focus:
- Local Economic Development: Business forums, market construction, and support for community-led enterprises.
- Education: Classroom block construction, provision of school furniture, support for brilliant but needy students, and educational events.
- Health: CHPS compound construction, facility renovation, disease prevention campaigns, and strengthening district health management.
- Water and Sanitation: Borehole construction/repairs, toilet facilities, sanitation exercises, fumigation, waste management, and water management team training.
- Agriculture: Farmer training, farm visits, seedling distribution, tree planting, and Farmers’ Day celebrations.
- Disaster Management: Campaigns, waterway dredging, anti–illegal mining support, and risk reduction committees.
- Roads and Infrastructure: Culvert construction, road safety sensitization, and physical planning (street naming, signage).
- Social Welfare: Support for persons with disabilities, child rights promotion, gender-based violence prevention, and community sensitization.
- Governance and Administration: Capacity building, assembly meetings, project monitoring, budget preparation, revenue mobilization, and property valuation.
- Flagship Projects & Programmes:
- Construction of modern markets to boost trade and local economic activity.
- Completion of classroom blocks and CHPS compounds to expand access to education and healthcare.
- Water and sanitation infrastructure expansion, including boreholes and toilets, to improve hygiene and reduce disease.
- Agricultural modernization programmes with seedling distribution and farmer training to increase productivity.
- Disaster risk reduction initiatives, including dredging waterways and anti–illegal mining campaigns.
- Road and culvert construction projects to improve connectivity and reduce flooding.
- Social protection programmes for vulnerable groups, especially persons with disabilities and children.
- SDGs Alignment:
- SDG 1 (No Poverty): Local economic development and social welfare support.
- SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): CHPS compounds, disease prevention, sanitation improvements.
- SDG 4 (Quality Education): Classroom blocks, school furniture, scholarships for needy students.
- SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation): Boreholes, toilets, waste management systems.
- SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): Business forums, market construction, farmer training.
- SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure): Road and culvert construction, signage, physical planning.
- SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): Disaster management, anti–illegal mining, community sensitization.
- SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions): Governance reforms, capacity building, accountability mechanisms.
- Main Economic Activities:
- Agriculture – Cocoa, oil palm, cassava, maize, plantain, and vegetables dominate farming activities, supported by fertile soils and rainfall.
- Trading & commerce – Local markets in Twifo Praso and surrounding communities 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.
- Tourism – Natural attractions, cultural festivals, and eco-tourism sites offer potential for growth.
- Key Investment Opportunities:
- Agro-processing plants – Expansion of cassava, palm oil, and maize processing facilities for local consumption and export.
- Market infrastructure – Modernization of Twifo Praso Market and satellite markets to boost trading activities.
- Agricultural mechanization – Tractor services, irrigation systems, and improved seed distribution.
- Tourism development – Promotion of eco-tourism initiatives, cultural heritage sites, and hospitality services.
- Renewable energy projects – Solar and mini-hydro systems to support rural electrification and sustainable development.
- ICT & innovation hubs – Establishment of digital centers for youth training, entrepreneurship, and e-commerce.
- 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:
- CHPS Compounds – Several functional compounds across communities, though some require expansion and equipment.
- Health Centres – District health centres provide maternal, child health, and outpatient services.
- District Hospital – Located in Twifo Praso, serving as the main referral facility.
- Challenges – Inadequate staff, limited medical supplies, and need for improved emergency services.
- Educational Institutions:
- Basic Schools – Public and private primary and JHS across communities.
- Senior High Schools – Twifo Praso SHS and other second-cycle institutions.
- Vocational/Technical Training – Skills training centres for youth in carpentry, tailoring, and ICT.
- Challenges – Inadequate classroom blocks, furniture shortages, and high student-teacher ratios.
- Road Network Condition:
- Major Roads – Twifo Praso–Cape Coast road is a key artery, though sections suffer potholes and erosion.
- Feeder Roads – Many rural roads are untarred, becoming impassable during rainy seasons.
- Ongoing Works – Culvert construction and road safety sensitization programmes.
- Challenges – Poor maintenance, flooding, and limited connectivity between farming communities and markets.
- Water & Sanitation Coverage:
- Boreholes – Widespread reliance on boreholes, with ongoing repairs and new installations.
- Toilet Facilities – Public toilets in towns, but rural areas still face open defecation challenges.
- Waste Management – Sanitation exercises, fumigation, and refuse collection services.
- Water Management Teams – Community-based groups trained to oversee water systems.
- Challenges – Inadequate coverage, poor maintenance, and need for improved hygiene education.
- Waste Management Systems:
- Solid waste collection – Regular refuse collection in Twifo Praso and major towns, though rural coverage remains limited.
- Sanitation exercises – Community clean-up campaigns and fumigation to reduce disease outbreaks.
- Waste disposal sites – Designated dumping sites, but many require proper engineering and maintenance.
- Community-based management – Local water and sanitation teams trained to oversee boreholes and waste systems.
- Climate Adaptation Efforts:
- Tree planting campaigns – Distribution of seedlings to farmers and schools to restore degraded lands.
- Farmer training – Capacity building on climate-smart agriculture, soil conservation, and water management.
- Disaster risk reduction – Dredging waterways, anti–illegal mining campaigns, and community sensitization.
- Renewable energy promotion – Encouraging solar energy adoption to reduce reliance on unsustainable sources.
- Environmental Challenges:
- Illegal mining (galamsey) – Causes river pollution, deforestation, and loss of arable land.
- Deforestation – Driven by logging, farming expansion, and charcoal production.
- Flooding – Poor drainage and heavy rainfall lead to seasonal floods in low-lying areas.
- Waste disposal issues – Inadequate engineered landfill sites and poor household waste segregation.
- Climate variability – Unpredictable rainfall patterns affecting cocoa and food crop yields.
- Public Engagement Strategies:
- Community durbars – Traditional gatherings used to share development plans, gather feedback, and strengthen accountability.
- Town hall meetings – Regular forums where citizens interact directly with Assembly officials on policies and projects.
- Radio and local media – Public education and announcements through community FM stations to reach wider audiences.
- Participatory budgeting – Inclusion of community priorities in annual budgets through stakeholder consultations.
- Feedback mechanisms – Complaint desks, suggestion boxes, and community liaison officers to ensure citizen concerns are addressed.
- Youth & Women Inclusion Mechanisms:
- Youth empowerment programmes – Skills training, entrepreneurship support, and involvement in decision-making committees.
- Women’s groups and 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 and scholarships.
| 1. | Praso Old Town |
| 2. | Darmang/Kojokrom |
| 3. | Esikafo Ambantem |
| 4. | Twifo Praso No. 1 Village |
| 5. | Nuamakrom/Afosua |
| 6. | Akweikrom/Mile 34 |
| 7. | Bimponso/Nkwantwim |
| 8. | Ntiamoakrom |
| 9. | Bimpong Egya |
| 10. | Asenuho Agave |
| 11. | Mampong West |
| 12. | Mampong East |
| 13. | Eduabeng/Kwankyako |
| 14. | Ntafrewaso/T.O.P.P. |
| 15. | Nyinase Town |
| 16. | Edugyaa |
| 17. | Kayireku/Ashire |
| 18. | Moseaso/Somnyamekodur |
| 19. | Wamaso West |
| 20. | Wamaso East |
| 21. | Mampoma/Aboabo |
| 22. | Subriso/Oseneagya |
| 23. | Ayaase/Bepoben |
| 24. | Morkwaa/Sebenso |
| 25. | Agona |
| 26. | Djatokrom/Krobo |
| 27. | Mintaso/Adadekofi |
| 28. | Kotokyi/Kyirenkum |