The History of Western North Region

The Western North Region is one of the six (6) new Regions of Ghana created in 2019.The main reason for the creation of the region is the difficulty of the people of Sefwi getting essential government developmental projects or services from the former Regional Capital i.e. Sekondi-Takoradi.

Therefore the six paramount chiefs in the present day, the Western North Region became responsive to the calls of their subjects and united which had led to the creation of the Western North Region.

The Region is bounded by La Cote D’ivoire on the West, the Central Region in the South-East, and the Ashanti, Ahafo, and Bono Regions in the North and Western Region to South-West.

Administrative Divisions

The political administration of the Region is through the local government system. The Region is divided into nine (9) Municipal and District Assemblies made up of three (3) Municipalities and six (6) Districts (MDAs). These MDAs report to the Western North Regional Coodinating Council. Each Municipal/District Assembly, is administered by a Chief Executive, representing the Central Government.

The Municipal/District Assemblies in the Region are; Sefwi Wiawso Municipal Assembly with Sefwi Wiawso as its administrative capital, Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai Municipal Assembly with Bibiani as its administrative capital and Aowin Municipal Assembly with Enchi as its administrative capital.

Sefwi Akontombra District Assembly with Akontombra as its administrative capital, Suaman District Assembly with Didiaso as its administrative capital, and Bodi District Assembly with Bodi as its administrative capital. The rest are Juaboso District Assembly with Juaboso as its administrative capital, Bia West with Essam as it administrative capital and Bia East Districts with Adabokrom as its administrative capital. (http://ghana.gov.gh/index.php/governance)

Population

According to Ghana Statistical Service, the projected population for Western North Region is 949,094 with 2.9% Annual Population Change from 2010 to 2020 (Ghana Statistical Service Web)

Climate (Temperature and Rainfall)

The Western North Region, falls within the tropical rainforest climatic zone with high temperatures throughout the year between 25⁰C and 30⁰C and moderate to heavy rainfall pattern between 1200mm and 1780mm per annum. It comes with double maxima characteristics in June-July and September-October as its peaks. Humidity is relatively high, which is about 90% at night falling to 75% during the day.

The rainfall pattern is unique and suitable for agricultural activities in the Region. It has two long wet seasons separated by relatively short dry season. The dry season is marked by relatively low humidity with hazy conditions occurring from November to January. The Region experiences fewer or no bush fire outbreaks due to the relatively short dry season.

The Region often experiences concentrated downpours up to 178mm rainfall in a day, which often causes widespread flooding at some settlements due to the nature of the soil.

The implication of the climate of the Region is that it is suitable for the growing of various crops particularly both cash and food crops. This is the reason why the Region is one of the leading producers of the cash crop like cocoa in Ghana.

Vegetation

The Region’s vegetation is of the moist semi-deciduous (equatorial rain forest) type. The forest vegetation is made up of many different tree species including wawa (Triplochiton selerexylon), mahogany (Khaya invorensis), esa (Celtis), ofram (Terminalia superba), edinam (Entandro phragma ivorensio), onyina (Ceiba petandra), kyenkyen (Antiaris Africana) and odum (Milicia exelsa), Sapele etc. Hence, the Region is a suitable location for the establishment of timber firms. There are a number of forest reserves dotted in the Region, however, there is a high degree of depletion of the original forest due to improper farming practices, logging and illegal mining activities. Therefore most of them has become secondary forest.

Relief and Drainage

Most part of the Region is generally undulating and lies between 152.4m – 660m above sea level. The highest point is also the highest in the Western North Region at Attanyamekrom (Adiembra), near Sefwi Bekwai which is 660m. Other highest peak are the Krokoa peak which is 510m above sea level lies roughly to the South-West of Sefwi Wiawso.

Three of the major rivers in the country are found in the Western North Region. They are Rivers Ankobra, Bia and Tano. The Region is also endowed with some streams which serves as tributaries of these major rivers. These are Krodua, Atronsu, Subriso, Kroseini, Suraw, Chira and Akataso Suhien, Kunuma, Disue etc.

Ethnic Culture

The ethnic culture of the Region is dominated by the Sefwis, Brusas and Anyins. Because of migration, most of the languages in Ghana such as Asantes, Fantes Ewes, Akyems, Gas, Krobes, Akwapims, and Mole Dagbanies etc are spoken in the Region in addition to French due to its closeness to La Cote D’ivoire, however, the indigenous languages are the Sefwi, Brusa and Anyin.

The official language spoken in the Region is English.

Paramonutcies in the Region

The Western North Region has six (6) paramountcies. These are Sefwi Anhiawso Traditional Area with Ogyahoho Yaw Gyebi II as its paramount Chief, Sefwi Bekwai Traditional Area, headed by the Odeneho Gyapong Ababio, Sefwi Wiawso Traditional Area headed by Katakyie Kwesi Bumagamah II, The rest are Sefwi Chirano Traditional Area Headed by Okogyeaman Kwaku Gyambra III, Aowin Traditional Area with Beyeman Brentum III, as its paramount Chief and Suaman Traditional Area with Odeneho Bentum IV as its paramount chief.