Yilo Krobo Municipal Assembly

Yilo Krobo Municipal Assembly

Yilo Krobo Municipal Assembly logo
  • Name of MMDA: Yilo Krobo Municipal Assembly
  • Region: Eastern Region
  • Type of Assembly: Municipal Assembly
  • Capital: Somanya
  • Year Established: 2012. The Yilo Krobo Municipal Assembly was established under Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2051 on 6 February 2012, when the former Yilo Krobo District was elevated to municipal status.

The Yilo Krobo Municipal Assembly (YKMA) is one of the administrative municipalities located in the Eastern Region of Ghana. The area was originally established as the Yilo Krobo District Assembly in 1988, having been carved out of the former Kaoga District Council. It was subsequently elevated to municipal status on 6 February 2012 under Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2051, becoming the Yilo Krobo Municipal Assembly. Somanya serves as the administrative capital and is the principal political, commercial and cultural centre of the Municipality.

The Municipality is situated in the eastern part of the Eastern Region. It shares boundaries with New Juaben South Municipal and Akuapem North Municipal to the west, Lower Manya Krobo Municipal to the east, Fanteakwa North District to the north, and Shai-Osudoku District to the south. Its strategic location places it within an important corridor connecting the Eastern Region with the Greater Accra area and neighbouring municipalities. The Municipality also benefits from its proximity to major centres such as Koforidua, Accra, Tema and Ho, facilitating the movement of people, agricultural produce and commercial goods.

In terms of land area, the Municipality covers approximately 511 square kilometres according to the current Yilo Krobo Municipal Assembly. The landscape includes the lower-lying areas around Somanya and Nkurakan as well as the more elevated and scenic areas towards Upper Yilo. The 2021 Population and Housing Census recorded a total population of 122,705, comprising 59,656 males and 63,049 females. Females therefore constituted approximately 51.4% of the population, compared with 48.6% males. The Municipality contains both urban and rural communities, with Somanya and Nkurakan serving as important urban and commercial centres.

The economy of Yilo Krobo is predominantly driven by agriculture, commerce, small-scale enterprises, services and tourism. Agriculture remains an important source of employment and household income, with maize, cassava, yam, cocoyam, plantain, tomatoes, garden eggs, pepper, okra and mango cultivated across the Municipality. Mango production is particularly important in the lower parts of Yilo, while food-crop cultivation is widespread throughout the Municipality. Livestock rearing, including sheep, goats and cattle, also contributes to the local economy.

Somanya is the Municipality’s principal administrative, commercial and cultural capital. Other major communities and settlements include Nkurakan, Oterkpolu, Boti, Huhunya, Klo-Agogo, Obawale, Okwenya, Akorley, Ogome, Akpamu, Apersua, Nsutapong, Agogo, Perpetifi, Akutunya and Samlesi. Somanya, Nkurakan and Agogo are particularly important commercial centres, with their markets serving farmers, traders and consumers from surrounding communities. Agricultural produce from the Municipality is also transported to larger markets in Accra, Tema and Koforidua.

Administratively, the Yilo Krobo Municipal Assembly is the highest political, administrative and planning authority within the Municipality. The Assembly is responsible for local governance, development planning, spatial planning, infrastructure provision, agricultural development, environmental management, public health, sanitation and internal revenue mobilisation. The Municipality operates through seven Zonal Councils: Somanya, Oterkpolu, Boti, Nkurakan, Nsutapong, Klo-Agogo and Obawale, providing a decentralised framework for bringing local administration and development activities closer to residents.

The Assembly’s governance structure comprises elected Assembly Members representing the various electoral areas, Government Appointees, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) as the political and administrative head, and the Member of Parliament for the Yilo Krobo Constituency. The General Assembly serves as the principal deliberative and policy-formulating organ of the Municipality. The Yilo Krobo Parliamentary Constituency contains 33 electoral areas, covering communities throughout the Municipality.

Yilo Krobo possesses significant natural, cultural, historical and tourism assets. Among its most notable attractions is Boti Falls, a scenic waterfall surrounded by forest and rocky landscapes. The Municipality also contains Umbrella Rock, a distinctive geological formation near Boti Falls, as well as portions of the Lake Volta landscape. Other important attractions include the Cedi Bead Factory, which showcases traditional Krobo bead-making and craftsmanship, the Prime Meridian Line, and the Three-Headed Palm Tree, all of which contribute to the Municipality’s cultural and tourism identity.

The Municipality’s cultural heritage is strongly associated with the Krobo people, whose traditions, craftsmanship, festivals and bead-making form an important part of the area’s identity. Krobo beads are particularly significant as both cultural artifacts and commercial products, creating opportunities for handicrafts, tourism and creative enterprise. The combination of traditional culture, scenic landscapes and historical landmarks gives Yilo Krobo considerable potential for cultural tourism, eco-tourism and community-based tourism.

The Municipality faces a number of development challenges, including poor feeder roads, inadequate transportation infrastructure, post-harvest losses, limited agro-processing capacity, inadequate storage facilities and environmental pressures associated with agriculture and settlement expansion. The road network includes major roads linking Somanya with other regional centres as well as feeder roads connecting farming communities. Poor conditions on some feeder roads can make it difficult for farmers to transport agricultural produce to markets, thereby limiting agricultural productivity and incomes.

Yilo Krobo nevertheless has strong opportunities for commercial agriculture, mango production, agro-processing, tourism, handicrafts, livestock production, small-scale manufacturing and services. The Municipality’s agricultural resources provide opportunities for investment in mango processing, fruit juice production, cassava and maize processing, vegetable production and improved food-storage systems. Its tourism attractions, particularly Boti Falls, Umbrella Rock, the Cedi Bead Factory and other cultural sites, also provide opportunities for hospitality, transport, crafts and other tourism-related businesses.

With Somanya as its administrative capital, the Yilo Krobo Municipal Assembly occupies an important position in the Eastern Region. Its combination of agricultural resources, vibrant markets, distinctive Krobo cultural heritage, bead-making tradition, scenic natural attractions and strategic proximity to the Greater Accra and Koforidua corridors makes it an important administrative, agricultural, commercial and tourism hub. Strengthening roads, agro-processing, tourism infrastructure, environmental management and local enterprise development will be central to unlocking the Municipality’s full development potential.

Key Profile Data

  • Population: 122,705
  • Male: 59,656
  • Female: 63,049
  • Female population share: 51.4%
  • Male population share: 48.6%
  • Land area: Approximately 511 km²
  • Capital: Somanya
  • Zonal Councils: 7
  • Electoral Areas: 44
  • Parliamentary Constituency: 1 (Yilo Krobo Constituency)
  • Year established as District: 1988
  • Year elevated to Municipal status: 2012
  • Establishing legislation: L.I. 2051
  • Region: Eastern Region
  • Major economic sectors: Agriculture, commerce, services, small-scale enterprises and tourism
  • Major commercial centres: Somanya, Nkurakan and Agogo
  • Major tourism attractions: Boti Falls, Umbrella Rock, Lake Volta, Cedi Bead Factory, Prime Meridian Line and Three-Headed Palm Tree
  • Major cultural asset: Krobo bead-making and traditional heritage
    • Total Land Area: Approximately 511 sq. km.
    • Population: 122,705, according to the 2021 Population and Housing Census, comprising 59,656 males (48.62%) and 63,049 females (51.38%). Of the total population, 58,096 were urban residents and 64,609 were rural residents.
    • Major Towns/Communities: Somanya, Nkurakan, Oterkpolu, Klo-Agogo, Boti, Nsutapong, Obawale, Huhunya, Akorley, Akutunya and surrounding communities. The Municipality has approximately 230 settlements, with Somanya and Nkurakan being the two settlements with populations above 5,000.

    Boundaries

    • North: Fanteakwa North District
    • East: Lower Manya Krobo Municipal Assembly
    • West: New Juaben South Municipal Assembly, Akuapem North Municipal Assembly and parts of the Eastern Region
    • South: Shai Osudoku District

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Total Land Area (sq.km)

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Electoral areas

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Major towns
    • Municipal Chief Executive (MCE): Hon. Francis Addo Akumatey.
    • Presiding Member: Hon. Edwin Yao Tengey.
    • Member of Parliament: Hon. Albert Tetteh Nyakotey, (Member of Parliament for the Yilo Krobo Constituency.)

    Assembly Structure

    The Yilo Krobo Municipal Assembly is the highest political and administrative authority in the Municipality. Its General Assembly is supported by an Executive Committee and statutory and other sub-committees responsible for deliberation, oversight, planning, finance, social services, works and other municipal functions.

    Administratively, the Assembly operates through its central administration and decentralised departments and units. At the sub-municipal level, it has seven Zonal Councils:

    1. Somanya Zonal Council
    2. Oterkpolu Zonal Council
    3. Boti Zonal Council
    4. Nkurakan Zonal Council
    5. Nsutapong Zonal Council
    6. Klo-Agogo Zonal Council
    7. Obawale Zonal Council

    These structures support grassroots administration, community participation, revenue mobilisation and delivery of development programmes.

    Assembly Membership

    The current Fourth Yilo Krobo Municipal Assembly has 63 Assembly Members, comprising:

    • 44 elected Assembly Members
    • 19 Government-appointed members

    The Assembly itself reported this composition in January 2026.

    The Member of Parliament for the Yilo Krobo Constituency participates in the Assembly as an ex-officio member, rather than as an ordinary elected or appointed Assembly Member.

    Assembly Membership: 63 members, comprising 44 elected members and 19 government-appointed members, with the Member of Parliament serving as an ex-officio member. The Municipality is organised into seven Zonal Councils and its elected representation is based on the Assembly’s electoral areas.

  • Key Sectors of Focus:
    • Agriculture & Agribusiness – Cassava, maize, rice, and vegetable farming; promotion of irrigation, mechanization, and agro-processing.
    • Infrastructure & Transport – Road rehabilitation, bridges, and drainage systems to connect farming communities to Somanya and other markets.
    • Health & Social Services – Expansion of CHPS compounds, upgrading of Somanya Polyclinic, 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 rice processing centres; farmer support with improved seedlings and mechanization.
    • Infrastructure: Rehabilitation of feeder roads linking Somanya, Boti, and surrounding communities; construction of bridges and culverts.
    • Health: Upgrading Somanya Polyclinic, expanding CHPS compounds, and maternal health outreach programmes.
    • Education: ICT labs for schools, vocational training centres, and classroom blocks in rural 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): Boreholes, rural water projects, and improved sanitation coverage.
    • 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.
    • SDG 15 (Life on Land): Forest conservation, watershed protection, and biodiversity preservation.
  • Main Economic Activities:
    • Agriculture – Cassava, maize, rice, plantain, and vegetable farming dominate, with irrigation potential along river valleys.
    • Trading & commerce – Somanya Market serves as a major commercial hub for food crops, livestock, and household goods.
    • Agro-processing – Cassava flour, gari production, palm oil extraction, and rice milling are common small-scale activities.
    • Artisanal activities – Bead-making, carpentry, tailoring, and mechanics provide employment.
    • Tourism – Boti Falls, caves, and cultural heritage sites attract visitors and support eco-tourism.
  • Key Investment Opportunities:
    • Agro-processing plants – Expansion of cassava, rice, and palm oil processing facilities for local consumption and export.
    • Market infrastructure – Modernization of Somanya Market and satellite markets to boost trading activities.
    • Agricultural mechanization – Tractor services, irrigation systems, and improved seed distribution.
    • Tourism promotion – Development of Boti Falls eco-tourism, cultural festivals, and bead-making industry expansion.
    • 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:
    • Somanya Polyclinic – The main referral facility serving the municipality.
    • Health Centres – Located in Oterkpolu, Boti, 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 Somanya and surrounding communities.
    • Senior High Schools – Institutions such as Yilo Krobo SHS and Oterkpolu SHS serve the municipality.
    • 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 Somanya–Kpong 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 Somanya 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 Somanya township to reduce indiscriminate dumping.
    • 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 Somanya and Oterkpolu.
    • 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 Somanya 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.
    • Urbanization impacts – Rapid expansion of Somanya increases pressure on waste management, water supply, and green spaces.
  • Public Engagement Strategies:
    • Town hall meetings – Regularly organized in Somanya, Oterkpolu, and Boti 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 Somanya and nearby towns.
    • Youth councils – Platforms for young people to voice concerns and contribute to policy discussions.
1 Akorley
2 New Somanya
3 Ogome
4 Asinersi
5 Sra
6 Plau
7 Odave
8 Okperpiem
9 Agavenya
10 Adjikpo
11 Sawer
12 Gbekormanya
13 Okwenya
14 Aboabo
15 Nkurakan
16 Okornya
17 Tsremanti-Dornguanor
18 Abrewankor
19 Apersua
20 Huhunya
21 Bleyo-Sikabeng
22 Oterkpolu
23 Onumaku
24 Obenyemi
25 Obawale
26 Tsebi-Teryi
27 Tsosingua
28 Boti
29 Bosotwi
30 Akorwu
31 Akpo
32 Akpamu
33 Opersika
34 Aboa
35 Wurapong
36 Agogo
37 Tsetseku
38 Oluahai
39 Brukum
40 Klo-Akwapim
41 Koryire
42 Nsutapong
43 Samlesi
44 Obonkorkor