REGIONAL ANALYTICAL

REPORT

WESTERN REGION

Ghana Statistical Service

June, 2013
 Copyright © 2013 Ghana Statistical Service

Prepared by:

Majorie Danso-Manu

Emmanuel Nana Poku

Clara Korkor Fayorsey

Edited by:

Chief Editor: Tom K.B. Kumekpor

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 PREFACE AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

There cannot be any meaningful developmental activity without taking into account the
characteristics of the population for whom the activity is targeted. The size of the population
and its spatial distribution, growth and change over time, and socio-economic characteristics
are all important in development planning. The Kilimanjaro Programme of Action on
Population adopted by African countries in 1984 stressed the need for population to be
considered as a key factor in the formulation of development strategies and plans.
A population census is the most important source of data on the population in a country. It
provides information on the size, composition, growth and distribution of the population at
the national and sub-national levels. Data from the 2010 Population and Housing Census
(PHC) will serve as reference for equitable distribution of resources, government services and
the allocation of government funds among various regions and districts for education, health
and other social services.
The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) is delighted to provide data users with an analytical
report on the 2010 PHC at the regional level to facilitate planning and decision-making. This
follows the publication of the National Analytical Report in May, 2013 which contained
information on the 2010 PHC at the national level with regional comparisons. Conclusions
and recommendations from these reports are expected to serve as a basis for improving the
quality of life of Ghanaians through evidence-based policy formulation, planning, monitoring
and evaluation of developmental goals and intervention programs.
The Regional Analytical Report for the Western Region is one of ten regional reports aimed
at making data available to planners and decision makers at the regional and district levels. In
addition to presenting district profiles, the report also discusses the social and economic
dimensions of demographic variables.

For ease of accessibility of the census data, the regional reports and other census reports
produced by the GSS will be disseminated widely in both print and electronic formats,
including posting on the GSS website: www.statsghana.gov.gh.

The GSS wishes to express its profound gratitude to the Government of Ghana for providing
the required resources for the conduct of the 2010 PHC. We also appreciate the contribution
of our Development Partners (DPs) towards the successful implementation of the Census.
Special mention must be made of the European Union (EU) and the Department for
International Development (DFID) for providing resources for the preparation of the report,
the World Bank for managing the resources and the United Nations Population Fund
(UNFPA) for the lead role it played in mobilizing resources from the UN System and from
other DPs for the 2010 PHC.
Finally, we wish to thank all households and individuals in Ghana who contributed to the
success of the 2010 Population and Housing Census.

Dr. Philomena Nyarko

Government Statistician

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

PREFACE AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ..................................................................... iii

LIST OF TABLES ............................................................................................................. vi
LIST OF FIGURES ........................................................................................................... ix
ACRONYMS ....................................................................................................................... x
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION ............................................................................... 1
1.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................ 1
1.2 Physical Features .................................................................................................... 1
1.3 Political and Administrative Structures ................................................................... 5
1.4 Social Structure....................................................................................................... 6
1.5 Economy and Living Conditions ............................................................................. 8
1.6 Demographics ....................................................................................................... 11
1.7 Organization of the Report .................................................................................... 12
CHAPTER TWO: CENSUS METHODOLOGY ........................................................... 13
2.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................... 13
2.2 Pre-Enumeration Activities ................................................................................... 13
2.3 Census Enumeration ............................................................................................. 20
2.4 Post Enumeration Survey ...................................................................................... 21
2.5 Lessons Learnt and Challenges ............................................................................. 22
2.6 Summary and Recommendations .......................................................................... 23
2.7 Concepts and Definitions ...................................................................................... 24
CHAPTER THREE: POPULATION SIZE, COMPOSITION AND AGE-SEX
STRUCTURE ............................................................................... 31
3.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................... 31
3.2 Population Size and Growth .................................................................................. 31
3.3 Age and Sex Structure ........................................................................................... 34
3.4 Nationality and Birthplace ..................................................................................... 37
3.5 Ethnicity ............................................................................................................... 39
3.6 Religious Affiliation ............................................................................................. 42
CHAPTER FOUR: HOUSEHOLD SIZE, STRUCTURE AND COMPOSITION ...... 44
4.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................... 44
4.2 Distribution of Households.................................................................................... 44
4.3 Household Size ..................................................................................................... 45
4.4 Household Composition ........................................................................................ 47
4.5 Household Structure.............................................................................................. 49
4.6 Household Headship by Sex, Age and Type of Locality of Head ........................... 54
CHAPTER FIVE: MARITAL CHARACTERISTICS .................................................. 55
5.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................... 55
5.2 Marital Status by Age............................................................................................ 55
5.3 Marital Status by Sex ............................................................................................ 57
5.4 Marital Status by Type Locality ............................................................................ 57
5.5 Marital Status by Level of Education .................................................................... 58
5.6 Marital Status by Religion ..................................................................................... 59
5.7 Marital Status by Economic Activity Status .......................................................... 60
5.8 Marital Status by District ...................................................................................... 60
CHAPTER SIX: INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY ................ 63
6.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................... 63

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 6.2 Ownership of Mobile Phones ................................................................................ 63
6.3 Use of Internet Facility .......................................................................................... 69
6.4 Household Ownership of Desktop/Laptop Computer ............................................. 74
6.5 Household Ownership of Fixed Telephone Lines .................................................. 76
CHAPTER SEVEN: EDUCATION AND LITERACY .................................................. 78
7.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................... 78
7.2 Literacy................................................................................................................. 78
7.3 School Attendance ................................................................................................ 83
7.4 Educational Attainment for Persons 15 years and Older ........................................ 90
CHAPTER EIGHT: FERTILITY, MORTALITY AND MIGRATION ....................... 94
8.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................... 94
8.2 Fertility ................................................................................................................. 94
8.3 Childhood Mortality .............................................................................................. 95
8.4 Migration .............................................................................................................. 97
CHAPTER NINE: ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS............................................. 104
9.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................ 104
9.2 Economic Activity Status .................................................................................... 104
9.3 Economically not Active ..................................................................................... 112
9.4 Occupation .......................................................................................................... 113
9.5 Industry............................................................................................................... 118
9.6 Employed Persons 15 years and Older by Employment Status............................. 118
9.7 Employment Sector ............................................................................................. 125
CHAPTER TEN: DISABILITY .................................................................................... 127
10.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................... 127
10.2 Population with Disability by District .............................................................. 127
10.3 Type of Disability by District .......................................................................... 133
CHAPTER ELEVEN: AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITY ............................................... 135
11.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................... 135
11.2 Households in Agriculture ............................................................................... 135
CHAPTER TWELVE: HOUSING CONDITIONS ...................................................... 149
12.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................... 149
12.2 Housing Stock ................................................................................................. 149
12.3 Type of Dwelling, Holding and Tenancy ......................................................... 151
12.5 Construction Materials .................................................................................... 165
12.6 Lighting and Cooking Facilities ....................................................................... 172
12.7 Sources of Water ............................................................................................. 179
12.8 Bathing and Toilet Facilities ............................................................................ 184
12.9 Waste Disposal ................................................................................................ 184
CHAPTER THIRTEEN: SUMMARY FINDINGS AND POLICY
RECOMMENDATIONS ..................................................... 195
13.1 Summary of Findings ...................................................................................... 195
13.2 Policy Recommendations ................................................................................ 200
REFERENCES ................................................................................................................ 202
APPENDIX ...................................................................................................................... 203

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 LIST OF TABLES

Table 1.1: Political and administrative district of the Western Region ................................. 5
Table 1.2: Festivals and Periods of Celebration in Western Region...................................... 8
Table 3.1: Population size, growth and density .................................................................. 31
Table 3.2: District share of regional population ................................................................. 32
Table 3.3: Rural urban distribution by district .................................................................... 33
Table 3.4: Age structure by broad age groups, 1960 – 2010 ............................................... 34
Table 3.5: Dependent and working population by sex ........................................................ 35
Table 3.6: Regional (1960-2010) and district (2010) sex ratios .......................................... 37
Table 3.7: Population by nationality and district ................................................................ 38
Table 3.8: Population by birthplace by district ................................................................... 40
Table 3.9: Ghanaians by ethnic group and district.............................................................. 41
Table 3.10: Religious affiliation by district .......................................................................... 43
Table 4.1: Regional share of household distribution 1970 - 2010 ....................................... 44
Table 4.2: Distribution of households by type of locality ................................................... 45
Table 4.3: Households by size and district ......................................................................... 46
Table 4.4: Average Household size by locality of residence, 1970 - 2010 .......................... 46
Table 4.5: Household composition .................................................................................... 47
Table 4.6: Household composition by sex and type of locality ........................................... 48
Table 4.7: Household composition by a broad age groups ................................................. 49
Table 4.8: Summary of household structure ....................................................................... 50
Table 4.9: Household structure by district and type of locality ........................................... 51
Table 4.10: Household headship by age, sex of head and type of locality ............................ 54
Table 5.1: Population 12 years and older by marital status, type of locality, sex
and age group ................................................................................................... 56
Table 5.2: Population 12 years and older by marital status and age group .......................... 57
Table 5.3: Population 12 years and older by marital status and sex .................................... 57
Table 5.4: Population 12 years and older by marital status and type of locality .................. 58
Table 5.5: Population 12 years and older by marital status, level of education, religious
affiliation and activity status ............................................................................. 58
Table 5.6: Population12 years and older by marital status and level of education ............... 59
Table 5.7: Population 12 years and older by Marital Status and Religion ........................... 60
Table 5.8: Population 12 years and older by marital status and economic activity status .... 60
Table 5.9: Population 12 years and older by marital status, district and sex ....................... 61
Table 6.1: Population 12 years and older owning mobile phones by district and sex .......... 64
Table 6.2: Population 12 years and older owning mobile phones within regions and
districts by sex .................................................................................................. 65
Table 6.3: Population 12 years and older having mobile phone by district and locality
of residence....................................................................................................... 67
Table 6.4: Population 12 years and older having mobile phones by age group and sex....... 68
Table 6.5: Percentage of population 12 years and older owning mobile phone by
economic activity and sex ................................................................................. 68
Table 6.6: Percentage of population 12 years and older owning mobile phone by
educational level and sex .................................................................................. 69
Table 6.7: Population 12 years and older using internet facilities by district and sex .......... 70
Table 6.8: Population 12 years and older using the internet by district and sex .................. 71
Table 6.9: Population 12 years and older using the internet within region and locality
of residence....................................................................................................... 72

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Table 6.10: Population 12 years and older using internet by age group and sex ................... 73
Table 6.11: Population 12 years and older using internet by level of education and sex ....... 74
Table 6.12: Households owning desktop or laptop by region and sex of household head ..... 75
Table 6.13: Percentage of households having desktop/laptop by district .............................. 76
Table 6.14: Households owning fixed-line telephone by district and sex of household head 77
Table 7.1: Language of literacy of population 11 years and older by district and sex ......... 79
Table 7.2: Population 11+ years by language in which literate, district and type of
locality of residence .......................................................................................... 81
Table 7.3: Past school attendance by level attained for population 6 years and older by
district ............................................................................................................... 84
Table 7.4: Population 6 years and older by level of education, sex and district ................... 86
Table 7.5: Current school attendance (6 years and older) by district and sex ....................... 89
Table 7.6: Employment status of the employed population (15 yrs and older) by
educational level and sex .................................................................................. 91
Table 7.7: Occupation of the employed population (15 years and older) by educational
level and sex ..................................................................................................... 92
Table 8.1: Fertility estimates by district ............................................................................. 95
Table 8.2: Infant and under five mortality by district and reference period......................... 96
Table 8.3: Infant and under-five mortality rates by age of mother, reference date .............. 97
Table 8.4: Population by place of birth locality and sex ..................................................... 99
Table 8.5: Migration by place of birth and duration of residence ..................................... 100
Table 8.6: Ghanaian population by birth, naturalization, district and sex.......................... 101
Table 8.7: Place of birth by district of enumeration ......................................................... 102
Table 8.8: Migrants by district ......................................................................................... 103
Table 9.1a: Population 5 years and older by economic activity status, age group and sex .. 105
Table 9.1b: Population 5 years and older by economic activity status, age group and sex .. 106
Table 9.2a: Population 5 years and older by economic activity status, age and type of
locality ........................................................................................................... 106
Table 9.2b: Population 5 years and older by economic activity status, age and type of
locality ........................................................................................................... 107
Table 9.3a: Type of activity for population 15 years and older by sex and district ............. 108
Table 9.3b: Type of activity for population 15 years and older by district and sex ............. 108
Table 9.3c: Type of activity for population 15 years and older by district and sex ............. 109
Table 9.4a: Population 5 years and older by activity status, age and type of locality .......... 110
Table 9.4b: Population 5 years and older by activity status, age and type of locality .......... 110
Table 9.5: Employed persons by district .......................................................................... 111
Table 9.6: Unemployed persons by district ...................................................................... 112
Table 9.7: Economically not active population ................................................................ 114
Table 9.8: Employed Persons 15 years and older by district, sex and occupation ............. 115
Table 9.9: Employed persons 15 years and older by district, sex and industry .................. 119
Table 9.10: Employed persons 15 years and older by district, sex and status in
employment .................................................................................................... 122
Table 9.11: Employed persons 15 years and older by district, sex and sector of
employment .................................................................................................... 125
Table 10.1: Persons with disability by district and age ....................................................... 127
Table 10.2: Persons with disability by sex ......................................................................... 128
Table 10.3: Persons with disability by marital status .......................................................... 129
Table 10.4: Persons with disability by district and type of locality ..................................... 130
Table 10.5: Persons with disability by level of education ................................................... 131
Table 10.6: Persons with disability by literacy status ......................................................... 132

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Table 10.7: Persons with disability by economic activity status ........................................ 133
Table 10.8: Persons with disability by type and district .................................................... 134
Table 10.9: Types of disability in districts by rank ........................................................... 134
Table 11.1: Households in agriculture by district, type of locality and household size ...... 136
Table 11.2: Households in agricultre by region, district, sub-district, type of locality
and sex of head .............................................................................................. 139
Table 11.3: Households in agriculture by district, type of locality and age-group of head
of household ................................................................................................. 140
Table 11.4: Households in agriculture by district, type of locality and sex of population
in agriculture ................................................................................................. 141
Table11.5: Households in agriculture by district and type of agricultural activity ........... 142
Table 11.6a: Households in agriculture by district, type of locality, type of agricultural
activity and sex of head ................................................................................ 143
Table 11.6b: Households in agriculture by district, type of locality, type of agricultural
activity and sex of head ................................................................................. 144
Table 11.6c: Households in agriculture by district, type of locality, type of agricultural
activity and sex of head ................................................................................ 145
Table 11.7: Type of crop by number of farms and type of cropping ................................. 147
Table 11.8: Distribution of livestock by type of locality and number of holdings/livestock
......................................................................................................................................... 148
Table 12.1: Housing stock ............................................................................................... 150
Table 12.2: Type of dwelling by district and type of locality ........................................... 152
Table 12.3: Ownership of dwelling by district and type of locality .................................. 154
Table12.4: Present holding/tenancy arrangement by district and type of locality ............. 156
Table 12.5: Rooms households occupy ............................................................................ 158
Table 12.6: Sleeping rooms household occupy by district and type of locality ................. 160
Table 12.7: Sharing of sleeping rooms with other households .......................................... 162
Table 12.8: Households sharing sleeping rooms .............................................................. 164
Table 12.9: Main construction material for outer wall...................................................... 166
Table 12.10: Main construction material for floor of dwelling by district and type of
locality ......................................................................................................... 168
Table12.11: Main material used for the roof by district and type of locality ..................... 170
Table 12.12: Main source of lighting for the dwelling by district and type of locality ....... 172
Table 12.13: Main source of cooking fuel for household by district and type of locality ... 174
Table 12.14: Cooking space used by household by district and type of locality................. 176
Table 12.15: Main source of drinking water for household by district and type of locality 180
Table 12.16: Main source of water for other domestic use of household by district
and type of locality....................................................................................... 182
Table 12.17: Bathing facility used by household by district and type of locality ............... 185
Table 12.18a:Toilet facility used by household by district and type of locality .................. 187
Table 12.18b:Sharing of toilet facility with other households by district and type of
locality ........................................................................................................ 189
Table 12.19: Method of solid waste disposal by household by district and type of locality 191
Table 12.20: Method of liquid waste disposal by household by district and type of
locality ........................................................................................................ 193
Table A1: Population by region, district, age and sex, 2010 ......................................... 203
Table A2: Population by district, age and sex .............................................................. 203
Table A3: Population by district, sex and broad age groups ......................................... 215

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 LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1.1: Relief Map the Western Region .......................................................................... 2

Figure 1.2: Rainfall Map of the Western Region ................................................................... 3
Figure 1.3: Vegetation Map of the Western Region .............................................................. 4
Figure 1.4: District Map of the Western Region ................................................................... 6
Figure 1.5: Minerals Map of the Western Region. ................................................................ 9
Figure 1.6: Jubilee Oil fields .............................................................................................. 10
Figure 1.7: Tourism Map of Western Region ...................................................................... 11
Figure 3.1: Age-Sex structure of population ....................................................................... 34
Figure 7.1: Population 6 years and older by Current School Attendance 2010 .................... 88

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 ACRONYMS

AGI: Association of Ghanaian Industries

AIDS: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
ASCII: American Standard Code for Information Interchange
CEB: Children Ever Born
CIDA: Canadian International Development Agency
CS: Children Surviving
CEDAW: Convention on Elimination of All forms of Discrimination
CERSGIS: Centre for Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Survey
CHPS: Community Health Planning Services
CWIQ: Core Welfare Indicator Questionnaire
DANIDA: Danish International Development Agency
DFID: Department for International Development
ECOWAS: Economic Community of West African States
EMIS: Education Management Information System
EA: Enumeration Area
EU: European Union
fCUBE: Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education
GETFund: Ghana Education Trust Fund
GREDA: Ghana Real Estate Developers Association
GDP: Gross Domestic Product
GSS: Ghana Statistical Service
GSDP: Ghana Statistics Development Plan
GPS: Global Positioning System
GPRTU: Ghana Private Road Transport Union
GES: Ghana Education Service
GDHS: Ghana Demography Health Survey
HIV: Human Immune Virus
ISCO: International Standard Classification of Occupation
ISIC: International Standard Classification of Industry
ICU: International Communication Union
ICT: Information Communication Technology
ISSER: Institute of Statistical Social and Economic Research
JSS: Junior Secondary School
JHS: Junior High School
SSS: Senior Secondary School
SHS: Senior High School
LEAP: Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty Programme
LESDEP: Local Enterprise and Skills Development

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LISGIS: Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-Information Services
MMDAs: Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies
MDGs: Millennium Development Goals
MER: Migration Effectiveness Ratio
MOE: Ministry of Education
MICS: Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey
MOFA: Ministry of Food and Agriculture
MOTI: Ministry of Trade and Industry
NCA: National Communication Authority
NCPEC: The National Census Publicity and Evaluation Committee
NCTAC: National Census Technical Advisory Committee
NIPORT: National Institute of Population Research and Training
NHIS: National Health Insurance Scheme
ICTAD: National ICT for Accelerated Development Policy
NDPC: National Development Planning Commission
NGOs: Non-governmental Organisations
OIC: Opportunities Industrialisation Centre
PHC: Population and Housing Census
PPP: Public-Private Partnerships
PNDC: Provisional National Defence Council
PAS: Population Analysis Spreadsheet
PES: Post Enumeration Survey
PWDs: Persons With Disabilities
PASEX: Population Analysis System
PES: Post Enumeration Survey
SADA: Savanna Accelerated Development Authority
SAP: Structural Adjustment Programme
SMAM: Singulate Mean Age at Marriage
UNICEF: United Nations International Children’s Education Fund
UN: United Nations
UNDP: United Nations Development Programme
UNFPA: United Nations Population Fund
WHO: World Health Organization
WC: Water Closet
ZIMSTAT: Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency

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 CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION

1.1 Introduction
The Western Region is situated in the south-western part of Ghana. It shares common borders
with La Cote d’Ivoire on the west, the Central Region in the East, parts of Ashanti and
BrongAhafoRegions in the North and the Gulf of Guinea (Atlantic Ocean) in the South. It
covers an area of 23,921 square kilometers representing about 10 percent of the total land
surface of Ghana. It has a total of 192 kilometers coastline. The Southernmost part of Ghana,
Cape Three Points near Busua in the Ahanta West District, is also located in this region.

The Western Region is one of the ten (10) Administrative Regions of Ghana. The Region was
carved out of the former Western Province in July 1960. It has Sekondi as its administrative
capital. Section 140 of the Local Government Act 1993 (Act 462) also established the
Regional Co-ordinating Council (RCC) with the sole objective of co-ordinating, monitoring
and evaluating the activities of Sector Departments such as Metropolitan, Municipal and
District Assemblies (MMDAs) and Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). The
RCC does this with the view of improving the lives of the people.

1.2 Physical Features

The physical environment influences human activities and hence development of people and
their places of abode. Different types of physical features come with different resources
which must be harnessed, and challenges which must be confronted to ensure safe and good
quality of life for all people. Thus, a brief description of the physical features of the region, in
terms of its location, relief, drainage, climate and vegetation is considered.
The relief of the Western region (Figure 1.1) falls in the physiographic type classified by
Dickson and Benneh (2001) as the forest dissected plateau. Much of the region is a plain
between about 240 and 300 metres above sea level with isolated hills.In the North-West
(covering about five districts) the topography is rugged and hilly.
In describing the relief of the country, Boateng (1960) spares no effort in providing a detailed
account of the geology. Much of the region is covered by Pre-Cambrian rocks which he calls
the “Birrimian” and “Tarkwaian” series. According to him, the two rock types are important
because most of the gold, manganese and diamonds mined in the country are obtained from
the Birrimian rocks, while the Tarkwaian provides large quantities of gold. Also, rich
deposits of bauxite occur in areas covered by the two types of rock.

Four main rivers flow through the region: Pra, Ankobra, Tano and Bia. Apart from the
Ankobra, the other rivers have their source in forests in neighbouring regions and flow
southwards into the sea. The Tano and Bia enter the sea outside Ghana through the La Cote
d’Ivoire. River Pra has potential for hydro-power generation (Dickson & Benneh, 2001). The
authors have further noted that these rivers do not lend themselves to use by large boats
because of interruptions in many places by rapids and waterfalls. The Sutri falls on the lower
Tano near Abuoso and the rapid on the Pra just south of TwifoPraso are sited to buttress the
point.

1
Figure 1.1: Relief Map of the Western Region

Source: Western Regional Coordinating Council

The climate of a place is determined by many factors such as rainfall, temperature, humidity,
wind direction and speed, amount of sun shine, and the amount and nature of clouds etc. We
shall first considerrainfall because of its importance on the drainage system and for
agriculture; and then consider climate which is the composite of all the factors.
The region is the wettest part of Ghana. Figure 1.2, which is a rainfall map of the region,
shows clearly that rainfall decreases northwards and eastwards from the extreme south-west
which is the wettest part of the region and the country. Rainfall distribution in the region is
characterized by two seasons; with the major one reaching its maximum in May/June and the
minor one in October. Apart from these, Boateng (1960) has noted that there is practically no
month without rain.

2
Figure 1.2: Rainfall Map of the Western Region

Source: Western Regional Coordinating Council

The region falls under two main climatic types: the south-western equatorial and the wet
semi-equatorial (Dickson & Benneh, 2001).The south-western equatorial climatic type
roughly coincides with the evergreen forest and the wet semi-equatorial climatic type with
the semi-deciduous forest shown on the vegetation map in Figure 1.3.
The south-western equatorial climate is the wettest in the country with rainfall patterns as
described above. The highest temperatures which occur in March/April are around 30 degrees
centigrade while the lowest temperatures of 26 degrees occur in August. Relative humidity is
between 70-80% all year round. The wet semi-equatorial climate has average yearly rainfall
between 1250 and 2000 millimetres with sharp dry seasons.
The vegetation types (Figure 1.3) found in the region is evergreen or rain forest, semi-
deciduous forest, Guinea savannah and coastal savannah.

3
Figure 1.3: Vegetation Map of the Western Region

Source: Western Regional Coordinating Council

The rain forest can be found in the south-western equatorial climatic region at the extreme
south-western corner of the Region. The high temperatures and heavy rainfall facilitate all
year round speedy growth of plants. The trees of the forest are evergreen as only a few of the
top two out of three layers shed their leaves.
The semi- deciduous forest which covers a larger part of the region is similar to the rain
forest in its structure except a much higher proportion of trees shed their leaves. Like the rain
forest, the trees do not all shed their leaves at the same time, and so is never bare of leaves.
Human activities such as farming have led to the destruction of most of the virgin forest,
hence only secondary forest currently remains.
For most part of the Jomoro district, the guinea savannah covers a narrow strip along the
south-western coast. The yearly rainfall is barely below 1000mm or 1250mm.The dry season
is intense and humidity is low.

4
The coastal savannah covers the coastal areas of Shama district and parts of the coastal areas
of SekondiTakoradi Metropolis. The vegetation is made up of thick scrub. The area has the
lowest amount of rainfall in the country but has high humidity throughout the year.

1.3 Political and Administrative Structures

The Western Region’s political and administrative power emanates from the Regional
Coordinating Council (RCC). The Council is chaired by the Regional Minister with the
Regional Coordinating Director serving as the secretary. Other members of the RCC are:
The Deputy Regional Minister
All MMDA Chief Executives
Presiding Members of the various MMDAs in the region.
Two Paramount Chiefs nominated by the Regional House of Chiefs and lastly
All Heads of Decentralized Departments (ex- officio members).

The operations of the RCC are replicated in the various Assemblies in the region. For
instance the Regional Security Council is replicated in the Assemblies as District Security
Committee and Regional Planning and Coordinating Unit (RPCU) as
Metro/Municipal/District Planning and Coordinating units. The Western Region has 17
districts. The Political and Administrative districts of the Western Region are shown in Table
1.1 and Figure 1.4.

Table 1.1: Political and administrative district of the Western Region

District Status Capital
Jomoro District Half Assin
Ellembelle District Nkroful
Nzema East Municipal Axim
Ahanta West District Agona Nkwanta
Sekondi- Takoradi Metropolitan Sekondi
Shama District Shama
Mpohor- Wassa - East District Daboase
Tarkwa - Nsuaem Municipal Tarkwa
Prestea - Huni Valley District Bogoso
WassaAmenfi East District Wassa Akropong
WassaAmenfi West District Asankragwa
AowinSuaman District Enchi
Sefwi - Wiawso District Sefwi Wiawso
Sefwi - Akontombra District Sefwi Akontombra
Sefwi-Bibiani - Anhwiawso- Bekwai District Bibiani
Juabeso District Juabeso
Bia District Essam/Debiso
Source: Regional Coordinating Council, Sekondi

5
Figure 1.4: District Map of the Western Region

Source: Western Regional Coordinating Council

Each of the Assemblies is headed by a Chief Executive who is nominated by the President of
the Republic of Ghana but has to be approved by a two – thirds majority of the assembly
members. Assembly meetings are chaired by a presiding member who is also elected by the
Assembly. Two – thirds of the assembly members are elected by the electorate while the
remaining one-third are appointed by the President to represent the various specified
stakeholders, in accordance with the constitution. The Region currently has 22 constituencies.
There has been an increase in the number of constituencies in the region from 19 in 2000 to
22 in 2010. This represents nearly 10 percent of the 230 constituencies across the country. To
ensure effective and efficient running of the assemblies, there are also sub-structures that
have been put in place to ensure effective governance and development of the various
assemblies and Western Region as a whole.

1.4 Social Structure

The indigenes of the Western Region are predominantly Akans. There are five major sub-
groups of the Akans in the Region: Ahantas, Nzemas, Sefwis, Aowins and Wassas with 21
Paramountcies. Among the Paramountcies are Nsein, Lower Axim, Upper Axim, Apatem,

6
Gwira, Atuabo, Benyin, Aowin, Suman, Wiawso, Wassa Fiase, Upper Dixcove, Lower
Dixcove and Sefwi Bekwai. Apart from these five major sub- groups, there are other
indigenous minorities such as the Pepesa whose peculiar dialect is understood by the Nzemas,
Ahantas, Aowins and Sefwis.

Fanti is widely spoken as a second language alongside those of the indigenes in the southern
part of the region. Fante is also used as medium of instruction in lower primary classes and as
examinable subject at the basic level.
The indigenous people of the region exhibit a high degree of cultural homogeneity in areas of
lineage organization, inheritance and succession. Matrilineal descent system, where the
female line is used for recruitment into the lineage or succession and inheritance is the type
practised by the indigenous people. Chieftaincy succession is for instance, based on the
matrilineal system of succession. However, the enstoolment of Safohene and Okyeame
follows the double unilineal system of succession, where an individual can be enstooled as
Safohene or Okyeame through the mother’s or father’s line.
There are also non indigene settlers in the region whose grandparents had migrated several
years back from different parts of Ghana into Western region primarily for economic reasons.
These groups of people have been subsequently absorbed into the indigenous population.
These are the Fantes in the then vibrant mining communities such as Tarkwa and Bogoso as
well as those who engaged in trading activities in the Sekondi –Takoradi area; the Ashantis,
Brongs and people from the three northern regions who migrated mostly to the cocoa
growing areas of the region and Ewes and Gas in the fishing communities along the coastal
belt.

The people’s religious affiliation is expressed in the constitutional guarantee for freedom of
worship. The predominant religion of Western Region in 2010 is Christianity (82%) followed
by Islam (9.3%). Traditional religion has declined from 1.5 percent in 2000 to 0.8 percent in
2010 in spite of the traditional nature of the region’s social structure.
There are different types of festivals celebrated in the region. However four of such festivals
dominate. These are: Kundum, Afahye (Akwantukase), Alluole, and Nkronu. With the
exception of the Wassa, Sefwi, Shama and Mpohor traditional areas, all of the other
traditional councils celebrate Kundum festival amidst glamorous drumming and dancing
between August and November. The significance of the celebration of these traditional
festivals are many. Festivals celebrated in Western like all other festivals celebrated
elsewhere in Ghana serves, among others, the following purposes:
To mark the beginning of a traditional year
To offer thanks to the Supreme God for his care and protection and to offer thanks to
the ancestors and the spirits for their protection during the past year.
To renew the peoples loyalty to their chiefs by paying homage and lastly
To settle family disputes, quarrels and misunderstanding.
The period of celebration of these festivals in the region differs from one community
to another. Usually the last day of the festivals are marked by colourful durbars. Table
1.2 provides information on the festivals and their periods of celebration in the
Region.

7
Table 1.2: Festivals and Periods of Celebration in Western Region.
Traditional Council Town Festival Period of Celebration

Ahanta Busua Kundum August / September

Jomoro Apatiem Kundum September/October
Aowin Enchi Kundum February (every 3 years)
Eastern Nzima Atuabo Kundum September / October
Essikadu Essikadu Kundum September / October

Gwira Bramiankor Elluo October

Lower Town Axim Axim Kundum August / September
Lower Dixcove Dixcove Kundum August / September
Mpohor Mpohor Odwira September / October
Nsein Nsein Kundum August / September
Sefwi Anhwiaso Anhwiaso Afahye November / December

Sefwi Bekwai Bekwai Afahye November / December

Sekondi Sekondi Kundum November / December
Sefwi Wiawso Wiawso Alluole October/November/ Dec
Shama Shama Nkronu August / September
Suaman Dadieso Alluole October/November/ Dec
Upper Axim Axim Kundum August/September

WassaAmenfi Akropong Afahye/ Edie January

Wassa Fiase Benso Afahye/ Odwira August/September
Ahanta West Benyin Kundum September/October
Source: Centre for National Culture, Sekondi

1.5 Economy and Living Conditions

The Western Region has large economic resources. It is the highest producer of cocoa in the
country contributing to over 50 percent of the total national production. It is also the highest
producer of timber and the second highest producer of gold after Ashanti Region. Again, it is
the sole producer of rubber, bauxite, and manganese. It is also the major crude oil producing
region. The Region’s mineral wealth is shown in Figure 1.

8
Figure 1.5: Minerals Map of the Western Region.

Source: Western Regional Coordinating Council

However, agriculture remains the mainstay of the Region’s economy. The region has a total
cultivable area of 11000 square kilometres (representing about 46 percent of the total land
mass of the Region) of which 45,000 hectares is under tree crops, while 1600 hectares is for
food crop production.
Other economic activities undertaken outside agricultural are industrial. The major industrial
activity in the Region is the Petroleum industry (oil and gas exploration and production).
In 2007 oil was discovered in West Cape Three Points (WCTP) and DeepwaterTano
exploration blocks. Initial appraisal revealed commercial quantities of excellent crude oil.
The Jubilee Unit Area (JUA) was established to allow for development to start in 2009. The
Jubilee field, which straddles the DeepwaterTano and WCTP blocks and lies approximately
60 kilometres off the coast of Ghana; (see figure 1.6 below) has estimated resources of up to
one billion barrels.

9
Figure 1.6: Jubilee Oil fields

Source: www.tullowoil.com/ghana

Initial production started in November 2010 and the First Oil was celebrated on 15 th
December of the same year. Indeed, the three and a half year between discovery and
production has been hailed worldwide as an industry first (www.gnpc.com). The operators of
the JUA are Tullow Oil Ghana Limited, Kosmos Energy, Anadarko Petroleum, the Ghana
National Petroleum Company and Sabre Oil & Gas (known as Tullow and Jubilee Partners
for short).
There are other industries which are into cocoa processing, flour milling, sawn timber and
wood processing. Others are Benso Oil Palm Plantation (BOPP), Norpalm and Ghana Rubber
Estate Limited (GREL) which are into oil palm and rubber processing. According to the 2003
National Industrial Census Report (GSS, 2003), Western Region provides 7.5 percent of the
industrial establishments and accounts for 2.1 percent of persons engaged by industrial in the
country.
Tourism is also another economic potential that is being harnessed to earn foreign exchange
for the region and the country at large. Some vast ecotourism sites include the Bia National
Park and Reserve, Egambra Crocodile Sanctuary, WassaDomama Rock Shrine, Nzulezu
Settlement (village on stilts over lake Tadane) and Boako Waterfalls.
The Forts in the region also provide tourist attractions. These include the following: Fort
Appolonian at Beyin; Fort Cross at Dixcove; Fort Batensteyn at Butre; Fort Fredericksburg at
Prince Town; Fort Anthonio at Axim; Fort Dorothea (ruins) at Akwidaa and Fort Sebastian at
Shama.

10
Other potential tourist sites include the beaches. Notable ones among them are Busua
Pleasure Beach, Ajua Beach and Princess Town Beach. Nkroful, the birthplace of Dr Kwame
Nkrumah also provides tourist attraction.
Tourism potentials of the region is shown in Figure 1.7.

Figure 1.7: Tourism Map of Western Region

Source: Western Regional Coordinating Council

1.6 Demographics
The population of the region as enumerated in the 2010 PHC is 2,376,021; with 1,187,774
males and 1,188,247 females. The population aged less than 15 years constitute 39.6 percent
of the total, while those aged 15 - 64 make up 57.0 percent and persons 65 years and older
make up the remaining 3.4 percent. The proportion of the population urban is 42.4 percent.
Currently, the regional population density is 99.3 persons per sq km having increased from
80.4 persons per sq km in year 2000.

Among the 17 Districts in the Region, the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis has the highest share
of 23.5 percent of the population, whilst Nzema East Municipal has the lowest share of 2.6
percent.
11
1.7 Organization of the Report
The previous sections of this chapter attempted a description of the history, physical features,
political, administrative, and social structure; as well as the economic potentials of the region.
This was necessary because these issues shape and impact on the lives of the people and
determine the social and economic characteristics of the population.
The rest of the report will be devoted to a description of the characteristics of the population
in the districts as enumerated on census night. There are 12 chapters in the report. Chapter
one is the introduction and chapter two is an abridged version of the census methodology1.
The social characteristics of the population such as population size, composition and age-sex
structure; household size, structure and composition; marital characteristics and education
and literacy; are described in chapters three, four, five, and seven respectively. Information
communication technology is the main item for chapter six. Fertility, mortality and migration
patterns are addressed in chapter eight, and chapter nine takes a look at the economic
characteristics. The disability characteristics of the population in the districts are analysed in
chapter ten. Chapters eleven and twelve deal with agricultural activity and housing conditions
respectively.

1
The full version can be found in the same chapter in the national report of the 2010 population and housing
census.

12
 CHAPTER TWO
CENSUS METHODOLOGY

2.1 Introduction
The primary objective of the 2010 PHC was to provide information on the number,
distribution and social, economic and demographic characteristics of the population of Ghana
necessary to facilitate the socio-economic development of the country. In conducting the
2010 PHC, the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) was guided by the principle of international
comparability and the need to obtain accurate information on population and housing in the
country. Therefore, the 2010 PHC was conducted using all the essential features of a modern
census as contained in the United Nations Principles and Recommendations for countries
taking part in the 2010 Round of Population and Housing Censuses. The exercise was also
informed by experience from previous post-independence censuses of Ghana (1960, 1970,
1984 and 2000). From the previous experiences, it was recognized that a large scale statistical
operation suxh as the 2010 Population and Housing Census required meticulous planning for
its successful implementation. This chapter presents information on the pre-census planning,
enumeration and post enumeration activities. It is organized into five sections namely, pre-
enumeration activities, the census enumeration itself, post enumeration activities, challenges
and lessons learnt, summary and recommendations.

2.2 Pre-Enumeration Activities

The pre-enumeration period consisted of a number of discreet and related activities. This
section outlines the major pre-enumeration activities which were undertaken.

2.2.1 Development of Census Project Document and Work plans

The first stage of the exercise involved the setting up of a working group at the head office of
the Ghana Statistical Service which was charged with the responsibility of preparing the
census project document with the assistance of consultants. The document contained the
rationale and objectives of the census, census organisation, a work plan and a budget. The
project document was launched in November 2008 as part of the Ghana Statistics
Development Plan (GSDP). In November 2009, the document was reviewed and updated to
take into account the changes which had occurred over the period. Secondly, a management
and supervisory framework which outlined the responsibilities of the various stakeholders
essential for the effective implementation of a population and housing census was also
produced as part of the initial preparation.

2.2.2 Census Secretariat and Committees

To implement the activities outlined in the 2010 PHC project document, a National Census
Secretariat was set up at the GSS head office in January 2008. The Secretariat comprised
professional and technical staff of GSS as well as staff of other Ministries, Departments and

13
Agencies (MDAs), some of whom were seconded to GSS. The Secretariat, primarily
responsible for the day-to-day planning and implementation of the census activities, consisted
of seven units namely, census administration, cartography, recruitment and training, publicity
and education, field operations and logistics management, data processing, and data analysis
and dissemination.

The Census Secretariat was initially headed by an acting Census Coordinator engaged by the
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in 2008 to support GSS in planning the Census. In
2009, the Census Secretariat was re-organised with the Government Statistician as the
National Chief Census Officer and overall Coordinator of the census. As part of the re-
organization, a Census Management Team and a Census Coordinating Team were established
to assist the National Chief Census Officer/Coordinator. The Census Management Team had
oversight responsibility for the implementation of the Census and took critical decisions on
the census in consultation with other national committees. The Census Coordinating Team,
on the other hand, was responsible for the day-to-day implementation of the Census
programme.

Census committees were set up at both national and sub-national levels to provide technical
advice and assist with resource mobilization. At the national level, the committees were the
National Census Steering Committee (NCSC), the National Census Technical Advisory
Committee (NCTAC) and the National Census Publicity and Education Committee
(NCPEC). At the regional and district levels, the committees were the Regional Census
Implementation Committee (RCIC) and the District Census Implementation Committee
(DCIC) respectively.

At the apex of the structure of the 2010 PHC management was the National Census Steering
Committee as the main policy making body. The Committee was responsible for policy
setting and direction on all aspects of the 2010 PHC. The composition of the NCSC was
inter-sectoral with representation at the highest level, from both public and private
institutions, such as the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, Ministry of Education,
National Population Council, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Electoral
Commission and the National House of Chiefs.

The next tier was the National Census Technical Advisory Committee (NCTAC) which was
multi-disciplinary in its membership, comprising subject-matter specialists from a broad
spectrum of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), universities, other research
institutions and private consultants. This Committee served as a think-tank and an advisory
body to the Census Management Team and supported the Census Coordinating Team at
specific stages of the census programme. For instance, the Committee assisted in developing
the questionnaires and ancillary documents used for the census.

A National Census Publicity and Education Committee comprising senior level

representatives in communication, civic education and advocacy from relevant public and
private institutions was set up to advice on education and publicity. The Committee provided

14
technical advice to the Census Secretariat in the development of publicity and educational
materials and implementation of the publicity programmes for the census.

Inter-sectoral Regional and District Census Implementation Committees were formed in all
the regions and districts in the country. With membership drawn mainly from decentralized
departments, Regional and District Coordinating Directors chaired the Committees
respectively. The Western Regional Census Implementation Committee worked closely with
the Regional/District Census officials to plan the regional, district and locality level activities
in areas such as recruitment, training, publicity and field operations. The Committee also
assisted in mobilising logistical support for the census.

2.2.3 Census Mapping

A timely and well implemented census mapping was considered pivotal for the success of the
2010 PHC as it is the process for delineating the country into enumeration areas to facilitate
smooth enumeration of the population. For the 2010 PHC, the process involved updating the
2000 Census Enumeration Area (EA) maps, which started in the last quarter of 2007, the
acquisition of topographic and digital sheets of all indices from the Geographic Information
System Unit of the Survey and Mapping Division of the Lands Commission.

Updating of the 2000 PHC enumeration areas in the region was faced with a number of
challenges including the problem of demarcating fast growing areas. One other major
challenge for the mapping teams was the reconciliation of administrative boundaries
following the creation of new districts. Field cartographic work in the region was completed
in November, 2009.

2.2.4 Development of Questionnaire and Manuals

For effective data collection, there is the need to design appropriate documents to solicit the
required information from respondents. In developing questionnaires and other materials, the
GSS consulted widely with main data users and other stakeholders such as MDAs, research
institutions, civil society organisations and development partners. The aim was to give these
institutions and bodies, the opportunity to indicate the type of questions they felt should be
included in the census questionnaire.

The documents developed for the census consisted of questionnaires, manuals and field
operation documents. Three types of questionnaires were developed to cover different
population groups: (1) PHC1A to enumerate the household population; (2) PHC1B for non-
household (Group Quarters) population; and (3) PHC1C to enumerate out-door
sleepers/floating population.

The field operation documents were the Enumerator’s Visitation Record Book, Supervisor’s
Record Book, and operational control forms. Enumerators and supervisors used the record
books as operational and quality control tools to control and monitor field activities
respectively. The supervisor’s record book consisted of checklists and was used to monitor
enumerators under his/her supervision, to record all errors identified in the work of an
enumerator and the measures which were taken to rectify the situation. Two summary sheets
15
were developed for recording summaries of information collected at the enumeration and
locality level: The PHC3 and the PHC4 forms. The PHC3 form was used to record total
number of persons in each enumeration area by sex and the data from that form were collated
and used to publish the provisional results. The PHC4 form was used to record information at
the locality level on total number of persons enumerated and the availability of social
facilities such as health and educational institutions, public toilets, and the distance to the
nearest facility if that facility was not available in the locality. This form is used to prepare
the Gazetteer, which is the alphabetical listing of all localities in the country by region and by
district with their population and the identified facilities.

The topics which were eventually selected for the 2010 Population and Housing Census were
based on recommendations from the United Nations Principles and Recommendations for
2010 Round of Population and Housing Censuses, the African Addendum to that document
and the needs of data users. 2010 PHC adopted all the core topics recommended at the global
level, i.e., geographical and internal migration characteristics, international migration,
household characteristics, demographic and social characteristics such as age, date of birth,
sex, and marital status, fertility and mortality, educational and economic characteristics,
issues relating to disability and housing conditions and amenities were adopted and included
in the census.

Some topics were not considered ‘core’ by the United Nations’ recommendations but were
found to be of great interest and importance to Ghana and were, therefore, included in the
2010 PHC questionnaire. These topics were religion, ethnicity, employment sector and place
of work, agricultural activity, Information Communication Technology (ICT), and issues on
housing, such as type of dwelling, materials used for outer walls, floor and roof,
tenure/holding arrangement, number of sleeping rooms, cooking fuel and cooking space.

The specific items of information collected from the population encountered on census night
were name, sex, age, date of birth, nationality, ethnicity, birthplace, religion, internal
migration, marital status, literacy, full time education, fertility, mortality, economic activity,
occupation, industry, employment status, employment sector, disability, use of ICT, and
agricultural activity. All questions were pre-coded except those on ethnic group, agricultural
activity, occupation and industry, which were coded in the field.

Two manuals were developed: enumerator and supervisor’s manuals. The first, the
enumerator’s manual, contained procedures, definitions and concepts used in the census,
instructions on how to enumerate all persons and households in localities and a historical
calendar of national and regional events which was used to estimate the ages of persons who
did not know their date of birth or age. The second, the supervisor’s manual, contained
information on the duties of a supervisor and how to conduct checks on the work of
enumerators.

For the coding of occupations and industrial activities in the country, a codebook based on
the International Standard Classification of Industry (ISIC) and International Standard
Classification of Occupation (ISCO) was developed. The codes, which were a four-digit

16
alphabetical ordering, were prepared taking into consideration the ISCO and ISIC structure as
well as occupations and industrial activities specific to Ghana.

2.2.5 Pre-tests and Trial Census

The census questionnaire was pre-tested twice in the course of its development in line with
the internationally accepted practices for conducting censuses. The first pre-test was carried
out in March 2009 and was used to assess the suitability of questions and instructions,
adequacy and completeness of questions and respondents’ understanding of the questions.
The second pre-test was conducted in 10 selected enumeration areas in August 2009. The
objective of the second pre-test was to examine the sequencing of questions, testing of new
questions which were introduced in the 2010 PHC such as date of birth and migration and
how the introduction of ‘date of birth’ could help to reduce ‘age heaping’. For the questions
on fertility, the pre-tests sought to find out the difference, if any, between proxy responses
and responses by respondents themselves. Both pre-tests were carried out in the Greater
Accra Region. Experiences from the pre-tests informed the development of the final census
questionnaires.

In May 2010, GSS with the support of the United Nations Population Fund conducted a
special test-census in the Awutu Senya District of the Central Region. The aim of the exercise
was to test the hypothesis that questions on children ever born and children surviving could
be asked in a census and secondly, if answered by respondents themselves or through proxy
would generate useful and good quality data. The results from this test showed that it was
possible to obtain lifetime fertility data in a census and that there were no significant
differences between the responses given by proxy and the eligible women themselves. Based
on this finding, lifetime fertility questions were re-introduced in the questionnaire.

A trial census was held in October/November 2009 as a dress rehearsal for all the activities
and procedures which had been planned for the main census. These were recruitment and
training, distribution of census materials, administration of questionnaires and other census
forms, enumeration of the various categories of the population (household, institutional and
floating population), and data processing. This trial census was held in six selected districts
including the Bia District in the Western region. The selection of districts for the trial census
was informed by factors such as administrative boundary issues, ecological zones,
accessibility, and availability of outdoor-sleepers/floating and institutional populations, fast-
growing areas and enumeration areas with scattered settlements.

The trial census provided an opportunity to assess plans, procedures and the state of
preparedness for the conduct of the 2010 PHC. Results from the trial census were used to
estimate the number of persons per questionnaire and the average number of persons in the
household roster, to assess the question on migration, the placement of the mortality
questions, serial numbering of houses/housing structures and method of collection of
information on community facilities. Some of the common errors encountered during the
editing of the completed questionnaires resulted in modifications to the questionnaire and the
enumerator’s manual. Lessons learnt from the trial census also guided the planning of the

17
recruitment process, the procedures for training of field staff, publicity and education on the
census.

2.2.6 Distribution of Census Materials

Experience from the trial census guided the distribution of census materials in the region. The
Regional Census office liaised with institutions that had the capacity to transport large
volumes of materials to the districts. The District Assemblies, Ghana Education Service
(GES), the Electoral Commission and Information Services Department were the institutions
that assisted in transporting the census materials from Accra to the district capitals for
distribution to field personnel.

2.2.7 Publicity and Education

Publicity and public education on the census were considered essential for the success of the
2010 PHC. The objectives of the census education campaign were to sensitize the public on
the importance of the census, to create awareness on the census topics/questions, to solicit for
support from the public on the exercise and to assure the population of the confidentiality of
the information provided. The publicity programme was implemented in two phases. Phase
one was the publicity for the trial census and was restricted to the six trial census districts.
For this phase, the publicity was mostly through direct community interaction such as
interpersonal communication through the Information Service Department vans and
traditional forms such as drums and drama as some of the trial districts were rural and some
of the people did not have access to radio or television. Phase two was the publicity for the
main census and this involved sensitization of civil society groups, religious leaders and
community leaders; seminars; workshops; television and radio programmes; and use of
public address systems.

Materials used for the publicity of main census publicity included jingles, posters, banners,
car stickers, brochures, handbills, flyers and t-shirts. These materials were distributed freely
through Regional and District Offices of GSS, and Regional and District Census
Implementation Committees.

The Census Night, Sunday, 26th September 2010, was observed in all Districts in the region
with various activities to make the day memorable. The rationale for celebrating the Census
Night was to create public awareness on the commencement of the census and also for people
to remember that night since information on the census was collected with reference to that
night.

Activities organised in communities included:

 Sounding of sirens using Information Service Department vans, Police vehicles and
Fire Service tenders
 Television and radio discussions explaining the importance of the census on Census
Night.
 Tooting of horns by Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) vehicles
 Tolling of church bells
18
  Brass band floats and street processions
 Bonfires
 Traditional drumming, gong-gong beating and firing of muskets (especially in the
rural and semi-urban areas)
 Cultural shows and music by spinning groups
 Film shows.

2.2.8 Recruitment and Training of Census Personnel

Recognising the importance of using high calibre personnel, training and motivation in
conducting a successful census, the GSS developed elaborate plans for the recruitment and
training of field personnel. The Census Secretariat developed a criterion for field personnel.
Using the developed criteria, an online recruitment process was adopted to select interested
person’s in all regions. Applicants were requested to complete an online application form
after which qualified candidates were shortlisted and interviewed in the district of their
choice. The names of successful applicants were forwarded to the Census Secretariat after
which the names were posted to the districts for interview and selection of successful
applicants.

Given the large number of personnel that had to be trained for the census enumeration, a
four-tier training programme was implemented at the national level. In the first tier, GSS
trained about 50 national level trainers. These, together with senior officials of GSS formed
the core of trainers who trained about 250 regional level trainers. The regional level trainers
then trained about 2000 district level trainers who in turn trained about 50,000 enumerators,
supervisors and senior supervisors. These district level trainers were mainly officials from
Ghana Education Service (GES) and the MDAs. In August 2010, a one-week training
programme was conducted at the national level for all district level trainers. This was to
ensure standardized training. After the training of the district level trainers, they in-turn
organized training for field personnel in their respective districts.

The training of the field personnel for the main census took place concurrently in all the 20
districts in the region. The training focused on the objectives of the census, interview
techniques, map reading skills, listing of households, administration of the census
questionnaires and how to complete the operational control forms. The field personnel who
were trained included senior field supervisors, field supervisors and enumerators.

Based on results from an assessment of the trainers, some of them were select as supervisors.
Those selected were given additional training which focused mainly on supervision of
enumerators, field checks, and the completion of census operational control forms and
summary sheets.

Enumerators and supervisors were trained to undertake the census due to the fact that Ghana
is largely an illiterate society. Thus, the canvasser method, which involves trained field
personnel visiting houses and households to enumerate, was adopted for the 2010 PHC.

19
Specific arrangements were made for the coverage of special population groups, such as the
homeless and the floating population.

2.3 Census Enumeration

2.3.1 Enumeration

In the 2010 PHC, people were enumerated at where they were on census night (de facto) as in
all the four post- independence censuses (1960, 1970, 1984, and 2000) conducted in the
country and not at where they usually resided (de jure). The de facto count was adopted
because it is based on physical presence on a defined date and therefore it is simple,
straightforward, and easy to interpret as well as minimizes the risks of under-enumeration and
over enumeration. The reference period, the census night, was fixed for 26th September 2010.

The field personnel used the week preceding the Census Night to identify EA boundaries, list
houses and other structures in their enumeration areas and enumerated institutional
populations (health facilities, boarding schools and prisons). Prior to the census enumeration,
officials of the Regional Census Office identified possible locations of out-door sleepers in
the region. This was to assist the officials to plan on how to enumerate the floating
population. Field officers were deployed to enumerate the floating population on Census
Night using the census questionnaire (PHC1C).

Following the census night on 26th September 2010, enumeration of household populations
started on Monday, 27th September 2010 with visits to houses, compounds and structures in
enumeration areas. The enumeration was carried out in the order in which houses/structures
were listed. Where the members of a household were absent, the enumerator left a call-back-
card indicating when he/she would return to enumerate the household. The enumeration
process took off smoothly and on schedule. However, after a few days’ work, some
enumerators ran short of questionnaires, delaying the process for about three days.

Enumeration resumed in all districts when the shortage of questionnaires was resolved and by
17th October, 2010, enumeration was completed in most districts. Enumerators who
completed their work early were mobilized to assist in the enumeration of localities that had
large EAs especially the district capitals.

2.3.2 Supervision and Monitoring of Field work

To achieve effective supervision, one supervisor was assigned to five enumerators. The
supervisors ensured that enumerators followed all the instructions and procedures in carrying
out their assigned responsibilities. In addition, District and Regional Census Officials and
census committee members also went round to ensure that the enumeration exercise was
successful.

2.3.3 Retrieval of Census Materials

One of the post enumeration activities in the region involved the collection and transportation
of census forms to Accra for data processing. At the end of field work on 17th October, 2010,

20
enumerators submitted their completed questionnaires, summary forms (PHC3 & PHC4) and
other census materials to their supervisors who in turn forwarded them to the District Census
Office. Materials received at the District Office were documented and the receipts which
accompanied the census materials were used to reconcile the items given to an enumerator
and those returned. The PHC3 forms were quickly dispatched to the Census Secretariat from
which the provisional results were compiled. Vehicles were sent from Accra to collect the
completed questionnaires and other documents from the districts to the Census Secretariat.

2.4 Post Enumeration Survey

In line with United Nations’ recommendations, GSS conducted a Post Enumeration Survey
(PES) in April, 2011. The objective was to use the results to check for content and coverage
errors and to provide feedback on aspects such as concepts and procedures on the census
operations. Findings from the PES can also guide users in their interpretation of the 2010
PHC results. Five items of information were collected in the PES: name, sex, age,
relationship to head of household and marital status. Similar PESs were undertaken in
previous post-independence censuses. The results of the 1960 and the 1970 PESs were
published but not those of 1984 and 2000.

For the PES, a sample of 250 (0.67%) out of 37,642 enumeration areas, was selected across
the country. To ensure reliability of the estimates of the PES, the 2010 PHC frame was used.
First stratified into the 10 administrative regions, enumeration areas were allocated to each
stratum (region) according to the proportion of EAs in region. Systematic sampling with
probability proportional to size (number of households) was applied in the selection of the
enumeration areas in each region. A matching exercise was conducted to check both coverage
and content errors.

Some of the personnel who took part in the 2010 PHC field enumeration exercise were
recruited and trained for six days on the instruments prepared for the PES. The field work
was carried out for 21 days in April 2011 and was closely monitored and supervised to ensure
quality output. The main findings of the PES were that:

 97.0 percent of all household residents who were in the country on Census Night (26 th
September, 2010) were enumerated in the 2010 PHC representing an omission rate of
3.0 percent.

 1.3 percent of the population was erroneously included in the census.

 Regional differentials are observed. Upper East region recorded the highest coverage
rate of 98.2 percent while the Volta region had the lowest coverage rate of 95.7
percent.

 Males (3.3%) were more likely than females (2.8%) to be omitted in the census. The
coverage rate for males was 96.7 percent and the coverage rate for females was 97.2
percent. Also, the coverage rates (94.1%) for those within the 20-29 and 30-39 age
groups are relatively lower compared to the coverage rates of the other age groups.

21
  There was a high rate of agreement between the 2010 PHC data and the PES data for
sex (98.8%), marital status (94.6%), relationship to head of household (90.5%) and
age (83.0%).

2.5 Lessons learnt and Challenges

This section highlights some of the challenges and lessons learnt before, during and after the
planning and implementation of the 2010 PHC in the Central region. The lessons learnt cover
aspects such as recruitment and training of field personnel, publicity and education,
demarcation of enumeration areas, and field challenges.

2.5.1 Boundary Disputes

Disputes relating to district boundaries arose during the demarcation of enumeration areas
and also during the actual enumeration of the population. During the delineation of EAs,
some community leaders and District Assembly officials confronted the cartographic field
personnel for placing their communities in districts other than those they claimed they
belonged to. Similar confrontations occurred during the enumeration where some
communities initially refused to be enumerated due to district boundary disputes. They
claimed that enumerators assigned to their area were from different districts and therefore
could not be allowed to enumerate them. In some cases, senior census officials, District Chief
Executives and officials of the Western Regional Coordinating Council had to intervene
before the aggrieved communities accepted to be enumerated. The assurance given was that
their population will be allocated to the district they claimed to belong to. Such disputes
affected the timely completion of both exercises.

2.5.2 Large Enumeration Areas

The usual practice is to assign one enumerator to one enumeration area. As such, enumeration
areas are usually created in such a way that the enumerator is able to complete enumeration
within the stipulated time. Unfortunately, some enumeration areas in the region were larger
and therefore the enumerators of those enumeration areas were unable to complete
enumeration within the given time. When this became known, additional enumerators were
deployed to assist them to enumerate the remaining areas. This situation led to late
completion of work in such enumeration areas, which contributed to the overall delay in the
fieldwork in the region.

2.5.3 Shortage of Census Questionnaires

The initial shortage of questionnaires was one of the major setbacks in the 2010 PHC. As a
result, some enumerators resorted to the use of exercise books to record information of
households. Enumerators who did this were asked to transfer such information to the
questionnaire when the situation improved. This was done with the guidance of supervisors.

22
2.5.4 Supervision

Although conscious effort was made to select knowledgeable, experienced and committed
people as supervisors, some of them could not perform as expected in the field. Such people
did not have the necessary skills to supervise and monitor the work of others. In some cases,
there were problems with supervision because some teachers were selected as supervisors
over their superiors at work. This affected working relationships. In future, the selection of
supervisors should be done with more care than was the case in some of the areas.

2.5.5 Logistics

During the mapping exercise, an inadequate number and frequent breakdown of vehicles was
a challenge. Another challenge faced by the Regional Census office was the late delivery of
bags/satchels that were to be used for packaging of the census questionnaires. Due to the late
delivery of the bags/satchels, cartons were used to package and transport the census materials
from the districts to the Census Secretariat in Accra.

2.6 Summary and Recommendations

2.6.1 Summary

Methodologies adopted for the 2010 census were derived from the recommendations from the
United Nations Principles and Recommendations for the countries taking part in the 2010
round of population and housing census as well as experience from previous censuses in
Ghana.

Topics covered in the census were: demographic and social characteristics, such as, age, sex,
marital status, ethnicity, religion, literacy, education, economic characteristics, ICT,
disability, fertility, mortality, agricultural activity and housing.

In the area of census mapping, both manual and digital mapping techniques were used. In
previous censuses, only manual mapping techniques were used to produce census
enumeration area maps.

A trial census was carried out in the Bia district of the Western region. The 2010 Population
and Housing Census was widely publicized in every community in the region. The
involvement of many stakeholders such as Ministry of Information, Information Service
Department, and the National Commission for Civic Education, MMDAs and the private
media contributed to the success of the census publicity campaign in the region. Training of
field personnel was done at the district level.

Some of the major challenges were encountered in the areas of census mapping, field data
collection and supervision. However, staff of GSS in the Western region, and members of the
Regional and District Census Implementation Committees were able to find solutions to these
challenges.

23
2.6.2 Recommendations

The institutions responsible for the creation of districts, constituencies and electoral areas and
enumeration areas should build consensus in the creation of these units to avoid conflicts in
the conduct of national exercises such as elections and censuses.

In the future, every effort should be made to maintain the ten-year periodicity as well as
conduct the census in March as has been the practice. This calls for the timely release of
funds for the conduct of the census exercise.

The field operations group should collaborate with the cartography section in the creation of
enumeration areas (EAs). This would help in minimizing cases where some EAs are
exceptionally large. Field officers should also be requested to report cases of large EAs at the
end of house listing to avoid the situation where some portions of EAs are left un-attended to.

The Census Coordinator should ensure that all the census materials, especially the census
questionnaires, are procured in good time and in sufficient quantities and sent to the regions
ahead of training of field personnel. This will avoid delays in census activities and shortages
of census materials.

Management should recognize the importance of supervision and monitoring and budget
adequately for them in future censuses.

2.7 Concepts and Definitions

Introduction

The 2010 Population and Housing Census of Ghana followed the essential concepts and
definitions of a modern Population and Housing Census as recommended by the United
Nations (UN). It is important that the concepts, definitions and recommendations are adhered
to since they form the basis upon which Ghana could compare her data with those of other
countries.

The concepts and definitions in this report cover all sections of the 2010 Population and
Housing Census questionnaires (PHC1A and PHC1B). The sections were: geographical
location of the population, Household and Non-household population, Literacy and
Education, Emigration, Demographic and Economic Characteristics, Disability, Information
Communication Technology (ICT), Fertility, Mortality, Agricultural Activity and Housing
Conditions.

The concepts and definitions are provided to facilitate understanding and use of the data
presented in this report. Users are, therefore, advised to use the results of the census within
the context of these concepts and definitions.

Region

There were ten (10) administrative regions in Ghana during the 2010 Population and Housing
Census as they were in 1984 and 2000.

24
District

In 1988, Ghana changed from the local authority system of administration to the district
assembly system. In that year, the then existing 140 local authorities were demarcated into
110 districts. In 2004, 28 new districts were created; this increased the number of districts in
the country to 138. In 2008, 32 additional districts were created bringing the total number of
districts to 170. The 2010 Population and Housing Census was conducted in these 170
administrative districts (these are made-up of 164 districts/municipals and 6 metropolitan
areas). The six metropolitan areas in all have 33 sub-metros which the Statistical Service
considered as districts for the purpose of the exercise. Thus, the total number of statistical
districts was 197.

Locality

A locality was defined as a distinct population cluster (also designated as inhabited place,
populated centre, settlement) which has a NAME or LOCALLY RECOGNISED STATUS. It
included fishing hamlets, mining camps, ranches, farms, market towns, villages, towns, cities
and many other types of population clusters, which meet the above criteria. There were two
main types of localities, rural and urban. As in previous censuses, the classification of
localities into ‘urban’ and ‘rural’ was based on population size. Localities with 5,000 or more
persons were classified as urban while localities with less than 5,000 persons were classified
as rural.

Population

The 2010 Census was a “de facto” count and each person present in Ghana, irrespective of
nationality, was enumerated at the place where he/she spent the midnight of 26 th September,
2010.

Household

A household was defined as a person or a group of persons, who lived together in the same
house or compound and shared the same house-keeping arrangements. In general, a
household consisted of a man, his wife, children and some other relatives or a house help who
have been living with them. However, it is important to remember that members of a
household are not necessarily related (by blood or marriage) because non-relatives (e.g. house
helps) may form part of a household.

Head of Household

The household head was defined as a male or female member of the household recognised as
such by the other household members. The head of household is generally the person who has
economic and social responsibility for the household. All relationships are defined with
reference to the head.

25
Household and Non-Household Population

Household population comprised of all persons who spent the census night in a household
setting. All persons who did not spend the census night in a household setting (except
otherwise stated) were classified as non-household population. Persons who spent census
night in any of the under listed institutions and locations were classified as non-household
population:

(a) Educational Institutions

(b) Children's and Old People’s Homes

(c) Hospitals and Healing Centres

(d) Hotels

(e) Prisons

(f) Service Barracks

(g) Soldiers on field exercise

(h) Floating Population: The following are examples of persons in this category:

i. All persons who slept in lorry parks, markets, in front of stores and offices,
public bathrooms, petrol filling stations, railway stations, verandas,
pavements, and all such places which are not houses or compounds.

ii. Hunting and fishing camps.

iii. Beggars and vagrants (mentally sick or otherwise).

Age

The age of every person was recorded in completed years disregarding fractions of days and
months. For those persons who did not know their birthdays, the enumerator estimated their
ages using a list of district, regional and national historical events.

Nationality

Nationality is defined as the country to which a person belongs. A distinction is made

between Ghanaians and other nationals. Ghanaian nationals are grouped into Ghanaian by
birth, Ghanaian with dual nationality and Ghanaian by naturalization. Other nationals are
grouped into ECOWAS nationals, Africans other than ECOWAS nationals, and non-
Africans.

Ethnicity

Ethnicity refers to the ethnic group that a person belonged to. This information was collected
only from Ghanaians by birth and Ghanaians with dual nationality. The classification of

26
ethnic groups in Ghana is that officially provided by the Bureau of Ghana Languages and
which has been in use since the 1960 census.

Birthplace

The birthplace of a person refers to the locality of usual residence of the mother at the time of
birth. If after delivery a mother stayed outside her locality of usual residence for six months
or more or had the intention of staying in the new place for six or more months, then the
actual town/village of physical birth becomes the birthplace of the child.

Duration of Residence

Duration of residence refers to the number of years a person has lived in a particular place.
This question is only asked of persons not born in the place where enumeration took place.
Breaks in duration of residence lasting less than 12 months are disregarded. The duration of
residence of persons who made multiple movements of one (1) year or more is assumed to be
the number of years lived in the locality (town or village) since the last movement.

Religion

Religion refers to the individual’s religious affiliation as reported by the respondent,

irrespective of the religion of the household head or the head’s spouse or the name of the
person. No attempt was made to find out if respondents actually practiced the faith they
professed.

Marital Status

Marital status refers to the respondent’s marital status as at Census Night. The question on
marital status was asked only of persons 12 years and older. The selection of the age limit of
12 years was based on the average age at menarche and also on the practice in some parts of
the country where girls as young as 12 years old could be given in marriage.

Literacy

The question on literacy referred to the respondent's ability to read and write in any language.
A person was considered literate if he/she could read and write a simple statement with
understanding. The question on literacy was asked only of persons 11 years and older.

Education

School Attendance

Data were collected on school attendance for all persons three (3) years and older. School
attendance refers to whether a person has ever attended, was currently attending or has never
attended school. In the census, school meant an educational institution where a person
received at least four hours of formal education.

27
Although the lower age limit of formal education is six years for primary one, eligibility for
the school attendance question was lowered to three years because pre-school education has
become an important phenomenon in the country.

Level of Education

Level of education refers to the highest level of formal school that a person ever attended or
was attending. This information was obtained for persons 3 years and older.

Activity Status

Activity status refers to economic or non-economic activity of respondents during the 7 days
preceding census night. Information on type of activity was collected on persons 5 years and
older. A person was regarded as economically active if they:

a. Worked for pay or profit or family gain for at least 1 hour within the 7 days preceding
Census Night. This included persons who were in paid employment or self-
employment or contributing family workers.

b. Did not work, but had a job to return to.

c. Were unemployed.

The economically not active were persons who did not work and were not seeking for work.
They were classified by reason of not being economically active. Economically not active
persons included homemakers, students, retired persons, the disabled and persons who were
unable to work due to their age or ill-health.

Occupation

This referred to the type of work the person was engaged in at the establishment where he/she
worked. This was asked only of persons 5 years and older who worked 7 days before the
census night, and those who did not work but had a job to return to as well as those
unemployed who had worked before. All persons who worked during the 7 days before the
census night were classified by the kind of work they were engaged in. The emphasis was on
the work the person did during the reference period and not what he/she was trained to do.
For those who did not work but had a job to return to, their occupation was the job they
would go back to after the period of absence. Also, for persons who had worked before and
were seeking for work and available for work, their occupation was on the last work they did
before becoming unemployed. If a person was engaged in more than one occupation, only the
main one was considered.

Industry

Industry referred to the type of product produced or service rendered at the respondent’s work
place. Information was collected only on the main product produced or service rendered in
the establishment during the reference period.

28
Employment Status

Employment status refers to the status of a person in the establishment where he/she currently
works or previously worked. Eight employment status categories were provided: employee,
self-employed without employees, self-employed with employees, casual worker,
contributing family worker, apprentice, domestic employee (house help). Persons who could
not be classified under any of the above categories were classified as “other”.

Employment Sector

This refers to the sector in which a person worked. The employment sectors covered in the
census were public, private formal, private informal, semi-public/parastatal, NGOs and
international organizations.

Disability

Persons with disability were defined as those who were unable to or were restricted in the
performance of specific tasks/activities due to loss of function of some part of the body as a
result of impairment or malformation. Information was collected on persons with visual/sight
impairment, hearing impairment, mental retardation, emotional or behavioural disorders and
other physical challenges.

Information Communication Technology (ICT)

ICT questions were asked for both individuals and households. Persons having mobile
phones refer to respondents 12 years and older who owned mobile phones (irrespective of the
number of mobile phones owned by each person). Persons using internet facility refers to
those who had access to internet facility at home, internet cafe, on mobile phone or other
mobile device. Internet access is assumed to be not only via computer, but also by mobile
phones, PDA, game machine and digital television.

Households having Personal Computers/Laptops refer to households who own

desktops/laptop computers. The fixed telephone line refers to a telephone line connecting a
customer’s terminal equipment (e.g. telephone set, facsimile machine) to the public switch
telephone network.

Fertility

Two types of fertility data were collected: lifetime fertility and current fertility. Lifetime
fertility refers to the total number of live births that females 12 years and older had ever had
during their life time. Current fertility refers to the number of live births that females 12-54
years old had in the 12 months preceding the Census Night.

Mortality

Mortality refers to all deaths that occurred in the household during the 12 months preceding
the Census Night. The report presents information on deaths due to accidents, violence,

29
homicide and suicide. In addition, data were collected on pregnancy-related deaths of females
12-54 years.

Agriculture

The census sought information on household members who are engaged in agricultural
activities, including the cultivation of crops or tree planting, rearing of livestock or breeding
of fish for sale or family consumption. Information was also collected on their farms, types of
crops and number and type of livestock.

Housing Conditions and Facilities

The UN recommended definition of a house as “a structurally separate and independent place

of abode such that a person or group of persons can isolate themselves from the hazards of
climate such as storms and the sun’’ was adopted. The definition, therefore, covered any type
of shelter used as living quarters, such as separate houses, semi-detached houses,
flats/apartments, compound houses, huts, tents, kiosks and containers.

Living quarters or dwelling units refer to a specific area or space occupied by a particular
household and therefore need not necessarily be the same as the house of which the dwelling
unit may be a part.

30
 CHAPTER THREE
POPULATION SIZE, COMPOSITION AND
AGE-SEX STRUCTURE

3.1 Introduction
Population composition is the analysis of population according to characteristics such as, age,
sex, marital status, ethnicity, education and occupation. Population size, composition and
age-sex structures are necessary in understanding the components of population variation and
change, i.e., fertility, mortality, and migration dynamics of any country. The age-sex
structures are useful for population projections. A country’s population composition for
example determines its needs and wellbeing. The objective of this chapter is to analyse the
size, composition, age-sex structure, and changes in the population of the Western Region of
Ghana based on the 2010 Population and Housing Census. This chapter also discusses these
characteristics in terms of size and distribution across the Districts, sex ratio, and nationality
of persons enumerated during the census.

3.2 Population Size and Growth

The results of the 2010 Population and Housing Census (2010 PHC) showed that the number
of persons enumerated in the Western Region was 2,376,021. Table 3.1 captures the size,
growth and density of the regional population since 1960.

Table 3.1: Population size, growth and density

Population growth indicators

Percentage Inter censal Population

Year Population change growth rate density/sq.km
1960 626,155 26.2
1970 770,087 23.0 2.0 32.2
1984 1,157,807 50.3 3.0 48.4
2000 1,924,577 66.2 3.2 80.4
2010 2,376,021 23.5 2.0 99.3
Source: Central Bureau of Statistics and Ghana Statistical Service, Census Reports, 1960-2010

The population of the Western Region almost doubled between the inter censal period, of
1960 (626,155) to 1984 (1,157,807). In a space of forty years (1970-2010), the population of
the Region increased by over 300 percent. In spite of this, the percentage change dropped
considerably from 66.2 percent in 2000 to 23.5 percent in 2010, while the inter censal growth
rate also dropped by 1.2 to 2.0 percent during the same period. In 2000, the regional inter
censal growth rate was above the national average (2.7%) but in 2010 it was below national
growth rate of 2.5 percent.
The population density of the Region has increased from one census to the next and by nearly
fourfold over the 50 year period. The reason for this might be attributed to influx of persons
to the growing cocoa areas, ‘galamsay’ operations and the oil and gas industry. The current
Regional density of 99.3 persons per sq. km. is below the national population density of

31
103.4 persons per sq. km. but much more below the Region with the highest population
density is Greater Accra (1,235.8 persons per sq.km).

3.2.2 District share of Regional Population

Table 3.2 shows that since 1960, the Region’s share of the national population has been
between nine and ten percent with a marginal variation of about 1.2 percent. This is
indicative of a relatively stable share of the national population.
The population of the Region is unevenly distributed across the Districts as shown in Table
3.2. Sekondi- Takoradi Metropolis has the highest share (23.5%) while Nzema East
Municipal has least (2.6%). Other Districts with a small share of the population are
Ellembelle (3.7%), Shama (3.4%), Tarkwa Nsuaem (3.8%), Amenfi East (3.5%) and Sefwi
Akontombra (3.5%). The remaining Districts have between 4.4 and 6.8 percent of the total
population of the Region.

Table 3.2: District share of regional population

Regional/
District Population District
share %
Western 2,376,021 100.0
Jomoro 150,107 6.3
Ellembelle 87,501 3.7
Nzema East Municipal 60,828 2.6
Ahanta West 106,215 4.5
Sekondi- Takoradi Metropolitan 559,548 23.5
Shama 81,968 3.4
Mpohor-Wassa East 123,996 5.2
Tarkwa Nsueam Municipal 90,477 3.8
Prestea Huni Valley 159,304 6.7
Wassa Amenfi East 83,478 3.5
Wassa Amenfi West 161,166 6.8
Aowin Suaman 138,415 5.8
Sefwi Akontombra 82,467 3.5
Sefwi Wiawso 139,2 5.9
Sefwi Bibiani-Anhwiawso Bekwai 123,272 5.2
Juabeso 111,749 4.7
Bia 116,332 4.9
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

3.2.3 Rural-Urban Distribution

The distribution of the population by type of locality (rural/urban) is presented in Table 3.3.
A locality is described as urban if it has a population of 5,000 or more. The proportion of the
population living in urban areas in the Region has been increasing since 1960, except in 1984
when there was a decline. Apart from 1960 when the regional proportion urban was slightly
higher than the national average (23.1%) the reverse has been the case since 1970 (GSS,
2013).
Even though over 40 percent of the population of the Region is urban in 2010, only two
Districts, Sekondi-Takoradi and Shama have averages higher this figure. The Sekondi-
Takoradi Metropolis in which the regional capital is located is almost entirely urban (96.1%)

32
while the percentage of the population urban in 15 percent of the 21 Districts is below the
Regional average of 42.4 percent. Most factories are located in the twin-city of Sekondi-
Takoradi the industrial and commercial hub of the Region. metropolis. The rest of the
Districts (15) are basically rural.

Table 3.3: Rural urban distribution by district

District Year Urban Rural
1960 24.7 75.3
1970 26.9 73.1
All Districts 1980 22.6 77.4
2000 36.3 63.7
2010 42.4 57.6
Jomoro 35.4 64.6
Ellembelle 20.6 79.4
Nzema East 34.0 66.0
Ahanta West 29.5 70.5
Sekondi - Takoradi Metropolis 96.1 3.9
Kwesiminstum 96.7 3.3
Takoradi 100.0 0.0
Sekondi 100.0 0.0
Essikadu-Ketan 91.0 9.0
Shama 56.2 43.8
Mpoha-Wassa East 13.8 86.2
Tarkwa Nsuaem Municiipal 30.3 69.7
Preste Huni Valley 37.1 62.9
Wassa Amenfi East 6.9 93.1
Wassa Amenfi West 27.4 72.6
Aowin- Suaman 14.2 85.8
Sefwi Akontombra 8.8 91.2
Sefwi Wiawso 35.8 64.2
Sefwi Bibiani-Anhwiawso-Bekwai 28.5 71.5
Juabeso 11.2 88.8
Bia 20.1 79.9
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

Tarkwa-Nsuaem (30.3%), Prestea Huni Valley (37.1%), Sefwi Wiawso (35.8%), Jomoro
(35.4%) and Bibiani-Anhwiawso-Bekwai (28.5%) are at the threshold of urbanization
because of the influx of people into the cocoa, oil and gas industries. Most of the rural
Districts. Wassa Amenfi East (6.9% urban), Sefwi Akontombra (8.8%), Juabeso (11.2%
urban), and Bia (20.1% urban) are located in the forest belt where cocoa production is
extensive. These Districts are that only less opened up but are also lack infrastructural
development and hence fail to attract industries although they have abundant raw materials.

33
3.3 Age and Sex Structure
3.3.1 Age Structure
Trends in age structure of the region (Table 3.4). have not changed significantly over the 50
year period. However, there were notable changes in 2010. For the first time in the history of
the Region, the proportion of the population aged 0 -14 years fell below 40 percent and those
aged 15- 24 years increased to over 20 percent.
The proportion aged 25 – 59 years decreased in 1970 and 1984 and picked up in 2000 and
2010 while that of has been increasing since 1984 while those aged 60 years and over has
been on the decline over the same period.

Table 3.4: Age structure by broad age groups, 1960 – 2010

Age Year
group 1960 1970 1984 2000 2010
Number 626 155 770 087 1 157 807 1 924 577 2 376 021
Percent 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
< 15 42.3 45.5 44.7 42.4 39.0
15-24 16.9 17.3 18.7 17.7 20.2
25-59 33.5 32.5 31.5 33.7 35.3
60+ 5.1 4.6 6.6 6.1 5.5
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

The age structure of the Region and the Districts in 2010 is presented in Table 3.5, and shown
in the population pyramid in Figure 1.
The age structure of the Region shows a broad base that gradually declines with increasing
age as in Figure 1. The broad base of the population pyramid indicates that the population of
the region is very young. This means that much resources are needed for the provision of
schools, health care facilities and employment opportunities for the youth. The age structures
of the Districts are not different from the Regional pattern, except in Sekondi-Takoradi
Metropolis, where the numbers increase after the decline at age 15-19 years for both sexes.

Figure 3.1: Age-Sex structure of population

95+
90-94
85-89
80-84
75-79
70-74
65-69
60-64
55-59
50-54 Male
45-49
40-44 Female
35-39
30-34
25-29
20-24
15-19
10-14
5-9
0-4

200,000 150,000 100,000 50,000 0 50,000 100,000 150,000 200,000

Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

34
3.3.2 Age Structure by Sex

From Table 3.5 the regional age-sex structure shows a higher percentage of males than
females for age group 0-4 years to age group 15-19 years. Thereafter, the proportion of the
female population exceeds that of the males. This trend is also observed in all the Districts
except in Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal. This may be due to the mining activities in Tarkwa
which predominantly involves males in the adult age groups in the regional population may
be partly due to long term out migration of adult males or higher mortality levels for males in
the Region, the higher proportion of females than males.
3.3:2 Age Dependency Ratio

The dependency ratio is a measure of the dependent population made up of those below 15
years and 65 years and older, to those in the “economically productive” ages of 15-64 years.
This ratio is used to measure the pressure or burden borne by those in the “economically
productive” ages.
Table 3.5 shows the dependency ratios for Districts in the Region. The regional dependency
ratio is 74.8 percent. Which implies almost 75 persons being supported by 100 persons in the
working ages (15-64 years)? This assumes that everyone in the age group 15-64 years is
working or earning an income which is normally not the case.
At the District level, the lowest dependency ratio is recorded in Sekondi- Takoradi
Metropolis, (58.2%) followed by Tarkwa-Nsuaem municipal (69.7%), while Shama and
Mporhor –Wassa Districts recorded the highest dependency ratio (84.9% each).

Table 3.5: Dependent and working population by sex

District Age Both Male Female Total Dependency
group Sexes Ratio
Western < 15 39.0 39.6 38.4 75.6
15-64 57.2 57.0 57.5
65+ 3.8 3.4 4.2 74.8
Jomoro < 15 40.0 41.7 38.3
15-64 55.6 54.7 56.5
65+ 4.4 3.5 5.2 79.8
Ellembelle < 15 39.4 41.1 37.8
15-64 55.7 55.1 56.3
65+ 4.9 3.8 5.9 79.6
Nzema East < 15 41.0 42.7 39.4
15-64 55.2 54.3 56.1
65+ 2.8 2.9 4.6 81.2
Ahanta West < 15 41.4 43.4 39.6
15-64 54.2 53.1 55.1
65+ 3.8 3.5 5.3 84.7
Sekondi-Takoradi < 15 32.6 33.3 32.0
15-64 63.2 63.0 63.4
65+ 4.1 3.5 4.6 58.2
Shama < 15 41.2 44.2 38.5
15-64 54.1 52.1 55.9
65+ 4.7 3.7 5.6 84.9
Mpohor-Wassa East < 15 41.8 42.8 38.5
15-64 54.3 53.5 55.9
65+ 4.0 3.7 5.6 84.9

35
Table 3.5: Dependent and working population by sex (Cont’d)
District Age Both Male Female Total Dependency
group Sexes Ratio
Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipal < 15 38.1 37.4 38.8
15-64 58.9 59.9 57.9
65+ 3.0 2.8 3.2 69.7
Prestea/Huni-Valley < 15 40.8 40.8 40.7
15-64 55.9 56.0 55.8
65+ 3.3 3.1 3.5 78.8
Wassa Amenfi East < 15 42.0 42.2 41.7
15-64 54.3 54.1 54.4
65+ 3.7 3.7 3.8 84.3
Wassa Amenfi West < 15 41.9 41.8 42.0
15-64 54.9 54.9 54.8
65+ 3.2 3.2 3.2 82.3
Aowin-Suaman < 15 40.6 40.0 41.3
15-64 56.4 56.9 55.8
65+ 3.0 3.1 2.8 77.3
Sefwi Akontombra < 15 42.5 41.8 43.4
15-64 54.7 55.3 54.0
65+ 2.8 2.9 2.6 82.8
Sefwi Wiawso < 15 41.2 41.8 40.6
15-64 55.1 54.7 55.5
65+ 3.7 3.5 3.9 81.5
Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai < 15 39.9 40.6 39.1
15-64 55.7 55.5 55.9
65+ 4.5 3.9 5.0 79.6
Juaboso < 15 41.7 41.6 41.8
15-64 55.2 55.4 55.0
65+ 3.1 3.1 3.1 81.1
Bia < 15 41.6 41.4 41.8
15-64 55.6 55.6 55.7
65+ 2.8 3.1 2.5 79.8
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

3.3.5 Sex Composition

The regional sex ratios from 1960 to 2010 and the district sex ratios for 2010 are shown in
Table 3.8. Prior to 2010, the regional sex ratio was higher than 100 indicating a
predominance of males over females in the Region. The sex ratio which was very high in
1960 has been on the decline except in 2000, when there was a slight increase over the 1984
ratio. In 2010, the Region recorded a sex ratio of 100.0 indicating a balance with almost equal
number (1,1877,74) and females (1,188,247).
In spite of the almost equal number of males to females in the Region as a whole in 2010
there are variations in the sex ratio by District. All coastal Districts have sex ratios lower than
100.0 with Shama having the lowest (89.5). Apart from Sefwi Bibiani-Anhwiawso-Bekwai
District (97.5), all the non-coastal Districts have high sex ratios (more males than females)
with Sefwi Akontombra recording the highest sex of 112.2. This is indicative of male in-
migration for employment on cocoa farms or small scale mining activities.

36
Table 3.6: Regional (1960-2010) and district (2010) sex ratios
Population
Sex
District Year Total Male Female
ratio
1960 110.2
1970 104.7
All Districts 1984 102.6
2000 103.4
2010 2,376,021 1,187,774 1,188,247 100.0
Jomoro 150,107 73,561 76,546 96.1
Ellembelle 87,501 42,317 45,184 93.7
Nzema East 60,828 29,947 30,881 97.0
Ahanta West 106,215 50,999 55,216 92.4
Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis 559,548 273,436 286,112 95.6
Kwesimintsim 232,617 113,726 118,891 95.7
Takoradi 97,352 48,47 48,882 99.2
Sekondi 70,361 33,828 36,533 92.6
Essikadu-Ketan 159,218 77,412 81,806 94.6
Shama 81,966 38,704 43,262 89.5
Mpohor-Wassa East 123,996 62,47 61,526 101.5
Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal 90,477 46,662 43,815 106.5
Prestea/Huni Valley 159,304 80,493 78,811 102.1
Wassa Amenfi East 83,478 42,896 40,582 105.7
Wassa Amenfi West 161,166 83,227 77,939 106.8
Aowin/Suaman 138,415 71,908 66,507 108.1
Sefwi Akontombra 82,467 43,603 38,864 112.2
Sefwi Wiawso 139,2 69,753 69,447 100.4
Sefwi Bibiani-Ahwiaso Bekwai 123,272 60,855 62,417 97.5
Juabeso 111,749 56,853 54,896 103.6
Bia 116,332 60,09 56,242 106.8
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

3.4 Nationality and Birthplace

3.4.1 Nationality
Over the past decade the proportion of the regional population who are Ghanaian by birth has
increased by 5.2 percent, (Table 3.7), while Ghanaian by naturalization and non-Ghanaian
have declined by 3.5 and 1.7 percent respectively.
The distribution of the District population in 2010 by nationality follows the regional pattern
in all Districts except Nzema East Municipality which has the highest non-Ghanaians
population (5.9%). followed by Bia (2.8%) and Jomoro (2.7%) districts which share
common borders with La Cote d’Ivoire. What might have contributed to this significant non-
Ghanaian population is the Ivorian crisis that led to the setting up of refugee camps in this
part of the Region.

37
Table 3.7: Population by nationality and district
Ghanaian Nationality by
Non-
District Year Population Birth Naturalization
Ghanaians
2000 1,924,577 92.2 4.1 3.7
All districts
2010 2,376,021 97.4 0.6 2.0
Jomoro 150,107 96.7 0.5 2.7
Ellembelle 87,501 97.4 0.4 2.2
Nzema East Municipal 60,828 93.5 0.6 5.9
Ahanta West 106,215 98.2 0.4 1.4
Sekondi -Takoradi
559,548 97.0 0.7 2.3
Metropolitan
Kwesimintsim 232,617 97.1 0.7 2.2
Takoradi 97,352 96.6 0.7 2.7
Sekondi 70,361 96.4 1.0 2.7
Essikado –Ketan 159,218 97.3 0.7 2.1
Shama 81,966 97.7 0.6 1.7
Mpohor Wassa East 123,996 98.0 0.7 1.3
Tarkwa -Nsueam Municipal 90,477 98.1 0.4 1.5
Prestea Huni Valley 159,304 97.6 0.6 1.8
Wassa Amenfi East 83,478 97.9 0.5 1.6
Wassa Amenfi West 161,166 98.0 0.5 1.5
Aowin – Suaman 138,415 98.0 0.4 1.6
Sefwi Akontombra 82,467 98.3 0.4 1.3
Sefwi Wiawso 139,2 97.8 0.5 1.7
Sefwi Bibiani-Anhwiawso-
123,272 97.6 0.6 1.8
Bekwai
Juabeso 111,749 97.6 0.5 1.9
Bia 116,332 94.5 0.6 2.8
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

3.4.2 Birthplace
Table 3.8 shows the birthplace of persons enumerated in the Region from 1970 to 2010 and
for the Districts in 2010. The table shows that the proportion of people born in their locality
of enumeration always constitutes the highest proportion and the majority in each of the
censuses except in 1970 the percentage was lower than 50.0 percent. This proportion has also
increased steadily since 1970. However, the proportion born in another locality in the Region
declined to about half of the 1970 value in 2000, but showed increase of 2.0 percent in 2010.
The proportion of persons born in other Regions is 27.4, 28.6, 28.4 and 24.9 percent in 1970,
1984, 2000 and 2010 respectively. Of this group, Central Region always has the largest share
followed by Ashanti and Eastern Regions. The proportion of persons born outside Ghana
declined sharply from four percent in 1970 to less than one percent in 2000, but increased
slightly to 1.2 percent in 2010.
The distribution of the population of the districts by birthplace in 2010 generally follows the
regional pattern with the following few notable exceptions. Aowin/Suaman and the five
northern most Districts (Sefwi Akontombra, Sefwi Wiawso, Sefwi Bibiani-Ahwiaso Bekwai,
Juabeso and Bia). In these Districts the highest proportion of persons born in other Regions

38
are not from the Central Region, but rather from Ashanti, Brong Ahafo and Upper East
Regions. Ellembelle (78.7%) District recorded the highest number of persons enumerated at
their birthplace while Sefwi Akontombra (54.3%) recorded the least (54.3%). Jomoro
District (2.9%) has the highest percentage of persons born outside Ghana Sefwi Wiaso
(0.5%) has the least.

3.5 Ethnicity
A distinct feature of classifying people into ethnic groups in Ghana is by the common
language spoken by that group or one’s mother’s tongue. In Ghana, Akans (47.5%) constitute
the largest ethnic group with many sub groups. Asante, Akyem, Sefwi, Assin, Akuapem,
Fante, Wassa, Nzema, Bono and Ahanta.
Table 3.9 shows that the distribution of Ghanaians in the Region by ethnic group has
remained virtually unchanged over the past decade. The ethnic majority in the Region are the
Akans (78.2%) with the remainder is distributed among the Mole Dagbani (8.6%), the Ewe
(6.2%), the Ga- Adangbe (3.1%) and others (3.9%). The largest ethnic minority is the Mole
Dagbani who are mainly found in the northern part of the Region (Bia, Sefwi Akontombra,
Aowin- Suaman, Juabeso Sefwi Wiawso and Wassa Amenfi West) where they are mainly
engaged in cocoa production.

39
Table 3.8: Population by birthplace by district
Born
Different
Place of Greater Brong Upper Outside
District Year Total locality in Central Volta Eastern Ashanti Northern Upper
enuera- Accra Ahafo East Ghana
this region West
tion
All districts 1970 48,3 20,3 10,3 1,4 2,4 4,2 4,6 1,2 0,9 2,6 4,0
1984 54,1 16,9 28,6* * * * * * * * * 0,4
2000 60,7 10,0 7,2 1,4 2,7 3,6 5,1 3,3 1,1 2,5 1,4 0,9
2010 2,376,021 63.1 12.0 6.0 1.5 2.1 2.7 3.9 2.6 1.6 2.0 1.2 1.2
Jomoro 150,107 66.1 13.9 8.1 0.8 2.6 0.9 2.1 0.9 0.7 0.9 0.3 2.9

Ellembelle 87,501 78.7 11.9 2.1 0.5 1.4 0.7 1.5 0.5 0.6 0.3 0.3 1.5

Nzema East 60,828 72.1 11.6 5.0 0.8 1.2 1.6 1.9 1.4 1.1 0.7 1.6 1.0

Ahanta West 106,215 72.4 17.7 3.8 0.9 1.2 0.7 1.2 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.1 1.4

Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis 559,548 55.6 16.4 10.6 3.5 2.3 3.0 3.7 0.7 1.3 0.8 0.4 1.6

Shama 81,966 74.0 11.5 6.3 1.3 2.3 0.9 0.9 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.1 2.4

Mpohor-Wassa East 123,996 65.0 10.9 11.8 1.3 3.5 3.8 1.8 0.5 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.6

Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal 90,477 55.1 17.5 8.4 1.8 3.8 2.8 4.1 1.4 1.7 1.7 1.0 0.7

Prestea/Huni Valley 159,304 61.2 11.6 7.2 1.2 2.3 3.6 5.7 1.4 1.7 1.6 1.7 0.7

Wassa Amenfi East 83,478 65.1 10.1 4.5 0.8 1.8 4.8 6.2 1.1 1.8 2.5 0.7 0.6

Wassa Amenfi West 161,166 64.3 8.5 5.3 0.7 2.2 3.1 4.8 3.5 2.0 3.1 1.9 0.6

Aowin/Suaman 138,415 57.9 4.9 2.3 0.8 2.6 4.4 6.0 7.2 4.1 5.8 3.0 1.0

Sefwi Akontombra 82,467 54.3 8.3 1.3 0.5 2.0 2.7 10.2 6.6 4.1 7.2 2.1 0.6

Sefwi Wiawso 139,2 73.9 7.6 1.4 0.7 1.2 2.4 3.9 2.9 1.9 2.7 0.9 0.5

Sefwi Bibiani-Ahwiaso Bekwai 123,272 72.4 14.1 1.6 0.5 0.5 1.1 3.9 1.5 0.9 1.9 0.9 0.7

Juabeso 111,749 62.7 8.9 1.4 0.5 2.2 2.8 3.3 8.0 2.5 4.1 2.7 0.9

Bia 116,332 57.2 4.5 2.0 0.7 1.5 3.0 5.4 11.9 3.2 4.4 4.4 1.8

Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census, *Represents all other regions combined.
GSS (2005), 2000 PHC , Compiled from 1970 and 1984 census reports

40
Table 3.9: Ghanaians by ethnic group and district
Mole
District Year Population Akan Ga Dangbe Ewe Guan Gruma Grusi Mande Other
Dangbani
2000 1,924,577 78.3 3.5 5.9 1.5 0.7 7.6 1.3 0.8 0.4
All Districts
2010 2,376,021 78.2 3.1 6.2 0.8 0.9 8.6 0.8 0.8 0.6
Jomoro 150,107 88.7 0.7 6.1 0.2 0.2 2.9 0.2 0.4 0.6
Ellembelle 87,501 93.4 0.4 3.8 0.1 0.2 1.6 0.2 0.1 0.2
Nzema East
Ahanta West 106,215 93.9 1.0 3.2 0.1 0,0 0.9 0.3 0.1 0.4
Sekondi/Takoradi Metropolitan 60,828 83.3 2.9 2.4 0.6 0.3 5.6 0.3 0.1 4.6
Shama 81,966 88.1 0.5 10.2 0.2 0.1 0.5 0.2 0.1 0.2
Mpohor-Wassa East 123,996 76.9 4.6 14.8 1.6 0.4 0.1 0.3 0.1 0.2
Tarkwa-Nsueam 90,477 78.9 2.5 8.7 0.5 0.4 6.8 1.0 0.9 0.3
Prestea Huni Valley 159,304 74.5 3.9 6.9 1.6 0.9 9.2 1.5 0.8 0.7
Wassa Amenfi East 83,478 77.2 5.5 5.5 0.8 1.9 7.6 0.7 0.6 0.3
Wassa Amenfi West 161,166 75.0 2.7 6.3 0.4 1.2 13.1 0.6 0.6 0.3
Aowin-Suaman 138,415 63.8 4.4 6.5 0.5 3.5 18.5 0.8 1.7 0.3
Sefwi Akontombra 82,467 61.2 3.7 4.8 1.8 3.2 21.9 0.8 0.5 0.3
Sefwi Wiawso 139,2 78.6 4.5 3.1 0.5 1.3 10.5 0.8 0.5 0.3
Sefwi Bibiani Ahtwiausa-Bekwai 123,272 89.0 1.1 1.3 0.2 0.5 6.1 1.2 0.4 0.2
Juabeso 111,749 68.9 3.2 7.4 1.3 1.1 15.9 0.7 1.2 0.3
Bia 116,332 57.3 6.0 5.4 0.7 2.3 23.8 1.5 2.2 0.8
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

41
3.6 Religious Affiliation
The 1992 Republican Constitution provides for freedom of worship which allows all persons to
join any religious organisation of their choice.
Table 3.10 shows the distribution of the regional population by religious affiliation in 2000 and
2010, and the District population in 2010. The Table shows that, majority of persons living in the
region are Christians 82.0 percent, while Moslems 9.3 percent and Atheist 6.7 percent.
Traditional and other religions constitute about one percent each. This regional pattern has
remained unchanged over the decade. Among the Christians, the proportions who are Catholics
and Other Christians have declined, while Protestants and Pentecostals/Charismatics have
increased. The proportion of Moslems also increased while that of Atheist decined.
The pattern of religious affiliation in the Region is virtually replicated in all the 17 districts. The
Districts with high proportions of Moslems which are higher than the regional figure of 9.3
percent, are Sefwi Akontombra (16.6%), Bia (16.3%), Aowin-Suaman (13.3%), Wassa Amenfi
West (11.5%), Prestea/Huni Valley (11.1%), Juabeso (9.8%) and Sekondi-Takoradi (9.4%). The
high proportion of Moslems in these Districts is consistent with the high proportions of in-
migrants from the three Northern Regions of Ghana into these Districts.

42
Table 3.10: Religious affiliation by district
No Pentecostal/ Other
Total
District Year Religion Catholic Protestants Charismatic Christians Islam Traditionalist Other
All
2000 1,924,577 8.2 19.4 19.5 26.1 16.1 8.5 1.5 0.8
Districts
2010 2376021 6.7 16.2 21.1 29.5 15.2 9.3 0.8 1.0
Jomoro 150,107 8.0 27.5 15.2 25.4 14.0 7.4 1.2 1.3
Ellembelle 87,501 8.3 22.4 14.1 21.3 22.9 9.1 0.9 1.0
Nzema East 60,828 9.0 13.7 19.5 27.4 21.6 6.1 1.4 1.4
Ahanta West 106,215 15.4 12.0 19.2 27.5 19.9 3.2 1.6 1.2
Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis 559,548 3.5 14.3 25.6 34.7 11.8 9.4 0.2 0.6
Shama 81,966 7.9 11.9 20.9 25.8 22.5 8.4 2.2 0.4
Mpohor-Wassa East 123,996 9.3 8.5 19.9 31.9 22.7 5.7 1.2 0.9
Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal 90,477 7.5 10.1 20.0 35.4 18.1 7.2 0.6 1.3
Prestea/ Huni Valley 159,304 7.0 12.3 18.4 31.4 18.7 11.1 0.4 0.8
Wassa Amenfi East 83,478 8.6 17.7 21.9 29.5 13.7 7.1 0.6 1.0
Wassa Amenfi West 161,166 5.4 17.1 22.6 26.2 14.8 11.5 0.6 1.7
Aowin/ Suaman 138,415 6.8 19.5 22.7 26.0 9.6 13.3 1.0 1.1
Sefwi Akont ombra 82,467 6.0 15.5 19.4 29.4 12.5 16.6 0.3 0.4
Sefwi Wiawso 139,200 7.1 19.6 20.3 26.9 14.9 9.1 0.7 1.5
Sefwi Bibiani-Ahwiaso Bekwai 123,272 8.2 16.9 22.3 27.2 17.2 5.8 0.7 1.8
Juabeso 111,749 6.4 17.8 20.1 31.3 13.3 9.8 0.5 0.9
Bia 116,332 5.6 21.5 19.2 25.1 10.7 16.3 1.2 0.5
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

43
 CHAPTER FOUR
HOUSEHOLD SIZE, STRUCTURE AND COMPOSITION

4.1 Introduction
A ‘household’ is defined as a person or a group of persons who live together in the same house
or compound, share common catering arrangements as one unit and recognize one person as the
head of household. Household members need not be related by blood; non-related persons such
as house helps may form part of a household.

Households may be composed of one or more of the following: a head; spouse or spouses; child
or children; parents; siblings; grandchildren; other relatives and non-relatives. It is the basic unit
for any meaningful demographic and economic analyses.

4.2 Distribution of Households

Data on the distribution of households is needed for planning social services in health, education
and housing.
The 2010 Population and Housing Census recorded 553,635 households in the Region
representing 10.1 percent of the national total. The regional share of household distribution from
the population censuses in 1970, 1984, 2000 and 2010 are presented in Table 4.1. The data
shows that Region’s share of households has remained relatively stable over the period varying
between 10.0 and 11.0 percent. In spite of the marginal increases or decline in the Region’s
share, the percentage increase in the number of household, from one census to the next sustain
trial and has implications for housing, as new units are required to provide decent shelter for new
households.

Table 4.1: Regional share of household distribution 1970 - 2010

Percentage Percentage
Year No. of households increase share

1970 188,035 10.5

1984 262,617 39.6 10.6
2000 410,142 56.2 11.1
2010 553,635 35.0 10.1
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

In planning social services, it is important that facilities be located where they are needed most.
This requires knowledge of the distribution of households by locality of residence (rural/urban
distribution or type of locality). This information is provided in Table 4.2. The data shows an
increase in the proportion of households living in urban areas, accompanied by a decline of
households in rural settlements.

44
 Table 4.2: Distribution of households by type of locality
Type of locality
Year Number of Households Total Urban Rural
1970 188,035 100.0 28.6 71.4
1984 262,617 100.0 24.4 75,6
2000 410,142 100.0 38.8 61.2
2010 553,635 100.0 45.0 55.0
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

4.3 Household Size

The largest recorded household size is 10 persons or more persons constitution 6.7, 6.5 and 4.3
percent of all households in 1984, 2000 and 2010 respectively. However, to facilitate the analysis
and for a more meaningful insight, household size has been categorized into single, small (2 – 4
persons), medium (5 -7 persons) and large (8 or more persons). The distribution of household
size for 1970, 1984, 2000 and 2010 as well as the distribution by Districts in the Region in 2010
are shown in Table 4.3. Small households are the most prevalent (38% - 42%) followed by
medium households (23% - 31%). The proportion of single person households is higher than that
of large households in each year except in 2000. The proportion of small households has been
increasing consistently reaching a peak of (42%) in 2010. The percentage of medium households
also increased gradually until 2000 but declined in 2010.
The average (mean) household size of four persons in 1970 increased to 4.7 persons in 2000 but
decreased to 4.3 persons in 2010. This decline may be attributed to the increase (3.3%) in the
proportion of small households (Table 4.4).

The distribution in the Districts does not vary much from the Regional pattern. Sekondi-
Takoradi Metropolis (21.5%) recorded the highest proportion of single person households while
Juabeso (13.1%) recorded the lowest. Ellembelle, Wassa Amenfi West, Sefwi Akontombra and
Juabeso all recorded household sizes of 4.7 persons each while Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis and
Kwesibirimtsim each recorded the lowest average size of 3.9 persons per household.

45
Table 4.3: Households by size and district
Average
Total Number of Single Small Medium Large
District Year household
Population households Percent
1 2-4 5-7 8+ size
All Districts 1970 393 902 188,035 100.0 26.3 38.3 23.0 22.4 4.0
1984 1 157 807 262,617 100.0 20.8 38.6 26.0 14.6 4.4
2000 1 924 577 410,142 100.0 14.3 38.7 30.6 16.4 4.7
2010 2,376,021 553,635 100.0 18.2 42.0 28.7 11.2 4.3
Jomoro 150,107 34,503 100.0 18.8 42.1 26.8 12.3 4.4
Ellembelle 87,501 18,682 100.0 15.2 40.0 29.5 15.3 4.7
Nzema East 60,828 13,509 100.0 16.5 41.3 28.0 14.1 4.5
Ahanta West 106,215 26,095 100.0 19.4 42.8 28.7 9.0 4.1
Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis 559,548 142,56 100.0 21.5 45.2 25.9 7.3 3.9
Kwesimintsim 232,617 59,071 100.0 20.6 45.6 26.7 7.0 3.9
Takoradi 97,352 24,44 100.0 23.3 45.4 24.9 6.3 4.0
Sekondi 70,361 19,176 100.0 25.1 45.5 23.7 5.7 3.7
Essikadu-Ketan 159,218 39,873 100.0 20.2 44.4 26.4 9.0 4.0
Shama 81,966 19,291 100.0 17.0 42.3 30.2 10.4 4.2
Mpohor-Wassa East 123,996 30,196 100.0 20.7 41.1 28.0 10.2 4.1
Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal 90,477 21,713 100.0 20.0 42.8 27.6 9.7 4.2
Prestea/Huni Valley 159,304 38,295 100.0 20.0 41.8 27.9 10.4 4.2
Wassa Amenfi East 83,478 18,62 100.0 16.1 40.2 30.6 13.0 4.5
Wassa Amenfi West 161,166 34,469 100.0 14.4 39.0 32.2 14.5 4.7
Aowin/Suaman 138,415 30,658 100.0 14.7 41.9 30.1 13.1 4.5
Sefwi Akontombra 82,467 17,592 100.0 13.8 38.0 33.4 14.8 4.7
Sefwi Wiawso 139,2 30,074 100.0 16.4 38.0 31.0 14.5 4.6
Sefwi Bibiani-Ahwiaso
123,272 27,961 100.0 17.1 40.4 29.8 12.8 4.4
Bekwai
Juabeso 111,749 23,639 100.0 13.1 40.3 32.1 14.6 4.7
Bia 116,332 25,778 100.0 15.6 41.3 29.1 14.0 4.5
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census
Compiled from 1970 and 2000 Census Reports

The distribution of household size and by type of locality (Table 4.4) shows that rural households
are larger than urban households.

Table 4.4: Average Household size by locality of residence, 1970 - 2010

Type of locality
Year Total Urban Rural
1970 4.0 3.7 4.1
1984 4.4 4.0 4.5
2000 4.7 4.4 4.7
2010 4.3 4.0 4.5
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

46
4.4 Household Composition
The composition of a traditional Ghanaian household comprises the head, spouse, children, in-
laws, siblings, other relatives and non-relatives. Table 4.5 shows household composition in 1970
and 2010 while Table 4.7 shows the household composition by sex and type of locality. Table
4.5 shows that the household composition in the Region has remained unchanged over the 40
year period. The composition in 2010 reveals that heads of households account for 24.0 percent
of members while spouses are just over 10.0 percent. The percentage of household members who
are spouses shows large variations by sex of household head. In male headed households 15.3
percent of members are spouses compared to only 2.7 percent in female headed households.
Similar variations also exist by type of locality although the differences are not so large. Children
constitute the highest proportion of over 40.0 percent of household members in the Region. This
percentage shows little variation by sex of household head. In urban areas, there are higher
proportions of children (20.5%) in female headed households than in male headed households
(15.8%). However, in rural areas, male headed households, have a higher proportion of children
(28.5%) than female headed households (21.4%).

Table 4.5: Household composition

Year
Type of Relationship
1970+ 2010
Total 753641 2,307,385
Percent 100.0 100.0
Head 24.3 24.0
Temporary head 0.7 **
Spouse (wife/husband) 11.9 11.6
Child (son/daughter) 42.5 43.5
Parent/Parent in-law 0.6 0.6
Son/Daughter in-law 0.2 0.4
Grandchild 6.7 7.1
Brother/Sister 3.4 3.6
Step child … 0.8
Adopted/Foster child … 0.4
Other relative 7.6 5.9
Non-relative 2.1 1.9
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census
1970 Census Reports, Volume III
Category not used in 1970, ** Category not used in 2010
+ Categories used in 1970 presented in Appendix 4

About 7.0 percent of household members are grandchildren. This percentage shows large
variations by sex of household head. One in seven persons in female headed households is a
grandchild, compared with one in 25 in male headed households.
Other relatives constitute 5.9 percent, siblings 3.6 percent and non-relatives less than 2.0 percent.
Female headed households are twice as likely to have their parents/parents-in-law as part of their
household than male headed households.

47
Table 4.6: Household composition by sex and type of locality
Total Male-Headed Female-Headed
Type of locality/Relationship Total Male Female Total Male Female Total Male Female
Total 2,307,385 1,149,809 1,157,576 1,626,856 907,247 719,609 680,529 242,562 437,967
Percent 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
Head 24.0 33.1 14.9 23.4 42.0 0.0 25.4 0.0 39.5
Spouse (wife/husband) 11.6 1.7 21.5 15.3 0.3 34.3 2.7 6.8 0.4
Child (son/daughter) 43.5 44.5 42.6 44.2 41.3 47.9 41.9 56.2 33.9
Parent/Parent in-law 0.6 0.2 1.0 0.5 0.1 0.8 1.0 0.4 1.3
Son/Daughter in-law 0.4 0.3 0.5 0.3 0.2 0.5 0.5 0.4 0.6
Grandchild 7.1 7.1 7.2 4.0 3.6 4.4 14.7 19.9 11.7
Brother/Sister 3.6 4.2 3.1 3.4 4.0 2.6 4.3 4.8 4.1
Step child 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.9 0.8 0.9 0.7 1.0 0.5
Adopted/Foster child 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.5 0.4 0.5 0.4
Other relative 5.9 5.5 6.3 5.7 4.9 6.7 6.5 7.8 5.7
Non-relative 1.9 2.3 1.6 1.9 2.3 1.4 1.9 2.1 1.8
Urban
Total 41.9 40.6 43.2 38.2 38.6 37.8 50.6 48.3 51.9
Head 10.8 13.8 7.8 9.8 17.5 0.0 13.2 0.0 20.6
Spouse (wife/husband) 4.5 0.8 8.1 5.8 0.1 13.0 1.3 3.2 0.2
Child (son/daughter) 17.2 17.0 17.3 15.8 14.4 17.5 20.5 26.7 17.0
Parent/Parent in-law 0.3 0.1 0.5 0.2 0.1 0.3 0.6 0.2 0.7
Son/Daughter in-law 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2
Grandchild 3.1 3.0 3.2 1.5 1.4 1.8 7.0 9.3 5.7
Brother/Sister 1.6 1.7 1.5 1.3 1.5 1.0 2.5 2.6 2.4
Step child 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.2
Adopted/Foster child 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2
Other relative 2.8 2.6 3.1 2.5 2.1 2.9 3.8 4.4 3.4
Non-relative 1.0 1.0 0.9 0.9 1.0 0.7 1.1 1.0 1.2
Rural
Total 58.1 59.4 56.8 61.8 61.4 62.2 49.4 51.7 48.1
Head 13.2 19.3 7.1 13.6 24.5 0.0 12.2 0.0 18.9
Spouse (wife/husband) 7.1 0.9 13.3 9.5 0.2 21.3 1.4 3.6 0.2
Child (son/daughter) 26.4 27.5 25.3 28.5 26.9 30.4 21.4 29.4 16.9
Parent/Parent in-law 0.3 0.1 0.5 0.3 0.1 0.5 0.4 0.1 0.6
Son/Daughter in-law 0.3 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3
Grandchild 4.0 4.0 4.0 2.4 2.3 2.7 7.7 10.7 6.1
Brother/Sister 2.0 2.4 1.6 2.1 2.5 1.6 1.9 2.2 1.7
Step child 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.6 0.5 0.6 0.4 0.6 0.3
Adopted/Foster child 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.3 0.2
Other relative 3.1 2.9 3.2 3.3 2.8 3.8 2.7 3.4 2.3
Non-relative 1.0 1.2 0.7 1.0 1.3 0.7 0.8 1.1 0.6
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

48
Table 4.7 presents household composition by broad age groups. It shows that 39.3 percent of
all household members younger than 15 years old, 56.9 percent are within 15-64 years while
3.8 percent are 65 years and older.
There is no reported household in the Region headed by persons below 15 years. All
household heads were 15 years and older. All sons and daughters in-law were also older than
14 years although younger than 65 years old.

Table 4.7: Household composition by a broad age groups

Relationship Total Total % 0-14 15-64 65+
All relationships 2,307,395 100.0 39.3 56.9 3.8
Head 553,635 100.0 0.0 89.4 10.6
Spouse (wife/husband) 268,020 100.0 0.0 96.9 3.1
Child (son/daughter) 1,004,705 100.0 67.1 32.8 0.1
Parent/Parent in-law 14,002 100.0 0.0 35.4 64.6
Son/Daughter in-law 9,178 100.0 0.0 100.0 0.0
Grandchild 164,794 100.0 80.2 19.8 0.0
Brother/Sister 84,122 100.0 19.4 77.8 2.7
Step child 18,629 100.0 63.1 36.9 0.0
Adopted/Foster child 9,348 100.0 59.1 40.9 0.0
Other relative 136,911 100.0 42.6 52.3 5.1
Non-relative 44,051 100.0 19.7 77.7 2.6
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

4.5 Household Structure

Household structure refers to the type of relationship among household members, whether
related or unrelated. The classification of household structure used in this section is adopted
from Afranie (2013):

Nuclear household consists of head, with or without spouse(s), biological and adopted
children only;
Extended household is made up of head, with or without spouse(s) biological and
adopted children, and relatives of head only;

A summary of the information on household structure by type of locality is given in Table 4.8.
The household structure used in the 1970 census is presented in Appendix 4.

49
Table 4.8: Summary of household structure
All Districts % Urban % Rural %
1970 2010 2010 2010
Number 553,635 248,919 304,714
Total percent 100.0 100.0 100.0
Head only 6.5 18.2 21 15.9
Head and spouse(s) only 2.4 4.4 4.1 4.6
Double parent (63.8) (49.5)
uclear (Head, spouse(s), children) 28.7 24.2 32.4
Extended (Head, spouse(s), children, head’s relatives)* 11.4 9.5 13.0
Extended + non relatives* 0.8 0.8 0.8
Other composition* 3.1 2,9 3,3
Single parent (23.7) (33.4)
Single parent Nuclear 8.5 12.9 14.1 12.0
Single parent Extended* 9.2 10.1 8.5
Single parent Extended + non relatives* 0.6 0.7 0.5
Single parent (other composition)* 10.7 12.6 9.0
*Category not used in 1970
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

The results show that the nuclear household is the prevalent type in the Region representing
4.2.8 percent in 1970 and 41.6 percent in 2010. Extended households in all their forms
constitute 22.0 percent in 2010.
The proportion of double parent households declined by about 14 percent between 1970 and
2010, while the proportion of single parent households increased by nearly 10.0 percent.
One in three households in the Region is a single parent household. Urban areas recorded a
higher proportion of single parent households (37.5%) than rural areas (30.8%). However,
rural areas reported higher percentages of double parent nuclear households (32.4%) than
urban areas (24.2%). This means that the family unit is more stable in rural than in urban
areas.
A higher percentage of people are living on their own in 2010 than in 1970. This is revealed
by the nearly threefold increase in the proportion of one person households (that is head
only).
Table 4.9 shows that households with head only range from a low of 13.8 percent (Sefwi
Akontombra) to a high of 21.5 percent (Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis). Three other Districts
(Mpohor-Wassa East, Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality and Prestea Huni Valley) also have one
in five households head only.
Households with head and spouse only are not a common feature of the household structure
of the Region. However, this proportion nearly doubled between 1970 and 2010. Within the
districts the range is from 3.1 percent (Ellembelle) to 5.3 percent (Aowin Suaman and Bia).
Double parent nuclear household is the prevalent structure in all Districts. The coastal
Districts have smaller percentages of such households than the other Districts. The lowest
proportions of less than 24.0 percent are in Jomoro, Ellembelle and Sekondi-Takoradi
Metropolis, and over 35.0 percent in Sefwi Akontombra. Double parent extended households

50
Table 4.9: Household structure by district and type of locality
Double Parent Household (Head with spouse(s)) Single Parent Household (Head without spouse)
District Total Extended Extended
Couple Other Head Other
Nuclear Extended + non Nuclear Extended + non
only composition only composition
relatives relatives
Western 553,635 4.4 28.7 11.4 0.8 3.1 18.2 12.9 9.2 0.6 10.7
Jomoro 34,503 3.7 23.1 11.2 0.7 3.2 18.8 14.1 12.2 0.8 12.0
Ellembelle 18,682 3.1 23.5 12.3 0.7 2.5 15.2 14.0 14.7 0.8 13.1
Nzema East 13,509 3.8 26.6 12.5 0.5 2.8 16.5 14.0 11.4 0.3 11.7
Ahanta West 26,095 4.3 28.7 9.0 0.4 2.4 19.4 14.8 10.0 0.3 10.6
Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis 142,56 4.2 23.8 9.4 0.7 2.7 21.5 13.6 10.1 0.7 13.3
Shama 19,291 4.1 27.2 9.6 0.5 2.5 17.0 14.4 12.4 0.5 11.8
Mpohor-Wassa East 30,196 4.4 29.4 10.3 0.5 3.0 20.7 13.3 8.3 0.4 9.7
Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal 21,713 5.1 29.6 10.8 0.7 3.0 20.0 12.5 7.2 0.4 10.7
Prestea/ Huni Valley 38,295 5.1 30.9 11.0 0.5 2.7 20.0 12.5 7.5 0.3 9.6
Wassa Amenfi East 18,62 5.0 31.4 12.9 0.9 3.6 16.1 12.6 7.8 0.5 9.1
Wassa Amenfi West 34,469 4.3 34.2 13.6 1.2 3.5 14.4 11.7 7.4 0.7 9.0
Aowin/ Suaman 30,658 5.2 34.2 13.5 1.1 4.1 14.7 11.2 6.4 0.6 8.9
Sefwi Akont ombra 17,592 4.8 35.1 15.4 1.7 4.5 13.8 9.3 6.9 0.9 7.7
Sefwi Wiawso 30,074 3.8 32.6 12.6 0.9 2.8 16.4 13.4 8.7 0.6 8.1
Sefwi Bibiani-Ahwiaso Bekwai 27,961 4.2 29.5 12.1 1.0 3.3 17.1 13.0 9.6 0.6 9.6
Juabeso 23,639 4.6 33.5 14.4 1.6 4.3 13.1 10.7 8.2 1.1 8.7
Bia 25,778 5.2 33.8 14.1 1.1 3.8 15.6 11.1 7.2 0.6 7.5
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

51
Table 4.9: Household structure by district and type of locality (Cont’d)

Double Parent Household (Head with spouse(s)) Single Parent Household (Head without spouse)
District Total Extended Extended
Couple Other Head Other
Nuclear Extended + non Nuclear Extended + non
only composition only composition
relatives relatives
Western 248,919 4.1 24.2 9.5 0.8 2.9 21.0 14.1 10.1 0.7 12.6
Jomoro 13,085 4.2 22.4 9.4 0.6 3.2 21.9 15.1 10.6 0.9 11.9
Ellembelle 3,911 2.8 20.9 10.7 1.0 2.8 15.4 15.7 14.3 1.2 15.1
Nzema East 5,001 3.9 22.9 9.2 0.2 1.6 19.7 17.2 12.7 0.3 12.3
Ahanta West 7,646 4.1 27.5 8.9 0.4 2.3 18.8 16.0 11.0 0.4 10.6
Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis 137,068 4.1 23.5 9.3 0.7 2.7 21.7 13.6 10.2 0.7 13.4
Shama 10,736 4.3 25.0 8.9 0.6 2.5 17.1 14.3 14.0 0.6 12.8
Mpohor-Wassa East 4,661 5.3 25.5 6.8 0.6 2.6 23.6 14.0 8.5 0.5 12.7
Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal 6,379 5.5 28.9 10.8 0.9 3.2 19.7 13.3 7.3 0.5 10.0
Prestea/ Huni Valley 14,766 4.4 27.7 9.6 0.6 2.5 22.0 13.7 8.2 0.4 11.0
Wassa Amenfi East 1,406 4.2 21.3 9.4 0.9 4.1 22.7 15.9 7.2 1.4 12.9
Wassa Amenfi West 10,512 4.1 23.9 9.7 1.2 4.0 20.0 14.7 8.1 1.3 13.0
Aowin/ Suaman 4,967 4.3 19.8 7.6 1.7 3.2 24.5 16.0 8.0 1.0 14.0
Sefwi Akont ombra 1,595 4.6 18.1 11.2 4.7 5.8 22.1 10.0 9.1 2.1 12.2
Sefwi Wiawso 11,607 3.5 26.1 10.2 0.9 3.0 20.4 14.8 9.6 0.7 10.7
Sefwi Bibiani-Ahwiaso
8,446 4.3 25.8 10.0 1.1 3.2 19.8 14.8 8.9 0.8 11.3
Bekwai
Juabeso 2,28 2.8 26.0 15.4 3.1 4.5 12.4 12.3 11.4 2.7 9.4
Bia 4,853 3.3 25.3 13.0 1.6 3.8 17.8 14.3 9.8 1.2 9.9
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

52
Table 4.9: Household structure by district and type of locality (Cont’d)

Double Parent Household (Head with spouse(s) Single Parent Household (Head without spouse)
District Extended Extended
Couple Other Head Other
Total Nuclear Extended + non Nuclear Extended + non
only composition only composition
relatives relatives
Western 304,716 4.6 32.4 13.0 0.8 3.3 15.9 12.0 8.5 0.5 9.0
Jomoro 21,418 3.4 23.6 12.4 0.8 3.3 17.0 13.6 13.2 0.8 12.1
Ellembelle 14,771 3.2 24.2 12.8 0.6 2.5 15.1 13.6 14.7 0.7 12.6
Nzema East 8,508 3.7 28.8 14.5 0.6 3.5 14.6 12.2 10.6 0.3 11.3
Ahanta West 18,449 4.3 29.2 9.0 0.4 2.4 19.7 14.4 9.6 0.3 10.6
Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis 5,492 5.2 30.9 10.8 0.7 2.0 18.7 13.1 7.8 0.3 10.4
Shama 8,555 3.8 30.0 10.5 0.5 2.5 16.9 14.6 10.4 0.4 10.5
Mpohor-Wassa East 25,535 4.3 30.2 10.9 0.5 3.1 20.1 13.2 8.2 0.3 9.1
Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal 15,334 4.9 29.9 10.9 0.6 2.9 20.1 12.2 7.2 0.4 11.0
Prestea/ Huni Valley 23,529 5.5 33.0 11.8 0.5 2.8 18.7 11.7 7.1 0.3 8.7
Wassa Amenfi East 17,214 5.1 32.2 13.2 0.9 3.6 15.6 12.3 7.8 0.5 8.8
Wassa Amenfi West 23,957 4.5 38.8 15.3 1.1 3.3 12.0 10.4 7.1 0.4 7.2
Aowin/ Suaman 25,691 5.4 37.0 14.6 1.0 4.3 12.9 10.3 6.1 0.5 7.9
Sefwi Akont ombra 15,997 4.8 36.8 15.8 1.4 4.4 13.0 9.2 6.6 0.7 7.3
Sefwi Wiawso 18,467 4.1 36.7 14.1 0.8 2.6 13.9 12.6 8.2 0.4 6.4
Sefwi Bibiani-Ahwiaso
19,515 4.2 31.1 13.1 0.9 3.4 15.9 12.2 9.9 0.5 8.8
Bekwai
Juabeso 21,359 4.8 34.3 14.3 1.4 4.3 13.1 10.5 7.8 0.9 8.6
Bia 20,925 5.6 35.8 14.4 1.0 3.8 15.0 10.3 6.6 0.4 7.0
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

53
constitute between 9.0 and 9.6 percent in Ahanta West, Sekondi-Takoradi Moterpolis and
Shama (all coastal Districts) and 15.4 percent in Sefwi Akontombra.

The percentages for single parent nuclear, single parent extended and single parent (other
composition) are generally higher in the six coastal Districts compared to the other Districts.
Table 4.9 provides information on household structure by District and type of locality in the
Region.

4.6 Household Headship by Sex, Age and Type of Locality of Head

The head of the household is usually responsible for the well-being of all its members.
Table 4.10 shows the distribution of household headship by sex, age and type of locality.
Male household headship accounts for 68.8 percent of all households in the Region. A higher
percentage of male household heads in rural (72.8%) than urban (63.8%) areas. In urban
areas female heads exceed male heads at ages 30 to 95+.

Male headship rates increases gradually reaching a peak at 30 – 34 years followed by a

general decline with increasing age. The rate of decline in urban is much steeper than the rate
in rural areas. On the other hand, female headship rates initially decline with age reaching a
minimum at 30 – 34 and then increase gradually with increase in age.
Headship of households increase with age from a low of less than 2% at 15 – 19 (1.7%) and
peaks at 30 – 34, or 35 – 39 (13.2%) and thereafter decline consistently to the highest age
group as seen in Table 4.11b.

Table 4.10: Household headship by age, sex of head and type of locality
Total Urban Rural
Age of Male Male Male
Household head Female head Female head Female
Head Total % head % Total % head % Total % head %
All ages 553,635 68.8 31.2 248,919 63.8 36.2 304,716 72.8 27.2
15 - 19 9,256 58.6 41.4 4,457 54.7 45.3 4,799 62.2 37.8
20 - 24 38,515 64.5 35.5 19,010 60.5 39.5 19,505 68.4 31.6
25 - 29 67,427 70.7 29.3 30,938 65.1 34.9 36,489 75.6 24.4
30 - 34 73,104 74.4 25.6 33,113 68.9 31.1 39,991 79.0 21.0
35 - 39 73,171 74.0 26.0 32,128 68.7 31.3 41,043 78.2 21.8
40 - 44 66,323 72.4 27.6 29,503 67.0 33.0 36,820 76.8 23.2
45 - 49 55,808 71.5 28.5 24,219 66.5 33.5 31,589 75.2 24.8
50 - 54 50,527 66.7 33.3 21,855 62.1 37.9 28,672 70.1 29.9
55 - 59 32,821 68.8 31.2 15,404 64.3 35.7 17,417 72.7 27.3
60 - 64 27,854 63.6 36.4 12,425 59.1 40.9 15,429 67.2 32.8
65 - 69 16,738 60.2 39.8 7,975 55.7 44.3 8,763 64.3 35.7
70 - 74 18,705 54.0 46.0 7,810 51.2 48.8 10,895 56.0 44.0
75 - 79 9,898 56.4 43.6 4,425 50.9 49.1 5,473 60.9 39.1
80 - 84 6,810 47.5 52.5 2,877 44.1 55.9 3,933 50.0 50.0
85 - 89 3,533 52.5 47.5 1,570 45.9 54.1 1,963 57.8 42.2
90 - 94 2,115 50.8 49.2 790 45.2 54.8 1,325 54.2 45.8
95+ 1,030 50.1 49.9 420 39.3 60.7 610 57.5 42.5
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

54
 CHAPTER FIVE
MARITAL CHARACTERISTICS

5.1 Introduction
Marriage may be defined as a social institution which establishes the legitimacy of children,
(Gough, 1959). Marriage defined this way, thus, serves as a tool for procreation, mutual
support and companionship. Marriage in Ghana is based on legal contractual relations
between a man and a woman. The three forms of marriage in Ghana are: the customary,
ordinance and Islamic marriages. There are also informal co-habiting unions with no legal
binding. In Ghana all children are considered legitimate irrespective of the type of marriage
or co-habiting union of their parents at the time of their birth. The 2010 PHC collected data
on marital status for persons aged 12 years and older. The data are classified into ‘never
married’, ‘consensual union’, ‘married’, separated’, ‘divorced’ and ‘widowed’.

5.2 Marital Status by Age

Table 5.1 presents the distribution of the regional population aged 12 years and older by
marital status and type of locality, sex and age group; while Table 5.2 shows marital status by
age but considers differences within each age group.

The data show that 1.5 percent of those married and 1.2 percent of persons in consensual
unions are below age 18 years (the legally acceptable able minimum for marriage). Those
divorced and widowed alone constituted 8 percent of the total population aged 12+. Females
are more likely (Table 5.1) to be divorced and widowed than men (Table 5.9).
Another point worth noting is the direct relationship between ageing and being widowed.
From the table 5.1, increasing age goes with high probability of being widowed. For example,
the risk of being widowed increases from 0.4 percent to 10.5 percent for those within 50-54
years and 38.2% for those who are 70 years and older.

55
Table 5.1: Population 12 years and older by marital status, type of locality,
sex and age group
Informal/
Total Never Consensu Marrie Separate
Characteristics Population % married al union d d Divorced Widowed
Total 1,615,850 100.0 41.0 3.9 45.3 1.7 4.2 3.8
Locality
Urban 721,714 44.7 49.9 39.9 40.0 46.2 43.0 50.0
Rural 894,136 55.3 50.1 60.1 60.0 53.8 57.0 50.0
Sex
Male 800,971 49.6 56.6 45.4 48.8 36.0 30.8 14.8
Female 814,879 50.4 43.4 54.6 51.2 64.0 69.2 85.2
Age group
12-14 166,343 10.3 23.4 1.2 1.5 0.0 0.0 0.0
15-19 251,304 15.6 34.0 7.6 2.6 2.8 0.9 0.4
20-24 229,255 14.2 22.9 23.3 7.8 8.5 3.7 0.9
25-29 200,276 12.4 11.2 24.2 13.9 11.4 7.2 1.4
30-34 160,964 10.0 4.1 15.5 15.3 13.0 9.5 2.5
35-39 142,132 8.8 1.8 10.5 15.1 12.5 11.0 3.8
40-44 116,622 7.2 0.9 6.6 12.5 12.3 12.4 6.0
45-49 91,973 5.7 0.5 3.9 9.8 9.8 11.3 7.1
50-54 78,627 4.9 0.3 2.7 7.9 9.1 12.2 10.5
55-59 47,899 3.0 0.1 1.4 4.6 5.6 8.0 8.6
60-64 40,538 2.5 0.2 1.0 3.5 5.1 7.4 11.4
65-69 24,682 1.5 0.1 0.5 1.9 2.9 4.7 9.2
70+ 65,235 4.0 0.5 1.5 3.8 7.1 11.8 38.2
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

Table 5.2 shows that at age group on reaching age 18, the proportion never married declines
sharply with increasing age untill 40 – 44 years. There after the decline is gradual. The
proportion of persons in informal/consensual unions also increases and reaches its peak
(7.7%) at age group 25 – 29, and declines thereafter. About 25 percent of the population is
married by age 20-24. This proportion doubles by age 25-29, and increases by nearly 20
percent by age group 30-34. From then on the rate of increase declines, and the proportion
married reaches its peak of 78 percent at age group 40-44. The decline in proportions married
is gradual from 45-49 but increases in momentum with increase in age. Divorce and
widowhood rates also increase with age but the rate of increase is steeper in the former up to
age 50 – 54 years than the latter. From that age onwards (50 – 54 years) widowhood rates
increased more than three-fold while divorce rates also increased by only two percentage
points.

56
Table 5.2: Population 12 years and older by marital status and age group
Marital status
Age group Informal/
Never Consensual
Total % married union Married Separated Divorced Widowed
Total 1,615,850 100.0 41.0 3.9 45.3 1.7 4.2 3.8
12-14 166,343 100.0 93.2 0.4 6.4 0.0 0.0 0.0
15-19 251,304 100.0 89.7 1.9 7.7 0.3 0.2 0.1
20-24 229,255 100.0 66.1 6.4 25.1 1.0 1.1 0.2
25-29 200,276 100.0 37.1 7.7 50.7 1.6 2.4 0.4
30-34 160,964 100.0 17.0 6.1 69.7 2.3 4.0 1.0
35-39 142,132 100.0 8.3 4.7 77.7 2.5 5.3 1.6
40-44 116,622 100.0 4.8 3.6 78.2 3.0 7.2 3.1
45-49 91,973 100.0 3.4 2.7 77.8 3.0 8.3 4.8
50-54 78,627 100.0 2.6 2.2 73.2 3.3 10.5 8.2
55-59 47,899 100.0 2.0 1.9 70.6 3.3 11.3 11.0
60-64 40,538 100.0 2.7 1.6 62.5 3.5 12.4 17.2
65-69 24,682 100.0 3.4 1.3 56.3 3.3 12.9 22.8
70+ 65,235 100.0 5.1 1.4 42.2 3.1 12.3 35.9
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

5.3 Marital Status by Sex

Both Tables 5.1 and 5.3 show sex differentials by marital status. The proportion of males who
are never married is higher than females. However, a higher percentage females are married
and in informal/consensual unions than that of males. In addition, the percentage of divorced
females is more than twice that of males; and the percentage of widowed females is nearly six
times that of males.

Table 5.3: Population 12 years and older by marital status and sex
Marital status
Informal/
Sex Never Consensual
Total % married union Married Separated Divorced Widowed
Total 1,615,850 100.0 41.0 3.9 45.3 1.7 4.2 3.8
Male 800,971 100.0 46.8 3.6 44.6 1.3 2.6 1.1
Female 814,879 100.0 35.3 4.2 46.1 2.2 5.8 6.4
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

5.4 Marital Status by Type Locality

Table 5.4 presents information on marital Status by type of locality. The data show that the
percentage of urban dwellers who are never married is higher than the proportion or rural
dwellers, but the proportion married in rural areas (49.1%) is higher than that of urban areas
(40.6%). The proportions widowed are also higher for urban dwellers in the Region and
across Districts.

57
 Table 5.4: Population 12 years and older by marital status and type of locality
Marital status
Informal/
Type of Never Consensual
Locality Total % married union Married Separated Divorced Widowed
Total 1,615,850 100.0 41.0 3.9 45.3 1.7 4.2 3.8
Urban 721,714 100.0 45.8 3.5 40.6 1.8 4.0 4.3
Rural 894,136 100.0 37.1 4.3 49.1 1.7 4.3 3.4
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

5.5 Marital Status by Level of Education

Table 5.5 shows the distribution of the population 12 years and older by marital status, level
of education, religious affiliation and activity status. No clear pattern emerged from the data,
except that persons with no education constitute the largest group of those married, separated,
divorced and or widowed.

Table 5.5: Population 12 years and older by marital status, level of education,
religious affiliation and activity status
Marital Status
Informal/
Con-
Never sensual
Characteristics Total % married union Married Separated Divorced Widowed
Level of education

Total 1,615,850 100.0 41.0 3.9 45.3 1.7 4.2 3.8

Never attended 390,362 24.2 8.8 26.1 32.3 37.3 43.4 63.4

JSS/JHS 446,225 27.6 40.0 34.6 19.8 18.0 11.5 2.8

Middle 195,432 12.1 1.2 8.7 20.2 20.6 24.2 18.7

SSS/SHS 168,415 10.4 18.2 8.6 5.4 4.6 2.4 0.9

Secondary 25,563 1.6 0.6 1.2 2.4 2.4 2.1 1.7

Vocational/Technical/Commercial 35,780 2.2 2.2 2.0 2.3 2.2 2.0 1.5

Post middle/secondary certificate 20,905 1.3 1.2 0.9 1.4 1.3 1.1 1.4

Post secondary diploma 52,736 3.3 4.2 1.9 3.0 1.9 1.4 1.2

Bachelor degree 18,265 1.1 1.2 0.7 1.3 0.6 0.4 0.4

Post graduate (Cert. Diploma

Masters PHD etc) 3,741 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.4 0.1 0.1 0.1
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

58
 Table 5.5: Population 12 years and older by marital status, level of education, religious
affiliation and activity status (Cont’d)
Marital Status
Informal/
Never Consensual
Characteristics Total % married union Married Separated Divorced Widowed
Religious affiliation
No religion 121,157 7.5 5.7 13.4 8.0 10.6 12.2 7.9
Catholic 266,891 16.5 16.9 16.3 15.7 18.0 17.6 20.1
Protestants 349,161 21.6 22.5 19.2 20.9 21.7 21.3 23.4
Pentecostal/Charismatic 462,062 28.6 30.0 28.4 28.3 26.8 24.7 22.0
Other christian 239,366 14.8 14.3 14.7 15.0 14.2 16.4 16.6
Islam 147,830 9.1 9.0 6.3 10.1 6.2 5.2 7.1
Traditionalist 13,251 0.8 0.5 0.8 0.9 1.4 1.5 1.8
Other 16,132 1.0 0.9 0.9 1.1 1.2 1.0 1.1
Activity Status
Employed 975,732 60.4 31.7 77.3 83.0 74.9 76.5 57.2
Unemployed 62,296 3.9 5.2 5.6 2.7 3.9 2.9 1.7
Not active 577,822 35.8 63.0 17.0 14.2 21.2 20.6 41.1
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

Table 5.6 shows marital status by level of education. The data show that the highest rates for
the never married are those with Senior Secondary School/Senior High School (SSS/SHS),
Junior Secondary School/Junior High school (JSS/JHS) and primary education. On the other
hand, the low levels of education recorded by those never married compared to the rates
recorded among persons who were married with middle/ secondary education is also not
surprising since these persons have completed school several years ago. Divorce and
widowhood rates are high among persons with no education and those with middle school
education.

Table 5.6: Population12 years and older by marital status and level of education
Marital status
Informal/
Never Consensual
Level of Education Total % married union Married Separated Divorced Widowed

Total 1,615,850 100.0 41.0 3.9 45.3 1.7 4.2 3.8

Never attended 390,362 100.0 14.9 4.2 60.7 2.7 7.6 10.0
Primary 258,426 100.0 57.7 3.7 32.5 1.2 3.0 1.9
JSS/JHS 446,225 100.0 59.4 4.9 32.4 1.1 1.7 0.4
Middle 195,432 100.0 4.2 2.8 75.8 3.0 8.4 5.9
SSS/SHS 168,415 100.0 71.4 3.2 23.3 0.8 1.0 0.3
Secondary 25,563 100.0 14.5 2.9 70.2 2.7 5.6 4.1
Vocational/Technical/Commercial 35,780 100.0 40.4 3.6 47.8 1.7 3.9 2.6
Post middle/secondary certificate 20,905 100.0 37.2 2.7 50.6 1.8 3.6 4.2
Post secondary diploma 52,736 100.0 52.2 2.3 41.3 1.0 1.8 1.3
Bachelor degree 18,265 100.0 42.8 2.3 51.3 0.9 1.6 1.2
Post graduate (Cert. Dip. Masters
etc) 3,741 100.0 17.1 1.8 75.9 0.8 2.5 1.9
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

59
 5.6 Marital Status by Religion
Table 5.7 reveals that persons with no religion reported higher rate of informal/consensual
unions compared to other groups in the Region. Also, Traditionalists recorded higher
incidences of separation (2.9%) and widowhood (8.3%) than other religious groups.

Table 5.7: Population 12 years and older by Marital Status and Religion
Marital status
Informal/
Religious Affiliation Never Consensual
Total % married union Married Separated Divorced Widowed
Total 1,615,850 100.0 41.0 3.9 45.3 1.7 4.2 3.8
No religion 121,157 100.0 31.4 7.0 48.2 2.5 6.8 4.0
Catholic 266,891 100.0 42.0 3.9 43.1 1.9 4.5 4.6
Protestants 349,161 100.0 42.8 3.5 43.8 1.7 4.1 4.1
Pentecostal/Charismatic 462,062 100.0 43.1 3.9 44.9 1.6 3.6 2.9
Other christian 239,366 100.0 39.6 3.9 45.9 1.7 4.7 4.3
Islam 139,264 100.0 40.4 2.6 50.6 1.1 2.4 2.9
Ahmadi 8,566 100.0 41.4 3.6 46.1 1.8 3.5 3.6
Traditionalist 13,251 100.0 26.0 3.8 51.6 2.9 7.4 8.3
Other 16,132 100.0 36.5 3.6 49.1 2.1 4.4 4.3
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

5.7 Marital Status by Economic Activity Status

Table 5.5 shows differences in marital status between economic activity status and Table 5.8
shows differences in marital status within economic activity status. Both reveal huge
differentials in marital status by economic activity as well as within activity status. In Table
5.8, the biggest differences in economic activity were reported among the married and never
married. Those employed have the highest proportion of married persons. The reverse is true
for those never married.

Table 5.8: Population 12 years and older by marital status and economic activity status
Marital status
Informal/
Never Consensual
Activity Status Total % married union Married Separated Divorced Widowed
Activity Status
Total 1,615,850 100.0 41.0 3.9 45.3 1.7 4.2 3.8
Employed 975,732 100.0 21.6 5.0 62.3 2.2 5.3 3.6
Unemployed 62,296 100.0 55.4 5.7 32.3 1.8 3.1 1.7
Not active 577,822 100.0 72.3 1.9 18.0 1.0 2.4 4.4
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

60
5.8 Marital Status by District
The distribution of the population aged 12 years and older by marital status in the Region is
shown in Table 5.9. Forty one percent are never married while 45.3 percent are married.
Those in consensual union constitute 3.9 percent, 1.7 percent are separated and 4.2 percent
are divorced. The proportion of persons aged 12 years and older who are widowed is 3.8
percent. Generally, there is not much variation in the proportions of the various categories
across the Districts. The District with highest percentage of ‘never married’ (both sexes) is
Sekondi-Takoradi Metrolis (47.9%).
The proportion of married females (46.1%) is higher than the proportion for males (44.6%) in
the Region. Sefwi Akontombra District recorded the highest proportion of married persons,
males (54.0%) and females (56.7%).
The data indicate that there are more widowed females across Districts than males. The
Shama District recorded the highest percentage of widowed persons.

Table 5.9: Population 12 years and older by marital status, district and sex
Marital Status
Never Information
District Total % married union Married Separated Divorced Widowed
Both Sexes 1,615,850 100.0 41.0 3.9 45.3 1.7 4.2 3.8

Jomoro 100,611 100.0 38.6 4.8 44.3 2.5 5.5 4.2

Ellembelle 59,572 100.0 42.6 3.4 40.9 2.5 5.7 5.0

Nzema East 40,356 100.0 39.7 8.9 39.6 2.3 5.0 4.5

Ahanta West 69,784 100.0 37.2 3.4 46.3 2.2 5.5 5.4

Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis 412,957 100.0 47.9 3.1 39.1 1.7 3.6 4.6

Shama 54,557 100.0 41.2 2.4 44.4 1.3 5.3 5.5

Mpohor-Wassa East 81,048 100.0 36.6 3.9 48.0 1.9 4.8 4.7

Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal 61,977 100.0 40.0 4.4 47.5 1.4 3.6 3.1

Prestea/ Huni Valley 105,631 100.0 37.6 3.7 49.1 1.9 4.1 3.7

Wassa Amenfi East 54,573 100.0 37.9 6.1 47.2 1.5 4.1 3.4

Wassa Amenfi West 105,528 100.0 37.7 4.5 49.7 1.7 3.7 2.8

Aowin/ Suaman 91,649 100.0 37.3 4.0 51.8 1.5 3.4 2.0

Sefwi Akont ombra 53,197 100.0 36.4 2.7 54.0 1.0 3.6 2.2

Sefwi Wiawso 92,475 100.0 40.9 1.6 48.4 1.5 4.6 2.9

Sefwi Bibiani-Ahwiaso Bekwai 83,340 100.0 41.1 3.4 45.5 1.5 5.0 3.5

Juabeso 72,806 100.0 37.3 3.8 50.7 1.2 4.4 2.6

Bia 75,789 100.0 37.7 8.6 46.8 1.8 2.9 2.3

Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

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Table 5.9: Population 12 years and older by marital status, district and sex (cont’d)
Marital Status
Never Information
District Total % married union Married Separated Divorced Widowed
Male
Total 800971 100.0 46.8 3.6 44.6 1.3 2.6 1.1
Jomoro 48346 100.0 46.4 4.0 43.5 1.7 3.3 1.1
Ellembelle 28244 100.0 50.0 2.9 40.7 1.8 3.3 1.3
Nzema East 19468 100.0 46.7 8.1 39.3 1.5 3.1 1.3
Ahanta West 32688 100.0 44.8 2.9 45.9 1.5 3.4 1.6
Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis 199224 100.0 53.1 3.0 38.9 1.2 2.3 1.5
Shama 24799 100.0 48.6 2.0 44.1 0.7 3.2 1.4
Mpohor-Wassa East 40475 100.0 43.4 3.5 46.8 1.5 3.3 1.5
Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal 32208 100.0 45.0 4.0 46.6 1.1 2.4 1.0
Prestea/ Huni Valley 53320 100.0 42.6 3.3 48.5 1.6 2.8 1.2
Wassa Amenfi East 28013 100.0 43.6 5.8 45.8 1.2 2.5 1.1
Wassa Amenfi West 54496 100.0 42.9 4.1 48.4 1.3 2.3 0.9
Aowin/ Suaman 48033 100.0 42.3 3.6 50.1 1.2 2.2 0.6
Sefwi Akont ombra 28446 100.0 41.9 2.5 51.6 0.8 2.6 0.7
Sefwi Wiawso 46063 100.0 46.8 1.4 47.2 1.1 2.6 0.9
Sefwi Bibiani-Ahwiaso Bekwai 40740 100.0 47.5 3.1 45.0 0.9 2.6 0.9
Juabeso 37056 100.0 43.4 3.6 49.1 0.8 2.4 0.7
Bia 39352 100.0 43.1 7.9 45.1 1.4 1.9 0.6

Female
Total 814879 100.0 35.3 4.2 46.1 2.2 5.8 6.4
Jomoro 52265 100.0 31.5 5.5 45.2 3.2 7.6 7.1
Ellembelle 31328 100.0 35.8 3.7 41.1 3.0 8.0 8.3
Nzema East 20888 100.0 33.2 9.6 39.9 3.0 6.8 7.4
Ahanta West 37096 100.0 30.5 3.8 46.7 2.8 7.3 8.8
Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis 213733 100.0 43.1 3.2 39.3 2.2 4.7 7.5
Shama 29758 100.0 35.0 2.7 44.6 1.7 7.0 9.0
Mpohor-Wassa East 40573 100.0 29.9 4.3 49.2 2.4 6.4 7.8
Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal 29769 100.0 34.6 4.9 48.4 1.8 4.9 5.4
Prestea/ Huni Valley 52311 100.0 32.4 4.1 49.7 2.2 5.5 6.1
Wassa Amenfi East 26560 100.0 31.8 6.4 48.7 1.7 5.7 5.7
Wassa Amenfi West 51032 100.0 32.1 4.9 51.1 2.0 5.1 4.7
Aowin/ Suaman 43616 100.0 31.9 4.5 53.6 1.8 4.7 3.5
Sefwi Akont ombra 24751 100.0 30.0 3.0 56.7 1.3 4.9 4.0
Sefwi Wiawso 46412 100.0 35.2 1.8 49.6 1.9 6.6 5.0
Sefwi Bibiani-Ahwiaso Bekwai 42600 100.0 34.9 3.7 46.1 2.1 7.3 5.9
Juabeso 35750 100.0 30.9 4.1 52.3 1.6 6.5 4.5
Bia 36437 100.0 31.7 9.3 48.6 2.2 3.9 4.1
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

62
 CHAPTER SIX
INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY

6.1 Introduction
The 2010 PHC is the first time data have been collected on Information Communication
Technology (ICT) in a population census in this country. The chapter discusses ownership of
mobile phones and use of internet facilities by persons aged 12 years and above. Both are
considered by background characteristics such as district, sex, locality of residence, age,
educational level, and economic activity status. Ownership of desktop/laptop computers and
the presence of a fixed telephone line are however considered at the household level.

6.2 Ownership of Mobile Phones

6.2.1 Ownership of Mobile Phones within Districts and by Sex
Table 6.2 shows the proportion of persons who owned a mobile phone by district and sex.
The Region has 46.4 percent of all persons aged 12 years and older owning phones. At the
District level, the highest percentage of persons who o wn mobile phones is recorded in
Kwesimintsim sub-Metro (70.2%) compared with the lowest mobile phone ownership of 31.4
percent at Mpohor-Wasso East. The data by sex shows a clear lead of males over females in
all Districts and sub-metros. The lowest percentage by sex is 38.2 for male and 22.8 females
for Nzema East and Mophor-Wassa East in that order.
The highest percentage by sex is 74.8 for males and 65.9 for females, both from the
Kwesimintsim sub-metro. The difference in ownership by sex is over 10 percent in all
districts (except the sub metros Kwesimintsim, Takoradi, Sekondi and Essikadu-Ketan) for
males; reaching a peak of over 18 percent in Juabeso and Sefwi Akontombra. In the Sub
Metros, the difference in ownership is still higher for males but is lower than 10 percent.

63
Table 6.1: Population 12 years and older owning mobile phones by district and sex
Mobile Phone
Ownership by Sex
All localities Male Female
District Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent
Western 750,227 100.0 422,311 100.0 327,916 100.0
Jomoro 39,483 5.3 22,243 5.3 17,240 5.3
Ellembelle 24,064 3.2 13,067 3.1 10,997 3.4
Nzema East 12,959 1.7 7,445 1.8 5,514 1.7
Ahanta West 27,935 3.7 15,673 3.7 12,262 3.7
Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis 277,816 37.0 142,142 33.7 135,674 41.4
Kwesimintsim 120,211 16.0 61,705 14.6 58,506 17.8
Takoradi 50,417 6.7 25,496 6.0 24,921 7.6
Sekondi 35,568 4.7 17,406 4.1 18,162 5.5
Essikadu-Ketan 71,620 9.5 37,535 8.9 34,085 10.4
Shama 22,604 3.0 12,100 2.9 10,504 3.2
Mpohor-Wassa East 25,430 3.4 16,177 3.8 9,253 2.8
Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal 31,890 4.3 19,050 4.5 12,840 3.9
Prestea/Huni Valley 47,452 6.3 27,739 6.6 19,713 6.0
Wassa Amenfi East 18,135 2.4 11,543 2.7 6,592 2.0
Wassa Amenfi West 35,193 4.7 21,655 5.1 13,538 4.1
Aowin/Suaman 30,605 4.1 19,144 4.5 11,461 3.5
Sefwi Akontombra 18,266 2.4 12,246 2.9 6,020 1.8
Sefwi Wiawso 37,443 5.0 21,673 5.1 15,770 4.8
Sefwi Bibiani-Ahwiaso Bekwai 36,229 4.8 20,551 4.9 15,678 4.8
Juabeso 33,109 4.4 20,147 4.8 12,962 4.0
Bia 31,614 4.2 19,716 4.7 11,898 3.6
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

64
Table 6.2: Population 12 years and older owning mobile phones within regions and districts by sex
Mobile Phone Ownership
Total Country Male Female
Population Percentage Male Male 12 Female Female
12 years 12 years Population years and Population 12 years
and older and older Male 12 years older 12 years and older
and older percentage Female and older percentage
Population having having Population having having Population having having
12years mobile mobile 12years mobile mobile 12 years mobile mobile
District and older phones phones and older phones phones and older phones phones
All regions 16,886,306 8,049,408 47.7 8,072,481 4,275,211 53 8,813,825 3,774,197 42.8
Western 1,615,850 750,227 46.4 800,971 422,311 52.7 814,879 327,916 40.2
Jomoro 100,611 39,483 39.2 48,346 22,243 46 52,265 17,240 33
Ellembelle 59,572 24,064 40.4 28,244 13,067 46.3 31,328 10,997 35.1
Nzema East 40,356 12,959 32.1 19,468 7,445 38.2 20,888 5,514 26.4
Ahanta West 69,784 27,935 40 32,688 15,673 47.9 37,096 12,262 33.1
Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis 412,957 277,816 67.3 199,224 142,142 71.3 213,733 135,674 63.5
Kwesimintsim 171,220 120,211 70.2 82,474 61,705 74.8 88,746 58,506 65.9
Takoradi 75,314 50,417 66.9 37,451 25,496 68.1 37,863 24,921 65.8
Sekondi 52,876 35,568 67.3 24,891 17,406 69.9 27,985 18,162 64.9
Essikadu-Ketan 113,547 71,620 63.1 54,408 37,535 69 59,139 34,085 57.6
Shama 54,557 22,604 41.4 24,799 12,100 48.8 29,758 10,504 35.3
Mpohor-Wassa East 81,048 25,430 31.4 40,475 16,177 40 40,573 9,253 22.8
Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal 61,977 31,890 51.5 32,208 19,050 59.1 29,769 12,840 43.1
Prestea/Huni Valley 105,631 47,452 44.9 53,320 27,739 52 52,311 19,713 37.7
Wassa Amenfi East 54,573 18,135 33.2 28,013 11,543 41.2 26,560 6,592 24.8
Wassa Amenfi West 105,528 35,193 33.3 54,496 21,655 39.7 51,032 13,538 26.5
Aowin/Suaman 91,649 30,605 33.4 48,033 19,144 39.9 43,616 11,461 26.3
Sefwi Akontombra 53,197 18,266 34.3 28,446 12,246 43 24,751 6,020 24.3
Sefwi Wiawso 92,475 37,443 40.5 46,063 21,673 47.1 46,412 15,770 34
Sefwi Bibiani-Ahwiaso Bekwai 83,340 36,229 43.5 40,740 20,551 50.4 42,600 15,678 36.8
Juabeso 72,806 33,109 45.5 37,056 20,147 54.4 35,750 12,962 36.3
Bia 75,789 31,614 41.7 39,352 19,716 50.1 36,437 11,898 32.7
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

65
6.2.2 Ownership of Mobile Phones by District and Locality of Residence
The population 12 years and older having mobile phones by District and locality of residence
is shown in Table 6.3. As expected the percentages owning mobile phones in urban areas are
higher than the percentage in rural areas.

6.2.3 Ownership of Mobile Phones by Age-Group and Sex

Ownership of mobile phones by age show that the percentage having mobile phones
increases from a low of about 5% for age 12 – 14 toover 62% for age 30 – 34 for the
region,then, declines gradually to a minimum of over 25% for persons aged 70+. A similar
pattern is observed for both males and females, but the levels of the percentages are higher
for males than for females. These inferences are drawn from Table 6.4.

6.2.4 Ownership of Mobile Phones by Educational Level

The percentage of persons who own mobile phones by educational level and sex is presented
in Table 6.5. There is a sharp increase from about 1 in 4, for persons with primary education
to 1 in 2, for persons with middle school/ JSS education. Thereafter, ownership increases to
near universal for persons with higher education.
Differences by education a higher percentage of and sex in this region do not follow any
discernible pattern. For persons with no education, males own mobile phones than females
(nearly 13% more) and by 8% more for those with Middle school/JSS. However, as the level
of education increased, females also report a slight edge over males.

66
Table 6.3: Population 12 years and older having mobile phone by district and locality of residence
Rural
Urban Population Percentage 12+ Population Percentage 12+
Total Urban 12+ having urban having Total Rural 12+ having rural having
District Population 12+ mobile phone mobile phones Population 12+ mobile phone mobile phones
All Regions 9,037,989 5,728,294 63.4 7,848,317 2,321,114 29.6
Western 721,714 431,997 59.9 894,136 318,230 35.6
Jomoro 36,566 17,238 47.1 64,045 22,245 34.7
Ellembelle 12,457 6,213 49.9 47,115 17,851 37.9
Nzema East 14,236 6,043 42.4 26,120 6,916 26.5
Ahanta West 21,033 11,405 54.2 48,751 16,530 33.9
Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis 397,593 267,933 67.4 15,364 9,883 64.3
Kwesimintsim 165,820 116,809 70.4 5,400 3,402 63.0
Takoradi 75,314 50,417 66.9 - - -
Sekondi 52,876 35,568 67.3 - - -
Essikadu-Ketan 103,583 65,139 62.9 9,964 6,481 65.0
Shama 30,580 13,198 43.2 23,977 9,406 39.2
Mpohor-Wassa East 11,783 5,082 43.1 69,265 20,348 29.4
Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal 19,240 10,729 55.8 42,737 21,161 49.5
Prestea/Huni Valley 40,755 23,264 57.1 64,876 24,188 37.3
Wassa Amenfi East 4,013 2,215 55.2 50,560 15,920 31.5
Wassa Amenfi West 30,565 14,795 48.4 74,963 20,398 27.2
Aowin/Suaman 14,333 7,812 54.5 77,316 22,793 29.5
Sefwi Akontombra 5,129 2,928 57.1 48,068 15,338 31.9
Sefwi Wiawso 34,447 17,601 51.1 58,028 19,842 34.2
Sefwi Bibiani-Ahwiaso Bekwai 24,634 13,408 54.4 58,706 22,821 38.9
Juabeso 8,443 4,335 51.3 64,363 28,774 44.7
Bia 15,907 7,798 49.0 59,882 23,816 39.8
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

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Table 6.4: Population 12 years and older having mobile phones by age group and sex
Mobile Phone Ownership by Sex
Male Males 12+ Female Female 12+
Population Population Percentage Male Population Percentage Female Population Percentage
12+ by age 12+ having 12+ having Population 12+ having having Population 12+ having having
Age group group mobile phone mobile phone 12+ mobile phone mobile phone 12+ mobile phone mobile phone
Total 1,615,850 750,227 46.4 800,971 422,311 52.7 814,879 327,916 40.2
12-14 166,343 7,804 4.7 83,734 3,992 4.8 82,609 3,812 4.6
15-19 251,304 64,855 25.8 127,632 34,970 27.4 123,672 29,885 24.2
20-24 229,255 131,437 57.3 110,460 69,416 62.8 118,795 62,021 52.2
25-29 200,276 124,294 62.1 94,918 66,613 70.2 105,358 57,681 54.7
30-34 160,964 100,465 62.4 79,265 56,243 71.0 81,699 44,222 54.1
35-39 142,132 87,471 61.5 70,438 50,050 71.1 71,694 37,421 52.2
40-44 116,622 69,078 59.2 59,435 40,445 68.0 57,187 28,633 50.1
45-49 91,973 53,134 57.8 47,609 31,647 66.5 44,364 21,487 48.4
50-54 78,627 41,982 53.4 39,729 24,882 62.6 38,898 17,100 44.0
55-59 47,899 26,133 54.6 26,127 16,566 63.4 21,772 9,567 43.9
60-64 40,538 17,310 42.7 21,097 11,068 52.5 19,441 6,242 32.1
65-69 24,682 9,557 38.7 12,294 6,031 49.1 12,388 3,526 28.5
70+ 65,235 16,707 25.6 28,233 10,388 36.8 37,002 6,319 17.1
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

Table 6.5: Percentage of population 12 years and older owning mobile phone by economic activity and sex
Male Female Female
Population Percentage population Males 12+ population 12+
Region/Economic 12+ 12+ 12+ percentage 12+ percentage
Activity status having having Male having having Female having having
Population mobile mobile population mobile mobile population mobile mobile
12+ phone phone 12+ phone phone 12+ phone phone
Total 1,615,850 750,227 46.4 800,971 422,311 52.7 814,879 327,916 40.2
Employed 975,732 546,079 56.0 495,702 319,440 64.4 480,030 226,639 47.2
Unemployed 62,296 33,787 54.2 30,263 17,621 58.2 32,033 16,166 50.5
Not active 577,822 170,361 29.5 275,006 85,250 31.0 302,816 85,111 28.1
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

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6.2.5 Ownership of Mobile Phones by Activity Status
More than half of the economically active own mobile phones compared to 30 percent for
those who are not (Table 6.6). The reason for this is not hard to find as the use of these
phones has financial implications. The differences by sex are large and always in favour of
males. A higher percentage of employed males own mobile phones than that of employed
females. Among the economically not active, males ownership over female ownership is in
excess of 3 percent

Table 6.6: Percentage of population 12 years and older owning mobile phone
by educational level and sex
Mobile Phone Ownership by Sex
Males Female
Male 12+ Female 12+
Popula- Percen- popula- percent- popula- percent-
tion 12+ tage 12+ tion 12+ tage tion 12+ tage
having having Male having having Female having having
Population mobile mobile popula- mobile mobile popula- mobile mobile
Educational Level 12+ phone phone tion 12+ phone phone tion 12+ phone phone
Total 1,615,850 750,227 46.4 800,971 422,311 52.7 814,879 327,916 40.2
Notappl 390,362 110,884 28.4 138,575 50,785 36.6 251,787 60,099 23.9
Primary 258,426 60,923 23.6 123,176 30,006 24.4 135,250 30,917 22.9
JHS/Middle 641,657 324,329 50.5 344,586 187,007 54.3 297,071 137,322 46.2
Secondary/SSS/SHS 193,978 133,997 69.1 113,038 79,771 70.6 80,940 54,226 67.0
Vocational/Technical/
Commercial 35,780 30,124 84.2 19,637 16,624 84.7 16,143 13,500 83.6
Post middle/secondary
certificate 20,905 18,375 87.9 11,004 9,431 85.7 9,901 8,944 90.3
Post secondary diploma 52,736 50,204 95.2 34,950 33,172 94.9 17,786 17,032 95.8
Higher 22,006 21,391 97.2 16,005 15,515 96.9 6,001 5,876 97.9
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

6.3 Use of Internet Facility

A total of 103,166 persons aged 12 years and above use internet facilities in the Region as
shown in Table 6.7.

6.3.1 Population using the Internet Facility by District

The region has 6.4 percent of the population aged 12 years and older using internet facilities
(Table 6.8). The four sub metros and Tarkwa Nsuaem are the only districts with percentages
higher thn the Regional value. All the remaining Districts (except of Shama and Ahanta
West) have values less than half of the Regional figure. There are obvious differences by sex
in favour of males. The proportion of females using the internet in each District is about half
the proportion of males.

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Table 6.7: Population 12 years and older using internet facilities by district and sex
Total Males Females
Number Number Number
District % Percent % Percent % Percent
Western 103,166 100.0 66,698 100.0 36,468 100.0
Jomoro 2,818 2.7 1,998 3.0 820 2.2
Ellembelle 1,849 1.8 1,162 1.7 687 1.9
Nzema East 1,141 1.1 743 1.1 398 1.1
Ahanta West 2,342 2.3 1,596 2.4 746 2.0
Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis 73,102 70.9 45,708 68.5 27,394 75.1
Kwesimintsim 34,039 33.0 21,126 31.7 12,913 35.4
Takoradi 15,577 15.1 9,783 14.7 5,794 15.9
Sekondi 9,727 9.4 6,015 9.0 3,712 10.2
Essikadu-Ketan 13,759 13.3 8,784 13.2 4,975 13.6
Shama 2,332 2.3 1,549 2.3 783 2.1
Mpohor-Wassa East 1,289 1.2 913 1.4 376 1.0
Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal 4,595 4.5 3,154 4.7 1,441 4.0
Prestea/Huni Valley 3,513 3.4 2,488 3.7 1,025 2.8
Wassa Amenfi East 964 0.9 685 1.0 279 0.8
Wassa Amenfi West 1,310 1.3 997 1.5 313 0.9
Aowin/Suaman 1,261 1.2 902 1.4 359 1.0
Sefwi Akontombra 437 0.4 339 0.5 98 0.3
Sefwi Wiawso 1,907 1.8 1,316 2.0 591 1.6
Sefwi Bibiani-Ahwiaso Bekwai 2,370 2.3 1,740 2.6 630 1.7
Juabeso 866 0.8 624 0.9 242 0.7
Bia 1,070 1.0 784 1.2 286 0.8
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

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Table 6.8: Population 12 years and older using the internet by district and sex
Internet Usage
Male Female Female
Population Male Population 12 Female Population 12 12+
Population 12years and Percentage Population years and Males 12+ Population years and Percentage
District 12 years older using 12+ using 12 years and older using Percentage 12 years older using using
and older internet internet older internet using internet and older internet internet

All Regions 16,886,306 1,312,971 7.8 8,072,481 832,789 10.3 8,813,825 480,182 5.4
Western 1,615,850 103,166 6.4 800,971 66,698 8.3 814,879 36,468 4.5
Jomoro 100,611 2,818 2.8 48,346 1,998 4.1 52,265 820 1.6
Ellembelle 59,572 1,849 3.1 28,244 1,162 4.1 31,328 687 2.2
Nzema East 40,356 1,141 2.8 19,468 743 3.8 20,888 398 1.9
Ahanta West 69,784 2,342 3.4 32,688 1,596 4.9 37,096 746 2.0
Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis 412,957 73,102 17.7 199,224 45,708 22.9 213,733 27,394 12.8
Kwesimintsim 171,220 34,039 19.9 82,474 21,126 25.6 88,746 12,913 14.6
Takoradi 75,314 15,577 20.7 37,451 9,783 26.1 37,863 5,794 15.3
Sekondi 52,876 9,727 18.4 24,891 6,015 24.2 27,985 3,712 13.3
Essikadu-Ketan 113,547 13,759 12.1 54,408 8,784 16.1 59,139 4,975 8.4
Shama 54,557 2,332 4.3 24,799 1,549 6.2 29,758 783 2.6
Mpohor-Wassa East 81,048 1,289 1.6 40,475 913 2.3 40,573 376 0.9
Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal 61,977 4,595 7.4 32,208 3,154 9.8 29,769 1,441 4.8
Prestea/Huni Valley 105,631 3,513 3.3 53,320 2,488 4.7 52,311 1,025 2.0
Wassa Amenfi East 54,573 964 1.8 28,013 685 2.4 26,560 279 1.1
Wassa Amenfi West 105,528 1,310 1.2 54,496 997 1.8 51,032 313 0.6
Aowin/Suaman 91,649 1,261 1.4 48,033 902 1.9 43,616 359 0.8
Sefwi Akontombra 53,197 437 0.8 28,446 339 1.2 24,751 98 0.4
Sefwi Wiawso 92,475 1,907 2.1 46,063 1,316 2.9 46,412 591 1.3
Sefwi Bibiani-Ahwiaso Bekwai 83,340 2,370 2.8 40,740 1,740 4.3 42,600 630 1.5
Juabeso 72,806 866 1.2 37,056 624 1.7 35,750 242 0.7
Bia 75,789 1,070 1.4 39,352 784 2.0 36,437 286 0.8
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

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6.3.2 Population using the Internet Facility by Locality
In this Region, the proportion using internet facilities (Table 6.9) in urban areas (11.9%)
arehigher than those using the facilities in rural areas (1.9%). In all Districts there are similar
differences in usage between urban and rural areas, even though the contrast is not as large as
that found at the Regional level. This may be partially due to the availability of more internet
cafes in urban areas, where the cafe business may be more profitable.

Table 6.9: Population 12 years and older using the internet within region
and locality of residence
Total Urban % 12+ Total Rural % 12+
Urban Population urban Rural Population rural
District
Population 12+ using using Population 12+ using using
12+ internet internets 12+ internet internets
All Regions 9,037,989 1,147,874 12.7 7,848,317 165,097 2.1
Western 721,714 85,784 11.9 894,136 17,382 1.9
Jomoro 36,566 1,298 3.5 64,045 1,520 2.4
Ellembelle 12,457 508 4.1 47,115 1,341 2.8
Nzema East 14,236 733 5.1 26,120 408 1.6
Ahanta West 21,033 1,127 5.4 48,751 1,215 2.5
Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis 397,593 71,433 18.0 15,364 1,669 10.9
Kwesimintsim 165,820 33,109 20.0 5,400 930 17.2
Takoradi 75,314 15,577 20.7 - - -
Sekondi 52,876 9,727 18.4 - - -
Essikadu-Ketan 103,583 13,020 12.6 9,964 739 7.4
Shama 30,580 1,498 4.9 23,977 834 3.5
Mpohor-Wassa East 11,783 338 2.9 69,265 951 1.4
Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal 19,240 2,360 12.3 42,737 2,235 5.2
Prestea/Huni Valley 40,755 1,783 4.4 64,876 1,730 2.7
Wassa Amenfi East 4,013 218 5.4 50,560 746 1.5
Wassa Amenfi West 30,565 727 2.4 74,963 583 0.8
Aowin/Suaman 14,333 608 4.2 77,316 653 0.8
Sefwi Akontombra 5,129 146 2.8 48,068 291 0.6
Sefwi Wiawso 34,447 1,238 3.6 58,028 669 1.2
Sefwi Bibiani-Ahwiaso Bekwai 24,634 1,132 4.6 58,706 1,238 2.1
Juabeso 8,443 238 2.8 64,363 628 1.0
Bia 15,907 399 2.5 59,882 671 1.1
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

6.3.3 Use of the Internet by Age

Table 6.10 shows that in the Western Region, 6.4 percent of the population aged 12 years and
older, made up of 8.3 percent males and 4.5 percent females use the internet. This implies
that in the Region, the percentage of males 12 years and older who use the internet is l.8
times that of females.
At the regional level, the percentage of internet users increases steadily with age, from 2.8
percent at age group 12-14 years and peaks at age group 20-24 years (12.6%). Thereafter, the
percentage of internet users steadily decreases at each higher age-group from 25-29years to
70 years and older. This pattern of internet usage is repeated for both males and females, at
all age groups.
The age factor in internet use cannot be isolated from access to and affordability of internet
facilities. This is explicit from the observation that internet usage is six times higher for
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 urban (12.7%) than rural (2.1%) dwellers in the Region (Table 6.9). This may be explained
by the fact that internet facilities such as cafes, libraries, offices and similar work places with
internet connectivity, mobile phones and computers with appropriate modems, provide
greater access to internet use for the urban than the rural dweller.

Table 6.10: Population 12 years and older using internet by age group and sex
Internet Usage by Sex
Male Female
Population Population Female
Male 12years Males 12+ Female 12years 12+
Population Population Percentage Population and older Percentage Population and older Percentage
Age Group 12+ by 12+ using 12+ using 12 years using using 12 years using using
age group internet internet and older internet internet and older internet internet
Total 1,615,850 103,166 6.4 800,971 66,698 8.3 814,879 36,468 4.5
12-14 166,343 4,666 2.8 83,734 2,613 3.1 82,609 2,053 2.5
15-19 251,304 17,989 7.2 127,632 10,771 8.4 123,672 7,218 5.8
20-24 229,255 28,873 12.6 110,460 17,820 16.1 118,795 11,053 9.3
25-29 200,276 18,537 9.3 94,918 11,973 12.6 105,358 6,564 6.2
30-34 160,964 10,601 6.6 79,265 7,253 9.2 81,699 3,348 4.1
35-39 142,132 6,932 4.9 70,438 4,876 6.9 71,694 2,056 2.9
40-44 116,622 4,879 4.2 59,435 3,546 6.0 57,187 1,333 2.3
45-49 91,973 3,845 4.2 47,609 2,780 5.8 44,364 1,065 2.4
50-54 78,627 2,986 3.8 39,729 2,145 5.4 38,898 841 2.2
55-59 47,899 1,869 3.9 26,127 1,463 5.6 21,772 406 1.9
60-64 40,538 809 2.0 21,097 634 3.0 19,441 175 0.9
65-69 24,682 391 1.6 12,294 286 2.3 12,388 105 0.8
70+ 65,235 789 1.2 28,233 538 1.9 37,002 251 0.7
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

Affordability is an important factor affecting internet use because one has to pay for using the
internet cafe’, the longer and protracted the use, the higher the café’ charge. Besides, internet
connectivity via mobile phones and computers not only require the use of modems which are
expensive to invest in; the charge of internet provider can also be relatively high. Hence the
relatively lower internet user rate among the older, 50 years and older (3.9% and lower) and
the under 20 years (2.8%-7.2%). Besides, it is not usual to find children under 12 years and
older person 50 years and older patronising public internet cafés.
On the other hand, the age groups 20-40 years in particular consist of students, workers or
professionals who need information for various educational/academic work or job related
purposes and are compelled to purchase or use paid internet facilities in cafés or libraries or
acquire the appropriate equipment for themselves. Hence the factors of age, accessibility and
affordability are closely related to internet usage, just as locality of residence (urban or rural),
the sex (male or female) and the educational level of the user.

6.3.4 Population using the Internet by Level of Education

Internet use increases as the level of education increases with differences by sex, in favour of
males (Table 6.11).

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Table 6.11: Population 12 years and older using internet by level of education and sex
Internet Usage by Sex
Male Female
Male Pop. Female Pop.
Pop. Percent Pop. 12 12years Males Pop.12 12years Female
Educational Pop. 12+ 12+ age 12+ years and older 12+ years and older 12+
level by age using using and using using and using using
group internet internet older internet internet older internet internet
Total 1,615,850 1,799 0.1 800,971 811 0.1 814,879 988 0.1

Primary 258,426 2,875 1.1 123,176 1,747 1.4 135,250 1,128 0.8

JHS/Middle 641,657 18,316 2.9 344,586 11,785 3.4 297,071 6,531 2.2
Secondary/
SSS/SHS 193,978 29,840 15.4 113,038 18,900 16.7 80,940 10,940 13.5

Vocational/
Technical/
Commercial 35,780 5,326 14.9 19,637 3,523 17.9 16,143 1,803 11.2

Post middle/
secondary
certificate 20,905 4,753 22.7 11,004 2,120 19.3 9,901 2,633 26.6

Post
secondary
diploma 52,736 25,945 49.2 34,950 17,314 49.5 17,786 8,631 48.5
Higher 22,006 14,312 65.0 16,005 10,498 65.6 6,001 3,814 63.6
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

6.4 Household Ownership of Desktop/Laptop Computer

Ownership of desktop/laptop computer in the home is an indication of enhancing self study
and especially the use of internet. Table 6.12 gives the percentage of households that
reported owning desktop or laptop by sex of household head. There are 36, 214 households
who own a computer/laptop in the Region constituting 6.5 percent of households. Ownership
of laptop and or desktop computers is widespread in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis
(62.9%) compared to any other Metropolis/District. Females are in excess of about 11 percent
of ownership over males in Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis. It is important to note that all
districts reported some households owning computers with Sefwi Akontombra having the
lowest percentage of 0.7 percent of households with computers.

74
Table 6.12: Households owning desktop or laptop by region and sex of household head
Both sexes Male Female
District Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent
All regions 431,917 316,639 115,278
Western 36,214 100.0 27,248 100.0 8,966 100.0
Jomoro 1,018 2.8 818 3.0 200 2.2
Ellembelle 581 1.6 470 1.7 111 1.2
Nzema East 359 1.0 289 1.1 70 0.8
Ahanta West 983 2.7 746 2.7 237 2.6
Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis 22,765 62.9 16,405 60.2 6,360 70.9
Kwesimintsim 11,088 30.6 7,922 29.1 3,166 35.3
Takoradi 4,358 12.0 3,191 11.7 1,167 13.0
Sekondi 2,791 7.7 1,930 7.1 861 9.6
Essikadu-Ketan 4,528 12.5 3,362 12.3 1,166 13.0
Shama 978 2.7 744 2.7 234 2.6
Mpohor-Wassa East 676 1.9 531 1.9 145 1.6
Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal 1,524 4.2 1,296 4.8 228 2.5
Prestea/Huni Valley 1,692 4.7 1,403 5.1 289 3.2
Wassa Amenfi East 488 1.3 374 1.4 114 1.3
Wassa Amenfi West 823 2.3 692 2.5 131 1.5
Aowin/Suaman 685 1.9 546 2.0 139 1.6
Sefwi Akontombra 241 0.7 210 0.8 31 0.3
Sefwi Wiawso 1,046 2.9 839 3.1 207 2.3
Sefwi Bibiani-Ahwiaso Bekwai 1,334 3.7 1,067 3.9 267 3.0
Juabeso 586 1.6 466 1.7 120 1.3
Bia 435 1.2 352 1.3 83 0.9
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

6.4.1 Households Owning a Computer by District

The proportion of households within each District that owned a computer is more
encouraging than the proportions between Districts. Apart from Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal,
all other Districts reported percentages which are far below the regional (Table 6.13). Sefwi
Akontombra had the lowest percentage with only 1.4 percent of households owning a
computer.

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Table 6.13: Percentage of households having desktop/laptop by district

Household Ownership of Desktop/Laptop Computer

Households
District Total having % having
Households desktop/laptop desktop/laptop
All regions 5,467,136 431,917 7.9
Western 553,635 36,214 6.5
Jomoro 34,503 1,018 3.0
Ellembelle 18,682 581 3.1
Nzema East 13,509 359 2.7
Ahanta West 26,095 983 3.8
Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis 142,560 22,765 16.0
Kwesimintsim 59,071 11,088 18.8
Takoradi 24,440 4,358 17.8
Sekondi 19,176 2,791 14.6
Essikadu-Ketan 39,873 4,528 11.4
Shama 19,291 978 5.1
Mpohor-Wassa East 30,196 676 2.2
Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal 21,713 1,524 7.0
Prestea/Huni Valley 38,295 1,692 4.4
Wassa Amenfi East 18,620 488 2.6
Wassa Amenfi West 34,469 823 2.4
Aowin/Suaman 30,658 685 2.2
Sefwi Akontombra 17,592 241 1.4
Sefwi Wiawso 30,074 1,046 3.5
Sefwi Bibiani-Ahwiaso Bekwai 27,961 1,334 4.8
Juabeso 23,639 586 2.5
Bia 25,778 435 1.7
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

6.5 Household Ownership of Fixed Telephone Lines

There are 11,574 fixed-line telephones in the Region as at 2010. About 79 perccent of these
served the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis alone with the remaining 21 percent for the other 16
Districts. Fixed-line service is available in only six Districts (Ellembelle, Mpohor-Wassa
East, Sefwi Bibiani-Ahwiaso Bekwai, Wassa Amenfi East, Bia and Juabeso) in 2010
compared to the wide availablility in all Districts in 2000 (GSS, 2005). The decline in fixed-
line services (about 10%) may be due to the explosion of mobile phone ownership and use
over the past decade (Table 6.14).

76
Table 6.14: Households owning fixed-line telephone by district and sex of household
head
Household Ownership of Fixed Line Telephone

Both sexes Male Female

Region/District
Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent
All Regions 127,694 84,731 42,963
Western 11,574 100.0 7,696 100.0 3,878 100.0
Jomoro 286 2.5 232 3.0 54 1.4
Ellembelle 82 0.7 55 0.7 27 0.7
Nzema East 346 3.0 244 3.2 102 2.6
Ahanta West 153 1.3 108 1.4 45 1.2
Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis 9,104 78.7 5,750 74.7 3,354 86.5
Kwesimintsim 4,861 42.0 3,070 39.9 1,791 46.2
Takoradi 1,859 16.1 1,196 15.5 663 17.1
Sekondi 1,306 11.3 782 10.2 524 13.5
Essikadu-Ketan 1,078 9.3 702 9.1 376 9.7
Shama 162 1.4 125 1.6 37 1.0
Mpohor-Wassa East 86 0.7 67 0.9 19 0.5
Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal 204 1.8 183 2.4 21 0.5
Prestea/Huni Valley 132 1.1 115 1.5 17 0.4
Wassa Amenfi East 75 0.6 59 0.8 16 0.4
Wassa Amenfi West 318 2.7 251 3.3 67 1.7
Aowin/Suaman 118 1.0 96 1.2 22 0.6
Sefwi Akontombra 158 1.4 141 1.8 17 0.4
Sefwi Wiawso 186 1.6 139 1.8 47 1.2
Sefwi Bibiani-Ahwiaso Bekwai 80 0.7 66 0.9 14 0.4
Juabeso 27 0.2 24 0.3 3 0.1
Bia 57 0.5 41 0.5 16 0.4
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

77
 CHAPTER SEVEN
EDUCATION AND LITERACY

7.1 Introduction
Education and literacy are two sides of the same coin and are important tools for national
development. An educated and literate person would be able to use the acquired skills and
thus make informed decisions which would allow for increase opportunities and effective
competition with others. Therefore, investing in human resource development through formal
education has caught the attention of all government since independence.
After Ghana gained independence from the British, the first nationalist government by made
some reforms in the educational system. The accelerated plan for education was captured in
the Education Act of 1961 which made primary education free and compulsory. The
educational system at the time was still modelled on the British system of six (6) years
primary and four years of middle school. After this, persons could continue five years of
secondary education followed by two years of college or preparatory university education. It
took 17 years to complete pre-university education.
However, in the late 1980’s, there were major reforms in the educational system which was
undertaken by the then Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) these reforms moved
the system away from a purely academic one to a system with options for practical oriented
courses such as vocational, technical and commercial courses. The present educational
structure starts at the age of six years to begin the six years of primary education, three years
of Junior High School (JHS)/Junior Secondary School (JSS). It is also a requirement for
pupils to pursue a two-year pre-school before proceeding to primary one. The first nine years
of Basic Education are free and compulsory. The Basic Education is followed by three year
Senior High School (SHS)/Senior Secondary School (SSS) and four years of university or
programmes at other tertiary institutions. The basic education is designed to expose children
to a wide variety of ideas and skills which would enable them identify their talents and
provide guidance on areas for further training for those who exit the educational system after
JSS/JHS.
This chapter seeks to find out the literacy levels and educational attainment of all eligible
persons captured during the 2010 PHC.

7.2 Literacy
Literacy is measured by the ability to read and write a simple statement in any language with
understanding. Literacy enables people to access information on what goes on around them
so as to make informed decisions on issues affecting them.
There are two tables on literacy: Table 7.1 discusses language of literacy by District and sex
while Table 7.2 is on language of literacy by District and type of locality of residence. These
literacy rates and levels are based on data collected for persons aged eleven years and also
(11+years) as captured in the 2010 PHC questionnaire.
In Table 7.1, for both sexes, the literacy rate of the Region (76.4%) is higher than the national
average (74.1%). Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis has the highest literacy rate (89.5%) among
the District for both sexes while Aowin-Suaman recorded the lowest rate (68.8%).

78
The average illiteracy levels for males across the Districts are lower than that for the females.
The Regional illiteracy level for males is 16.9 percent and 30.1 percent for females. The
Sekondi and Takoradi Sub-Metropolis reported high literacy rates for both males (94.1%) and
females (85.1%). Aown-Suaman District had the lowest for males (69.1%) and for females
(54.8%). A significant proportion (23.1%) of the population aged 11 years and older is also
literate in English only. Although the Region is closer to La Cote d’Ivoire, a French speaking
country, few persons could read and write French.

Table 7.1: Language of literacy of population 11 years and older by district and sex

Language of Literary
English
English French
District None Ghanaian and English and
(Not English language Ghanaian and Ghanaian
Total % literate) only only language French Language
Both Sexes
All Regions 17,392,855 100.0 25.9 20.1 7.0 45.8 0.3 0.8
Western 1,665,207 100.0 23.6 23.1 5.6 46.8 0.3 0.6
Jomoro 103,828 100.0 30.9 18.4 4.5 44.4 0.7 1.1
Ellembelle 61,315 100.0 26.1 12.8 5.1 54.9 0.4 0.7
Nzema East 41,637 100.0 30.1 22.4 4.3 42.5 0.2 0.5
Ahanta West 72,031 100.0 26.6 32.7 3.0 37.1 0.2 0.3
Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis 423,968 100.0 10.5 32.1 3.5 52.1 0.5 1.3
Kwesimintsim 175,802 100.0 10.2 33.1 3.3 51.3 0.6 1.4
Takoradi 77,010 100.0 9.3 34.2 3.6 50.8 0.5 1.6
Sekondi 54,199 100.0 10.5 30.0 3.0 55.1 0.4 1.2
Essikadu-Ketan 116,957 100.0 11.8 30.2 3.8 52.8 0.3 1.1
Shama 56,483 100.0 27.2 24.6 3.3 44.3 0.1 0.4
Mpohor-Wassa East 83,794 100.0 25.4 23.3 7.2 43.6 0.1 0.3
Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal 63,686 100.0 17.6 32.4 5.7 43.5 0.2 0.6
Prestea/Huni Valley 108,977 100.0 21.6 26.7 6.2 45.0 0.2 0.3
Wassa Amenfi East 56,403 100.0 26.9 21.4 9.6 41.3 0.3 0.5
Wassa Amenfi West 108,948 100.0 27.8 18.0 7.7 46.2 0.1 0.2
Aowin/Suaman 94,429 100.0 38.2 14.9 6.3 40.1 0.2 0.3
Sefwi Akontombra 54,892 100.0 34.6 13.4 7.2 44.3 0.2 0.2
Sefwi Wiawso 95,607 100.0 28.5 14.3 7.1 49.7 0.1 0.3
Sefwi Bibiani-Ahwiaso
Bekwai 86,042 100.0 22.5 14.8 9.3 52.9 0.1 0.4
Juabeso 75,013 100.0 32.0 21.8 5.5 40.3 0.2 0.3
Bia 78,154 100.0 32.8 13.1 6.7 46.7 0.4 0.2
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

79
Table 7.1: Language of literacy of population 11 years and older by district and sex
(Cont’d)
Language of Literary/Sex
English
English French
None Ghanaian and English and
(Not English language Ghanaian and Ghanaian
District Total % literate) only only language French Language
Males
All Regions 8,330,530 100.0 19.8 21.0 6.0 51.9 0.4 0.9
Western 826,123 100.0 16.9 23.8 5.2 53.0 0.4 0.8
Jomoro 49,900 100.0 19.8 19.8 4.6 53.4 0.8 1.5
Ellembelle 29,115 100.0 15.8 13.7 4.9 64.3 0.4 0.9
Nzema East 20,160 100.0 22.1 23.4 3.9 49.8 0.2 0.6
Ahanta West 33,767 100.0 16.6 35.4 2.9 44.3 0.3 0.4
Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis 204,752 100.0 5.9 33.0 2.8 56.3 0.5 1.4
Kwesimintsim 84,822 100.0 5.8 33.7 2.6 55.7 0.7 1.5
Takoradi 38,252 100.0 6.0 34.7 3.2 53.6 0.7 1.7
Sekondi 25,511 100.0 5.6 31.2 2.4 59.2 0.4 1.2
Essikadu-Ketan 56,167 100.0 6.0 31.5 3.1 57.9 0.3 1.2
Shama 25,790 100.0 18.6 26.0 3.3 51.4 0.1 0.6
Mpohor-Wassa East 41,944 100.0 16.3 24.6 6.9 51.5 0.2 0.4
Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal 33,085 100.0 11.8 33.0 4.9 49.3 0.2 0.7
Prestea/Huni Valley 55,040 100.0 15.3 27.7 5.3 51.0 0.3 0.3
Wassa Amenfi East 28,977 100.0 19.7 21.8 9.1 48.4 0.4 0.6
Wassa Amenfi West 56,287 100.0 22.0 18.4 7.2 52.0 0.1 0.3
Aowin/Suaman 49,490 100.0 31.9 15.1 6.3 45.9 0.3 0.4
Sefwi Akontombra 29,337 100.0 28.2 13.3 7.1 50.9 0.2 0.2
Sefwi Wiawso 47,629 100.0 21.5 14.7 6.6 56.6 0.2 0.4
Sefwi Bibiani-Ahwiaso Bekwai 42,063 100.0 15.1 15.1 8.3 60.8 0.1 0.5
Juabeso 38,231 100.0 24.6 22.0 5.5 47.1 0.2 0.5
Bia 40,556 100.0 27.1 12.8 6.2 52.9 0.5 0.4
Females
All regions 9,062,325 100.0 31.5 19.3 7.9 40.3 0.3 0.7
All districts 839,084 100.0 30.1 22.5 5.9 40.6 0.2 0.5
Jomoro 53,928 100.0 41.3 17.1 4.3 36.0 0.5 0.8
Ellembelle 32,200 100.0 35.5 12.0 5.4 46.3 0.3 0.5
Nzema East 21,477 100.0 37.7 21.5 4.6 35.8 0.1 0.3
Ahanta West 38,264 100.0 35.5 30.2 3.1 30.8 0.2 0.3
Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis 219,216 100.0 14.9 31.3 4.1 48.1 0.4 1.3
Kwesimintsim 90,980 100.0 14.3 32.5 4.1 47.2 0.5 1.4
Takoradi 38,758 100.0 12.6 33.6 4.0 48.0 0.3 1.5
Sekondi 28,688 100.0 14.8 28.9 3.5 51.4 0.4 1.1
Essikadu-Ketan 60,790 100.0 17.2 29.0 4.4 48.0 0.3 1.1
Shama 30,693 100.0 34.5 23.5 3.3 38.4 0.1 0.2
Mpohor-Wassa East 41,850 100.0 34.5 22.1 7.5 35.7 0.1 0.2
Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal 30,601 100.0 23.7 31.8 6.5 37.3 0.1 0.5
Prestea/Huni Valley 53,937 100.0 28.0 25.7 7.1 38.9 0.2 0.2
Wassa Amenfi East 27,426 100.0 34.6 20.9 10.1 33.8 0.2 0.4
Wassa Amenfi West 52,661 100.0 34.0 17.5 8.2 40.0 0.1 0.1
Aowin/Suaman 44,939 100.0 45.2 14.5 6.3 33.6 0.2 0.2
Sefwi Akontombra 25,555 100.0 42.0 13.7 7.3 36.7 0.1 0.2
Sefwi Wiawso 47,978 100.0 35.4 13.9 7.6 42.8 0.1 0.2
Sefwi Bibiani-Ahwiaso Bekwai 43,979 100.0 29.6 14.6 10.2 45.3 0.1 0.3
Juabeso 36,782 100.0 39.6 21.5 5.5 33.2 0.1 0.2
Bia 37,598 100.0 38.9 13.4 7.3 40.0 0.3 0.1
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

80
 Table 7.2 shows the proportional distribution of the population aged 11 years and older by
language in which literate, District and type of locality.

The Regional rates for combined urban and rural (76.1%), urban (85.0%) and rural (69.5%)
are all higher than the national rates of urban and rural combined (74.1%), urban (84.1%) and
rural (62.8%), respectively.
For urban-rural categories, the incidence of illiteracy is higher among the rural folks of the
Region, especially in the following Districts; Aowin-Suaman (41.5%), Bia (35.6%), Sefwi
Akontombra (35.4%) and Jomoro (33.7%). The rural illiteracy for the total country is 37.2
percent while that of the region is 30.5 percent.

Table 7.2: Population 11+ years by language in which literate, district and
type of locality of residence
Language in which Literate by Locality of Residence
English
English French
District None Ghanaian and English and
(Not English language Ghanaian and Ghanaian
Total % literate) only only language French Language
Both Urban and Rural
All Regions 17,392,855 100.0 25.9 20.1 7.0 45.8 0.3 0.8
Western 1,665,207 100.0 23.6 23.1 5.6 46.8 0.3 0.6
Jomoro 103,828 100.0 30.9 18.4 4.5 44.4 0.7 1.1
Ellembelle 61,315 100.0 26.1 12.8 5.1 54.9 0.4 0.7
Nzema East 41,637 100.0 30.1 22.4 4.3 42.5 0.2 0.5
Ahanta West 72,031 100.0 26.6 32.7 3.0 37.1 0.2 0.3
Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis 423,968 100.0 10.5 32.1 3.5 52.1 0.5 1.3
Shama 56,483 100.0 27.2 24.6 3.3 44.3 0.1 0.4
Mpohor-Wassa East 83,794 100.0 25.4 23.3 7.2 43.6 0.1 0.3
Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal 63,686 100.0 17.6 32.4 5.7 43.5 0.2 0.6
Prestea/Huni Valley 108,977 100.0 21.6 26.7 6.2 45.0 0.2 0.3
Wassa Amenfi East 56,403 100.0 26.9 21.4 9.6 41.3 0.3 0.5
Wassa Amenfi West 108,948 100.0 27.8 18.0 7.7 46.2 0.1 0.2
Aowin/Suaman 94,429 100.0 38.2 14.9 6.3 40.1 0.2 0.3
Sefwi Akontombra 54,892 100.0 34.6 13.4 7.2 44.3 0.2 0.2
Sefwi Wiawso 95,607 100.0 28.5 14.3 7.1 49.7 0.1 0.3
Sefwi Bibiani-Ahwiaso Bekwai 86,042 100.0 22.5 14.8 9.3 52.9 0.1 0.4
Juabeso 75,013 100.0 32.0 21.8 5.5 40.3 0.2 0.3
Bia 78,154 100.0 32.8 13.1 6.7 46.7 0.4 0.2
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

81
Table 7.2: Population 11+ years by language in which literate, district and
type of locality of residence (Cont’d)

Language in which Literate by Locality of Residence

English
English
District None French
Ghanaian and English
Total % (Not English and
language Ghanaian and
literate) only Ghanaian
only language French
Language
Urban
All Regions 9,286,733 100.0 15.9 24.1 5.9 52.3 0.5 1.2
Western 742,255 100.0 15.0 28.4 4.3 50.8 0.4 1.0
Jomoro 37,619 100.0 26.1 25.2 4.4 41.5 1.1 1.5
Ellembelle 12,855 100.0 20.1 16.3 5.7 56.7 0.4 0.9
Nzema East 14,703 100.0 28.7 22.1 4.4 43.8 0.2 0.8
Ahanta West 21,707 100.0 19.1 32.3 3.4 44.1 0.4 0.7
Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis 408,097 100.0 10.5 32.2 3.4 52.0 0.5 1.4
Shama 31,663 100.0 27.3 26.3 2.4 43.5 0.1 0.4
Mpohor-Wassa East 12,153 100.0 20.6 31.5 4.3 43.4 0.1 0.2
Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal 19,763 100.0 14.9 28.7 4.9 50.3 0.2 0.9
Prestea/Huni Valley 41,952 100.0 14.5 33.0 5.7 46.2 0.3 0.3
Wassa Amenfi East 4,160 100.0 13.2 27.5 5.8 51.6 0.5 1.4
Wassa Amenfi West 31,524 100.0 16.8 22.3 6.1 54.3 0.1 0.4
Aowin/Suaman 14,729 100.0 20.5 22.4 4.0 51.6 0.4 1.0
Sefwi Akontombra 5,258 100.0 27.3 16.5 1.7 53.8 0.4 0.2
Sefwi Wiawso 35,539 100.0 21.0 15.8 7.3 55.4 0.2 0.4
Sefwi Bibiani-Ahwiaso
25,404 100.0 15.8 16.4 9.1 58.2 0.1 0.3
Bekwai
Juabeso 8,700 100.0 26.8 24.2 3.3 45.2 0.1 0.4
Bia 16,429 100.0 22.2 12.7 8.4 55.1 1.2 0.4
Rural
All Regions 8,106,122 100.0 37.2 15.6 8.2 38.4 0.2 0.4
Western 922,952 100.0 30.5 18.9 6.6 43.6 0.2 0.3
Jomoro 66,209 100.0 33.7 14.6 4.5 46.0 0.4 0.9
Ellembelle 48,460 100.0 27.8 11.8 5.0 54.4 0.4 0.6
Nzema East 26,934 100.0 30.9 22.6 4.2 41.9 0.2 0.3
Ahanta West 50,324 100.0 29.9 32.8 2.8 34.1 0.2 0.2
Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis 15,871 100.0 11.4 30.4 4.0 53.5 0.1 0.6
Shama 24,820 100.0 27.2 22.5 4.4 45.5 0.1 0.4
Mpohor-Wassa East 71,641 100.0 26.2 22.0 7.7 43.7 0.1 0.3
Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal 43,923 100.0 18.7 34.0 6.0 40.5 0.2 0.5
Prestea/Huni Valley 67,025 100.0 26.0 22.7 6.6 44.3 0.2 0.2
Wassa Amenfi East 52,243 100.0 28.0 20.9 9.9 40.5 0.3 0.4
Wassa Amenfi West 77,424 100.0 32.3 16.2 8.3 43.0 0.1 0.1
Aowin/Suaman 79,700 100.0 41.5 13.5 6.7 37.9 0.2 0.2
Sefwi Akontombra 49,634 100.0 35.4 13.1 7.8 43.3 0.2 0.2
Sefwi Wiawso 60,068 100.0 33.0 13.4 7.0 46.3 0.1 0.2
Sefwi Bibiani-Ahwiaso
60,638 100.0 25.3 14.1 9.4 50.7 0.1 0.4
Bekwai
Juabeso 66,313 100.0 32.6 21.4 5.8 39.6 0.2 0.3
Bia 61,725 100.0 35.6 13.2 6.3 44.5 0.2 0.2
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

82
7.3 School Attendance
7.3.1 Educational Level Attained
Table 7.3 shows the level of educational attainment for all persons six year and older in the
Region and the Districts. The above one in six primary school, (16.2%) of all persons aged
six years and older, have attained or completed this Primary Scool the Region one third of all
persons in the reference age have completed JHS/JSS (32.0%) in the Region. Less than one
percent of persons age six years or older in the Region have post-graduate education (0.4%).
There is little variation in the proportion who completed the different levels of education,
varies. The Regional average is reflected in all the 17 Districts in the Region. Sekondi-
Takoradi metropolis is the District with the highest proportion (13.8%) of persons aged six
years and older who have completed Senior Secondary/High School in the Region. The data
also show that there is a significant drop from persons who completed JSS/JHS to persons
who completed SSS/SHS. This drop is high in Wassa Amanfi East where although 38.3
percent have completed JSS/JHS only 7.2 percent have actually completed SSS/SHS. For all
completion levels, Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis recorded figures higher than the Regional
averages.

7.3.2 Attained Level of Education

This section seeks to find the educational attainment of persons aged six years and older who
have had full time formal instruction in an educational institution. The category includes
persons who were in school sometime in the past as well as those currently in school. For
each person the highest level completed and the highest grade attained within that level was
recorded: this is what is used for this analysis.
Of all persons aged six and older in Region, 20.8 percent have never attended school, which
is lower than the national rate (23.5%). Majority of persons in the Region have attended a
Junior High or Middle school (32.7%). All the indicators except Secondary or Senior High
School and a degree or higher qualification (1.1%) are better than the national rates.
The proportion of males 6 years or older who have never attended school (18.3%) is lower
than that of females (26.4%); is proportions are lower than the national rate.

83
Table 7.3: Past school attendance by level attained for population 6 years and older by district
Sekondi/
Nzema East Ahanta Takoradi Mpohor Mpohor
Level of Education Attained All Districts Jomoro Ellembelle Municipal West Metropolitan Shama Wassa East Municipal
Total 832,759 43,948 27,450 18,346 35,152 261,404 25,789 42,037 36,810
Primary 134,535 9,387 5,043 4,083 6,924 24,898 4,078 9,029 5,186
JSS/JHS 268,593 14,081 8,976 6,336 12,246 64,685 9,567 15,638 13,444
Middle 215,361 9,901 7,027 4,669 8,992 64,859 6,536 11,615 9,240
SSS/SHS 86,729 5,207 3,047 1,426 2,906 36,081 2,045 2,630 3,383
Secondary 31,314 2,051 839 518 764 15,027 639 823 1,431
Vocational/Technical/Commercial 30,142 950 764 418 1,110 17,588 1,072 710 1,344
Post middle/secondary certificate 15,613 874 570 319 724 5,861 455 627 688
Post secondary diploma 33,959 998 774 378 1,006 21,367 908 768 1,455
Bachelor degree 13,513 421 338 155 382 8997 434 155 528
Post graduate (Cert. Diploma
Masters PHD ect) 3,000 78 72 44 98 2041 55 42 111
Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
Primary 16.2 21.4 18.4 22.3 19.7 9.5 15.8 21.5 14.1
JSS/JHS 32.3 32.0 32.7 34.5 34.8 24.7 37.1 37.2 36.5
Middle 25.9 22.5 25.6 25.4 25.6 24.8 25.3 27.6 25.1
SSS/SHS 10.4 11.8 11.1 7.8 8.3 13.8 7.9 6.3 9.2
Secondary 3.8 4.7 3.1 2.8 2.2 5.7 2.5 2.0 3.9
Vocational/Technical/Commercial 3.6 2.2 2.8 2.3 3.2 6.7 4.2 1.7 3.7
Post middle/secondary certificate 1.9 2.0 2.1 1.7 2.1 2.2 1.8 1.5 1.9
Post secondary diploma 4.1 2.3 2.8 2.1 2.9 8.2 3.5 1.8 4.0
Bachelor degree 1.6 1.0 1.2 0.8 1.1 3.4 1.7 0.4 1.4
Post graduate (Cert. Diploma
Masters PHD ect) 0.4 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.3 0.8 0.2 0.1 0.3
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

84
Table 7.3: Past school attendance by level attained for population 6 years and older by district (Cont’d)

Prestea Wassa Bibiani-

/Huni Wassa Amenfi Amenfi Aowin Sefwi Sefwi Anhwiaso
Level of Education Attained Valley East West /Suaman Akontombra Wiawso Bekwai Juabeso
Total 59,301 26,823 49,091 35,532 22,542 40,934 41,568 32,607
Primary 10,748 5,555 8,733 7,499 5,409 6,279 7,306 7,031
JSS/JHS 21,859 10,267 18,023 11,387 7,922 14,762 14,603 12,277
Middle 16,432 7,167 13,733 10,008 6,154 11,753 11,320 7,606
SSS/SHS 4,925 1,925 3,866 3,681 1,782 3,875 3,682 3,246
Secondary 1,509 684 1,530 915 450 1,078 1,227 889
Vocational/Technical/Commercial 1,403 395 1,035 444 210 849 1,003 463
Post middle/secondary certificate 768 382 794 678 252 914 938 454
Post-secondary diploma 1,259 326 910 689 259 949 1,012 466
Bachelor degree 283 103 378 186 93 390 424 158
Post graduate (Cert. Diploma Masters
PHD ect) 115 19 89 45 11 85 53
Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
Primary 18.1 20.7 17.8 21.1 24.0 15.3 17.6 21.6
JSS/JHS 36.9 38.3 36.7 32.0 35.1 36.1 35.1 37.7
Middle 27.7 26.7 28.0 28.2 27.3 28.7 27.2 23.3
SSS/SHS 8.3 7.2 7.9 10.4 7.9 9.5 8.9 10.0
Secondary 2.5 2.6 3.1 2.6 2.0 2.6 3.0 2.7
Vocational/Technical/Commercial 2.4 1.5 2.1 1.2 0.9 2.1 2.4 1.4
Post middle/secondary certificate 1.3 1.4 1.6 1.9 1.1 2.2 2.3 1.4
Post secondary diploma 2.1 1.2 1.9 1.9 1.1 2.3 2.4 1.4
Bachelor degree 0.5 0.4 0.8 0.5 0.4 1.0 1.0 0.5
Post graduate (Cert. Diploma Masters
PHD ect) 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.2 0.1
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

85
 At the District level, Junior High or Middle School still remains the highest level of education
attained by a significant proportion of the population, ranging from 27.7 percent (lowest) in
Jomoro to 35.1 percent (highest) in Sekondi-Takoradi metropolis. Apart from Sekondi-
Takoradi metropolis all the Districts reported proportions, which are lower than the national
(10.2%) for Secondary or Senior High or Senior Secondary School. Mpohor-Wassa East
(5.4%) is the District with the lowest proportion at Secondary or Senior High School level.
For most Districts, the proportion of females who have completed any level at Senior High
School is lower than males. Mpohor-Wassa East (3.8%) is the district with the lowest
proportion of females at Senior High Schoolis.
The data show a significant drop of proportions of persons from Junior High School or
Middle school into a Senior High School.

Table 7.4: Population 6 years and older by level of education, sex and district
Level of Education
Secon
-dary/ Vocational/ Post sec Degree
Never Pre- JHS/ SSS/ Technical/ diploma or
District Total attended Primary Primary Middle SHS Comm. /cert. Higher
Both Sexes

All Regions 20,600,411 23.5 2.5 26.6 29.7 10.2 1.8 3.5 2.1
Western 1,978,794 20.8 3.2 26.9 32.7 9.8 1.8 3.7 1.1
Jomoro 124,242 27.0 3.1 28.9 27.7 9.9 0.9 1.9 0.5
Ellembelle 73,213 22.6 3.2 28.3 31.3 9.6 1.3 3.1 0.7
Nzema East 50,138 26.6 3.9 29.7 30.1 6.6 1.0 1.8 0.5
Ahanta West 87,051 23.2 4.1 29.0 32.4 6.7 1.5 2.4 0.7
Sekondi Takoradi
Metropolis 483,199 9.6 1.3 21.3 35.1 16.4 4.3 9.1 2.9
Kwesimintsim 200,389 9.3 1.4 20.8 33.3 16.9 4.1 10.8 3.4
Takoradi 85,879 8.6 0.9 19.9 34.6 18.9 4.7 9.1 3.4
Sekondi 61,443 9.4 1.1 20.4 36.5 16.6 5.2 8.1 2.7
Essikadu-Ketan 135,488 10.6 1.7 23.2 37.5 13.9 4.0 7.1 2.0
Shama 68,039 23.6 3.8 27.9 32.2 6.9 2.0 2.7 0.9
Mpohor-Wassa East 101,295 22.2 4.9 30.2 34.5 5.4 0.8 1.8 0.3
Tarkwa Nsuaem
Municipal 74,955 15.6 2.7 26.4 38.1 9.6 2.1 3.4 2.2
Prestea/Huni Valley 130,790 18.9 3.8 29.0 37.2 7.6 1.2 1.9 0.4
Wassa Amenfi East 68,354 23.1 3.7 31.0 33.3 6.4 0.7 1.6 0.2
Wassa Amenfi West 132,224 24.2 3.8 28.8 32.8 7.3 1.0 1.7 0.5
Aowin/Suaman 113,896 33.9 3.4 26.9 26.2 7.2 0.5 1.6 0.3
Sefwi Akontombra 66,987 30.3 4.4 29.3 28.1 6.3 0.4 1.0 0.2
Sefwi Wiawso 115,720 24.5 3.9 27.6 32.4 8.0 0.8 2.3 0.5
Sefwi Bibiani-Ahwiaso
Bekwai 102,921 19.3 4.0 28.6 34.3 9.5 1.2 2.4 0.6
Juabeso 91,066 27.4 4.4 29.0 29.2 7.7 0.6 1.3 0.2
Bia 94,704 28.3 4.2 29.2 29.4 7.0 0.4 1.2 0.2
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

86
Table 7.4: Population 6 years and older by level of education, sex and district (Cont’d)

Level of Education
Secon-
JHS/ dary/ Vocational/ Post sec Degree
Never Pre- Midd SSS/ Technical/ diploma or
District Total attended Primary Primary le SHS Commercial /cert. Higher
Males
All Regions 9,959,439 18.3 2.7 26.6 31.2 12.0 1.9 4.3 3.0
Western 984,783 15.1 3.4 26.5 35.2 11.5 2.0 4.7 1.6
Jomoro 60,255 17.6 3.3 29.5 31.8 12.8 1.2 2.9 0.9
Ellembelle 35,071 13.8 3.5 28.6 35.2 12.1 1.9 3.8 1.3
Nzema East 24,466 19.9 3.9 30.2 33.7 8.0 1.1 2.4 0.8
Ahanta West 41,293 14.9 4.5 29.4 36.7 8.3 1.8 3.4 1.1
Sekondi Takoradi
Metropolis 234,273 5.5 1.4 20.7 35.1 17.6 4.7 11.0 4.1
Kwesimintsim 97,118 5.4 1.5 20.0 33.0 17.7 4.4 13.3 4.7
Takoradi 42,596 5.6 0.9 19.3 33.8 20.7 4.8 10.1 4.8
Sekondi 29,145 5.2 1.2 20.6 35.9 18.2 5.5 9.6 3.9
Essikadu-Ketan 65,414 5.5 1.9 22.6 38.6 15.0 4.6 8.8 3.0
Shama 31,575 16.3 4.2 29.1 35.1 8.0 2.3 3.6 1.5
Mpohor-Wassa East 50,921 14.7 5.0 29.6 39.8 7.0 1.1 2.3 0.4
Tarkwa Nsuaem
Municipal 38,620 10.8 2.7 24.7 40.1 11.5 2.6 4.4 3.2
Prestea/Huni Valley 66,102 13.7 3.9 27.8 40.5 9.4 1.5 2.6 0.6
Wassa Amenfi East 35,171 17.1 3.9 30.2 37.5 8.1 0.7 2.0 0.4
Wassa Amenfi West 68,214 19.5 3.8 28.0 35.5 8.9 1.2 2.4 0.8
Aowin/Suaman 59,377 28.6 3.4 26.6 29.4 8.9 0.5 2.2 0.5
Sefwi Akontombra 35,631 24.9 4.3 29.0 31.7 7.9 0.3 1.4 0.3
Sefwi Wiawso 57,844 18.7 4.0 27.6 35.2 9.8 0.8 3.0 0.9
Sefwi Bibiani-Ahwiaso
Bekwai 50,574 13.1 4.3 27.8 36.7 12.4 1.3 3.4 1.1
Juabeso 46,347 21.3 4.6 28.4 32.8 9.9 0.6 2.0 0.5
Bia 49,049 23.6 4.3 28.5 32.5 8.7 0.5 1.7 0.3
Females
All Regions 10,640,972 28.3 2.3 26.6 28.3 8.6 1.7 2.8 1.3
Western 994,011 26.4 3.1 27.3 30.1 8.1 1.6 2.8 0.6
Jomoro 63,987 35.9 2.9 28.4 23.9 7.2 0.6 1.0 0.2
Ellembelle 38,142 30.6 2.9 28.0 27.7 7.3 0.8 2.5 0.2
Nzema East 25,672 32.9 3.8 29.2 26.6 5.2 0.9 1.1 0.2
Ahanta West 45,758 30.7 3.7 28.6 28.6 5.3 1.2 1.6 0.3
Sekondi Takoradi
Metropolis 248,926 13.4 1.2 21.8 35.1 15.2 4.0 7.3 1.8
Kwesimintsim 103,271 12.9 1.3 21.6 33.5 16.1 3.9 8.5 2.2
Takoradi 43,283 11.6 0.8 20.5 35.3 17.1 4.5 8.1 2.1
Sekondi 32,298 13.3 1.0 20.3 37.1 15.1 4.9 6.8 1.6
Essikadu-Ketan 70,074 15.3 1.6 23.7 36.5 12.8 3.5 5.5 1.1
Shama 36,464 29.9 3.4 26.9 29.7 6.0 1.7 1.9 0.5
Mpohor-Wassa East 50,374 29.7 4.7 30.9 29.1 3.8 0.5 1.3 0.1
Tarkwa Nsuaem
Municipal 36,335 20.6 2.7 28.3 36.0 7.5 1.6 2.2 1.1
Prestea/Huni Valley 64,688 24.3 3.6 30.3 33.8 5.7 0.9 1.2 0.1
Wassa Amenfi East 33,183 29.4 3.5 31.8 28.9 4.6 0.6 1.1 0.1
Wassa Amenfi West 64,010 29.2 3.7 29.7 29.9 5.6 0.8 0.9 0.1
Aowin/Suaman 54,519 39.6 3.5 27.3 22.7 5.5 0.4 0.9 0.1
Sefwi Akontombra 31,356 36.4 4.6 29.8 23.9 4.5 0.4 0.5 0.0
Sefwi Wiawso 57,876 30.3 3.7 27.6 29.5 6.1 0.9 1.7 0.1
Sefwi Bibiani-Ahwiaso
Bekwai 52,347 25.4 3.7 29.4 31.9 6.8 1.2 1.4 0.2
Juabeso 44,719 33.8 4.3 29.7 25.6 5.5 0.6 0.6 0.0
Bia 45,655 33.4 4.1 30.1 26.2 5.2 0.4 0.6 0.0
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

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7.3.2 Current School Attendance
Persons aged six years and older in the Region currently attending school are 734,532. The
distribution of these persons by level of education is shown in Figure 7.1. The proportions of
girls at pre-primary (8.7%) and primary (54.4%) are slightly higher than that of boys (8.6%)
and (53.0%) at the same levels. Apart from the pre-primary and primary, the proportions of
male students at each of the subsequent levels are only slightly higher than that of females.

Figure 7.1: Population 6 years and older by current school attendance, 2010

Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

Table 7.5 shows analysis at the District level. In each of the 17 Districts, the proportion of
females aged six years and older is higher than males at pre-school and primary school levels.
The introduction of the school feeding programme might have accounted for this high
enrolment at primary level. The level of enrolment in the JHS was almost the same for male
(22.2%) and female (20.0%) pupils at the Regional level.
Current enrolment at primary and degree awarding institutions has declined from their levels
in 2000 (GSS, 2005). While the enrolment in the primary level decreased by about 10
percentage points, the rate for the degree also reduced by 50.0 percent Current school
attendance at vocational/technical/commercial education remains very low compared to SHS
education. Both levels (SHS and vocational/technical/commercial) recruit JHS leavers to
replace students who successfully exit the system.

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Table 7.5: Current school attendance (6 years and older) by district and sex
Educational Level Attained
Post
Voc./ sec. Degree
Total Pre- Tech./ diploma or
District (N) Prim Primary JHS SHS Comm / cert. Higher
Both Sexes
Western 734,532 8.7 54.1 22.1 10.3 0.8 3.3 0.7
Jomoro 46,738 8.3 56.9 22.4 10.8 0.3 1.1 0.3
Ellembelle 29,232 7.9 53.6 23.5 10.7 0.7 3.2 0.4
Nzema East 18,480 10.5 58.5 22.1 7.3 0.4 1.0 0.2
Ahanta West 31,719 11.2 57.7 22.1 6.9 0.6 1.2 0.4
Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis 175,583 3.7 44.3 22.8 15.9 1.9 9.6 1.8
Shama 26,193 3.7 44.3 22.8 15.9 1.9 9.6 1.8
Mpohor-Wassa East 36,799 13.4 58.7 20.9 5.4 0.3 1.1 0.2
Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal 26,477 7.6 55.3 22.2 8.9 0.9 1.4 3.7
Prestea/Huni Valley 46,711 10.5 58.2 22.2 7.4 0.4 1.0 0.2
Wassa Amenfi East 25,745 9.9 60.7 20.7 6.9 0.2 1.4 0.2
Wassa Amenfi West 51,137 9.7 57.4 22.8 8.3 0.5 1.0 0.3
Aowin/Suaman 39,749 9.8 58.3 21.2 9.2 0.2 1.1 0.2
Sefwi Akontombra 24,133 12.3 59.0 19.6 8.3 0.1 0.7 0.1
Sefwi Wiawso 46,426 9.7 55.2 23.6 9.3 0.2 1.7 0.2
Sefwi Bibiani-Ahwiaso Bekwai 41,471 10.0 53.4 22.5 11.8 0.6 1.3 0.4
Juabeso 33,481 12.0 58.0 20.1 8.7 0.1 0.9 0.1
Bia 34,458 11.6 59.0 20.4 7.8 0.1 1.0 0.1
Males
Western 384,220 8.6 53.0 22.2 10.8 0.9 3.6 0.9
Jomoro 24,668 8.1 55.5 22.8 11.5 0.4 1.4 0.4
Ellembelle 15,115 8.0 52.2 24.3 11.7 1.0 2.3 0.6
Nzema East 9,636 9.9 58.2 22.5 7.5 0.4 1.1 0.3
Ahanta West 16,456 11.2 56.1 22.6 7.5 0.7 1.3 0.6
Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis 88,903 3.8 43.4 21.8 15.7 2.4 10.9 2.0
Shama 13,294 10.0 56.2 21.9 8.0 1.2 1.8 0.8
Mpohor-Wassa East 19,656 13.1 58.0 21.7 5.7 0.4 0.9 0.2
Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal 13,833 7.4 53.1 22.2 9.4 1.2 1.4 5.2
Prestea/Huni Valley 24,400 10.5 57.2 22.3 8.0 0.6 1.0 0.3
Wassa Amenfi East 13,759 10.0 59.5 20.9 7.6 0.2 1.5 0.3
Wassa Amenfi West 27,319 9.5 55.8 23.4 9.0 0.6 1.3 0.4
Aowin/Suaman 21,385 9.4 57.0 21.7 10.0 0.2 1.4 0.3
Sefwi Akontombra 13,226 11.6 58.0 20.1 9.2 0.1 0.8 0.1
Sefwi Wiawso 24,428 9.5 54.1 24.0 10.2 0.2 1.6 0.4
Sefwi Bibiani-Ahwiaso Bekwai 21,805 10.0 51.2 22.7 13.6 0.5 1.5 0.6
Juaboso 17,778 11.9 56.1 20.6 9.8 0.1 1.2 0.3
Bia 18,559 11.4 57.6 21.1 8.4 0.1 1.3 0.2
Source : Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

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Table 7.5: Current school attendance (6 years and older) by district and sex (Cont’d)

Educational Level Attained

Post
Voc./ sec. Degree
Total Pre- Tech./ diploma or
District (N) Primary Primary JHS SHS Comm / cert. Higher
Females
Western 350,312 8.7 55.4 22.0 9.8 0.6 3.0 0.6
Jomoro 22,070 8.5 58.3 22.0 10.0 0.2 0.8 0.2
Ellembelle 14,117 7.8 55.0 22.7 9.6 0.5 4.3 0.1
Nzema East 14,117 11.1 58.9 21.6 7.0 0.4 0.9 0.1
Ahanta West 15,263 11.1 59.3 21.6 6.2 0.5 1.1 0.2
Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis 86,680 3.5 45.3 23.9 16.1 1.4 8.3 1.6
Shama 12,899 9.5 57.5 22.4 7.5 1.0 1.7 0.4
Mpohor-Wassa East 17,143 13.7 59.6 19.9 5.1 0.2 1.3 0.2
Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal 12,644 7.8 57.7 22.2 8.3 0.6 1.5 2.0
Prestea/Huni Valley 22,311 10.6 59.3 22.1 6.8 0.3 0.9 0.1
Wassa Amenfi East 11,986 9.8 62.1 20.4 6.1 0.3 1.3 0.0
Wassa Amenfi West 23,818 10.0 59.3 22.1 7.4 0.4 0.8 0.1
Aowin/Suaman 18,364 10.3 59.9 20.5 8.2 0.2 0.8 0.1
Sefwi Akontombra 10,907 13.1 60.2 18.9 7.2 0.1 0.5 0.0
Sefwi Wiawso 21,998 9.9 56.5 23.2 8.2 0.3 1.9 0.1
Sefwi Bibiani-Ahwiaso Bekwai 19,666 10.0 55.9 22.3 9.9 0.7 1.0 0.1
Juaboso 15,703 12.1 60.1 19.6 7.4 0.2 0.5 0.0
Bia 15,899 11.8 60.8 19.5 7.1 0.1 0.6 0.0
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

7.4 Educational Attainment for Persons 15 years and Older

7.4.1 Level of Education and Employment Status
From Table 7.6, more than half of the employed persons aged 15 years and older (960,561)
are self employed without employees’ (569,482). Of this number, 36.4 percent had no formal
education, 42.7 percent had been to JHS or JSS or Middle School. Less than one percent has
attained a degree or higher (0.1%). A sizeable proportion of all the various employment
categories have received a JHS or JSS or Middle school education.
For the total employed population, the proportion of self employed without employees who
have attained JHS/JSS/middle level is higher for males (48.4%) than for females (40.7%).
Forty-seven percent (47.5%) of females who are ‘contributing family workers’ have no
education. The proportion for males (23.5%) is about half the proportion for females.

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Table 7.6: Employment status of the employed population (15 yrs and older)
by educational level and sex
Level of Education Attained
Secon-
JHS/ Vocational/ Post sec Degree
Total dary/
Employment Status % Never Primary JHS/ Technical/ diploma/ or
(N) SSS/
Middle Commercial certificate Higher
SHS
Both Sexes
Total 960,561 100.0 31.0 10.7 40.7 9.2 2.4 4.4 1.7
Employee 183,188 100.0 12.1 5.8 33.3 18.8 5.1 17.1 7.8
Self employed without
569,482 100.0 36.4 11.5 42.7 6.3 1.8 1.2 0.1
employee(s)
Self employed with
41,115 100.0 24.1 8.9 45.5 10.8 3.9 5.2 1.6
employee(s)
Casual worker 27,758 100.0 33.4 13.2 41.0 8.8 1.8 1.5 0.3
Contributing family worker 109,208 100.0 39.8 14.7 36.2 8.0 0.7 0.6 0.1
Apprentice 22,076 100.0 13.0 13.0 65.2 6.8 1.7 0.3 0.0
Domestic employee
6,175 100.0 37.9 11.6 39.2 7.8 1.6 1.7 0.2
(Househelp)
Other 1,559 100.0 32.6 13.5 38.5 8.1 1.5 4.1 1.8
Male
Total 488,144 100.0 23.2 9.4 45.2 11.6 2.6 5.6 2.4
Employee 133,517 100.0 11.2 5.9 36.9 18.2 4.7 15.2 7.9
Self employed without
262,619 100.0 29.6 10.2 48.4 8.1 1.7 1.8 0.2
employee(s)
Self employed with
23,333 100.0 18.1 7.8 49.1 12.5 3.8 6.6 2.2
employee(s)
Casual worker 20,587 100.0 29.4 12.6 44.5 9.8 1.9 1.5 0.3
Contributing family worker 35,343 100.0 23.5 14.8 45.4 14.2 0.8 1.0 0.2
Apprentice 8,900 100.0 9.9 11.7 66.9 8.6 2.4 0.5 0.1
Domestic employee
3,031 100.0 30.7 10.8 44.2 10.0 1.7 2.2 0.3
(Househelp)
Other 814 100.0 23.3 12.2 43.9 11.3 2.0 5.3 2.1
Female
Total 472,417 100.0 39.0 12.2 36.0 6.6 2.2 3.1 0.9
Employee 49,671 100.0 14.4 5.8 23.4 20.2 6.3 22.0 7.7
Self employed without
306,863 100.0 42.2 12.5 37.8 4.8 1.8 0.8 0.0
employee(s)
Self employed with
17,782 100.0 31.9 10.5 40.7 8.7 4.0 3.5 0.8
employee(s)
Casual worker 7,171 100.0 44.9 15.0 31.0 6.0 1.4 1.4 0.3
Contributing family worker 73,865 100.0 47.5 14.7 31.8 5.0 0.6 0.4 0.0
Apprentice 13,176 100.0 15.2 13.8 64.0 5.6 1.2 0.2 0.0
Domestic employee
3,144 100.0 44.8 12.3 34.4 5.6 1.6 1.1 0.2
(Househelp)
Other 745 100.0 42.7 14.9 32.6 4.6 0.9 2.8 1.5
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

7.4.2 Level of Education and Occupational Status

Table 7.7 shows employed population aged 15 years and older by their educational levels and
occupation. Of the total employed population, 31.0 percent have no formal education, 40.7
percent have either been to JHS or JSS or Middle school. Only 1.7 percent have pursued
higher education including a degree.Table 7.6: Occupation of the employed population (15
years and older)

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Table 7.7: Occupation of the employed population (15 years and older)
by educational level and sex
Secon-
JHS/JS dary/ Voc./ Post sec Degree
Occupation S/ SSS/ Tech/ diploma/ or
Total Never Primary Middle SHS Comm. certificate Higher
Both sexes

Total 960,561 100.0 31.0 10.7 40.7 9.2 2.4 4.4 1.7
Managers 19,448 100.0 16.5 7.4 29.7 11.7 4.2 16.0 14.4
Professionals 43,029 100.0 1.7 2.0 13.8 20.9 3.3 39.7 18.6
Technicians and associate
professionals 17,726 100.0 5.2 3.3 31.4 24.3 6.4 22.1 7.4
Clerical support workers 12,121 100.0 1.6 2.0 20.0 28.7 10.5 26.6 10.6
Service and sales workers 164,682 100.0 22.5 11.3 46.3 13.0 3.7 2.8 0.4
Skilled agricultural forestry
and fishery workers 453,586 100.0 45.8 12.4 35.8 4.6 0.6 0.7 0.1
Craft and related trades
workers 126,012 100.0 20.7 9.9 53.8 8.8 4.3 2.3 0.2
Plant and machine operators
and assemblers 70,801 100.0 12.1 9.4 57.7 13.1 3.0 3.5 1.2
Elementary occupations 49,900 100.0 26.6 12.5 47.2 9.9 2.6 1.2 0.1
Other occupations 3,256 100.0 1.0 1.8 16.0 38.8 13.5 20.5 8.5

Male
Total 488,144 100.0 23.2 9.4 45.2 11.6 2.6 5.6 2.4
Managers 9,374 100.0 4.5 3.6 25.1 14.9 4.7 23.9 23.3
Professionals 25,861 100.0 1.0 2.0 12.0 21.1 3.1 39.3 21.6
Technicians and associate
professionals 13,833 100.0 3.8 3.2 33.7 24.5 6.2 20.7 7.9
Clerical support workers 6,725 100.0 2.5 2.6 28.4 25.9 5.7 23.6 11.3
Service and sales workers 35,737 100.0 13.1 7.5 43.7 23.6 4.5 6.2 1.4
Skilled agricultural forestry
and fishery workers 246,680 100.0 36.1 11.6 43.5 6.7 0.9 1.1 0.1
Craft and related trades
workers 65,207 100.0 11.0 8.4 59.4 11.8 5.5 3.5 0.4
Plant and machine operators
and assemblers 64,550 100.0 10.2 8.6 59.5 13.8 3.1 3.6 1.2
Elementary occupations 17,487 100.0 24.4 10.4 46.5 13.8 2.7 2.0 0.2
Other occupations 2,690 100.0 1.0 2.0 18.4 36.4 12.8 20.4 9.0

Female
Total 472,417 100.0 39.0 12.2 36.0 6.6 2.2 3.1 0.9
Managers 10,074 100.0 27.7 11.0 34.1 8.7 3.8 8.6 6.2
Professionals 17,168 100.0 2.8 1.9 16.6 20.8 3.6 40.2 14.1
Technicians and associate
professionals 3,893 100.0 10.3 3.6 23.2 23.7 6.8 26.8 5.5
Clerical support workers 5,396 100.0 0.6 1.3 9.5 32.1 16.5 30.3 9.7
Service and sales workers 128,945 100.0 25.1 12.3 47.0 10.1 3.5 1.8 0.2
Skilled agricultural forestry
and fishery workers 206,906 100.0 57.3 13.3 26.6 2.2 0.3 0.3 0.0
Craft and related trades
workers 60,805 100.0 31.1 11.5 47.8 5.6 2.9 1.0 0.1
Plant and machine operators
and assemblers 6,251 100.0 31.6 17.1 38.3 6.9 2.1 2.8 1.2
Elementary occupations 32,413 100.0 27.8 13.6 47.5 7.7 2.6 0.7 0.1
Other occupations 566 100.0 0.9 0.7 4.6 50.2 16.6 20.8 6.2
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

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For both male and female, Managers (14.4%) and Professionals (18.6%) have pursued or are
pursuing a higher education. The data also show that ‘skilled agricultural, forestry and fishery
workers’ reported a higher proportion with no formal education (45.8%).
The proportional share of males who are Managers (23.3%) or Professionals (21.6%) with
degree or higher is higher than that of females.

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 CHAPTER EIGHT
FERTILITY, MORTALITY AND MIGRATION

8.1 Introduction
This chapter examines the components of population change – fertility, mortality and
migration. The interactions of these components determine the size and structure of
population. While fertility causes an increase in the size of the population through births,
mortality on the other hand leads to a reduction in the size of the population through deaths.
Unlike fertility which causes an increase at only one point – births of persons aged zero –
deaths can occur at any age, although the force of mortality is greater at the very young and
older ages. Similarly, migration can occur at any age, but it is usually young adult males who
move first and are often joined by their families. However, unlike fertility and mortality,
migration affects the population size and structure of two Regions, the area of in-migration as
well as the area of out-migration.

Estimates of fertility and mortality have been obtained for the Region and the Districts. The
data used and the methods of estimation are described briefly. Even though no migration
rates or ratios were estimated, indicators of migration were obtained through cross tabulations
of migration information.

8.2 Fertility
8.2.1 Source of Data
The data utilized in measuring fertility and mortality rates were collected from the fertility
and mortality sections of the 2010 PHC questionnaire. Data resulting from the responses to
questions on “births and deaths in the last 12 months” (i.e. current data) and those obtained
from responses relating to “children ever born” and “children surviving” (i.e. retrospective
data) were used in estimating fertility and mortality rates as proxy measures of social and
economic development or as specific indicators of the health status of the population.

8.2.2 Method of Analysis

The Brass P/F Ratio method is used to obtain estimates of fertility. The method uses data on
births in the last 12 months and children ever born by age of mother to derive estimates of
fertility. The estimates of fertility from current data (P) are compared with equivalent
estimates from retrospective reports (F). The ratios for younger women which are thought to
be reliable are used to adjust the age-specific rates obtained from current data to obtain robust
estimates of fertility. The PAS software was used for the fertility analysis.

Three measures of fertility are estimated: the crude birth rate (CBR), the general fertility rate
(GFR) and the total fertility rate (TFR). The crude birth rate is a measure of the frequency of
births in the population while the general fertility rate measures the frequency of births
among women in their reproductive ages (15 – 49 years). Both indicators measure the rate
during a period of one year per 1,000 persons. The total fertility rate, on the other hand, is the
number of children a woman will have by the end of her reproductive life, assuming she
bears children at the prevailing age-specific birth rates. It is, thus, a measure of life-time
fertility per woman. The results are presented by Districts in Table 8.1.

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8.2.3 Fertility Estimates

The total fertility rate for the whole Region is 3.57 per 1,000 women. Sekondi-Takoradi
Metro recorded the lowest rates (CBR 23.3, GFR 69.4, TFR 2.82), while Wassa Amenfi West
had the highest Total Fertilty Rate of 4.43.

Sefwi Bibiani-Ahwiaso-Bekwai (CBR 23.9, GFR 78.9, TFR 3.19) and Tarkwa Nsuaem (CBR
25.3, GFR 84.5, TFR 3.23) are among Districts which recorded low rates on all three fertility
indicators. The low fertility in Sefwi Bibiani-Ahwiaso-Bekwai is unexpected as this is not
consistent with the level of development noted in the District.

Apart from Mpohor-Wassa East (31.0), four other Districts (Bia, Wassa Amenfi East,
Juabeso, and Prestea-Huni Valley) recorded Crude Birth Rates of over 30 per 1000 women.
These same Districts also recorded General Fertility Rates of over 100 births per 1000
women.

Table 8.1: Fertility estimates by district

Number
Number of births Total General Crude
of in last 12 Fertility Fertility Birth
District Population women months Rate Rate Rate
Western 2,376,021 724,276 64,623 3.57 89.2 27.2
Jomoro 150,107 45,696 4,310 3.74 94.3 28.7
Ellembelle 87,501 26,930 2,416 3.62 89.7 27.6
Nzema East Municipal 60,828 18,367 1,743 3.74 94.9 28.7
Ahanta West 106,215 31,989 3,153 3.90 98.6 29.7
Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis 559,548 187,915 13,043 2.82 69.4 23.3
Shama 81,966 25,540 2,391 3.88 93.6 29.2
Mpohor-Wassa East 123,996 35,512 3,846 4.40 108.3 31.0
Tarkwa Nsuaem 90,477 27,089 2,288 3.23 84.5 25.3
Prestea/Huni Valley 159,304 47,111 4,988 4.22 105.9 31.3
Wassa Amenfi East 83,478 23,607 2,523 4.43 106.9 30.2
Wassa Amenfi West 161,166 46,203 4,362 3.88 94.4 27.1
Aowin/Suaman 138,415 40,083 3,798 3.79 94.8 27.4
Sefwi Akontombra 82,467 22,818 2,169 3.61 95.1 26.3
Sefwi Wiawso 139,200 41,611 3,760 3.71 90.4 27.0
Sefwi Bibiani-Ahwiaso 123,272 37,415 2,952 3.19 78.9 23.9
Juabeso 111,749 32,635 3,380 4.14 103.6 30.2
Bia 116,332 33,755 3,501 3.94 103.7 30.1
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

8.3 Childhood Mortality

8.3.1 Method of Analysis

The Brass indirect estimation technique is employed to derive estimates of childhood

mortality. This technique uses data on children ever born (CEB) and children surviving (CS)
by age of mother to derive the proportion dead among children ever born. Information on
CEB and CS provided by the 2010 PHC are, therefore, adequate for estimating childhood
mortality using the Brass technique. The software used to construct the estimates is Q-FIVE.

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Two estimates of childhood mortality are derived: the probability of dying by age one or the
infant mortality rate q(1); and the probability of dying by age five q(5) or the under five
mortality rate. The time periods to which the estimates refer were derived and these are all
shown in Table 8.2.

8.3.2 Childhood Mortality

The infant mortality rate and the under five mortality rate for the region are 55 and 82 per
1000 respectively. The infant mortality rate ranged between 43 (in Sefwi Wiawso) and 64 (in
Ahanta West) per 1000. Four other Districts (Bia, Juabeso, SefwiAkontombra and
Aowin/Suaman) also had q(1) values of less than 50 per 1000. Apart from Aowin /Suaman,
the other Districts with low infant mortality rates were all in the hilly northern parts of the
Region. Four Districts in the south-eastern part of the Region (SekondiTakoradi Metro 61,
Shama 61, Mpohor Wassa East 62, and Ahanta West 64) had IMRs of over 60 per 1000.
Apart from Mpohor Wassa East, the values for the other three Districts are surprisingly high
because they are among the most developed Districts in the Region. The lower levels of IMR
for some Districts may be due to either non coverage (omissions) or poor quality of reporting
or both.

Childhood mortality is between 62 (Sefwi Wiawso) and 98 (Ahanta West) per 1000. Five
other Districts including Sekondi-Takoradi Metro recorded values of 90 and higher. Two
Districts reported over 80 per 1000, while six Districts recorded over 70 per 1000. Districts
located at the northern part of the Region recorded lower childhood mortality rates, the only
exception being Sefwi Bibiani-Ahwiaso-Bekwai These results are unexpected and may be
due to differences in the quality of reporting and coverage.

The time reference for the estimates in most districts was 2002 to 2007, that is, the three to
eight year period preceding the 2010 PHC. Sekondi-Takoradi Metro (2004 - 2007) and
Shama (2003 - 2007) were the only exceptions.

Table 8.2: Infant and under five mortality by district and reference period
reference
District q(1) reference period q(5) period
All Districts 55 2003 - 2007 82 2003 – 2007
Jomoro 59 2002 - 2007 90 2002 – 2007
Ellembelle 54 2002 - 2007 81 2002 – 2007
Nzema East 52 2002 - 2007 78 2002 – 2007
Ahanta West 64 2002 - 2007 98 2002 – 2007
SekondiTakoradi Metro 61 2004 - 2007 94 2004 – 2007
Shama 61 2003 - 2007 93 2003 – 2007
Mpohor-Wassa East 62 2002 - 2007 96 2002 – 2007
TarkwaNsuaem 51 2002 - 2007 76 2002 – 2007
Prestea/Huni Valley 53 2002 - 2007 79 2002 – 2007
WassaAmenfi East 58 2002 - 2007 88 2002 – 2007
WassaAmenfi West 50 2002 - 2007 74 2002 – 2007
Aowin/Suaman 49 2002 - 2007 74 2002 – 2007
SefwiAkontombra 46 2002 - 2007 68 2002 – 2007
SefwiWiawso 43 2002 - 2007 62 2002 – 2007
SefiBibiani-Ahwiaso-Bekwai 59 2002 - 2007 90 2002 – 2007
Juabeso 48 2002 - 2007 71 2002 – 2007
Bia 45 2002 - 2007 65 2002 – 2007
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

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Infant and under five morttality rates are also obtained by age of mother. This is shown in
Table 8.3. Both rates peaked at age group 15 – 19 and declined with age of mother, thereby
reaching a minimum age of 35 – 39 and increasing slightly thereafter. The declines are sharp
between consecutive age groups of mothers for the first three age groups, i.e between age
groups 15 – 19 and 20–24 and also between age groups 20 – 24 and 25 – 29.

Table 8.3: Infant and under-five mortality rates by age of mother, reference date
Under Five
Age of Mother Infant Mortality Mortality
Reference Reference
Period 2010 Period 2010
15-19 2009.6 111 2009.6 185
20-24 2008.5 76 2008.5 120
25-29 2006.8 57 2006.8 86
30-34 2004.9 54 2004.9 81
35-39 2002.6 53 2002.6 8
40-44 2000.1 57 2000.1 87
45-49 1997.3 59 1997.3 89
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

8.4 Migration
8.4.1 Source of Data

The data used in generating migration tables are derived from responses to questions on place
of birth, place of enumeration, residence since birth and duration of residence at place of
enumeration, collected from the 2010 PHC questionnaire.

8.4.2 Method of Analysis

Unlike fertility and mortality, no migration rates or ratios are estimated. Migration data are
derived from cross classifications of:
Place of birth by gender and type of locality (Table 8.4)
Place of birth by duration of residence (Table 8.5)
Place of birth by district of enumeration (Table 8.7)
Ghanaian population by birth, naturalization, district and sex (Table 8.6).

8.4.3 Place of Birth

The responses to the question on place of birth are classified into four categories: born in
place of enumeration (i.e. village or town), born elsewhere in the Region of enumeration,
born in other Regions and born outside Ghana. On the basis of these classifications, persons
born in their place of enumeration are caegorized as non-migrants, while those in the second
and third categories are categorized as in-migrants. Also, persons born elsewhere in the
Region are designated as intra-regional in-migrants while those born outside Western Region
are regarded as inter-regional in-migrants. On the other hand, persons born outside Ghana are
regarded as international migrants or simply immigrants.

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The total enumerated population of the Region, as is 2,376, 021. The majority of these
(63.1%) are non-migrants, while 12.0 percent are intra-regional in-migrants. In addition, 23.6
percent are inter-regional in-migrants and only 1.2 percent Are immigrants.

Distribution of the data by sex shows a pattern very similar to that of the entire Region.There
is very little difference (less than 1.0%) between both male and female non-migrants and
immigrants. Females have a higher percentage of non-migrants than males, while the reverse
is the case for immigrants. The difference between male and female is 2.2 percent for intra-
regional in-migrants and 2.3 percent for inter-regional in-migrants. While females recorded
higher percentage for non-migrants, males on the other hand recorded higher percentage for
those captured as immigrants. These patterns suggest that male migrants tend to move further
away from home than female migrants.

The categorization of persons on the basis of data on place of birth alone could not
necessarily present a true reflection of the migration status of persons enumerated since the
data captured do not provide any information on movement(s) between the time of birth and
the date of enumeration. Thus, persons who moved out, and possibly returned to their place
of birth, could be erroneously classified as non-migrants. Secondly, the internal migration of
persons born outside the country is also unknown because no information could be derived on
their movement since the time of their immigration. These limitations of data on place of
birth can be rectified by using a cross tabulation of the data with residence at a past date,
duration of residence or last prior residence.

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Table 8.4: Population by place of birth locality and sex
Total Urban Rural

Place of birth Total Male Female Total Male Female Total Male Female

Total 2,376,021 1,187,774 1,188,247 1,007,969 490,699 517,270 1,368,052 697,075 670,977

Born in place of enumeration 1,499,876 747,143 752,733 618,374 301,091 317,283 881,502 446,052 435,450

Born in elsewhere in the region of enumeration 285,324 129,751 155,573 145,325 66,128 79,197 139,999 63,623 76,376

Elsewhere in other regions 561,513 294,425 267,088 227,860 114,570 113,290 333,653 179,855 153,798

Others (outside Ghana) 29,308 16,455 12,853 16,410 8,910 7,500 12,898 7,545 5,353

Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0

Born in place of enumeration 63.1 62.9 63.3 61.3 61.4 61.3 64.4 64.0 64.9

Born in elsewhere in the region of enumeration 12.0 10.9 13.1 14.4 13.5 15.3 10.2 9.1 11.4

Elsewhere in other regions 23.6 24.8 22.5 22.6 23.3 21.9 24.4 25.8 22.9

Others (outside Ghana) 1.2 1.4 1.1 1.6 1.8 1.4 0.9 1.1 0.8

Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

99
8.4.4 Place of Birth by Duration of Residence

The results on place of birth by duration of residence are summarized in Table 8.5. On this
basis, a migrant is defined as a person who moved into the place of enumeration
(village/town) in the past and was still resident at the place of enumeration.

Table 8.5 merely provides duration of residence for persons whose migration status has
already been determined using data on their place of birth. For persons born in the same
locality, the percentage by duration of residence increase with increasing duration of
residence; from 6.3 percent in less than one year to 37.3 percent with 20 years and above. For
the intra-regional in-migrants, the percentages are below 20 (between 15.3% and 18.1%)
except for those who have spent between one to four years of duration (31.3%). The findings
for immigrants are similar, mostly below 20 percent (between 13.1 percent and 18.9%)
except for one to four years duration with 33 percent of such migrants residing in the region.
Inter-regional in-migrants recorded about 28 percent in one to four years duration.

The question on duration of residence at place of enumeration was asked only of persons who
had responded in the negative to a previous question on whether they had been living in the
place of enumeration since birth. The tabulations did not provide data on the responses to
questions on whether they had been living in the place of enumeration since birth. It was
therefore not possible to determine the true status for those who were non-migrants as the
current data is also not classified by age. Nonetheless, the data by duration of residence
reveals a consistent pattern of places of birth. For each type of duration of residence, the
highest percentages were born in the same locality, followed by inter-regional in-migrants,
intra-regional in-migrants and then immigrants with about two percent or below.

Table 8.5: Migration by place of birth and duration of residence

Place of birth Total Less than 1 1 - 4yrs 5 - 9 yrs 10 - 19yrs 20yrs+
Total 2,376,021 218,263 477,112 396,529 549,307 734,810
Same locality 1,499,876 93,798 222,746 244,861 378,964 559,507
Different locality in this region 285,324 43,776 89,347 50,700 51,591 49,910
Other regions 561,513 75,898 155,355 95,421 113,290 121,549
Others (outside Ghana) 29,308 4,791 9,664 5,547 5,462 3,844
Column Percentages
Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
Same locality 63.1 43.0 46.7 61.8 69.0 76.1
Different locality in this region 12.0 20.1 18.7 12.8 9.4 6.8
Other regions 23.6 34.8 32.6 24.1 20.6 16.5
Others (outside Ghana) 1.2 2.2 2.0 1.4 1.0 0.5
Row Percentages
Total 100.0 9.2 20.1 16.7 23.1 30.9
Same locality 100.0 6.3 14.9 16.3 25.3 37.3
Different locality in this region 100.0 15.3 31.3 17.8 18.1 17.5
Other regions 100.0 13.5 27.7 17.0 20.2 21.6
Others (outside Ghana) 100.0 16.3 33.0 18.9 18.6 13.1
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

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8.4.5 Ghanaian Population by Birth, Naturalization, District and Sex
In the Region as a whole, the total enumerated population is equal for males and females. In
the six coastal Districts on the other hand, males account for between 47.2 percent and 49.2
percent of the population. Apart from Sefwi Bibiani-Ahwiaso-Bekwai, all other Districts
have a male population of a little over 50 percent.

Ghanaians by birth constituted 95.5 percent of the population of the Region which is higher
than the national figure of 93.7 percent. As in the total enumerated population, the proportion
of males is lower than that of females in all the coastal Districts. Thus, the distribution of
those who are Ghanaians by birth and sex is the same as the distribution of the total
enumerated population (both Ghanaians and non-Ghanaians) by sex.

Ghanaians by naturalisation constitute only one percent of the population across sexes (male
and female).

Table 8.6: Ghanaian population by birth, naturalization, district and sex

Ghanaians and non- Ghanaian by
Ghanaians Ghanaian by birth naturalisation
District Total Male Female Total Male Female Total Male Female
All Regions 24,658,823 48.8 51.2 93.7 45.6 48.1 1.0 0.5 0.5
Western 2,376,021 50.0 50.0 95.5 47.6 47.8 0.6 0.3 0.3
Jomoro 150,107 49.0 51.0 94.9 46.3 48.6 0.5 0.3 0.3
Ellembelle 87,501 48.4 51.6 96.2 46.4 49.8 0.4 0.2 0.2
Nzema East 60,828 49.2 50.8 87.2 42.8 44.4 0.6 0.3 0.3
Ahanta West 106,215 48.0 52.0 96.9 46.5 50.4 0.4 0.2 0.2
SekondiTakoradi
Metropolis 559,548 48.9 51.1 94.6 46.1 48.5 0.7 0.4 0.4
Shama 81,966 47.2 52.8 95.6 45.0 50.6 0.6 0.3 0.3
Mpohor-Wassa East 123,996 50.4 49.6 95.7 48.2 47.5 0.7 0.4 0.4
TarkwaNsuaem Municipal 90,477 51.6 48.4 96.7 49.8 46.9 0.4 0.2 0.2
Prestea/Huni Valley 159,304 50.5 49.5 95.8 48.4 47.4 0.6 0.3 0.3
WassaAmenfi East 83,478 51.4 48.6 96.5 49.5 46.9 0.5 0.2 0.2
WassaAmenfi West 161,166 51.6 48.4 96.6 49.9 46.8 0.5 0.2 0.2
Aowin/Suaman 138,415 52.0 48.0 96.5 50.1 46.4 0.4 0.2 0.2
SefwiAkontombra 82,467 52.9 47.1 97.0 51.2 45.8 0.4 0.2 0.2
SefwiWiawso 139,200 50.1 49.9 96.2 48.2 48.0 0.5 0.3 0.3
SefwiBibiani-
AhwiasoBekwai 123,272 49.4 50.6 95.9 47.3 48.7 0.6 0.3 0.3
Juabeso 111,749 50.9 49.1 96.1 48.8 47.3 0.5 0.2 0.2
Bia 116,332 51.7 48.3 94.5 48.7 45.8 0.6 0.3 0.3
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

8.4.6 Place of Birth by District of Enumeration

In this section, place of birth refers to the Region of respondent’s birth as shown in Table 8.7.
In this scheme, a migrant is defined as one whose Region of birth is not the Western Region.
Using this definition it is possible to derive Table 8.8 showing the percentage of migrants in
each District in the Region.

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Table 8.7: Place of birth by district of enumeration
Nzema Sekondi Mpohor
East Ahanta Takoradi -Wassa Tarkwa
Place of birth Total Jomoro Ellembelle Municipal West Metropolis Shama East Nsuaem
Total 2,346,713 145,798 86,163 60,197 104,761 550,401 80,030 123,279 89,824
Western 1,785,200 120,086 79,249 50,921 95,744 402,909 70,091 94,059 65,630
Central 143,606 12,168 1,810 3,066 3,993 59,314 5,138 14,689 7,590
Greater Accra 34,977 1,131 442 462 960 19,577 1,031 1,554 1,637
Volta 50,104 3,925 1,198 701 1,232 13,029 1,856 4,359 3,417
Eastern 63,161 1,390 638 986 795 16,914 724 4,708 2,555
Ashanti 93,034 3,085 1,280 1,149 1,244 20,682 765 2,171 3,754
Brong Ahafo 61,904 1,283 450 833 221 4,137 143 602 1,281
Northern 38,688 998 555 647 296 7,208 173 499 1,510
Upper East 48,172 1,287 304 448 181 4,507 63 425 1,565
Upper West 27,867 445 237 984 95 2,124 46 213 885

Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
Western 76.1 82.4 92.0 84.6 91.4 73.2 87.6 76.3 73.1
Central 6.1 8.3 2.1 5.1 3.8 10.8 6.4 11.9 8.4
Greater Accra 1.5 0.8 0.5 0.8 0.9 3.6 1.3 1.3 1.8
Volta 2.1 2.7 1.4 1.2 1.2 2.4 2.3 3.5 3.8
Eastern 2.7 1.0 0.7 1.6 0.8 3.1 0.9 3.8 2.8
Ashanti 4.0 2.1 1.5 1.9 1.2 3.8 1.0 1.8 4.2
Brong Ahafo 2.6 0.9 0.5 1.4 0.2 0.8 0.2 0.5 1.4
Northern 1.6 0.7 0.6 1.1 0.3 1.3 0.2 0.4 1.7
Upper East 2.1 0.9 0.4 0.7 0.2 0.8 0.1 0.3 1.7
Upper West 1.2 0.3 0.3 1.6 0.1 0.4 0.1 0.2 1.0

Sefwi
Prestea/ Wassa Wassa Bibiani-
Huni Amenfi Amenfi Aowin/ Sefwi Sefwi Ahwiaso
Place of birth Valley East West Suaman Akontombra Wiawso Bekwai Juabeso Bia
Total 158,119 82,941 160,178 137,092 81,947 138,557 122,457 110,724 114,245
Western 115,986 62,725 117,305 87,016 51,610 113,442 106,649 79,945 71,833
Central 11,518 3,728 8,487 3,231 1,081 1,975 1,929 1,591 2,298
Greater Accra 1,903 645 1,179 1,041 401 929 671 571 843
Volta 3,588 1,476 3,582 3,546 1,683 1,679 653 2,446 1,734
Eastern 5,710 4,032 5,018 6,113 2,240 3,378 1,346 3,137 3,477
Ashanti 9,157 5,186 7,672 8,322 8,394 5,433 4,810 3,659 6,271
Brong Ahafo 2,201 912 5,651 9,993 5,434 4,022 1,893 8,991 13,857
Northern 2,736 1,520 3,286 5,641 3,399 2,585 1,120 2,772 3,743
Upper East 2,542 2,095 4,990 8,025 5,957 3,813 2,292 4,570 5,108
Upper West 2,778 622 3,008 4,164 1,748 1,301 1,094 3,042 5,081

Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
Western 73.4 75.6 73.2 63.5 63.0 81.9 87.1 72.2 62.9
Central 7.3 4.5 5.3 2.4 1.3 1.4 1.6 1.4 2.0
Greater Accra 1.2 0.8 0.7 0.8 0.5 0.7 0.5 0.5 0.7
Volta 2.3 1.8 2.2 2.6 2.1 1.2 0.5 2.2 1.5
Eastern 3.6 4.9 3.1 4.5 2.7 2.4 1.1 2.8 3.0
Ashanti 5.8 6.3 4.8 6.1 10.2 3.9 3.9 3.3 5.5
BrongAhafo 1.4 1.1 3.5 7.3 6.6 2.9 1.5 8.1 12.1
Northern 1.7 1.8 2.1 4.1 4.1 1.9 0.9 2.5 3.3
Upper East 1.6 2.5 3.1 5.9 7.3 2.8 1.9 4.1 4.5
Upper West 1.8 0.7 1.9 3.0 2.1 0.9 0.9 2.7 4.4
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

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 Table 8.8: Migrants by district

Migrants
District percentage
Western 23.9
Jomoro 17.6
Ellembelle 8.8
Nzema East 15.4
Ahanta West 8.6
SekondiTakoradi Metropolis 26.8
Shama 12.4
Mpohor-Wassa East 23.7
TarkwaNsuaem Municipal 26.9
Prestea/ Huni Valley 26.6
WassaAmenfi East 24.4
WassaAmenfi West 26.8
Aowin/ Suaman 36.5
SefwiAkontombra 37.0
SefwiWiawso 18.1
SefwiBibiani-AhwiasoBekwai 12.9
Juabeso 27.8
Bia 37.1
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

About one in four persons enumerated in the Region is a migrant. The lowest proportion of
migrants (about 9%) is recorded on two Districts (Ellembelle, 8.8% and Ahanta West, 8.6%).
The highest percentage (over 30%) is recorded in three districts (Bia 37.1%,
SefwiAkontombra 37.0%, Aowin/ Suaman 36.5%). Five Districts reported less than 20
percent migrants, three of these are coastal Districts (Shama 12.4%, Nzema East 15.4%,
Jomoro 17.6%) while two (SefwiBibiani-Ahwiaso Bekwai 12.9%, SefwiWiawso 18.1%) are
from the hilly north. Majority of the migrants across the Districts in the Western Region
(especially from coastal and Southern Districts) had migrated from the Central Region.

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 CHAPTER NINE
ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS

9.1 Introduction
Data on economic characteristics provide a profile of the population and how persons
enumerated are economically engaged and the sectors of the economy in which they are
enegaged. These data are needed for computing economic indicators and determining the
level of economic development of the country. The data are also needed for planning,
monitoring and for assessing the impact of various economic and social intervention
programmes. The items of information collected were activity status, occupation, industry,
employment status and employment sector.
Activity status refers to economic or non-economic activity of respondents during the seven
days preceding census night. Information on type of activity was collected on persons five
years and older. A person was regarded as economically active if he/she:
Persons worked for pay or profit or family gain for at least one hour within the seven days
preceding census night. This included those who were in paid employment or self
employment or contributing family worker.
Did not work, but had jobs to return to.
Were unemployed
The economically not active were persons who did not work and were seeking for work.
They were classified by reasons for not being economically active. Economically not active
persons included homemakers, students, retired persons, persons with disability and persons
who were unable to work due to their age or ill-health.

9.2 Economic Activity Status

9.2.1 Economic Activity Status by Sex
The activity status of the population five years and older is shown in Tables 9.1a and 9.1b.
There are 2,042,645 persons in the age-group five years and older. Of these 51.6 percent are
economically active. A breakdown by sex indicates a fairly even distribution between the
sexes. For the age group under 25 years for the economically inactive, the percentage of
males (26.1%) is slightly higher than that of females (25.5%). On the other hand the
percentage of females is higher than that of males for age groups 25 years and older (Table
9.1a).

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Table 9.1a: Population 5 years and older by economic activity status, age group and sex
Total Economically active Not active
Age
Group Both sexes Male Female Both sexes Male Female Both sexes Male Female

Number 2,042,645 1,017,641 1,025,004 1,054,384 534,045 520,339 988,261 483,596 504,665

All Ages 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0

5-9 15.0 15.3 14.7 1.3 1.3 1.3 29.6 30.7 28.5

10-14 14.1 14.3 13.8 2.3 2.2 2.3 26.7 27.6 25.8

15-24 23.5 23.4 23.7 18.8 17.6 20.0 28.6 29.8 27.4

25-34 17.7 17.1 18.2 29.4 28.8 30.0 5.2 4.2 6.2

35-59 23.4 23.9 22.8 41.1 42.6 39.5 4.5 3.3 5.6

60+ 6.4 6.1 6.7 7.2 7.5 6.9 5.5 4.4 6.5
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

105
Table 9.1b: Population 5 years and older by economic activity status, age group and sex
Total Active Not active
Both Both
Age Both sexes Male Female sexes Male Female sexes Male Female
Group Number Percent
All Ages 2,042,645 100.0 49.8 50.2 51.6 26.1 25.5 48.4 23.7 24.7
5-9 306,005 100.0 50.7 49.3 4.4 2.2 2.2 95.6 48.5 47.1
10-14 287,133 100.0 50.6 49.4 8.3 4.1 4.2 91.7 46.5 45.3
15-24 480,559 100.0 49.5 50.5 41.2 19.5 21.7 58.8 30.0 28.8
25-34 361,240 100.0 48.2 51.8 85.7 42.6 43.2 14.3 5.6 8.6
35-59 477,253 100.0 51.0 49.0 90.8 47.7 43.1 9.2 3.3 6.0
60+ 130,455 100.0 47.2 52.8 58.5 30.8 27.7 41.5 16.4 25.1
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

9.2.2 Economic Activity Status by Age

The legal minimum age for work is 15 years. Table 9.1a shows that children (persons aged 5
– 14 years) constitute 3.6 percent of the economically active population. For purposes of this
report, the 4.6 percent economically active children will be described as “working children”.
The proportion of economically active persons increases with age and reaches a peak (40.5%)
at age group 35–59. Although working children constituted a small proportion of the
economically active, the data shows that 4.4 percent and 8.3 percent of those aged 5 – 9 and
10 – 14 respectively are economically active (Table 9.1b). The increasing proportion of the
economically active by age observed in Table 9.1a is confirmed by the activity rates by age in
Table 9.1b. These rates reach a peak of 90.8 percent for those within 35 - 59 years, and also
reduce by about 58.5 percent for those aged 60 years and older. The reverse is true for the
economically not active.

9.2.3 Economic Activity Status by Type of Locality

Of the total number of persons economically active in the region, 43.3 percent are in urban
areas with the remaining 56.7% in rural areas.. In terms of the age composition of the
economically active group, the proportions in urban areas are higher than those in rural areas
for only two age groups (25 – 34 and 35 - 59). For the four remaining age groups, the
proportions in rural areas are higher than those in urban areas.

Table 9.2a: Population 5 years and older by economic activity status, age and
type of locality
All localities Urban Rural
Age Not Not Not
Group Total Active active Total Active active Total Active active
Number 2,042,645 1,054,384 988,261 884,308 429,005 455,303 1,158,337 625,379 532,958
All ages 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
5-9 15.0 1.3 29.6 12.9 0.4 24.8 16.5 1.9 33.7
10-14 14.1 2.3 26.7 13.4 1.1 25.0 14.6 3.1 28.1
15-24 23.5 18.8 28.6 25.2 17.9 32.0 22.3 19.4 25.7
25-34 17.7 29.4 5.2 18.3 31.2 6.1 17.2 28.1 4.5
35-59 23.4 41.1 4.5 23.7 43.1 5.3 23.1 39.7 3.7
60+ 6.4 7.2 5.5 6.6 6.3 6.8 6.2 7.9 4.3
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

106
The proportion of economically active for age group 5 – 9 in urban areas is 0.4 percent.
Table 9.2b shows that at all ages, economic activity rates for the economically active are
higher in rural areas than in urban places. However, economically not active rates are higher
in rural areas for age groups 5 – 9 and 10 – 14.

Table 9.2b: Population 5 years and older by economic activity status, age and
type of locality
All localities Urban Rural
Not Not Not
Total Active active Total Active active Total Active active
Age
Group Number % % % % % % % % %
All
ages 2,042,645 100.0 51.6 48.4 43.3 21.0 22.3 56.7 30.6 26.1
5-9 306,005 100.0 4.4 95.6 37.4 0.6 36.9 62.6 3.9 58.7
10-14 287,133 100.0 8.3 91.7 41.2 1.6 39.6 58.8 6.6 52.2
15-24 480,559 100.0 41.2 58.8 46.3 16.0 30.4 53.7 25.2 28.5
25-34 361,240 100.0 85.7 14.3 44.7 37.1 7.7 55.3 48.7 6.6
35-59 477,253 100.0 90.8 9.2 43.9 38.8 5.1 56.1 52.0 4.2
60+ 130,455 100.0 58.5 41.5 44.6 20.7 23.8 55.4 37.8 17.7
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

9.2.4 Economic Activity Status by Districts

Tables 9.3a, b, and c show the economic activity status of persons 15 years and older by
District and sex. For the entire Region, seven out of ten persons are economically active,
while one out of three are not. Juabeso has the highest economically active rate of 83.8
percent while Ellembelle recorded the lowest rate of 59.0 percent. Ten districts recorded rates
of over 70 percent while five (Jomoro, Nzema East, Sekondi-Takoradi Metro, Shama, and
Tarkwa Nsuaem) all have values of over 60 percent. Some of the low activity rates are also
found in more urbanized districts in the Region.

The distribution of economic activity status by District and sex is given in Tables 9.3b and
9.3c. In all districts the proportion of males who are economically active is slightly higher
than the females, the only exceptions being Sekondi and Takoradi sub-metros, where the
reverse is true.
The Region has 4.1 percent of persons aged 15 years and over unemployed. Four Districts,
namely, Ahanta West, Sekondi Takoradi Metro, Shama and Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal,
recorded values higher than the Regional figure, with Sekondi-Takoradi Metro having
reported the highest value of 7.0 percent. Sefwi Akontombra (1.4%) and Juabeso (1.1%) have
the lowest proportions
In the northern Districts, the proportion of unemployed males is lower than that of females,
while proportion of unemployed males is higher in the southern Districts. Tarkwa Nsuaem,
Prestea-Huni Valley and Wassa Amenfi East are the only exceptions to this general pattern.

107
Table 9.3a: Type of activity for population 15 years and older by sex and district
Population Econo-
15 years mically Un- Not
District and older active Employed employed active
Both Sexes
Western 1,449,507 70.4 66.3 4.1 29.6
Jomoro 90,061 67.4 63.3 4.1 32.6
Ellembelle 53,036 59.0 55.7 3.2 41.0
Nzema East 35,868 69.5 65.4 4.1 30.5
Ahanta West 62,201 75.7 70.8 4.9 24.3
Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis 376,874 64.2 57.1 7.0 35.8
Kwesimintsim 156,285 63.5 56.3 7.2 36.5
Takoradi 69,432 64.0 57.1 6.9 36.0
Sekondi 48,520 63.5 55.5 8.0 36.5
Essikadu-Ketan 102,637 65.7 59.2 6.5 34.3
Shama 48,197 68.6 63.3 5.3 31.4
Mpohor-Wassa East 72,204 74.4 72.1 2.4 25.6
Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal 56,013 68.0 63.1 5.0 32.0
Prestea/Huni Valley 94,339 73.4 70.6 2.8 26.6
Wassa Amenfi East 48,423 75.4 72.9 2.5 24.6
Wassa Amenfi West 93,614 72.1 68.9 3.2 27.9
Aowin/Suaman 82,153 72.2 69.7 2.5 27.8
Sefwi Akontombra 47,389 79.3 77.8 1.4 20.7
Sefwi Wiawso 81,867 71.5 69.0 2.5 28.5
Sefwi Bibiani-Ahwiaso Bekwai 74,148 72.8 69.8 3.0 27.2
Juabeso 65,166 83.8 82.7 1.1 16.2
Bia 67,954 77.5 74.4 3.1 22.5
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

Table 9.3b: Type of activity for population 15 years and older by district and sex
Population 15 Econo-
years and mically Un- Not
District older active Employed employed active
Male
Western 717,237 71.9 68.1 3.8 28.1
Jomoro 42,850 68.8 64.7 4.1 31.2
Ellembelle 24,920 59.9 56.8 3.1 40.1
Nzema East 17,145 71.3 67.3 4.0 28.7
Ahanta West 28,842 75.3 70.7 4.6 24.7
Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis 182,376 64.2 57.3 6.8 35.8
Kwesimintsim 75,604 64.1 57.2 6.9 35.9
Takoradi 34,738 62.1 55.3 6.8 37.9
Sekondi 22,832 63.0 54.9 8.1 37.0
Essikadu-Ketan 49,202 66.2 60.0 6.2 33.8
Shama 21,592 68.8 63.4 5.4 31.2
Mpohor-Wassa East 35,710 76.6 74.5 2.1 23.4
Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal 29,215 70.8 66.3 4.6 29.2
Prestea/Huni Valley 47,614 76.9 74.6 2.4 23.1
Wassa Amenfi East 24,781 77.8 75.5 2.3 22.2
Wassa Amenfi West 48,430 73.6 70.8 2.8 26.4
Aowin/Suaman 43,143 75.2 73.2 2.0 24.8
Sefwi Akontombra 25,383 81.6 80.6 1.0 18.4
Sefwi Wiawso 40,623 72.6 70.4 2.2 27.4
Sefwi Bibiani-Ahwiaso Bekwai 36,145 72.4 70.0 2.4 27.6
Juabeso 33,227 86.1 85.3 0.8 13.9
Bia 35,241 79.8 77.5 2.3 20.2
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

108
Table 9.3c: Type of activity for population 15 years and older by district and sex
Population
15 years Economically Not
District and older active Employed Unemployed active
Female
Western 732,270 68.5 64.5 4.0 31.5
Jomoro 47,211 65.7 62.1 3.6 34.3
Ellembelle 28,116 57.8 54.8 2.9 42.2
Nzema East 18,723 67.4 63.6 3.8 32.6
Ahanta West 33,359 75.3 70.9 4.4 24.7
Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis 194,498 63.6 56.9 6.7 36.4
Kwesimintsim 80,681 62.4 55.5 6.9 37.6
Takoradi 34,694 65.3 58.8 6.5 34.7
Sekondi 25,688 63.3 56.0 7.2 36.7
Essikadu-Ketan 53,435 64.5 58.4 6.1 35.5
Shama 26,605 68.2 63.3 4.9 31.8
Mpohor-Wassa East 36,494 71.9 69.7 2.2 28.1
Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal 26,798 64.4 59.6 4.9 35.6
Prestea/Huni Valley 46,725 69.3 66.6 2.7 30.7
Wassa Amenfi East 23,642 72.4 70.1 2.3 27.6
Wassa Amenfi West 45,184 70.1 66.9 3.2 29.9
Aowin/Suaman 39,010 68.4 65.7 2.7 31.6
Sefwi Akontombra 22,006 76.1 74.6 1.4 23.9
Sefwi Wiawso 41,244 70.0 67.6 2.5 30.0
Sefwi Bibiani-Ahwiaso Bekwai 38,003 72.4 69.7 2.8 27.6
Juabeso 31,939 81.1 80.0 1.1 18.9
Bia 32,713 74.5 71.1 3.4 25.5
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

9.2.5 Employed
The composition of employed persons by age is shown in Table 9.4a and the employment
rates by age are given in Table 9.4b. The composition of employed persons by age is the
same as that of the economically active. The proportions increase with age sharply among
age 35 – 59 years and reduce drastically for persons 60 years and older.
The proportions employed in age groups 25 – 34 and 35 – 59 in urban areas are higher than
the proportions for the same age groups in rural areas. For all the other age groups, the
proportions are higher in rural areas.
Out of the 2,042,645 persons aged five years and above in the Region, 48.8 percent are
employed. The employment rates by age in Table 9.4b shows an increasing rate with age and
a massive drop after age group 35 - 59.
There are differentials by type of locality with rates higher at all ages in rural than in urban
areas. Although a total of 66.3 percent persons aged 15 years and older are employed, only
62.9 percent worked during the seven days prior to the census. About 3 percent did not work
but had a job to go back to. Employed persons by District are given for the population aged
15 years and older as shown in Table 9.5 below. Eleven Districts recorded employment rates
higher than the Regional figure. All the coastal Districts including Tarkwa Nsuaem reported
employment rates lower than the Regional value. The lowest rate (57.1%) is recorded in
Sekondi Takoradi Metro while the highest rate (82.7%) is in Juabeso. With the exception of
Shama, over 90 percent of all employed persons worked during the seven days prior to the
census

109
Table 9.4a: Population 5 years and older by activity status, age and type of locality
All localities Urban Rural
Age Un- Not Un- Not Un- Not
Group Total Employed employed active Total Employed employed active Total Employed employed active
Number 2,042,645 997,623 56,761 988,261 884,308 393,227 35,778 455,303 1,158,337 604,396 20,983 532,958
All
ages 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
5-9 15.0 1.4 0.1 29.6 12.9 0.4 0.0 24.8 16.5 2.0 0.2 33.7
10-14 14.1 2.4 0.4 26.7 13.4 1.2 0.3 25.0 14.6 3.1 0.5 28.1
15-24 23.5 17.3 44.8 28.6 25.2 15.7 41.6 32.0 22.3 18.3 50.2 25.7
25-34 17.7 29.1 34.3 5.2 18.3 30.7 36.2 6.1 17.2 28.0 31.1 4.5
35-59 23.4 42.4 17.1 4.5 23.7 45.3 18.9 5.3 23.1 40.6 13.9 3.7
60+ 6.4 7.5 3.4 5.5 6.6 6.6 3.0 6.8 6.2 8.0 4.1 4.3
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

Table 9.4b: Population 5 years and older by activity status, age and type of locality
All localities Urban Rural
Age Un- Not Un- Not Un- Not
Group Number Total Employed employed active Total Employed employed active Total Employed employed active
All ages 2,042,645 100.0 48.8 2.8 48.4 43.3 19.3 1.8 22.3 56.7 29.6 1.0 26.1
5-9 306,005 100.0 4.4 0.0 95.6 37.4 0.6 0.0 36.9 62.6 3.9 0.0 58.7
10-14 287,133 100.0 8.2 0.1 91.7 41.2 1.6 0.0 39.6 58.8 6.6 0.0 52.2
15-24 480,559 100.0 35.9 5.3 58.8 46.3 12.9 3.1 30.4 53.7 23.0 2.2 28.5
25-34 361,240 100.0 80.4 5.4 14.3 44.7 33.5 3.6 7.7 55.3 46.9 1.8 6.6
35-59 477,253 100.0 88.7 2.0 9.2 43.9 37.3 1.4 5.1 56.1 51.4 0.6 4.2
60+ 130,455 100.0 57.0 1.5 41.5 44.6 19.9 0.8 23.8 55.4 37.1 0.7 17.7
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

110
 Table 9.5: Employed persons by district
Employed as % of population 15+ Employed as % of total employed
worked worked
Western (includes (includes Did not
region those who Did not those who work but
population did work but did had job to
15 years Total voluntary had job to Total voluntary go back
District and older employed work) go back to employed work) to
Both sexes
Western 1,449,507 66.3 62.9 3.4 100.0 94.9 5.1
Jomoro 90,061 63.3 58.6 4.7 100.0 92.6 7.4
Ellembelle 53,036 55.7 52.5 3.3 100.0 94.1 5.9
Nzema East 35,868 65.4 59.3 6.1 100.0 90.6 9.4
Ahanta West 62,201 70.8 67.9 2.8 100.0 96.0 4.0
Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis 376,874 57.1 54.4 2.7 100.0 95.3 4.7
Kwesimintsim 156,285 56.3 53.9 2.4 100.0 95.7 4.3
Takoradi 69,432 57.1 53.9 3.2 100.0 94.4 5.6
Sekondi 48,520 55.5 52.3 3.2 100.0 94.3 5.7
Essikadu-Ketan 102,637 59.2 56.7 2.5 100.0 95.8 4.2
Shama 48,197 63.3 55.1 8.2 100.0 87.0 13.0
Mpohor-Wassa East 72,204 72.1 67.8 4.3 100.0 94.1 5.9
Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal 56,013 63.1 61.0 2.1 100.0 96.7 3.3
Prestea/Huni Valley 94,339 70.6 66.8 3.8 100.0 94.7 5.3
Wassa Amenfi East 48,423 72.9 69.5 3.4 100.0 95.4 4.6
Wassa Amenfi West 93,614 68.9 64.6 4.3 100.0 93.7 6.3
Aowin/Suaman 82,153 69.7 66.0 3.7 100.0 94.7 5.3
Sefwi Akontombra 47,389 77.8 76.5 1.3 100.0 98.3 1.7
Sefwi Wiawso 81,867 69.0 66.0 3.0 100.0 95.6 4.4
Sefwi Bibiani-Ahwiaso Bekwai 74,148 69.8 66.3 3.5 100.0 94.9 5.1
Juabeso 65,166 82.7 81.2 1.5 100.0 98.2 1.8
Bia 67,954 74.4 71.8 2.7 100.0 96.4 3.6
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

9.2.6 Unemployed
Unemployed persons by age and type of locality can be found in Tables 9.4a and 9.4b above.
Of the total Regional population of 2,042,645 aged five years and older, 3.5 percent are
unemployed. The majority of the unemployed persons (58.9%) are in urban areas. The
proportion of the unemployed as a percentage of total population in the relevant age group is
47.9 percent in urban and 25.6 percent in rural areas.
Nearly 40 percent of unemployed persons are within age 15 – 24 years. There are 1,449,507
persons aged 15 years and older in the Region and 4.1 percent of them are unemployed. Over
80 percent of these are first time job seekers; this pattern is observed across the Districts.
Unemployment is low in Juabeso (1.1%) and high in Sekondi-Takoradi Metro (7.0%). Eleven
Districts also recorded unemployment rates below the regional figure.

111
Table 9.6: Unemployed persons by district
Unemployed as % of population Unemployed as % of total
15+ unemployed
Worked Seeking Worked Seeking
Western before work for before work for
region seeking the first seeking the first
population work and time and work and time and
15 years Total un- available available Total un- available available
District and older employed for work for work employed for work for work
Both Sexes
All Districts 1,449,507 3.9 1.5 2.4 100.0 37.6 62.4
Jomoro 90,061 3.8 1.5 2.3 100.0 40.1 59.9
Ellembelle 53,036 3.0 1.2 1.9 100.0 38.9 61.1
Nzema East 35,868 3.9 1.6 2.3 100.0 40.4 59.6
Ahanta West 62,201 4.5 1.7 2.8 100.0 38.4 61.6
Sekondi Takoradi
Metropolis 376,874 6.8 2.6 4.1 100.0 38.9 61.1
Kwesimintsim 156,285 6.9 2.7 4.2 100.0 38.6 61.4
Takoradi 69,432 6.6 2.3 4.3 100.0 35.0 65.0
Sekondi 48,520 7.6 2.9 4.7 100.0 38.5 61.5
Essikadu-Ketan 102,637 6.2 2.6 3.6 100.0 42.3 57.7
Shama 48,197 5.1 2.0 3.1 100.0 38.6 61.4
Mpohor-Wassa East 72,204 2.1 0.9 1.3 100.0 40.6 59.4
Tarkwa Nsuaem
Municipal 56,013 4.7 1.4 3.3 100.0 29.6 70.4
Prestea/Huni Valley 94,339 2.5 1.0 1.6 100.0 37.7 62.3
Wassa Amenfi East 48,423 2.3 0.6 1.7 100.0 27.3 72.7
Wassa Amenfi West 93,614 3.0 1.1 1.9 100.0 35.9 64.1
Aowin/Suaman 82,153 2.3 0.8 1.5 100.0 34.5 65.5
Sefwi Akontombra 47,389 1.2 0.5 0.7 100.0 43.9 56.1
Sefwi Wiawso 81,867 2.3 0.8 1.6 100.0 32.9 67.1
Sefwi Bibiani-Ahwiaso
Bekwai 74,148 2.6 0.9 1.7 100.0 33.9 66.1
Juabeso 65,166 0.9 0.4 0.6 100.0 39.4 60.6
Bia 67,954 2.8 1.0 1.8 100.0 36.2 63.8
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

9.3 Economically not Active

The distribution of the economically not active by age, sex, type of locality and District are
shown in Tables 9.1a, 9.1b, 9.2a, 9.2b, 9.3a, 9.3b, and 9.7.

About 48 percent of persons five years and older are economically not active with more
females (51.1%) than males (48.9%). Within age groups, the rate for the economically not
active declines with increasing age with the exception of those who are 60 years and older.
In terms of the age composition of the economically not active, the proportions in the two
youngest age groups (5-9 and 10-14 years) were lower in urban (49.3%) than in rural (61.5%)
areas, while the reverse was true for all other age groups (Table 9.2a). This observation still
holds for rates within age groups as shown in Table 9.2b.

The economically not active by District and sex are shown in Tables 9.3a, 9.3b and 9.3c. The
regional figure is 29.6 percent of persons aged 15 years and older. Eleven districts had rates
below this figure. Juabeso (16.2%) recorded the lowest while Ellembelle (41.0%) had the
highest rate.
Economically not active rates for the Region are 27.9 percent for males and 31.1 percent for
females. This higher rate for females is consistent across most Districts except for Ahanta

112
West where the rate is the same (24.3%) for both male and females. The largest differential of
females over males is reported by Prestea Huni Valley (7.6%), Aowin/Suaman (6.8%) and
Tarkwa Nsuaem (6.6%).
Table 9.7 provides reasons for the economically not active by District. The main reasons
given for being economically not active are engaged as students, homemakers and too old/too
young to work.

9.4 Occupation
In the Western Region as well as in all its Districts except Sekondi-Takoradi Metro, skilled
agricultural, forestry and fishery workers constitutes the largest occupational group,
accounting for over 70 percent of occupations in four districts – Sefwi Akomtombra (86.5%),
Juabeso (79.9%), Aowin/Suaman (79.9%) and Bia (75.8%). Service and sales workers are the
second largest group in the Region.
Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis which is the most urbanized District in the Region, service and
sales workers constitute is the dominant occupational group (32.7%), while craft and related
trades workers (22.2%) are the second largest.
Females dominate the service and sales workers while males dominate plant and machine
operators and assemblers, technicians and associate professionals, and professionals groups.
Males have a slight edge over females in the skilled agricultural, forestry and fishery workers,
and clerical support workers groups.

113
Table 9.7: Economically not active population

Not active as % of population 15+ Not active as % total not active

Western Total Total Dis-

region not Too Disabled not Too abled/
population econo- old/ / Too econo- old/ Too
15 years mically Home- Too Pensioner/ sick to mically Home- Too Pensioner/ sick to
District and older active maker Student young Retired work Other active maker Student young Retired work Other
Both Sexes
Western 1,449,507 29.8 7.3 15.1 2.6 0.9 1.2 2.7 100.0 24.5 50.7 8.9 3.0 3.9 9.1
Jomoro 90,061 32.8 8.7 15.3 3.8 0.5 2.2 2.4 100.0 26.4 46.6 11.4 1.6 6.6 7.4
Ellembelle 53,036 41.2 10.1 19.0 4.7 0.6 2.1 4.6 100.0 24.6 46.1 11.4 1.5 5.2 11.1
Nzema East 35,868 30.7 8.7 13.3 3.4 0.5 2.1 2.6 100.0 28.2 43.4 11.2 1.7 6.9 8.5
Ahanta West 62,201 24.7 4.6 11.9 4.2 0.7 1.4 1.9 100.0 18.6 48.0 17.1 3.0 5.8 7.5
Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis 376,874 36.1 7.0 18.8 2.9 2.3 0.8 4.3 100.0 19.4 52.0 8.0 6.2 2.3 12.0
Kwesimintsim 156,285 36.8 7.4 20.7 2.7 2.2 0.9 3.0 100.0 20.0 56.3 7.2 5.9 2.4 8.2
Takoradi 69,432 36.3 5.9 17.7 2.6 2.2 0.7 7.1 100.0 16.2 48.8 7.2 6.1 2.0 19.6
Sekondi 48,520 36.9 6.8 16.9 3.9 3.0 0.9 5.3 100.0 18.5 46.0 10.5 8.1 2.5 14.4
Essikadu-Ketan 102,637 34.7 7.3 17.5 3.0 2.1 0.8 4.0 100.0 21.0 50.5 8.7 6.0 2.2 11.7
Shama 48,197 31.5 6.1 15.4 4.0 1.1 1.5 3.5 100.0 19.5 48.8 12.7 3.5 4.7 11.0
Mpohor-Wassa East 72,204 25.8 7.9 11.4 2.5 0.3 1.7 2.0 100.0 30.7 44.1 9.6 1.1 6.8 7.7
Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal 1,449,507 29.8 7.3 15.1 2.6 0.9 1.2 2.7 100.0 29.5 45.4 7.9 2.1 3.9 11.2
Prestea/Huni Valley 90,061 32.8 8.7 15.3 3.8 0.5 2.2 2.4 100.0 31.5 44.7 7.9 1.9 5.0 9.0
Wassa Amenfi East 53,036 41.2 10.1 19.0 4.7 0.6 2.1 4.6 100.0 29.0 49.8 7.5 0.8 5.7 7.1
Wassa Amenfi West 35,868 30.7 8.7 13.3 3.4 0.5 2.1 2.6 100.0 28.2 53.2 7.2 1.2 3.8 6.5
Aowin/Suaman 62,201 24.7 4.6 11.9 4.2 0.7 1.4 1.9 100.0 33.5 48.0 7.4 0.9 2.8 7.5
Sefwi Akontombra 376,874 36.1 7.0 18.8 2.9 2.3 0.8 4.3 100.0 28.7 57.2 5.5 0.6 3.1 5.0
Sefwi Wiawso 156,285 36.8 7.4 20.7 2.7 2.2 0.9 3.0 100.0 24.5 58.2 7.5 1.0 3.1 5.7
Sefwi Bibiani-Ahwiaso Bekwai 69,432 36.3 5.9 17.7 2.6 2.2 0.7 7.1 100.0 17.6 60.5 9.6 1.6 4.1 6.6
Juabeso 48,520 36.9 6.8 16.9 3.9 3.0 0.9 5.3 100.0 26.3 54.2 8.6 0.4 6.5 3.9
Bia 102,637 34.7 7.3 17.5 3.0 2.1 0.8 4.0 100.0 30.9 55.0 5.6 0.7 2.7 5.1
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

114
Table 9.8: Employed Persons 15 years and older by district, sex and occupation
Employment Status of the Employed
Skilled Craft Plant and
agricultural and machine Elemen-
Technicians Clerical Service forestry related operators tary Other
District Pro- and associate support and sales and fishery trades and Occu- Occu-
Total Percent Managers fessionals professionals workers workers workers workers assemblers pations pations

Both Sexes
All Regions
Western 960,561 100.0 2.0 4.5 1.8 1.3 17.1 47.2 13.1 7.4 5.2 0.3
Jomoro 57,039 100.0 2.6 3.7 1.9 1.2 20.7 39.0 20.1 4.5 6.3 0.1
Ellembelle 29,567 100.0 2.7 5.7 1.7 1.0 22.5 35.2 18.0 8.6 4.6 0.0
Nzema East 23,453 100.0 1.7 3.7 0.9 0.6 13.3 57.1 13.3 5.5 3.8 0.0
Ahanta West 44,029 100.0 2.0 3.8 1.1 1.0 22.1 36.4 19.5 6.5 7.5 0.0
Sekondi Takoradi
Metropolis 215,273 100.0 4.3 8.8 3.8 3.4 32.7 5.2 22.2 8.0 10.2 1.4
Kwesimintsim 87,989 100.0 4.7 9.5 3.7 3.6 33.0 5.9 21.6 8.3 9.0 0.8
Takoradi 39,630 100.0 5.1 8.5 4.8 4.1 35.6 2.6 19.6 6.1 10.6 3.0
Sekondi 26,931 100.0 3.9 9.6 3.9 3.6 34.7 4.2 21.1 6.2 10.5 2.3
Essikadu-Ketan 60,723 100.0 3.4 7.7 3.2 2.7 29.4 6.4 25.2 9.7 11.6 0.8
Shama 30,526 100.0 1.8 4.5 1.5 1.1 18.3 31.7 28.4 5.5 7.0 0.1
Mpohor-Wassa East 52,046 100.0 1.3 2.8 0.9 0.4 9.7 62.3 8.4 9.8 4.3 0.0
Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal 35,319 100.0 2.2 3.7 1.5 0.7 18.7 31.5 11.9 24.8 5.1 0.0
Prestea/Huni Valley 66,626 100.0 1.3 2.6 0.8 0.5 15.2 44.0 9.8 21.0 4.7 0.0
Wassa Amenfi East 35,295 100.0 1.0 2.6 0.9 0.4 9.4 67.1 6.1 10.2 2.4 0.0
Wassa Amenfi West 64,532 100.0 1.1 3.5 1.3 0.6 9.8 69.2 6.4 5.7 2.5 0.0
Aowin/Suaman 57,250 100.0 0.8 2.5 1.2 0.4 6.9 79.7 5.1 1.7 1.7 0.0
Sefwi Akontombra 36,880 100.0 0.4 1.9 0.9 0.3 4.3 86.5 3.6 1.1 1.0 0.0
Sefwi Wiawso 56,478 100.0 1.2 3.6 1.4 0.9 10.8 67.1 8.3 3.6 3.0 0.0
Sefwi Bibiani-Ahwiaso
Bekwai 51,782 100.0 1.2 4.0 1.3 0.6 12.2 62.8 9.5 5.4 3.0 0.1
Juabeso 53,883 100.0 0.6 2.2 1.4 0.4 7.0 79.9 5.0 1.3 2.0 0.0
Bia 50,583 100.0 1.1 2.4 1.6 0.4 8.7 75.8 6.1 1.4 2.5 0.0

115
 Table 9.8: Employed Persons 15 years and older by district, sex and occupation (Cont’d)
Skilled
agricul-
Technicians tural Craft Plant and
and forestry and machine
associate Clerical Service and related operators Elementary Other
District Pro- pro- support and sales fishery trades and Occupa- Occupa-
Total Percent Managers fessionals fessionals workers workers workers workers assemblers tions tions
MALE
All Regions 5,005,534 100.0 2.5 6.7 2.8 1.6 10.2 45.3 16.8 9.5 4.3 0.3
Western 488,144 100.0 1.9 5.3 2.8 1.4 7.3 50.5 13.4 13.2 3.6 0.6
Jomoro 27,723 100.0 2.0 5.1 2.9 1.8 10.8 46.5 16.1 9.1 5.6 0.1
Ellembelle 14,153 100.0 1.8 7.9 2.1 1.3 8.0 39.1 19.7 16.3 3.6 0.0
Nzema East 11,536 100.0 1.4 4.6 1.3 0.7 4.2 64.6 10.3 9.5 3.4 0.1
Ahanta West 20,394 100.0 2.0 5.0 1.9 1.3 9.2 40.2 21.5 13.3 5.4 0.1
Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis 104,521 100.0 4.9 10.0 6.1 3.5 16.8 6.2 27.3 16.1 6.8 2.4
Kwesimintsim 43,246 100.0 5.4 10.7 5.7 3.5 17.0 6.2 28.1 16.3 5.8 1.4
Takoradi 19,221 100.0 5.9 9.5 7.9 3.9 20.1 3.8 22.9 12.3 8.7 4.9
Sekondi 12,534 100.0 4.4 11.3 6.4 3.8 18.3 7.4 24.8 12.9 6.8 3.9
Essikadu-Ketan 29,520 100.0 3.7 8.8 5.1 3.0 13.8 7.4 29.9 19.6 7.2 1.5
Shama 13,684 100.0 1.8 5.8 2.6 1.4 7.3 42.5 21.1 11.9 5.3 0.3
Mpohor-Wassa East 26,609 100.0 0.9 3.4 1.5 0.6 3.2 62.5 8.6 15.7 3.5 0.0
Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal 19,360 100.0 1.3 3.8 2.2 0.7 6.4 31.8 11.4 40.0 2.5 0.1
Prestea/Huni Valley 35,497 100.0 0.8 2.8 1.2 0.6 4.8 44.7 9.5 33.6 1.9 0.1
Wassa Amenfi East 18,722 100.0 0.7 3.2 1.4 0.4 2.9 67.7 5.8 16.2 1.7 0.0
Wassa Amenfi West 34,311 100.0 1.1 4.3 2.0 0.7 3.7 70.5 6.3 9.6 1.8 0.0
Aowin/Suaman 31,601 100.0 0.6 3.0 1.9 0.4 2.3 83.0 4.4 3.0 1.3 0.0
Sefwi Akontombra 20,453 100.0 0.4 2.3 1.2 0.5 1.7 88.3 2.8 1.9 0.9 0.0
Sefwi Wiawso 28,613 100.0 1.2 4.7 2.2 1.0 4.1 68.5 8.9 6.8 2.4 0.0
Sefwi Bibiani-Anhwiaso Bekwai 25,309 100.0 1.2 5.3 2.1 0.7 4.5 62.7 10.4 10.6 2.5 0.1
Juabeso 28,335 100.0 0.5 2.8 2.2 0.6 2.5 82.5 4.3 2.4 2.0 0.0
Bia 27,323 100.0 0.9 3.1 2.5 0.5 3.6 79.1 5.5 2.5 2.1 0.0
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

116
 Table 9.8: Employed Persons 15 years and older by district, sex and occupation (Cont’d)
Skilled
agricul-
tural Craft Plant and
Technicians forestry and machine
and associate Clerical Service and related operators Elementary Other
District Pro- pro- support and sales fishery trades and Occupa- Occupa-
Total Percent Managers fessionals fessionals workers workers workers workers assemblers tions tions

FEMALE
All Regions
Western 472,417 100.0 2.1 3.6 0.8 1.1 27.3 43.8 12.9 1.3 6.9 0.1
Jomoro 29,316 100.0 3.2 2.4 1.0 0.6 30.0 31.8 24.0 0.1 6.9 0.0
Ellembelle 15,414 100.0 3.5 3.8 1.4 0.7 35.7 31.7 16.4 1.4 5.5 0.0
Nzema East 11,917 100.0 1.9 2.9 0.6 0.4 22.2 49.9 16.3 1.6 4.3 0.0
Ahanta West 23,635 100.0 2.1 2.7 0.5 0.7 33.2 33.1 17.7 0.6 9.3 0.0
Sekondi Takoradi
Metropolis 110,752 100.0 3.7 7.7 1.6 3.4 47.6 4.2 17.4 0.4 13.4 0.5
Kwesimintsim 44,743 100.0 4.0 8.4 1.7 3.7 48.5 5.6 15.2 0.5 12.2 0.3
Takoradi 20,409 100.0 4.3 7.7 1.8 4.3 50.2 1.3 16.5 0.3 12.5 1.2
Sekondi 14,397 100.0 3.3 8.1 1.8 3.5 48.9 1.4 18.0 0.3 13.7 0.9
Essikadu-Ketan 31,203 100.0 3.1 6.6 1.4 2.4 44.1 5.4 20.7 0.4 15.7 0.2
Shama 16,842 100.0 1.7 3.4 0.7 0.9 27.3 22.9 34.4 0.2 8.4 0.0
Mpohor-Wassa East 25,437 100.0 1.7 2.2 0.3 0.2 16.5 62.2 8.1 3.6 5.1 0.0
Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal 15,959 100.0 3.3 3.4 0.7 0.7 33.7 31.1 12.5 6.3 8.3 0.0
Prestea/Huni Valley 31,129 100.0 1.9 2.2 0.4 0.3 27.0 43.3 10.2 6.6 8.0 0.0
Wassa Amenfi East 16,573 100.0 1.4 1.9 0.4 0.3 16.7 66.5 6.4 3.4 3.1 0.0
Wassa Amenfi West 30,221 100.0 1.0 2.6 0.5 0.5 16.6 67.7 6.5 1.3 3.3 0.0
Aowin/Suaman 25,649 100.0 1.0 1.9 0.5 0.3 12.5 75.6 6.0 0.1 2.2 0.0
Sefwi Akontombra 16,427 100.0 0.4 1.3 0.5 0.2 7.6 84.3 4.5 0.0 1.2 0.0
Sefwi Wiawso 27,865 100.0 1.2 2.5 0.6 0.7 17.7 65.7 7.7 0.2 3.7 0.0
Sefwi Bibiani-Ahwiaso
Bekwai 26,473 100.0 1.1 2.8 0.5 0.4 19.5 62.8 8.7 0.5 3.5 0.0
Juabeso 25,548 100.0 0.6 1.6 0.6 0.2 12.1 77.1 5.8 0.1 2.0 0.0
Bia 23,260 100.0 1.3 1.6 0.6 0.2 14.6 72.0 6.9 0.1 2.9 0.0

Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

117
9.5 Industry
Agriculture, (including forestry and fishing) is the major industry in the Region (47.5%),
accounting for the largest proportion of employed persons in all Districts except Sekondi-
Takoradi metropoplis. The sector employs over 70 percent of employed persons in four
Districts, Sefwi Akomtombra (85.8%), Juabeso (79.9%), Aowin/Suaman (79.2%) and Bia
(75.5%).

Wholesale and retail; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles is the second largest industry
in the Region and also in 13 Districts. It is the most important industry in the Sekondi-
Takoradi metropolis employing about 1 in 3 persons. Mining and quarrying is the second
largest employer in Tarkwa Nsuaem (22.6%) and Prestea/Huni valley (18.2%).
Males dominate in mining and quarrying, construction, transportation and storage,
professional and technical activities and administrative and support service activities while
females also dominate in wholesale and retail and accommodation and food service activities.

9.6 Employed Persons 15 years and Older by Employment Status

The employment status of persons 15 years and older is shown in Table 9.10. The self-
employed (without employees) is the largest category in the Region (59.3%) as well as in all
Districts. The proportion self employed without employees is over 60 percent in most (13 out
of 17) Districts, with Ellembelle (69.0%) having the highest and Sekondi-Takoradi Metro
(47.2%) the lowest. Females dominate the males in most Districts (12) in this category.
The self-employed with employees contribute less than five percent in all Districts except
Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis (6.5%) and Bia (5.0%). Males dominate this category in all
Districts.
The more urbanized districts in the region have a relatively higher proportion of persons who
are employees than the less urbanized ones - Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis (36.6%) Tarkwa
Nsuaem (25.8%), Shama (21.0%). Males also dominate the employee category.
Contributing family worker is the second largest category in eight Districts with proportions
ranging from a low of 12.9 percent in Sefwi-Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai to a high of 29.6
percent Juabeso. Females dominate this group in all Districts.

118
 Table 9.9: Employed persons 15 years and older by district, sex and industry
Water Whole-
Elec- supply; sale and
tricity sewerage retail;
gas, waste repair of Acco- Adminis
Agricul- stream mana- motor mmo- Infor- Pro- -trative
ture and air gement vehicles Trans- dation mation Financial fessional and
forestry Mining Manu condi- and reme- and portatio and food and and Real scientific support
Per- and and -fac- tioning diation Cons- motor- n and service communi- insurance estate and tech. service
District Total cent fishing quarrying turing supply activities truction cycles storage actviities cation activities activities activities activities
Both Sexes
All Regions 10,243,476 100.0 42.0 1.1 10.7 0.2 0.2 3.0 18.7 3.5 5.4 0.4 0.7 0.0 0.9 0.6
Western 960,561 100.0 47.5 3.7 10.5 0.2 0.3 2.4 14.8 3.5 5.3 0.2 0.5 0.0 0.5 0.5
Jomoro 57,039 100.0 39.5 0.2 17.9 0.1 0.4 1.5 16.5 4.4 8.4 0.1 0.6 0.0 0.2 0.2
Ellembelle 29,567 100.0 35.4 4.3 14.4 0.1 0.7 2.9 15.9 3.6 9.1 0.1 0.5 0.0 0.3 0.4
Nzema East 23,453 100.0 57.8 3.3 11.2 0.1 0.9 1.5 9.5 1.6 5.7 0.1 0.3 0.0 0.2 0.3
Ahanta West 44,029 100.0 38.1 1.5 15.6 0.1 0.3 3.8 17.9 4.5 7.5 0.1 0.5 0.0 0.4 0.7
Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis 215,273 100.0 5.9 1.1 16.8 0.5 0.5 5.2 28.9 7.8 8.8 0.7 1.5 0.0 1.3 1.3
Kwesimintsim 87,989 100.0 6.7 1.1 15.5 0.5 0.4 5.6 30.1 7.4 8.5 0.9 1.8 0.0 1.4 1.3
Takoradi 39,630 100.0 3.2 1.4 14.5 0.3 0.6 2.9 29.3 9.1 10.6 0.9 1.5 0.0 1.3 1.4
Sekondi 26,931 100.0 4.8 0.8 17.1 0.4 0.8 3.5 28.8 6.4 9.2 0.7 1.3 0.1 1.5 1.3
Essikadu-Ketan 60,723 100.0 7.1 0.9 20.0 0.5 0.6 6.8 26.8 8.0 8.1 0.5 1.0 0.0 0.9 1.1
Shama 30,526 100.0 32.4 0.7 23.4 1.0 1.0 4.3 15.0 4.6 6.0 0.2 0.6 0.0 0.4 0.5
Mpohor-Wassa East 52,046 100.0 63.3 7.2 8.5 0.0 0.2 1.3 7.5 1.6 4.2 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.2 0.3
Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal 35,319 100.0 32.2 22.6 8.3 0.1 0.2 2.7 14.4 2.7 7.0 0.1 0.3 0.0 0.4 1.1
Prestea/Huni Valley 66,626 100.0 44.1 18.2 7.3 0.1 0.1 1.5 13.6 2.1 5.1 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.2 0.8
Wassa Amenfi East 35,295 100.0 66.7 8.3 4.5 0.0 0.1 1.0 7.6 1.7 3.8 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.2 0.2
Wassa Amenfi West 64,532 100.0 68.9 2.3 7.4 0.1 0.2 1.0 8.6 1.5 2.7 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.3 0.1
Aowin/Suaman 57,250 100.0 79.2 0.4 3.8 0.1 0.1 0.7 6.7 1.1 1.9 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.0
Sefwi Akontombra 36,880 100.0 85.8 0.0 3.0 0.0 0.1 0.4 4.7 0.8 0.9 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1
Sefwi Wiawso 56,478 100.0 67.4 0.4 6.3 0.1 0.2 1.4 9.8 2.1 3.0 0.2 0.4 0.0 0.3 0.2
Sefwi Bibiani-Ahwiaso Bekwai 51,782 100.0 63.2 2.9 7.0 0.1 0.2 1.7 10.2 2.6 3.1 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.3 0.3
Juabeso 53,883 100.0 79.9 0.1 3.8 0.0 0.1 0.5 6.9 1.1 2.2 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1
Bia 50,583 100.0 75.5 0.0 4.5 0.0 0.1 0.8 9.0 1.1 2.4 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.2 0.1
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

119
 Table 9.9: Employed persons 15 years and older by district, sex and industry (Cont’d)
Water Whole-
Elec- supply; sale and
tricity sewerage retail;
gas, waste repair of Acco- Adminis
Agricul- stream mana- motor mmo- Infor- Pro- -trative
ture and air gement vehicles Trans- dation mation Financial fessional and
forestry Mining Manu condi- and reme- and portatio and food and and Real scientific support
Per- and and -fac- tioning diation Cons- motor- n and service communi- insurance estate and tech. service
District Total cent fishing quarrying turing supply activities truction cycles storage actviities cation activities activities activities activities
MALE
All Regions 5,005,534 100.0 45.9 1.8 8.8 0.3 0.3 6.0 12.3 6.8 1.3 0.6 0.9 0.1 1.1 1.0
Western 488,144 100.0 51.3 6.1 8.2 0.3 0.3 4.5 8.9 6.5 1.2 0.4 0.6 0.0 0.7 0.9
Jomoro 27,723 100.0 47.8 0.4 11.5 0.1 0.4 3.1 12.4 8.8 2.0 0.2 0.9 0.0 0.4 0.4
Ellembelle 14,153 100.0 39.7 7.5 12.4 0.1 0.8 6.0 8.2 7.5 1.8 0.1 0.5 0.0 0.5 0.7
Nzema East 11,536 100.0 66.0 5.2 6.5 0.1 1.0 3.0 4.1 3.3 1.3 0.2 0.3 0.0 0.2 0.5
Ahanta West 20,394 100.0 42.5 2.7 13.4 0.2 0.4 8.1 8.8 9.5 2.0 0.3 0.6 0.0 0.6 1.3
Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis 104,521 100.0 7.4 1.9 16.2 0.7 0.6 10.4 17.7 14.9 2.4 1.2 1.7 0.1 1.9 2.2
Kwesimintsim 43,246 100.0 7.5 1.8 15.6 0.7 0.5 11.1 20.4 14.1 2.4 1.3 2.1 0.1 2.0 2.3
Takoradi 19,221 100.0 4.9 2.7 12.5 0.5 0.6 5.7 20.1 16.9 3.0 1.2 1.7 0.0 2.0 2.4
Sekondi 12,534 100.0 8.2 1.5 16.5 0.7 1.0 7.3 15.2 12.8 2.5 1.3 1.5 0.1 2.3 2.4
Essikadu-Ketan 29,520 100.0 8.5 1.6 19.3 0.9 0.7 13.8 13.2 15.7 1.9 0.9 1.1 0.1 1.4 2.0
Shama 13,684 100.0 43.3 1.3 10.8 2.1 1.3 9.4 7.8 9.8 1.0 0.4 0.8 0.0 0.7 0.8
Mpohor-Wassa East 26,609 100.0 64.5 10.8 8.2 0.1 0.2 2.4 3.6 3.0 0.6 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.3 0.4
Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal 19,360 100.0 33.0 36.0 4.9 0.1 0.2 4.7 6.4 4.8 1.0 0.2 0.3 0.0 0.6 1.8
Prestea/Huni Valley 35,497 100.0 45.2 28.5 4.9 0.2 0.1 2.8 6.0 3.9 0.9 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.3 1.3
Wassa Amenfi East 18,722 100.0 67.5 12.7 3.1 0.0 0.1 1.8 4.9 3.2 0.7 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.3 0.3
Wassa Amenfi West 34,311 100.0 70.5 3.8 7.4 0.1 0.1 1.8 5.6 2.7 0.6 0.0 0.3 0.0 0.4 0.2
Aowin/Suaman 31,601 100.0 82.8 0.7 2.2 0.1 0.0 1.3 5.3 1.9 0.3 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.2 0.1
Sefwi Akontombra 20,453 100.0 87.8 0.0 2.0 0.0 0.1 0.7 4.0 1.5 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1
Sefwi Wiawso 28,613 100.0 69.8 0.8 5.0 0.1 0.1 2.8 6.8 4.0 0.6 0.3 0.5 0.0 0.4 0.3
Sefwi Bibiani-Ahwiaso Bekwai 25,309 100.0 63.8 5.4 5.3 0.1 0.2 3.3 6.4 5.1 0.8 0.2 0.3 0.0 0.5 0.6
Juabeso 28,335 100.0 83.0 0.1 2.2 0.0 0.1 0.9 6.1 2.1 0.4 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.2 0.1
Bia 27,323 100.0 79.1 0.1 2.6 0.0 0.1 1.4 8.1 2.0 0.5 0.1 0.3 0.0 0.2 0.1
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

120
 Table 9.9: Employed persons 15 years and older by district, sex and industry (Cont’d)
Water Whole-
Elec- supply; sale and
tricity sewerage retail;
gas, waste repair of Acco- Adminis
Agricul- stream mana- motor mmo- Infor- Pro- -trative
ture and air gement vehicles Trans- dation mation Financial fessional and
forestry Mining Manu condi- and reme- and portatio and food and and Real scientific support
Per- and and -fac- tioning diation Cons- motor- n and service communi- insurance estate and tech. service
District Total cent fishing quarrying turing supply activities truction cycles storage actviities cation activities activities activities activities
Female
All Regions 5,237,942 100.0 38.3 0.4 12.5 0.1 0.2 0.2 24.9 0.3 9.3 0.2 0.5 0.0 0.7 0.3
Western 472,417 100.0 43.6 1.2 12.8 0.1 0.3 0.1 20.8 0.3 9.6 0.1 0.4 0.0 0.2 0.2
Jomoro 29,316 100.0 31.7 0.1 23.9 0.0 0.3 0.0 20.4 0.2 14.4 0.0 0.4 0.0 0.1 0.1
Ellembelle 15,414 100.0 31.5 1.3 16.2 0.0 0.6 0.1 22.9 0.1 15.7 0.0 0.4 0.0 0.1 0.1
Nzema East 11,917 100.0 49.8 1.4 15.8 0.1 0.8 0.1 14.8 0.1 10.0 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.1
Ahanta West 23,635 100.0 34.3 0.4 17.5 0.0 0.3 0.2 25.8 0.2 12.1 0.0 0.3 0.0 0.3 0.2
Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis 110,752 100.0 4.5 0.3 17.3 0.2 0.5 0.2 39.4 1.0 15.0 0.4 1.3 0.0 0.7 0.4
Kwesimintsim 44,743 100.0 5.9 0.3 15.4 0.2 0.4 0.3 39.6 1.0 14.4 0.4 1.5 0.0 0.9 0.4
Takoradi 20,409 100.0 1.6 0.2 16.4 0.2 0.5 0.1 37.9 1.6 17.8 0.5 1.3 0.0 0.6 0.3
Sekondi 14,397 100.0 1.8 0.2 17.5 0.1 0.6 0.2 40.6 0.8 15.0 0.3 1.0 0.0 0.8 0.4
Essikadu-Ketan 31,203 100.0 5.7 0.3 20.7 0.1 0.5 0.2 39.6 0.7 14.0 0.2 0.9 0.0 0.4 0.3
Shama 16,842 100.0 23.5 0.1 33.7 0.1 0.7 0.1 20.9 0.4 10.0 0.1 0.5 0.0 0.1 0.2
Mpohor-Wassa East 25,437 100.0 62.0 3.5 8.9 0.0 0.2 0.0 11.6 0.1 8.1 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1
Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal 15,959 100.0 31.3 6.3 12.5 0.0 0.3 0.2 24.2 0.1 14.2 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.2 0.2
Prestea/Huni Valley 31,129 100.0 42.9 6.6 10.0 0.0 0.2 0.1 22.2 0.1 9.8 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.1
Wassa Amenfi East 16,573 100.0 65.8 3.3 6.1 0.0 0.1 0.1 10.7 0.1 7.4 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1
Wassa Amenfi West 30,221 100.0 67.0 0.7 7.4 0.0 0.2 0.0 12.0 0.1 5.1 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.0
Aowin/Suaman 25,649 100.0 74.8 0.0 5.9 0.0 0.2 0.0 8.5 0.1 3.8 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0
Sefwi Akontombra 16,427 100.0 83.2 0.0 4.4 0.0 0.1 0.0 5.4 0.0 1.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0
Sefwi Wiawso 27,865 100.0 64.9 0.1 7.6 0.0 0.2 0.1 12.9 0.1 5.4 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.2 0.1
Sefwi Bibiani-Ahwiaso Bekwai 26,473 100.0 62.6 0.5 8.5 0.0 0.2 0.1 13.9 0.2 5.2 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.2 0.1
Juabeso 25,548 100.0 76.5 0.0 5.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 7.9 0.1 4.1 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1
Bia 23,260 100.0 71.2 0.0 6.7 0.0 0.1 0.1 10.0 0.1 4.7 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.0
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

121
Table 9.10: Employed persons 15 years and older by district, sex and status in employment
Self Self
employed employed Contributing Domestic
District without with Casual family employee
Total Percent Employee employee(s) employee(s) worker worker Apprentice (Househelp) Other
Both Sexes
All Regions 10,243,476 100.0 18.0 60.1 4.9 2.0 11.7 2.7 0.6 0.2
Western 960,561 100.0 19.1 59.3 4.3 2.9 11.4 2.3 0.6 0.2
Jomoro 57,039 100.0 15.2 66.7 4.0 2.3 8.5 2.4 0.6 0.2
Ellembelle 29,567 100.0 17.3 69.0 3.1 2.8 4.9 2.2 0.6 0.1
Nzema East 23,453 100.0 12.8 64.9 3.3 3.9 13.4 1.1 0.5 0.1
Ahanta West 44,029 100.0 19.9 63.5 4.2 2.8 5.8 3.1 0.6 0.1
Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis 215,273 100.0 36.6 47.2 6.5 2.4 3.0 3.7 0.5 0.2
Kwesimintsim 87,989 100.0 35.5 48.0 7.3 2.0 2.8 3.7 0.5 0.2
Takoradi 39,630 100.0 41.1 42.6 6.8 2.6 2.6 3.7 0.5 0.1
Sekondi 26,931 100.0 39.5 46.3 6.1 2.5 2.2 2.8 0.4 0.2
Essikadu-Ketan 60,723 100.0 33.9 49.5 5.2 2.7 4.0 4.1 0.4 0.2
Shama 30,526 100.0 21.0 63.1 4.6 1.9 5.6 3.2 0.3 0.1
Mpohor-Wassa East 52,046 100.0 14.4 64.2 3.4 2.8 13.5 1.1 0.6 0.1
Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal 35,319 100.0 25.8 56.6 3.7 3.8 7.3 2.1 0.6 0.1
Prestea/Huni Valley 66,626 100.0 15.8 62.3 3.1 3.4 12.5 2.0 0.7 0.2
Wassa Amenfi East 35,295 100.0 9.3 67.0 3.2 4.6 13.6 1.4 0.7 0.1
Wassa Amenfi West 64,532 100.0 11.8 65.8 2.6 2.3 15.1 1.4 0.8 0.1
Aowin/Suaman 57,250 100.0 8.7 63.8 4.3 3.2 17.4 1.5 0.8 0.2
Sefwi Akontombra 36,880 100.0 8.0 60.7 4.0 5.4 19.5 1.1 0.8 0.3
Sefwi Wiawso 56,478 100.0 12.5 67.2 3.0 1.6 13.2 1.5 0.8 0.2
Sefwi Bibiani-Ahwiaso Bekwai 51,782 100.0 12.7 66.5 3.0 1.7 12.9 2.4 0.6 0.2
Juabeso 53,883 100.0 10.7 50.5 4.1 2.6 29.6 1.7 0.7 0.2
Bia 50,583 100.0 13.8 54.3 5.0 5.0 18.4 2.3 1.0 0.2
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

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Table 9.10: Employed persons 15 years and older by district, sex and status in employment (Cont’d)

Self Self
employed employed Contributing Domestic
District without with Casual family employee
Total Percent Employee employee(s) employee(s) worker worker Apprentice (Househelp) Other
MALE
All Regions 5,005,534 100.0 25.0 54.6 5.6 2.7 8.8 2.5 0.6 0.2
Western 488,144 100.0 27.4 53.8 4.8 4.2 7.2 1.8 0.6 0.2
Jomoro 27,723 100.0 24.3 57.9 4.9 3.9 6.3 1.9 0.7 0.2
Ellembelle 14,153 100.0 26.4 59.7 3.9 4.5 2.7 1.9 0.7 0.1
Nzema East 11,536 100.0 18.9 59.9 4.0 5.7 9.7 1.1 0.5 0.1
Ahanta West 20,394 100.0 32.0 49.3 5.5 4.5 4.7 3.3 0.6 0.1
Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis 104,521 100.0 52.3 30.6 7.3 3.6 1.8 3.8 0.4 0.2
Kwesimintsim 43,246 100.0 48.6 33.7 8.5 3.1 1.8 3.8 0.4 0.2
Takoradi 19,221 100.0 57.7 25.9 6.8 3.8 1.3 3.9 0.5 0.2
Sekondi 12,534 100.0 57.7 26.6 6.5 4.5 1.4 2.7 0.3 0.2
Essikadu-Ketan 29,520 100.0 51.8 30.8 6.2 4.1 2.4 4.1 0.4 0.3
Shama 13,684 100.0 35.3 48.1 6.1 3.2 3.7 3.3 0.3 0.2
Mpohor-Wassa East 26,609 100.0 21.0 61.4 4.0 3.9 8.2 0.9 0.5 0.1
Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal 19,360 100.0 37.4 48.0 3.9 5.0 3.8 1.3 0.5 0.0
Prestea/Huni Valley 35,497 100.0 23.4 58.2 3.7 4.5 8.0 1.4 0.7 0.2
Wassa Amenfi East 18,722 100.0 12.9 66.5 3.5 6.9 8.6 0.8 0.7 0.1
Wassa Amenfi West 34,311 100.0 16.8 66.7 2.8 3.4 8.8 0.7 0.7 0.2
Aowin/Suaman 31,601 100.0 11.4 67.7 4.7 4.2 10.2 0.7 0.8 0.2
Sefwi Akontombra 20,453 100.0 11.1 65.0 4.2 6.3 11.8 0.6 0.8 0.4
Sefwi Wiawso 28,613 100.0 18.3 65.9 3.2 2.4 8.4 0.9 0.7 0.2
Sefwi Bibiani-Ahwiaso Bekwai 25,309 100.0 20.0 63.6 3.2 2.7 8.2 1.5 0.6 0.1
Juabeso 28,335 100.0 15.1 55.6 4.2 4.1 19.4 0.9 0.6 0.1
Bia 27,323 100.0 18.8 57.0 5.2 6.7 9.7 1.2 1.1 0.2
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

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Table 9.10: Employed persons 15 years and older by district, sex and status in employment (Cont’d)

Self Self
employed employed Contributing Domestic
without with Casual family employee
District Total Percent Employee employee(s) employee(s) worker worker Apprentice (Househelp) Other
FEMALE
All Regions 5,237,942 100.0 11.2 65.3 4.2 1.2 14.4 2.9 0.7 0.1
Western 472,417 100.0 10.5 65.0 3.8 1.5 15.6 2.8 0.7 0.2
Jomoro 29,316 100.0 6.7 75.1 3.2 0.9 10.5 2.9 0.6 0.2
Ellembelle 15,414 100.0 8.9 77.5 2.4 1.2 7.0 2.3 0.6 0.1
Nzema East 11,917 100.0 6.9 69.8 2.5 2.0 17.1 1.1 0.4 0.2
Ahanta West 23,635 100.0 9.5 75.7 3.2 1.4 6.8 2.8 0.5 0.1
Sekondi Takoradi
Metropolis 110,752 100.0 21.8 62.9 5.8 1.2 4.1 3.6 0.5 0.2
Kwesimintsim 44,743 100.0 22.9 61.8 6.2 1.0 3.8 3.6 0.6 0.2
Takoradi 20,409 100.0 25.5 58.3 6.9 1.5 3.7 3.5 0.6 0.1
Sekondi 14,397 100.0 23.6 63.5 5.8 0.8 2.8 2.9 0.5 0.1
Essikadu-Ketan 31,203 100.0 17.0 67.2 4.3 1.4 5.5 4.1 0.5 0.2
Shama 16,842 100.0 9.5 75.3 3.5 1.0 7.2 3.2 0.3 0.1
Mpohor-Wassa East 25,437 100.0 7.5 67.1 2.7 1.6 18.9 1.3 0.7 0.1
Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal 15,959 100.0 11.7 67.0 3.5 2.4 11.5 3.1 0.7 0.1
Prestea/Huni Valley 31,129 100.0 7.3 67.0 2.4 2.0 17.6 2.8 0.8 0.2
Wassa Amenfi East 16,573 100.0 5.3 67.6 2.9 2.1 19.2 2.0 0.7 0.2
Wassa Amenfi West 30,221 100.0 6.1 64.9 2.5 1.1 22.3 2.3 0.9 0.1
Aowin/Suaman 25,649 100.0 5.4 58.9 3.8 2.0 26.2 2.6 0.8 0.2
Sefwi Akontombra 16,427 100.0 4.2 55.4 3.9 4.3 29.2 1.8 0.9 0.3
Sefwi Wiawso 27,865 100.0 6.5 68.6 2.8 0.9 18.1 2.1 0.8 0.1
Sefwi Bibiani-Ahwiaso
Bekwai 26,473 100.0 5.8 69.2 2.8 0.8 17.4 3.2 0.7 0.2
Juabeso 25,548 100.0 5.9 44.8 3.9 1.0 40.9 2.6 0.7 0.3
Bia 23,260 100.0 7.9 51.1 4.7 3.0 28.5 3.6 1.0 0.2
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

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9.7 Employment Sector
Six categories are provided for sector of employment, namely, public/government, private
formal, private informal, semi-public/parastal, NGOs (local and international) and other
international organizations. The private informal sector accounts for over 80 percent in all
districts except Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis (69.3%) and Tarkwa Nsuaem (78.9%). Females
dominate this sector.
The public (6.2%) and private formal (7.6%) sectors contribute relatively, significant
numbers to employment of persons 15 years and older for the Region as well as the Districts.
The proportions of employed in private formal sector is particularly important in Sekondi-
Takoradi Metropolis and Tarkwa/Nsuaem, employing 15.3 percent and 16.7 percent
respectively. Males dominate employment in both sectors in all Districts.

Table 9.11: Employed persons 15 years and older by district, sex and sector of
employment
Other
Semi- NGOs Inter-
Public Public/ (Local national
Per- (Govern- Private Private Para- and Inter- Organi-
District Total cent ment) Formal Informal statal national) sations
Both Sexes
All Regions 10,243,476 100.0 6.2 6.8 86.2 0.1 0.5 0.0
Western 960,561 100.0 6.2 7.6 85.5 0.2 0.5 0.0
Jomoro 57,039 100.0 4.5 3.7 91.3 0.1 0.5 0.0
Ellembelle 29,567 100.0 6.3 5.9 86.9 0.3 0.5 0.0
Nzema East 23,453 100.0 5.5 4.0 90.1 0.0 0.4 -
Ahanta West 44,029 100.0 4.8 9.1 85.2 0.3 0.5 0.0
Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis 215,273 100.0 14.1 15.3 69.3 0.3 0.9 0.1
Kwesimintsim 87,989 100.0 11.4 16.3 70.8 0.3 1.1 0.1
Takoradi 39,630 100.0 20.0 14.6 64.4 0.3 0.7 0.1
Sekondi 26,931 100.0 18.7 13.7 66.4 0.2 1.0 0.1
Essikadu-Ketan 60,723 100.0 12.0 15.1 71.8 0.3 0.8 0.0
Shama 30,526 100.0 6.2 6.3 86.5 0.4 0.6 0.0
Mpohor-Wassa East 52,046 100.0 3.7 7.0 88.9 0.1 0.3 0.0
Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal 35,319 100.0 3.9 16.7 78.9 0.1 0.3 0.1
Prestea/Huni Valley 66,626 100.0 2.9 7.5 89.1 0.1 0.4 0.0
Wassa Amenfi East 35,295 100.0 3.0 2.0 94.6 0.0 0.3 -
Wassa Amenfi West 64,532 100.0 3.8 6.0 89.8 0.0 0.4 -
Aowin/Suaman 57,250 100.0 3.1 2.3 94.1 0.1 0.4 -
Sefwi Akontombra 36,880 100.0 2.1 2.2 95.4 0.0 0.3 0.0
Sefwi Wiawso 56,478 100.0 4.8 5.7 89.0 0.1 0.4 0.0
Sefwi Bibiani-Ahwiaso Bekwai 51,782 100.0 4.6 5.2 89.3 0.5 0.3 0.0
Juabeso 53,883 100.0 2.8 2.2 94.5 0.0 0.4 0.0
Bia 50,583 100.0 3.1 2.3 94.2 0.1 0.3 0.0
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

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Table 9.11: Employed persons 15 years and older by district, sex and sector of
employment (Cont’d)
Other
Semi- NGOs Inter-
Public Public/ (Local national
Per- (Govern- Private Private Para- and Inter- Organi-
District Total cent ment) Formal Informal statal national) sations
Male
All Regions 5,005,534 100.0 8.1 9.7 81.2 0.2 0.7 0.1
Western 488,144 100.0 8.1 11.3 79.6 0.3 0.7 0.0
Jomoro 27,723 100.0 6.8 5.4 87.0 0.1 0.7 0.0
Ellembelle 14,153 100.0 8.9 9.4 80.5 0.4 0.8 0.0
Nzema East 11,536 100.0 7.0 5.5 87.0 0.0 0.5 -
Ahanta West 20,394 100.0 6.8 14.3 77.8 0.4 0.7 0.0
Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis 104,521 100.0 18.7 23.0 56.3 0.5 1.5 0.1
Kwesimintsim 43,246 100.0 14.1 23.2 60.4 0.4 1.8 0.1
Takoradi 19,221 100.0 28.0 21.4 49.0 0.5 1.0 0.1
Sekondi 12,534 100.0 25.0 21.8 51.1 0.3 1.6 0.2
Essikadu-Ketan 29,520 100.0 16.6 24.4 57.2 0.5 1.2 0.0
Shama 13,684 100.0 9.0 10.5 78.6 0.8 1.0 0.0
Mpohor-Wassa East 26,609 100.0 5.0 11.1 83.4 0.1 0.4 0.0
Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal 19,360 100.0 4.6 25.2 69.5 0.1 0.4 0.1
Prestea/Huni Valley 35,497 100.0 3.8 12.0 83.6 0.1 0.5 0.0
Wassa Amenfi East 18,722 100.0 3.8 2.7 93.0 0.1 0.4 -
Wassa Amenfi West 34,311 100.0 4.9 8.8 85.8 0.0 0.5 -
Aowin/Suaman 31,601 100.0 3.9 2.9 92.7 0.1 0.5 -
Sefwi Akontombra 20,453 100.0 2.7 2.8 94.1 0.0 0.3 0.0
Sefwi Wiawso 28,613 100.0 6.5 8.5 84.3 0.1 0.6 0.0
Sefwi Bibiani-Ahwiaso Bekwai 25,309 100.0 6.4 8.6 83.4 1.0 0.5 0.1
Juabeso 28,335 100.0 3.7 2.9 92.8 0.0 0.5 0.0
Bia 27,323 100.0 4.2 3.2 92.0 0.1 0.4 -
FEMALE
All Regions 5,237,942 100.0 4.5 4.1 91.0 0.1 0.3 0.0
Western 472,417 100.0 4.2 3.8 91.6 0.1 0.3 0.0
Jomoro 29,316 100.0 2.3 2.0 95.3 0.1 0.4 -
Ellembelle 15,414 100.0 4.0 2.6 92.8 0.3 0.3 0.0
Nzema East 11,917 100.0 4.0 2.6 93.1 0.0 0.4 -
Ahanta West 23,635 100.0 3.0 4.7 91.7 0.2 0.4 -
Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis 110,752 100.0 9.7 8.0 81.7 0.1 0.4 0.0
Kwesimintsim 44,743 100.0 8.8 9.7 80.9 0.1 0.4 0.0
Takoradi 20,409 100.0 12.4 8.2 78.9 0.1 0.4 0.0
Sekondi 14,397 100.0 13.2 6.5 79.6 0.1 0.6 0.0
Essikadu-Ketan 31,203 -00.0 7.7 6.3 85.5 0.1 0.3 0.0
Shama 16,842 100.0 3.8 2.8 92.9 0.1 0.3 0.0
Mpohor-Wassa East 25,437 100.0 2.4 2.7 94.7 0.1 0.2 -
Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal 15,959 100.0 3.1 6.3 90.3 0.1 0.2 0.0
Prestea/Huni Valley 31,129 100.0 1.9 2.4 95.4 0.0 0.3 0.0
Wassa Amenfi East 16,573 100.0 2.1 1.3 96.4 0.0 0.2 -
Wassa Amenfi West 30,221 100.0 2.6 2.8 94.3 0.0 0.3 -
Aowin/Suaman 25,649 100.0 2.2 1.7 95.9 0.1 0.3 -
Sefwi Akontombra 16,427 100.0 1.4 1.4 97.0 0.0 0.2 -
Sefwi Wiawso 27,865 100.0 3.0 2.9 93.7 0.0 0.3 -
Sefwi Bibiani-Ahwiaso Bekwai 26,473 100.0 2.9 1.9 94.9 0.1 0.2 0.0
Juabeso 25,548 100.0 1.8 1.5 96.5 0.0 0.3 0.0
Bia 23,260 100.0 1.7 1.4 96.6 0.0 0.2 0.0
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

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 CHAPTER TEN
DISABILITY

10.1 Introduction
After many years of advocacy, data on disability were collected in the 2010 PHC. This
provides a comprehensive data base on Persons with disability (PWD) because of the
possibility of providing such data for small geographic areas as well as by cross classification
of disability data by various social, demographic and economic varaibles. The data are
needed for planning the special needs of PWDs.

10.2 Population with Disability by District

There are 66,016 PWD in this region, and they constituted 2.8 percent of the population
compared with 3.0 percen at the national level. For the Districts, the percentages range from
1.0 percent in Bia to 5.3 percent in Mpohor-Wassa East. Nine Districts recorded values
higher than the Regional figure while 10 Districts had values below the Regional average
(Table 10.1).

Table 10.1: Persons with disability by district and age

Population with
Total disability Age group
District
Poplation Prop. All 0- 15- 25- 35- 45- 55-
Num. of Pop ages 14 24 34 44 54 64 65+
Ghana 24,658,823 737,743 3.0 100.0 18.0 13.5 12.5 11.8 12.2 10.0 22.2
Western 2,376,021 66,016 2.8 100.0 18.1 13.7 13.2 12.4 13.0 10.3 19.2
Jomoro 150,107 4,812 3.2 100.0 18.4 11.8 12.0 12.9 12.7 9.9 22.3
Ellembelle 87,501 1,428 1.6 100.0 16.5 12.3 11.3 11.3 12.3 10.2 26.1
Nzema East 60,828 1,505 2.5 100.0 19.9 12.8 13.5 12.8 11.7 10.0 19.3
Ahanta West 106,215 3,039 2.9 100.0 14.2 13.5 11.8 12.3 12.0 11.7 24.5
Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis 559,548 16,689 3.0 100.0 14.2 14.9 13.7 12.2 13.5 12.0 19.6
Kwesimintsim 232,617 8,083 3.5 100.0 14.0 16.2 14.2 12.8 14.2 12.2 16.3
Takoradi 97,352 2,913 3.0 100.0 8.2 12.3 16.9 13.4 15.1 13.6 20.6
Sekondi 70,361 3,429 4.9 100.0 15.3 14.1 11.5 11.0 12.5 11.2 24.6
Essikadu-Ketan 159,218 2,264 1.4 100.0 20.7 14.8 11.0 10.1 10.6 10.6 22.2
Shama 81,966 1,900 2.3 100.0 12.4 12.5 11.8 12.0 13.3 11.4 26.6
Mpohor-Wassa East 123,996 6,510 5.3 100.0 19.1 13.5 13.6 13.1 13.9 10.6 16.2
Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal 90,477 2,790 3.1 100.0 22.5 14.1 14.3 13.5 14.7 8.1 12.9
Prestea/Huni Valley 159,304 6,305 4.0 100.0 17.2 12.1 13.1 12.5 15.4 11.3 18.4
Wassa Amenfi East 83,478 3,711 4.4 100.0 19.4 14.4 14.0 12.1 12.1 10.1 18.0
Wassa Amenfi West 161,166 2,649 1.6 100.0 20.0 13.0 12.9 11.4 13.0 8.2 21.6
Aowin/Suaman 138,415 3,148 2.3 100.0 33.5 13.6 13.8 11.6 9.3 6.3 11.9
Sefwi Akontombra 82,467 2,135 2.6 100.0 17.6 14.6 18.0 14.0 12.6 8.9 14.3
Sefwi Wiawso 139,200 2,077 1.5 100.0 20.8 12.4 11.3 11.8 10.8 9.1 23.7
Sefwi Bibiani-Ahwiaso Bekwai 123,272 4,797 3.9 100.0 17.4 14.2 11.1 12.2 12.8 9.8 22.6
Juabeso 111,749 1,389 1.2 100.0 20.4 16.5 13.3 12.9 9.4 8.5 18.9
Bia 116,332 1,132 1.0 100.0 28.4 17.5 15.7 13.1 9.4 7.0 9.0
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

127
10.2.1 Population with Disability by District and Age
Persons aged 65 years and older recorded the highest proportion of PWD by in 12 districts.
However, in seven districts the highest proportions of PWDs are within 0 – 14 years. Only
one District, Sefwi Akontombra recorded a high figure for those within 25 – 34 years. The
majority of Districts (17) recorded low figures of PWD especially for those within 55 – 64
years. Sekondi and Essikadu-Ketan were the only two who recorded low fugures for those
within 35 – 44 year age group.

10.2.2 Population with Disability by District and Sex

The difference between the sexes was less than 1 percent in only two Districts- Nzema East
and Prestea Huni Valley. Sefwi Akontombra recorded the largest difference of males over
females (10.7%). All coastal Districts had a higher proportion of males with disability than
females. Sefwi Bibiani Ahwiawso Bekwai was the only District with a similar (large)
proportion which was not a coastal District.

Table 10.2: Persons with disability by sex

Total Male Female
District Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent
All Regions 737,743 100.0 350,096 47.5 387,647 52.5
Western 66,016 100.0 32,641 49.4 33,375 50.6
Jomoro 4,812 100.0 2,241 46.6 2,571 53.4
Ellembelle 1,428 100.0 689 48.2 739 51.8
Nzema East 1,505 100.0 750 49.8 755 50.2
Ahanta West 3,039 100.0 1,399 46.0 1,640 54.0
Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis 16,689 100.0 7,934 47.5 8,755 52.5
Kwesimintsim 8,083 100.0 3,605 44.6 4,478 55.4
Takoradi 2,913 100.0 1,504 51.6 1,409 48.4
Sekondi 3,429 100.0 1,701 49.6 1,728 50.4
Essikadu-Ketan 2,264 100.0 1,124 49.6 1,140 50.4
Shama 1,900 100.0 886 46.6 1,014 53.4
Mpohor-Wassa East 6,510 100.0 3,290 50.5 3,220 49.5
Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal 2,790 100.0 1,430 51.3 1,360 48.7
Prestea/Huni Valley 6,305 100.0 3,150 50.0 3,155 50.0
Wassa Amenfi East 3,711 100.0 1,888 50.9 1,823 49.1
Wassa Amenfi West 2,649 100.0 1,427 53.9 1,222 46.1
Aowin/Suaman 3,148 100.0 1,661 52.8 1,487 47.2
Sefwi Akontombra 2,135 100.0 1,182 55.4 953 44.6
Sefwi Wiawso 2,077 100.0 1,068 51.4 1,009 48.6
Sefwi Bibiani-Ahwiaso Bekwai 4,797 100.0 2,286 47.7 2,511 52.3
Juabeso 1,389 100.0 742 53.4 647 46.6
Bia 1,132 100.0 618 54.6 514 45.4
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

10.2.3 Population with Disability by District and Marital Status

The distribution of PWD by marital status in the districts follows a pattern similar to what
prevails at both the national and Regional levels (Table 10.3). About 40 percent of PWDs
were married, while over 20 percent never married. In the Region, 14 percent were widowed,
while 10% had divorced. The highest proportion of married PWD was recorded by Sefwi
Ankontombra (52.0%) and the lowest in Ellembelle (32.5%). The proportion never married
was between 21.2 percent (Ellembelle) and 34.8% (Bia).

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Bia (6.9%), Aowin/Suaman (7.0%) and Sefwi Akontombra (8.7%) had the lowest widow and
divorce rates of less than 10 percent, while Shama (19.8%) and Ellembelle (19.5%) recorded
the highest widow rates of nearly 20 percent. Jomoro (14.1%) and Ellembelle (13.7%) also
had the highest divorce rates.

Table 10.3: Persons with disability by marital status

Informal/
Consensual
union/
Never Living
District Total Percent married together Married Separated Divorced Widowed
All regions 632,718 100.0 27.3 4.4 40.3 3.4 7.8 16.8
Western 56,518 100.0 26.0 3.4 43.2 2.9 10.2 14.2
Jomoro 4,072 100.0 21.2 3.7 42.1 3.8 14.1 15.0
Ellembelle 1,243 100.0 29.3 1.9 32.5 4.3 12.5 19.5
Nzema East 1,273 100.0 25.7 6.2 39.3 4.6 9.0 15.2
Ahanta West 2,713 100.0 22.0 3.8 38.4 3.3 13.7 18.7
Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis 14,884 100.0 30.9 2.8 38.5 3.1 8.3 16.4
Kwesimintsim 7,212 100.0 29.1 3.6 43.6 2.5 7.2 14.0
Takoradi 2,743 100.0 31.0 2.6 35.0 3.4 9.8 18.2
Sekondi 3,016 100.0 32.2 1.1 33.8 3.2 9.9 19.7
Essikadu-Ketan 1,913 100.0 35.3 2.7 31.8 4.5 8.2 17.4
Shama 1,726 100.0 24.2 1.7 38.2 3.0 13.2 19.8
Mpohor-Wassa East 5,571 100.0 25.1 3.6 45.6 2.8 10.1 12.7
Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal 2,253 100.0 25.8 4.0 47.4 2.4 9.4 11.1
Prestea/Huni Valley 5,456 100.0 21.0 3.8 48.6 2.8 10.1 13.8
Wassa Amenfi East 3,157 100.0 24.0 5.1 46.8 2.5 9.4 12.2
Wassa Amenfi West 2,215 100.0 25.6 3.6 44.9 2.6 10.3 13.0
Aowin/Suaman 2,222 100.0 26.6 4.3 51.5 2.4 8.2 7.0
Sefwi Akontombra 1,837 100.0 22.8 5.1 52.0 2.8 8.6 8.7
Sefwi Wiawso 1,734 100.0 26.1 1.5 42.6 2.2 13.0 14.6
Sefwi Bibiani-Ahwiaso-
Bekwai 4,125 100.0 24.1 2.6 46.6 2.3 11.4 12.9
Juabeso 1,155 100.0 29.0 2.9 42.5 1.5 12.9 11.3
Bia 882 100.0 34.8 5.2 43.3 3.6 6.1 6.9
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

10.2.4 Population with Disability by District and Type of Locality

A close analysis of the data by type of locality (Table 10.4) shows that the difference between
rural and urban areas is small. It is only in Sefwi Bibiani Ahwiaso Bekwai that the difference
is higher than 2.0 percent.

129
Table 10.4: Persons with disability by district and type of locality
Total Urban Rural
District Population Percen- Population Percen- Population Percen-
with tage with with tage with with tage with
Total Disability disability Total Disability disability Total Disability disability
Western 2,376,021 66,016 2.8 1,007,969 26,801 2.7 1,368,052 39,215 2.9
Jomoro 150,107 4,812 3.2 53,084 1,294 2.4 97,023 3,518 3.6
Ellembelle 87,501 1,428 1.6 18,010 322 1.8 69,491 1,106 1.6
Nzema East 60,828 1,505 2.5 20,655 416 2 40,173 1,089 2.7
Ahanta West 106,215 3,039 2.9 31,286 592 1.9 74,929 2,447 3.3
Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis 559,548 16,689 3 537,475 16,309 3 22,073 380 1.7
Kwesimintsim 232,617 8,083 3.5 224,876 7,961 3.5 7,741 122 1.6
Takoradi 97,352 2,913 3 97,352 2,913 3 - - -
Sekondi 70,361 3,429 4.9 70,361 3,429 4.9 - - -
Essikadu-Ketan 159,218 2,264 1.4 144,886 2,006 1.4 14,332 258 1.8
Shama 81,966 1,900 2.3 46,070 1,066 2.3 35,896 834 2.3
Mpohor-Wassa East 123,996 6,510 5.3 17,065 906 5.3 106,931 5,604 5.2
Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal 90,477 2,790 3.1 27,405 790 2.9 63,072 2,000 3.2
Prestea/Huni Valley 159,304 6,305 4 59,093 1,807 3.1 100,211 4,498 4.5
Wassa Amenfi East 83,478 3,711 4.4 5,750 330 5.7 77,728 3,381 4.3
Wassa Amenfi West 161,166 2,649 1.6 44,203 617 1.4 116,963 2,032 1.7
Aowin/Suaman 138,415 3,148 2.3 19,724 307 1.6 118,691 2,841 2.4
Sefwi Akontombra 82,467 2,135 2.6 7,287 96 1.3 75,180 2,039 2.7
Sefwi Wiawso 139,200 2,077 1.5 49,825 733 1.5 89,375 1,344 1.5
Sefwi Bibiani-Ahwiaso 123,272 4,797 3.9 35,137 837 2.4 88,135 3,960 4.5
Juabeso 111,749 1,389 1.2 12,547 101 0.8 99,202 1,288 1.3
Bia 116,332 1,132 1 23,353 278 1.2 92,979 854 0.9
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

130
10.2.5 Population with Disability by District and level of Education
The distribution of PWD by level of education (Table 10.5) in the Region indicated a similar
national trend, where about 40 percent had never attended school. Secondary, Post
Secondary, Vocational/Technical/Commercial and Tertiary followed in that order with
declining percentages with differences across Districts.
Shama which is relatively highly urbanized recorded the highest proportion (51.7%) of those
who had never attended school, as well as the lowest rates for pre-primary (1.8%) and basic
(38.0%) education.
Sekondi Takoradi Metro had the highest proportions of persons with Secondary,
Vocational/Technical/Commercial, Post Secondary and Tertiary education. Apart from
Tarkwa Nsuaem which recorded a little above a 1.0 percentage point for tertiary education,
all other districts recorded less than 1.0 percent.

Table 10.5: Persons with disability by level of education

Sec./ Voc./
Never Pre- Basic SSS/ Tech./ Post- Ter-
District Total attended primary sch. SHS Comm Sec. tiary
All Regions 713,400 40.1 3.4 43.5 6.5 2.0 3.1 1.4
Western 63,563 36.5 3.7 47.1 6.4 2.0 3.5 0.9
Jomoro 4,544 46.2 3.2 41.2 5.5 1.0 2.6 0.4
Ellembelle 1,379 46.5 3.1 40.8 6.1 1.2 1.8 0.6
Nzema East 1,424 45.2 3.4 45.3 3.1 0.7 1.8 0.6
Ahanta West 2,970 47.8 3.2 42.3 2.6 1.2 2.4 0.4
Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis 16,177 22.6 2.5 48.3 11.5 4.7 8.2 2.3
Kwesimintsim 7,821 20.8 2.5 47.4 12.0 5.1 9.4 2.8
Takoradi 2,861 23.6 0.7 47.9 11.9 5.5 8.6 1.9
Sekondi 3,323 21.0 2.8 51.4 11.3 4.3 7.2 2.1
Essikadu-Ketan 2,172 30.4 4.1 47.0 9.5 2.9 4.4 1.6
Shama 1,870 51.7 1.8 38.0 4.3 1.2 2.2 0.9
Mpohor-Wassa East 6,279 37.4 4.0 52.1 3.3 0.9 2.1 0.2
Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal 2,683 30.2 4.7 53.2 6.5 1.7 2.5 1.3
Prestea/Huni Valley 6,133 34.7 4.0 52.8 5.4 1.3 1.7 0.2
Wassa Amenfi East 3,605 36.7 3.8 53.1 4.1 0.8 1.4 0.1
Wassa Amenfi West 2,539 42.5 4.4 45.3 4.8 1.0 1.7 0.3
Aowin/Suaman 2,856 43.9 8.6 41.5 3.9 0.5 1.4 0.2
Sefwi Akontombra 2,085 47.0 3.3 44.9 3.6 0.2 1.0 -
Sefwi Wiawso 1,991 44.2 4.4 41.5 5.5 1.1 2.5 0.8
Sefwi Bibiani-Ahwiaso Bekwai 4,633 40.7 4.3 45.4 5.2 1.4 2.4 0.6
Juabeso 1,324 47.8 4.5 41.6 4.6 0.8 0.6 0.1
Bia 1,071 39.7 6.7 45.1 6.7 0.7 0.7 0.4
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

10.2.6 Population with Disability by District and Literacy Status

The proportion of illiterate persons ranged from 23.2 percent in Sekondi Takoradi Metro to
52.9 percent in Shama. The high illiteracy rate in the latter was partly influenced by low level
of basic education and high proportions of persons who had never attended school.

The most common literacy was in English and a Ghanaian Language.

131
Table 10.6: Persons with disability by literacy status
English
None Ghanaian and
(Not English language Ghanaian
District Total Percent literate) only only language Other
All Regions 640,662 100.0 42.0 14.3 7.5 35.3 0.9
Western 57,205 100.0 38.2 17.9 6.2 36.8 0.9
Jomoro 4,133 100.0 49.0 12.2 4.6 32.2 2.0
Ellembelle 1,258 100.0 49.4 7.0 5.6 36.6 1.4
Nzema East 1,290 100.0 47.3 13.6 4.0 34.3 0.9
Ahanta West 2,743 100.0 49.7 19.6 3.9 26.1 0.7
Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis 15,025 100.0 23.2 26.7 4.7 44.0 1.4
Kwesimintsim 7,277 100.0 21.1 28.1 4.6 44.7 1.5
Takoradi 2,757 100.0 23.7 28.7 5.9 40.8 0.9
Sekondi 3,063 100.0 22.3 24.0 3.7 48.5 1.5
Essikadu-Ketan 1,928 100.0 31.9 22.8 5.2 38.7 0.3
Shama 1,740 100.0 52.9 14.1 2.8 29.7 0.6
Mpohor-Wassa East 5,649 100.0 38.9 18.6 5.7 36.3 0.4
Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal 2,292 100.0 31.9 21.4 7.5 38.7 0.5
Prestea/Huni Valley 5,518 100.0 36.6 17.7 7.8 37.3 0.6
Wassa Amenfi East 3,197 100.0 39.3 18.1 10.9 30.9 0.8
Wassa Amenfi West 2,237 100.0 45.5 9.6 9.1 35.4 0.4
Aowin/Suaman 2,257 100.0 49.8 12.6 5.0 31.7 0.8
Sefwi Akontombra 1,858 100.0 47.7 8.7 7.8 35.6 0.3
Sefwi Wiawso 1,763 100.0 47.2 10.3 5.4 36.6 0.4
Sefwi Bibiani-Ahwiaso Bekwai 4,177 100.0 43.2 11.3 8.9 36.0 0.6
Juabeso 1,174 100.0 50.9 13.6 6.6 28.3 0.5
Bia 894 100.0 42.3 9.5 7.6 38.1 2.5
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

10.2.7 Population with Disability by District and Economic Activity Status

On the whole, employment rates among PWD appeared to be lower while unemployment rate
was higher among coastal districts.

132
Table 10.7: Persons with disability by economic activity status
Economic Activity Status
District N % Employed Unemployed Not active
All Regions 54,055 100.0 55.7 2.6 41.7
Western 3,926 100.0 49.1 2.4 48.5
Jomoro 1,192 100.0 30.7 1.9 67.4
Ellembelle 1,206 100.0 50.7 2.5 46.8
Nzema East 2,608 100.0 49.3 3.9 46.8
Ahanta West 14,322 100.0 43.9 4.9 51.1
Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis 6,948 100.0 50.1 5.3 44.6
Kwesimintsim 2,673 100.0 40.5 3.8 55.7
Takoradi 2,906 100.0 38.0 5.8 56.2
Sekondi 1,795 100.0 34.8 3.7 61.5
Essikadu-Ketan 1,664 100.0 44.0 2.5 53.5
Shama 5,266 100.0 66.2 1.5 32.3
Mpohor-Wassa East 2,163 100.0 60.9 2.8 36.2
Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal 5,219 100.0 66.8 1.4 31.8
Prestea/Huni Valley 2,992 100.0 67.1 2.0 30.9
Wassa Amenfi East 2,119 100.0 59.3 1.2 39.5
Wassa Amenfi West 2,094 100.0 65.8 1.9 32.3
Aowin/Suaman 1,760 100.0 76.9 0.4 22.7
Sefwi Akontombra 1,645 100.0 54.3 0.7 45.0
Sefwi Wiawso 3,963 100.0 64.5 1.2 34.3
Sefwi Bibiani-Ahwiaso Bekwai 1,105 100.0 61.2 0.2 38.6
Juabeso 811 100.0 60.3 1.7 38.0
Bia 54,055 100.0 55.7 2.6 41.7
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

10.3 Type of Disability by District

Types of disability captured by the 2010 census include sight, physical, emotional,
intellectual, hearing, speech and other. This national pattern is maintained in the Region
(Table 10.8).

133
Table 10.8: Persons with disability by type and district
Total Sight Hearing Speech Physical Intellectual Emotional Other
All Regions 737,743 40.1 15.0 13.7 25.4 15.2 18.6 10.4
Western 66,016 41.6 13.2 13.7 25.2 14.8 16.3 9.3
Jomoro 4,812 36.6 12.6 12.1 30.5 12.8 11.1 18.3
Ellembelle 1,428 37.1 12.0 16.3 35.7 14.1 12.9 9.0
Nzema East 1,505 33.7 13.6 15.7 33.6 14.2 13.2 12.6
Ahanta West 3,039 42.7 12.9 12.0 34.1 9.8 8.8 8.9
Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis 16,689 42.6 11.2 13.9 23.5 17.8 17.5 8.0
Kwesimintsim 8,083 47.6 9.6 10.5 18.7 16.3 23.2 7.9
Takoradi 2,913 47.7 12.8 15.4 27.0 12.7 12.3 8.0
Sekondi 3,429 35.4 10.1 15.1 25.0 26.4 11.2 4.1
Essikadu-Ketan 2,264 29.1 16.3 22.6 33.8 16.6 13.8 14.2
Shama 1,900 29.9 12.7 14.7 41.6 15.9 14.8 8.0
Mpohor-Wassa East 6,510 45.1 12.6 10.9 23.5 11.1 23.0 7.9
Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal 2,790 36.1 10.3 15.9 20.8 24.3 16.9 5.1
Prestea/Huni Valley 6,305 52.8 14.6 13.0 24.6 12.7 10.9 7.3
Wassa Amenfi East 3,711 44.1 14.6 10.5 20.2 7.6 21.8 7.0
Wassa Amenfi West 2,649 37.9 15.1 16.5 29.5 15.4 14.0 8.6
Aowin/Suaman 3,148 33.5 16.4 16.9 20.2 24.5 12.0 13.2
Sefwi Akontombra 2,135 38.3 14.6 14.7 18.1 8.0 23.1 16.5
Sefwi Wiawso 2,077 43.2 17.2 15.5 26.1 13.9 12.6 8.6
Sefwi Bibiani-Ahwiaso Bekwai 4,797 44.5 12.6 10.1 19.7 13.6 19.1 7.1
Juabeso 1,389 34.8 15.5 19.0 29.3 16.9 16.9 9.8
Bia 1,132 36.2 20.8 26.3 27.8 16.2 20.0 13.1
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

Sight was the leading disability in all districts apart from Shama where physical was the most
common. The types of disability were ranked from 1 to 7 in each district (Table 10.8). The
disability with the highest proportion was ranked 1 and the lowest 7. A summary of the
ranking is as follows:

Table 10.9: Types of disability in districts by rank

Type of Rank, Number of districts

disability 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Total
Sight 16 1 0 0 0 0 0 17
Hearing 0 0 3 3 6 5 0 17
Speech 0 0 5 4 5 3 0 17
Physical 1 11 5 0 0 0 0 17
Intellectual 0 2 2 6 4 2 1 17
Emotional 0 2 2 3 3 4 3 17
Other 0 0 1 1 0 2 13 17
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

The second most common disability was physical and this was predominant in 11 districts.
Due to the varying ranks for the hearing, speech, intellectual and emotional disabilities, it is
not possible to generalize for the entire region.

134
 CHAPTER ELEVEN
AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITY

11.1 Introduction
The 2010 PHC is the first time data has been collected on agricultural activity in a population
census in Ghana. The chapter discusses households in agriculture by size of household, age
and sex of head of household and type of locality. Types of farming by head of household
and locality are also considered.

11.2 Households in Agriculture

Although about half of all the 553,634 households in the Region are involved in agriculture,
there are wide variations among Districts in the proportions engaged in Agricultral activity it
(Table 11.1). In ten Districts, the proportions are over 70 percent with Juabeso and Sefwi
Akontombra recording in excess of over 80 percent. The four coastal Districts recorded
between 45 to 55 percent of households. This is partly due to the fact that they are mostly
involved in marine fishing which was not captured as part of agriculture under this section.

The distribution of households in agriculture by District shows that the more urbanized
Districts have a smaller percentage of households in agriculture than less urbanized ones.
However, the distribution of households in agriculture by District follows the same pattern in
both rural and urban areas (Table 11.1b and 11.1c), with rural areas having higher
proportions of households in agriculture. In Sekondi and Takoradi which are completely
urban, only about 5 percent of households are engaged in agriculture.
The distribution of households in agriculture by household size shows little variation by
Districts for the entire Region as well as by locality of residence. The percentages of
households in agriculture fluctuate between 10 and 14.5 for households of sizes one to three,
but reaches a peak of 14 – 15 percent for four person households in 13 Districts and another
peak of 14–15 percent five persons households in five Districts. As household size increases
from six to nine, the percentages in agriculture decline.
Over 60 percent of all households in agriculture are headed by males. This pattern is
replicated in both urban and rural areas (Table 11.2).

135
Table 11.1: Households in agriculture by district, type of locality and household size

Region/District Household Size

All Agric. Av. Hh % Hhs
households households % 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10+ size in agric
All Regions 5,467,054 2,503,006 100.0 10.7 9.6 11.5 13.3 13.3 11.6 8.9 6.4 4.4 10.3 5.3 45.8
Western 553,634 275,975 100.0 11.6 10.9 12.9 14.4 13.9 11.7 8.8 5.9 3.7 6.2 4.8 49.8
Jomoro 34,502 15,409 100.0 12.3 10.6 12.1 14.2 13.2 11.0 8.7 6.2 3.8 7.8 5.0 44.7
Ellembelle 18,682 8,364 100.0 9.5 9.4 11.9 13.8 14.4 11.7 9.1 6.5 4.7 9.1 5.2 44.8
Nzema East 13,509 7,393 100.0 10.9 10.6 12.6 14.7 13.7 11.5 7.6 5.9 3.7 8.9 5.0 54.7
Ahanta West 26,095 12,325 100.0 13.5 11.4 13.7 15.2 14.1 11.9 7.7 5.5 2.9 4.0 4.5 47.2
Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis 142,560 13,655 100.0 12.7 11.0 12.8 14.2 14.4 12.0 8.7 5.4 3.4 5.4 4.7 9.6
Kwesimintsim 59,071 6,031 100.0 12.9 10.7 13.5 14.2 14.9 12.0 8.6 5.0 3.8 4.4 4.6 10.2
Takoradi 24,440 1,221 100.0 15.9 10.0 14.4 14.4 13.4 10.7 7.8 5.7 2.5 5.2 4.5 5.0
Sekondi 19,176 1,021 100.0 11.1 9.8 14.5 16.7 14.2 12.9 8.3 4.8 2.4 5.2 4.7 5.3
Essikadu-Ketan 39,873 5,382 100.0 12.0 11.8 11.3 13.7 14.1 12.1 9.2 6.0 3.2 6.7 4.9 13.5
Shama 19,291 5,601 100.0 10.1 11.0 12.3 15.5 15.5 13.3 8.8 5.9 3.2 4.5 4.8 29.0
Mpohor-Wassa East 30,196 22,060 100.0 14.7 11.7 13.3 15.0 13.4 11.1 7.9 5.4 3.1 4.3 4.5 73.1
Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal 21,713 8,469 100.0 11.6 10.9 12.4 14.6 14.0 12.4 8.8 5.6 3.7 5.9 4.8 39.0
Prestea/Huni Valley 38,295 19,904 100.0 13.7 11.7 12.8 13.7 13.9 11.4 8.4 5.9 3.3 5.1 4.6 52.0
Wassa Amenfi East 18,620 14,632 100.0 11.6 11.1 12.8 13.8 13.8 12.2 9.3 6.4 3.9 5.3 4.8 78.6
Wassa Amenfi West 34,469 26,633 100.0 9.9 10.0 12.0 14.6 14.2 12.2 9.7 6.4 4.0 6.9 5.0 77.3
Aowin/Suaman 30,658 23,658 100.0 10.8 11.7 14.2 14.9 13.7 11.2 8.4 5.5 4.0 5.8 4.8 77.2
Sefwi Akontombra 17,592 15,228 100.0 11.1 10.5 12.1 13.9 13.8 12.4 9.6 6.4 4.0 6.1 4.9 86.6
Sefwi Wiawso 30,074 22,297 100.0 10.6 9.6 12.4 13.5 14.5 11.8 9.5 6.4 4.4 7.1 5.0 74.1
Sefwi Bibiani-Ahwiaso Bekwai 27,961 20,938 100.0 11.4 11.0 12.7 14.8 14.1 11.5 8.9 6.4 4.0 5.2 4.8 74.9
Juabeso 23,639 19,172 100.0 10.0 10.4 13.2 14.6 14.2 12.0 8.6 5.7 3.8 7.5 5.0 81.1
Bia 25,778 20,237 100.0 11.6 11.3 14.3 14.8 12.3 11.0 8.7 5.3 3.6 7.0 4.8 78.5
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

136
Table 11.1: Households in agriculture by district, type of locality and household size (cont’d)
Household Size - Urban
All Agric. Av. Hh % Hhs
District households households % 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10+ size in agric
All Regions 3,049,366 662,775 100.0 11.9 10.2 12.0 13.6 13.3 11.3 8.4 5.9 3.9 9.5 5.2 21.7
Western 248,919 55,341 100.0 11.8 10.6 12.3 13.9 13.6 11.8 8.8 6.1 3.9 7.2 4.9 22.2
Jomoro 13,085 3,885 100.0 14.4 10.8 12.2 14.3 12.0 11.3 7.1 6.7 4.0 7.3 4.8 29.7
Ellembelle 3,911 967 100.0 9.0 8.1 11.7 12.5 15.1 10.7 10.3 6.6 5.8 10.2 5.4 24.7
Nzema East 5,001 823 100.0 14.6 11.4 15.1 14.0 12.3 11.8 5.3 4.6 4.5 6.4 4.6 16.5
Ahanta West 7,646 1,846 100.0 11.4 9.1 14.5 15.0 14.7 12.4 8.6 6.0 3.5 4.9 4.7 24.1
Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis 137,068 12,960 100.0 12.9 10.9 12.9 14.1 14.3 12.0 8.7 5.5 3.4 5.4 4.7 9.5
Kwesimintsim 57,095 5,841 100.0 12.9 10.8 13.5 14.1 14.8 12.1 8.5 5.1 3.9 4.4 4.7 10.2
Takoradi 24,440 1,221 100.0 15.9 10.0 14.4 14.4 13.4 10.7 7.8 5.7 2.5 5.2 4.5 5.0
Sekondi 19,176 1,021 100.0 11.1 9.8 14.5 16.7 14.2 12.9 8.3 4.8 2.4 5.2 4.7 5.3
Essikadu-Ketan 36,357 4,877 100.0 12.5 11.6 11.5 13.4 14.0 12.0 9.2 6.0 3.1 6.7 4.8 13.4
Shama 10,736 1,324 100.0 7.9 11.4 12.9 12.3 14.1 14.0 10.2 7.4 4.5 5.1 5.0 12.3
Mpohor-Wassa East 4,661 2,102 100.0 12.9 13.7 13.3 14.7 14.1 10.9 7.2 5.9 3.7 3.4 4.4 45.1
Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal 6,379 1,868 100.0 11.2 10.8 10.9 14.1 14.7 12.4 9.7 5.5 3.5 7.2 5.0 29.3
Prestea/Huni Valley 14,766 3,866 100.0 14.1 10.7 12.4 12.9 12.6 11.5 9.1 6.5 3.5 6.7 4.8 26.2
Wassa Amenfi East 1,406 690 100.0 10.1 10.1 11.0 14.2 15.5 11.7 9.7 7.4 3.6 6.5 5.0 49.1
Wassa Amenfi West 10,512 5,603 100.0 11.2 11.3 12.5 13.6 13.6 11.8 9.3 6.3 3.9 6.5 4.9 53.3
Aowin/Suaman 4,967 2,282 100.0 13.3 12.1 13.3 14.4 12.9 10.1 7.3 4.9 4.2 7.6 4.8 45.9
Sefwi Akontombra 1,595 1,100 100.0 13.8 11.0 8.5 14.0 9.9 10.9 9.4 6.2 5.1 11.3 5.3 69.0
Sefwi Wiawso 11,607 6,404 100.0 10.4 10.0 12.0 13.8 13.6 12.0 10.2 6.2 3.9 7.8 5.1 55.2
Sefwi Bibiani-Ahwiaso Bekwai 8,446 4,847 100.0 11.4 10.2 12.7 15.7 14.1 12.0 8.6 6.5 3.8 4.8 4.8 57.4
Juabeso 2,280 1,680 100.0 5.8 6.0 9.6 10.7 14.3 13.2 10.1 6.4 5.6 18.3 6.3 73.7
Bia 4,853 3,094 100.0 9.2 9.3 10.2 12.5 11.4 11.4 8.3 7.4 5.4 14.8 5.7 63.8
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

137
Table 11.1: Households in agriculture by district, type of locality and household size (cont’d)
Household size - Rural
All Av. Hh % Hhs
District households Agric hhs % 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10+ size in agric.
All Regions 2,417,688 1,840,231 100.0 10.3 9.4 11.4 13.2 13.3 11.7 9.0 6.6 4.5 10.6 5.4 76.1
Western 304,715 220,634 100.0 11.5 10.9 13.0 14.6 14.0 11.7 8.8 5.9 3.7 5.9 4.8 72.4
Jomoro 21,417 11,524 100.0 11.6 10.6 12.1 14.2 13.6 10.9 9.2 6.1 3.7 8.0 5.0 53.8
Ellembelle 14,771 7,397 100.0 9.6 9.6 11.9 13.9 14.3 11.8 8.9 6.5 4.5 8.9 5.2 50.1
Nzema East 8,508 6,570 100.0 10.4 10.5 12.3 14.8 13.8 11.4 7.9 6.0 3.6 9.2 5.0 77.2
Ahanta West 18,449 10,479 100.0 13.8 11.8 13.6 15.2 14.0 11.9 7.6 5.5 2.8 3.9 4.4 56.8
Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis 5,492 695 100.0 8.8 12.2 10.8 16.0 16.7 11.9 9.4 4.9 3.5 5.9 4.9 12.7
Kwesimintsim 1,976 190 100.0 11.6 8.4 14.2 15.8 19.5 9.5 10.5 3.7 2.1 4.7 4.6 9.6
Takoradi - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Sekondi - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Essikadu-Ketan 3,516 505 100.0 7.7 13.7 9.5 16.0 15.6 12.9 8.9 5.3 4.0 6.3 5.0 14.4
Shama 8,555 4,277 100.0 10.7 10.8 12.2 16.5 15.9 13.1 8.3 5.4 2.8 4.3 4.7 50.0
Mpohor-Wassa East 25,535 19,958 100.0 14.9 11.5 13.3 15.1 13.4 11.1 8.0 5.3 3.0 4.4 4.5 78.2
Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal 15,334 6,601 100.0 11.7 11.0 12.8 14.8 13.8 12.3 8.5 5.7 3.8 5.5 4.8 43.0
Prestea/Huni Valley 23,529 16,038 100.0 13.6 12.0 12.8 14.0 14.2 11.4 8.2 5.8 3.3 4.7 4.6 68.2
Wassa Amenfi East 17,214 13,942 100.0 11.7 11.1 12.9 13.8 13.7 12.2 9.2 6.3 3.9 5.2 4.8 81.0
Wassa Amenfi West 23,957 21,030 100.0 9.6 9.6 11.9 14.9 14.4 12.3 9.8 6.4 4.0 7.1 5.0 87.8
Aowin/Suaman 25,691 21,376 100.0 10.5 11.7 14.2 14.9 13.8 11.3 8.5 5.6 3.9 5.6 4.8 83.2
Sefwi Akontombra 15,997 14,128 100.0 10.9 10.5 12.4 13.9 14.1 12.5 9.7 6.4 4.0 5.7 4.9 88.3
Sefwi Wiawso 18,467 15,893 100.0 10.7 9.4 12.6 13.5 14.8 11.8 9.3 6.5 4.6 6.9 5.0 86.1
Sefwi Bibiani-Ahwiaso Bekwai 19,515 16,091 100.0 11.4 11.2 12.7 14.5 14.1 11.4 9.0 6.4 4.0 5.3 4.8 82.5
Juabeso 21,359 17,492 100.0 10.4 10.8 13.6 15.0 14.2 11.9 8.4 5.6 3.6 6.5 4.9 81.9
Bia 20,925 17,143 100.0 12.1 11.7 15.0 15.2 12.4 10.9 8.8 4.9 3.3 5.6 4.6 81.9
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

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Table 11.2: Households in agricultre by region, district, sub-district, type of locality and sex of head
Total Urban Rural
District Total % Male Female Total % Male Female Total % Male Female
All Regions 2,503,006 100.0 71.4 28.6 662,775 100.0 67.5 32.5 1,840,231 100.0 72.8 27.2
Western 275,975 100.0 74.2 25.8 55,341 100.0 68.8 31.2 220,634 100.0 75.5 24.5
Jomoro 15,409 100.0 68.1 31.9 3,885 100.0 65.9 34.1 11,524 100.0 68.8 31.2
Ellembelle 8,364 100.0 67.6 32.4 967 100.0 64.4 35.6 7,397 100.0 68.0 32.0
Nzema East 7,393 100.0 69.2 30.8 823 100.0 59.7 40.3 6,570 100.0 70.4 29.6
Ahanta West 12,325 100.0 63.0 37.0 1,846 100.0 62.6 37.4 10,479 100.0 63.1 36.9
Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis 13,655 100.0 70.7 29.3 12,960 100.0 70.5 29.5 695 100.0 74.8 25.2
Kwesimintsim 6,031 100.0 69.7 30.3 5,841 100.0 69.8 30.2 190 100.0 68.9 31.1
Takoradi 1,221 100.0 82.0 18.0 1,221 100.0 82.0 18.0 - - - -
Sekondi 1,021 100.0 66.7 33.3 1,021 100.0 66.7 33.3 - - - -
Essikadu-Ketan 5,382 100.0 69.9 30.1 4,877 100.0 69.2 30.8 505 100.0 77.0 23.0
Shama 5,601 100.0 65.8 34.2 1,324 100.0 62.1 37.9 4,277 100.0 67.0 33.0
Mpohor-Wassa East 22,060 100.0 68.2 31.8 2,102 100.0 67.7 32.3 19,958 100.0 68.3 31.7
Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal 8,469 100.0 78.2 21.8 1,868 100.0 79.9 20.1 6,601 100.0 77.7 22.3
Prestea/Huni Valley 19,904 100.0 76.7 23.3 3,866 100.0 73.4 26.6 16,038 100.0 77.5 22.5
Wassa Amenfi East 14,632 100.0 74.9 25.1 690 100.0 67.5 32.5 13,942 100.0 75.3 24.7
Wassa Amenfi West 26,633 100.0 78.6 21.4 5,603 100.0 68.5 31.5 21,030 100.0 81.2 18.8
Aowin/Suaman 23,658 100.0 79.0 21.0 2,282 100.0 61.9 38.1 21,376 100.0 80.9 19.1
Sefwi Akontombra 15,228 100.0 82.3 17.7 1,100 100.0 69.7 30.3 14,128 100.0 83.3 16.7
Sefwi Wiawso 22,297 100.0 73.9 26.1 6,404 100.0 68.4 31.6 15,893 100.0 76.2 23.8
Sefwi Bibiani-Ahwiaso Bekwai 20,938 100.0 69.1 30.9 4,847 100.0 68.0 32.0 16,091 100.0 69.4 30.6
Juabeso 19,172 100.0 77.7 22.3 1,680 100.0 69.6 30.4 17,492 100.0 78.4 21.6
Bia 20,237 100.0 81.2 18.8 3,094 100.0 71.3 28.7 17,143 100.0 82.9 17.1
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

139
The distribution of households in agriculture by age-group of head of household also shows
little variation by District. In almost all Districts most household heads in agricultural
households are in the age groups 25 – 34 (26.6%) and 35 – 44 (22.7%) The 15 – 24 age-
group has the lowest percentages of household heads with less than 6 percent all Districts.

Table 11.3: Households in agriculture by district, type of locality and

age-group of head of household
Age group of Head of Household
District Total % 15-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65+
All Regions 2,503,006 100.0 4.1 17.7 24.3 22.7 14.7 16.7
Western 275,975 100.0 4.7 21.1 26.6 22.7 12.9 11.9
Jomoro 15,409 100.0 3.8 18.1 24.7 24.1 13.7 15.6
Ellembelle 8,364 100.0 3.8 17.8 24.7 23.7 14.0 16.0
Nzema East 7,393 100.0 5.5 22.6 26.7 23.3 11.5 10.3
Ahanta West 12,325 100.0 5.3 19.2 24.5 23.0 14.4 13.6
Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis 13,655 100.0 4.6 15.6 23.6 24.2 17.7 14.3
Kwesimintsim 6,031 100.0 5.4 17.3 24.0 23.2 16.1 13.8
Takoradi 1,221 100.0 3.6 17.1 19.0 25.7 22.9 11.6
Sekondi 1,021 100.0 2.6 13.2 21.1 22.3 21.5 19.2
Essikadu-Ketan 5,382 100.0 4.3 13.7 24.8 25.2 17.5 14.6
Shama 5,601 100.0 3.6 15.3 24.4 27.2 16.2 13.3
Mpohor-Wassa East 22,060 100.0 4.9 20.5 25.8 22.8 13.9 12.1
Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal 8,469 100.0 3.8 18.8 27.5 25.9 14.0 10.0
Prestea/Huni Valley 19,904 100.0 4.7 20.8 27.0 23.4 13.4 10.7
Wassa Amenfi East 14,632 100.0 4.4 20.8 26.3 22.3 13.7 12.6
Wassa Amenfi West 26,633 100.0 4.1 22.1 27.3 22.3 13.1 11.0
Aowin/Suaman 23,658 100.0 5.8 23.8 28.2 21.8 11.1 9.2
Sefwi Akontombra 15,228 100.0 4.3 22.2 29.3 23.3 11.4 9.5
Sefwi Wiawso 22,297 100.0 4.1 20.5 28.0 21.5 12.8 13.1
Sefwi Bibiani-Ahwiaso Bekwai 20,938 100.0 5.0 21.7 26.0 21.1 12.1 14.0
Juabeso 19,172 100.0 4.9 23.8 26.6 22.1 11.3 11.3
Bia 20,237 100.0 5.7 25.0 27.6 21.7 10.5 9.4
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

Out of the total of 548,104 people in agriculture in the region, over 70 percent are from rural
areas in all the Districts except the Sekondi Takoradi metro.

The disagregation of the population in agriculture by sex (Table 11.4) indicates that majority
of the Districts (12) have slightly more males than females in agriculture in both urban and
rural areas. In other areas such as Ellembelle, Ahanta West, Shama and Sefwi Bibiani-
Anhwiaso Bekwai, higher percentage females than males are engaged in agriculture, but in
Jomoro, Nzema East and Mpohor-Wassa East almost equal proportions of males and females
are engaged in agriculture.

140
Table 11.4: Households in agriculture by district, type of locality and sex of population in agriculture
Total Urban Rural
District Total % Male Female Total % Male Female Total % Male Female
All Regions 5,276,514 100.0 52.6 47.4 1,291,516 100.0 53.2 46.8 3,984,998 100.0 52.5 47.5
Western 548,104 100.0 52.9 47.1 111,123 100.0 51.2 48.8 436,981 100.0 53.3 46.7
Jomoro 31,023 100.0 49.8 50.2 7,936 100.0 51.0 49.0 23,087 100.0 49.4 50.6
Ellembelle 15,670 100.0 48.9 51.1 1,768 100.0 49.6 50.4 13,902 100.0 48.8 51.2
Nzema East 15,795 100.0 50.8 49.2 1,571 100.0 48.8 51.2 14,224 100.0 51.0 49.0
Ahanta West 24,070 100.0 45.3 54.7 3,927 100.0 47.2 52.8 20,143 100.0 44.9 55.1
Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis 26,771 100.0 53.0 47.0 25,331 100.0 53.2 46.8 1,440 100.0 49.2 50.8
Kwesimintsim 11,407 100.0 52.8 47.2 10,991 100.0 53.2 46.8 416 100.0 42.5 57.5
Takoradi 2,637 100.0 59.9 40.1 2,637 100.0 59.9 40.1 - - - -
Sekondi 2,558 100.0 50.6 49.4 2,558 100.0 50.6 49.4 - - - -
Essikadu-Ketan 10,169 100.0 52.1 47.9 9,145 100.0 52.1 47.9 1,024 100.0 51.9 48.1
Shama 10,863 100.0 47.2 52.8 2,933 100.0 47.3 52.7 7,930 100.0 47.1 52.9
Mpohor-Wassa East 43,832 100.0 51.1 48.9 3,313 100.0 49.8 50.2 40,519 100.0 51.2 48.8
Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal 17,438 100.0 55.4 44.6 3,986 100.0 56.5 43.5 13,452 100.0 55.0 45.0
Prestea/Huni Valley 38,689 100.0 55.0 45.0 8,705 100.0 52.7 47.3 29,984 100.0 55.7 44.3
Wassa Amenfi East 28,418 100.0 52.1 47.9 1,367 100.0 50.7 49.3 27,051 100.0 52.2 47.8
Wassa Amenfi West 55,034 100.0 53.9 46.1 12,027 100.0 50.7 49.3 43,007 100.0 54.8 45.2
Aowin/Suaman 48,500 100.0 57.4 42.6 4,499 100.0 51.3 48.7 44,001 100.0 58.0 42.0
Sefwi Akontombra 29,418 100.0 56.8 43.2 2,118 100.0 51.7 48.3 27,300 100.0 57.1 42.9
Sefwi Wiawso 44,177 100.0 52.1 47.9 12,447 100.0 50.2 49.8 31,730 100.0 52.9 47.1
Sefwi Bibiani-Ahwiaso Bekwai 41,894 100.0 49.5 50.5 9,459 100.0 48.6 51.4 32,435 100.0 49.8 50.2
Juabeso 38,051 100.0 55.4 44.6 3,645 100.0 50.6 49.4 34,406 100.0 55.9 44.1
Bia 38,461 100.0 55.6 44.4 6,091 100.0 51.2 48.8 32,370 100.0 56.4 43.6
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

141
Table11.5: Households in agriculture by district and type of agricultural activity
Type of Agricultural Households
All households in agric Crop farming Tree growing Livestock rearing Fish farming
District Total % Total % Total % Total % Total %
All Regions 2,503,006 100.0 2,379,929 95.1 28,540 1.1 1,013,244 40.5 5,564 0.2
Western 275,975 100.0 265,353 96.2 1,435 0.5 80,440 29.1 1,213 0.4
Jomoro 15,409 100.0 14,441 93.7 71 0.5 3,287 21.3 108 0.7
Ellembelle 8,364 100.0 7,693 92.0 52 0.6 1,872 22.4 163 1.9
Nzema East 7,393 100.0 7,002 94.7 23 0.3 2,461 33.3 18 0.2
Ahanta West 12,325 100.0 11,631 94.4 20 0.2 3,225 26.2 4 0.0
Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis 13,655 100.0 10,864 79.6 170 1.2 4,248 31.1 22 0.2
Kwesimintsim 6,031 100.0 5,266 87.3 45 0.7 1,826 30.3 4 0.1
Takoradi 1,221 100.0 853 69.9 23 1.9 430 35.2 9 0.7
Sekondi 1,021 100.0 393 38.5 12 1.2 652 63.9 3 0.3
Essikadu-Ketan 5,382 100.0 4,352 80.9 90 1.7 1,340 24.9 6 0.1
Shama 5,601 100.0 5,194 92.7 176 3.1 1,149 20.5 13 0.2
Mpohor-Wassa East 22,060 100.0 21,140 95.8 63 0.3 9,869 44.7 15 0.1
Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal 8,469 100.0 8,052 95.1 58 0.7 1,726 20.4 32 0.4
Prestea/Huni Valley 19,904 100.0 19,365 97.3 62 0.3 5,596 28.1 176 0.9
Wassa Amenfi East 14,632 100.0 14,415 98.5 43 0.3 5,482 37.5 28 0.2
Wassa Amenfi West 26,633 100.0 26,298 98.7 78 0.3 7,928 29.8 63 0.2
Aowin/Suaman 23,658 100.0 23,374 98.8 130 0.5 3,890 16.4 177 0.7
Sefwi Akontombra 15,228 100.0 15,121 99.3 64 0.4 3,910 25.7 33 0.2
Sefwi Wiawso 22,297 100.0 22,040 98.8 178 0.8 4,880 21.9 62 0.3
Sefwi Bibiani-Ahwiaso Bekwai 20,938 100.0 20,552 98.2 45 0.2 6,922 33.1 47 0.2
Juabeso 19,172 100.0 18,824 98.2 23 0.1 4,433 23.1 81 0.4
Bia 20,237 100.0 19,347 95.6 179 0.9 9,562 47.3 171 0.8
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

142
 Table 11.6a: Households in agriculture by district, type of locality, type of agricultural activity and sex of head
All households in agric Crop farming Tree growing livestock rearing Fish farming
Male Female Male Female Male Female Male Female Male Female
District
Total % % % Total % % % Total % % Total % % Total % %

All Regions 2,503,006 71.4 28.6 2,379,929 71.8 28.2 28,540 72.9 27.1 1,013,244 76.1 23.9 5,564 87.1 12.9
Western 275,975 74.2 25.8 265,353 74.4 25.6 1,435 79.7 20.3 80,440 77.0 23.0 1,213 86.9 13.1
Jomoro 15,409 68.1 31.9 14,441 68.0 32.0 71 80.3 19.7 3,287 74.0 26.0 108 88.0 12.0
Ellembelle 8,364 67.6 32.4 7,693 68.0 32.0 52 65.4 34.6 1,872 70.4 29.6 163 87.7 12.3
Nzema East Municipal 7,393 69.2 30.8 7,002 70.1 29.9 23 65.2 34.8 2,461 72.7 27.3 18 94.4 5.6
Ahanta West 12,325 63.0 37.0 11,631 63.1 36.9 20 90.0 10.0 3,225 65.5 34.5 4 75.0 25.0
Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis 13,655 70.7 29.3 10,864 71.0 29.0 170 72.4 27.6 4,248 69.7 30.3 22 90.9 9.1
Kwesimintsim 6,031 69.7 30.3 5,266 69.9 30.1 45 55.6 44.4 1,826 69.6 30.4 4 100.0 0.0
Takoradi 1,221 82.0 18.0 853 83.6 16.4 23 69.6 30.4 430 80.0 20.0 9 100.0 0.0
Sekondi 1,021 66.7 33.3 393 79.1 20.9 12 83.3 16.7 652 59.0 41.0 3 100.0 0.0
Essikadu-Ketan 5,382 69.9 30.1 4,352 69.2 30.8 90 80.0 20.0 1,340 71.6 28.4 6 66.7 33.3
Shama 5,601 65.8 34.2 5,194 66.5 33.5 176 83.0 17.0 1,149 68.8 31.2 13 76.9 23.1
Mpohor-Wassa East 22,060 68.2 31.8 21,140 68.6 31.4 63 66.7 33.3 9,869 68.7 31.3 15 86.7 13.3
Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal 8,469 78.2 21.8 8,052 78.2 21.8 58 75.9 24.1 1,726 82.4 17.6 32 93.8 6.3
Prestea/Huni Valley 19,904 76.7 23.3 19,365 76.8 23.2 62 69.4 30.6 5,596 79.3 20.7 176 81.3 18.8
Wassa Amenfi East 14,632 74.9 25.1 14,415 75.0 25.0 43 81.4 18.6 5,482 78.6 21.4 28 89.3 10.7
Wassa Amenfi West 26,633 78.6 21.4 26,298 78.7 21.3 78 79.5 20.5 7,928 80.3 19.7 63 77.8 22.2
Aowin/Suaman 23,658 79.0 21.0 23,374 79.0 21.0 130 83.8 16.2 3,890 84.4 15.6 177 85.9 14.1
Sefwi Akontombra 15,228 82.3 17.7 15,121 82.3 17.7 64 92.2 7.8 3,910 83.0 17.0 33 93.9 6.1
Sefwi Wiawso 22,297 73.9 26.1 22,040 73.9 26.1 178 87.1 12.9 4,880 80.8 19.2 62 80.6 19.4
Sefwi Bibiani-Ahwiaso Bekwai 20,938 69.1 30.9 20,552 69.2 30.8 45 66.7 33.3 6,922 72.7 27.3 47 95.7 4.3
Juabeso 19,172 77.7 22.3 18,824 77.6 22.4 23 73.9 26.1 4,433 81.3 18.7 81 91.4 8.6
Bia 20,237 81.2 18.8 19,347 81.0 19.0 179 86.0 14.0 9,562 85.1 14.9 171 90.1 9.9
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

143
Table 11.6b: Households in agriculture by district, type of locality, type of agricultural activity and sex of head
Rural Households in Agriculture
District
All households in agric Crop farming Tree growing Livestock rearing Fish farming
Total % Male Female Total Male Female Total Male Female Total Male Female Total Male Female
All Regions 662,775 67.5 32.5 597,768 67.8 32.2 10,678 68.6 31.4 199,806 70.8 29.2 1,607 83.3 16.7
Western 55,341 68.8 31.2 50,357 68.9 31.1 360 75.0 25.0 13,146 71.0 29.0 231 80.5 19.5
Jomoro 3,885 65.9 34.1 3,614 65.4 34.6 22 86.4 13.6 555 71.2 28.8 42 73.8 26.2
Ellembelle 967 64.4 35.6 852 65.8 34.2 3 33.3 66.7 207 63.3 36.7 5 100.0 0.0
Nzema East Municipal 823 59.7 40.3 625 64.3 35.7 6 50.0 50.0 275 48.7 51.3 5 80.0 20.0
Ahanta West 1,846 62.6 37.4 1,609 61.9 38.1 4 100.0 0.0 462 66.5 33.5 0 - -
Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis 12,960 70.5 29.5 10,253 70.8 29.2 164 71.3 28.7 4,127 69.5 30.5 22 90.9 9.1
Kwesimintsim 5,841 69.8 30.2 5,083 70.0 30.0 43 53.5 46.5 1,818 69.5 30.5 4 100.0 0.0
Takoradi 1,221 82.0 18.0 853 83.6 16.4 23 69.6 30.4 430 80.0 20.0 9 100.0 0.0
Sekondi 1,021 66.7 33.3 393 79.1 20.9 12 83.3 16.7 652 59.0 41.0 3 100.0 0.0
Essikadu-Ketan 4,877 69.2 30.8 3,924 68.2 31.8 86 79.1 20.9 1,227 71.5 28.5 6 66.7 33.3
Shama 1,324 62.1 37.9 1,141 63.4 36.6 16 62.5 37.5 225 56.4 43.6 2 50.0 50.0
Mpohor-Wassa East 2,102 67.7 32.3 1,929 68.5 31.5 3 66.7 33.3 712 66.4 33.6 2 100.0 0.0
Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal 1,868 79.9 20.1 1,742 79.9 20.1 31 80.6 19.4 436 84.4 15.6 9 100.0 0.0
Prestea/Huni Valley 3,866 73.4 26.6 3,657 73.3 26.7 22 59.1 40.9 658 73.3 26.7 27 81.5 18.5
Wassa Amenfi East 690 67.5 32.5 660 68.0 32.0 1 100.0 0.0 168 65.5 34.5 3 100.0 0.0
Wassa Amenfi West 5,603 68.5 31.5 5,428 68.7 31.3 5 80.0 20.0 1,281 70.5 29.5 24 66.7 33.3
Aowin/Suaman 2,282 61.9 38.1 2,222 61.9 38.1 11 81.8 18.2 373 68.6 31.4 20 70.0 30.0
Sefwi Akontombra 1,100 69.7 30.3 1,085 69.8 30.2 8 100.0 0.0 247 76.5 23.5 10 90.0 10.0
Sefwi Wiawso 6,404 68.4 31.6 6,294 68.3 31.7 8 87.5 12.5 802 77.4 22.6 9 77.8 22.2
Sefwi Bibiani-Ahwiaso Bekwai 4,847 68.0 32.0 4,663 67.9 32.1 15 80.0 20.0 1,275 73.4 26.6 1 100.0 0.0
Juabeso 1,680 69.6 30.4 1,634 69.3 30.7 4 50.0 50.0 326 73.3 26.7 13 84.6 15.4
Bia 3,094 71.3 28.7 2,949 71.0 29.0 37 89.2 10.8 1,017 78.5 21.5 37 83.8 16.2
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

144
 Table 11.6c: Households in agriculture by district, type of locality, type of agricultural activity and sex of head
Rural
All households in agric Crop farming Tree growing Livestock rearing Fish farming
District Total Male Female Total Male Female Total Male Female Total Male Female Total Male Female
All Regions 1,840,231 72.8 27.2 1,782,161 73.2 26.8 17,862 75.5 24.5 813,438 77.4 22.6 3,957 88.7 11.3
Western 220,634 75.5 24.5 214,996 75.7 24.3 1,075 81.2 18.8 67,294 78.2 21.8 982 88.4 11.6
Jomoro 11,524 68.8 31.2 10,827 68.9 31.1 49 77.6 22.4 2,732 74.6 25.4 66 97.0 3.0
Ellembelle 7,397 68.0 32.0 6,841 68.3 31.7 49 67.3 32.7 1,665 71.3 28.7 158 87.3 12.7
Nzema East Municipal 6,570 70.4 29.6 6,377 70.7 29.3 17 70.6 29.4 2,186 75.7 24.3 13 100.0 0.0
Ahanta West 10,479 63.1 36.9 10,022 63.3 36.7 16 87.5 12.5 2,763 65.4 34.6 4 75.0 25.0
Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis 695 74.8 25.2 611 75.5 24.5 6 100.0 0.0 121 74.4 25.6 0 - -
Kwesimintsim 190 68.9 31.1 183 68.3 31.7 2 100.0 0.0 8 87.5 12.5 0 - -
Takoradi 0.0 - - 0.0 - - 0.0 - - 0.0 - - 0.0 - -
Sekondi 0.0 - - 0.0 - - 0.0 - - 0.0 - - 0.0 - -
Essikadu-Ketan 505 77.0 23.0 428 78.5 21.5 4 100.0 0.0 113 73.5 26.5 0.0 - -
Shama 4,277 67.0 33.0 4,053 67.4 32.6 160 85.0 15.0 924 71.8 28.2 11 81.8 18.2
Mpohor-Wassa East 19,958 68.3 31.7 19,211 68.6 31.4 60 66.7 33.3 9,157 68.8 31.2 13 84.6 15.4
Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal 6,601 77.7 22.3 6,310 77.7 22.3 27 70.4 29.6 1,290 81.7 18.3 23 91.3 8.7
Prestea/Huni Valley 16,038 77.5 22.5 15,708 77.7 22.3 40 75.0 25.0 4,938 80.1 19.9 149 81.2 18.8
Wassa Amenfi East 13,942 75.3 24.7 13,755 75.4 24.6 42 81.0 19.0 5,314 79.0 21.0 25 88.0 12.0
Wassa Amenfi West 21,030 81.2 18.8 20,870 81.3 18.7 73 79.5 20.5 6,647 82.2 17.8 39 84.6 15.4
Aowin/Suaman 21,376 80.9 19.1 21,152 80.8 19.2 119 84.0 16.0 3,517 86.1 13.9 157 87.9 12.1
Sefwi Akontombra 14,128 83.3 16.7 14,036 83.3 16.7 56 91.1 8.9 3,663 83.4 16.6 23 95.7 4.3
Sefwi Wiawso 15,893 76.2 23.8 15,746 76.1 23.9 170 87.1 12.9 4,078 81.5 18.5 53 81.1 18.9
Sefwi Bibiani-Ahwiaso Bekwai 16,091 69.4 30.6 15,889 69.6 30.4 30 60.0 40.0 5,647 72.6 27.4 46 95.7 4.3
Juabeso 17,492 78.4 21.6 17,190 78.4 21.6 19 78.9 21.1 4,107 81.9 18.1 68 92.6 7.4
Bia 17,143 82.9 17.1 16,398 82.8 17.2 142 85.2 14.8 8,545 85.9 14.1 134 91.8 8.2
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

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11.3 Types of Farming
Four types of farming are considered, namely; crop, tree, livestock and fish farming. Crop
farming is sub-divided by type of cropping into mixed cropping, inter cropping and mono
cropping. From Table 11.5 crop farming is the most common involving over 90 percent of
households in agriculture in most Districts except the four Sub-Metros where the percentages
are lower.
Livestock rearing is also common with at least 1 in 5 households involved in all Districts
except Aowin/Suaman where the proportion is 1 in 6 households. Sekondi sub-metro has the
highest proportion of 64 percent involved in this activity.
Tree growing is not a common agricultural activity; in 16 Districts having less than 1% of
their households are engaged in tree growing. This activity is common in Shama (just over
3%) and three sub-metros (over 1%). Fish farming is a rare activity with less than 1 percent
of households involved in most Districts except Ellembelle with about 2 percent. There are
no major differences in types of farming by type of locality and sex of head of household
(Tables 11.6a, 11.6b, 11.6c).

11.3.1 Crop Farming

There are 614,106 farms in the Region growing 65 crops. The leading crops in terms of
number of farms are cocoa (37.9%), cassava (23.1%), plantain (15.5%), oil palm (6.9%),
cocoyam (2.9%), yam (1.9%), maize (1.9%) and coconut (1.9%).
All the crops except mushrooms and sun flower are cultivated using three types of cropping
(inter cropping, mono cropping, and mixed cropping). For Mushrooms and sun flower
cultivation, farmers do not uses inter cropping at all; for both, mono cropping is used. Other
crops that also use mono cropping are carrot, cocoa, coconut, lemon grass, oil palm, rubber,
shallot, sorghum and spinach. Mixed cropping is used for cocoyam, peas and yam, while inter
cropping is used mainly for black pepper, tiger nut and tobacco.

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Table 11.7: Type of crop by number of farms and type of cropping
Mixed Inter Mono
Total Mixed Inter Mono cropp- cropp- cropp-
Type of Crop farms cropping cropping cropping ing % ing % ing %
Millet 102 51 29 22 50.0 28.4 21.6
Mushroom 3 1 0 2 33.3 0.0 66.7
Nut meg 80 34 23 23 42.5 28.8 28.8
Oil palm 42,276 6,020 9,582 26,674 14.2 22.7 63.1
Okro 3,085 1,570 611 904 50.9 19.8 29.3
Onion 395 208 97 90 52.7 24.6 22.8
Pawpaw 324 157 91 76 48.5 28.1 23.5
Peas 206 126 42 38 61.2 20.4 18.4
Pepper 8,173 4,481 1,845 1,847 54.8 22.6 22.6
Pineapple 1,504 622 475 407 41.4 31.6 27.1
Plantain 95,431 50,039 28,187 17,205 52.4 29.5 18.0
Potatoes 229 104 74 51 45.4 32.3 22.3
Rice 1,714 524 311 879 30.6 18.1 51.3
Rubber 2,883 256 372 2,255 8.9 12.9 78.2
Shallot 70 5 6 59 7.1 8.6 84.3
Shea tree 22 10 5 7 45.5 22.7 31.8
Sorghum 3 0 1 2 0.0 33.3 66.7
Soya beans 43 19 8 16 44.2 18.6 37.2
Spinach 16 2 3 11 12.5 18.8 68.8
Sugarcane 1,464 327 329 808 22.3 22.5 55.2
Sun flower 11 1 0 10 9.1 0.0 90.9
Sweet pepper 37 16 11 10 43.2 29.7 27.0
Sweet potatoes 157 69 52 36 43.9 33.1 22.9
Tiger nut 484 35 343 106 7.2 70.9 21.9
Tobacco 184 36 138 10 19.6 75.0 5.4
Tomatoes 6,613 3,128 1,574 1,911 47.3 23.8 28.9
Water melon 115 49 28 38 42.6 24.3 33.0
Yam 11,800 7,257 1,712 2,831 61.5 14.5 24.0
Other (specify) 2,075 539 374 1,162 26.0 18.0 56.0
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

11.3.2 Livestock
There were 2,690,756 livestock in the Region. Chicken (64.0%), fish from fish farming
(10.0%), goat (9.2%) and sheep (8.2%) are the four most important livestock (Table 11.7)
and constitute 91.4 percent of all livestock. Apart from pigs (1.9%), ducks (1.3%) and cattle
(1.2%), all other types of livestock contribute less than one percent to the total stock. Also,
apart from doves and turkey which had nearly the same numbers in both urban and rural
areas, the rural area accounted for over 65 percent of all other livestock in the Region.

147
Table 11.8: Distribution of livestock by type of locality and number of
holdings/livestock
No. of holdings Total livestock
% % % %
Livestock Total Urban Rural Urban Rural Total Urban Rural Urban Rural

Western 114,408 18,309 96,099 16.0 84.0 2,690,756 494,404 2,196,352 18.4 81.6
Beehives 122 25 97 20.5 79.5 4,869 327 4,542 6.7 93.3
Cattle 1,117 251 866 22.5 77.5 31,564 5,617 25,947 17.8 82.2
Chicken 62,155 8,741 53,414 14.1 85.9 1,721,798 270,064 1,451,734 15.7 84.3
Dove 231 62 169 26.8 73.2 6,809 3,450 3,359 50.7 49.3
Duck 2,056 388 1,668 18.9 81.1 36,088 8,631 27,457 23.9 76.1
Goat 23,280 4,637 18,643 19.9 80.1 246,829 61,387 185,442 24.9 75.1
Grass-cutter 318 84 234 26.4 73.6 5,579 2,455 3,124 44.0 56.0
Guinea fowl 1,058 115 943 10.9 89.1 21,867 4,325 17,542 19.8 80.2
Ostrich 229 30 199 13.1 86.9 5,301 539 4,762 10.2 89.8
Pig 2,696 634 2,062 23.5 76.5 50,252 12,069 38,183 24.0 76.0
Rabbit 566 155 411 27.4 72.6 10,800 3,728 7,072 34.5 65.5
Sheep 17,084 2,602 14,482 15.2 84.8 221,948 43,625 178,323 19.7 80.3
Silk worm 302 68 234 22.5 77.5 4,143 802 3,341 19.4 80.6
Snail 75 12 63 16.0 84.0 10,035 897 9,138 8.9 91.1
Turkey 266 62 204 23.3 76.7 8,158 4,334 3,824 53.1 46.9
Other (specify) 1,525 190 1,335 12.5 87.5 10,634 2,184 8,450 20.5 79.5
Fish farming 1,177 220 957 18.7 81.3 268,601 58,926 209,675 21.9 78.1
Inland fishing 116 26 90 22.4 77.6 20,685 9,810 10,875 47.4 52.6
Marine fishing 35 7 28 20.0 80.0 4,796 1,234 3,562 25.7 74.3
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

148
 CHAPTER TWELVE
HOUSING CONDITIONS

12.1 Introduction
This chapter looks at the housing stock, holding and tenancy arrangements, type of dwelling,
room occupancy, materials for construction of outer wall, floor and roof; lighting, cooking,
bathing and toilet facilities; methods of liquid and solid waste disposal, and sources of water
for drinking and for other domestic use. These issues are important because they serve as
indicators of the standard of living and quality of life of the people and also have obvious
health implications.

12.2 Housing Stock

The housing stock of 380,104 in 2010 represents an increase of 46.3% over the 2000 figure.
Sekondi Takoradi Metro has the highest proportion of housing stock (16%), then
Prestea/Huni Valley,Wassa Amenfi West, Mpohor-Wassa East,and Aowin/Suaman in that
order6.5%. The lowest proportion of houses is in Ellembelle (3.2%) and Nzema East (2.9%).

The number of households per house for the region remained virtually unchanged over the
decade at about 1.6. However, the population per house has a marginal decrease from 7.4 in
2000 to 7.27 in 2010. The average household size also has a marginal decrease from 4.7 to
4.40 over the decade.
The number of households per house is high in Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis and its sub
metros (above two). Sefwi Akontombra had the lowest household per house (1.04). The
population per house is also high in the Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis (9.22) and Ellembelle
(7.12). The lowest population per house is recorded in Sefwi Akontombra (4.88). Average
household size is high in Sefwi Akontombra and Juabeso (4.65) while Tarkwa Nsuaem,
Ahanta West, Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis and its sub metros recorded the lowest values of
less than four persons

149
Table 12.1: Housing stock
Number of houses , households and household characteristics
Total Percentage Rural share
Total Household Number of Number of distribution of housing Households Population Average
District Population Population houses households of houses stock per house per house hhold size
Western 2000 1,924,577 1,917,255 259,875 410,142 100.0 1.6 7.4 4.7
Western 2010 2,376,021 2,307,385 380,104 553,635 100.0 67.5 1.46 6.25 4.17
Jomoro 150,107 145,480 24,140 34,503 6.4 70.1 1.43 6.22 4.22
Ellembelle 87,501 85,338 12,290 18,682 3.2 82.9 1.52 7.12 4.57
Nzema East 60,828 59,250 11,168 13,509 2.9 73.6 1.21 5.45 4.39
Ahanta West 106,215 103,710 19,946 26,095 5.2 78.8 1.31 5.33 3.97
Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis 559,548 532,516 60,705 142,560 16.0 5.1 2.35 9.22 3.74
Kwesimintsim 232,617 222,282 25,296 59,071 6.7 4.2 2.34 9.20 3.76
Takoradi 97,352 88,075 10,402 24,440 2.7 - 2.35 9.36 3.60
Sekondi 70,361 66,999 7,037 19,176 1.9 - 2.73 10.00 3.49
Essikadu-Ketan 159,218 155,160 17,970 39,873 4.7 11.4 2.22 8.86 3.89
Shama 81,966 80,632 14,217 19,291 3.7 53.9 1.36 5.77 4.18
Mpohor-Wassa East 123,996 121,412 24,589 30,196 6.5 89.6 1.23 5.04 4.02
Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal 90,477 86,566 14,326 21,713 3.8 71.3 1.52 6.32 3.99
Prestea/Huni Valley 159,304 154,528 30,099 38,295 7.9 71.1 1.27 5.29 4.04
Wassa Amenfi East 83,478 81,441 13,992 18,620 3.7 95.5 1.33 5.97 4.37
Wassa Amenfi West 161,166 157,431 30,083 34,469 7.9 77.6 1.15 5.36 4.57
Aowin/Suaman 138,415 135,698 24,626 30,658 6.5 90.8 1.24 5.62 4.43
Sefwi Akontombra 82,467 81,883 16,888 17,592 4.4 93.6 1.04 4.88 4.65
Sefwi Wiawso 139,200 135,568 23,246 30,074 6.1 68.8 1.29 5.99 4.51
Sefwi Bibiani-Ahwiaso Bekwai 123,272 120,505 18,540 27,961 4.9 73.9 1.51 6.65 4.31
Juabeso 111,749 109,994 20,420 23,639 5.4 92.6 1.16 5.47 4.65
Bia 116,332 115,433 20,829 25,778 5.5 85.3 1.24 5.59 4.48
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

150
12.3 Type of Dwelling, Holding and Tenancy
12.3.1 Type of Dwelling
The region recorded a total of 594,292 dwelling units representing about 38% increase over
the past decade. The most common type dwelling unit in the region was compound house
(44.4%), thenseparate house (35.4%). This pattern is replicated across districts.

The third most common type of dwelling unit in the region and across districts (except
Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis) is semi-detached house. Other types of dwellings are
flat/apartment and hut/building (same compound although the latter is more common than the
former especially in districts such asJomoro, Ellembelle, Wassa Amenfi East,
Aowin/Suaman, Sefwi Akontombra and Bia.

In urban areas compound house is the most common type of dwelling in all districts. In rural
areas on the other hand, compound house is more common in certain areas than others. For
example, compound house is more pronounced in Jomoro, Ellembelle, Tarkwa Nusaem,
Sefwi- Bibiani-Ahwiaso Bekwai, Juabeso and Bia compared to the remaining eleven districts.

12.3.2 Ownership
In terms of tenancy at the regional level, the data show that ownership of dwelling unit by a
household member is the commonest 56.6 percent. Ownership by other private individuals
also recorded 22.3 percent. In all districts ownership by a household member, is above the
regional proportion except Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis. Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis
reported about 42% for ownership by other private individuals. Ownership by a relative who
is not a household member also recorded a range of 7.2 percent (in Wassa Amenfi District) to
21.0 percent (in Shama District).
Ownership of dwelling unit by a household member was more prevalent in rural areas
(38.5%) than in urban areas (18.1%). There appears to be little or no differences between
rural and urban areas for ownership of dwelling units by a relative who is not a household
member. However, ownership of dwelling units by other private individual is more prevalent
in urban areas (15.9%) than in rural areas with only 6.3 percent. This is not surprising as land
is more expensive in urban than in rural areas. In addition, materials used for constructing
dwelling units in urban areas are often relatively more expensive compared to rural areas.
Another important difference regarding rural and urban ownership of dwelling units is the
public/government ownership of dwelling units where the percentage in urban areas was
about three times in rural areas.

12.3.3 Tenure
Nearly half (48.9%) of all dwelling units in the region and across districts are owner-
occupied with the propotion reaching 67.7 percent in Sefwi Akontombra. In Sekondi
Takoradi metro however, the rate was about 1 in 4. This is not surprising given the high rate
of migration to urban centres in search of wage employment. In fact, Sekondi Takoradi metro
recorded the highest renting rate of about 54 percent.
In urban areas owner-occupier rates are less than 20 percent in all districts except in Sekondi
Takoradi metro (23.3%) and Shama (26.0%). Eight districts recorded rates of less than 10%
with the lowest recorded in Wassa Amenfi East (2.7%). In rural areas owner-occupier rates
are much higher than in urban areas except Sekondi Takoradi metro where rate was lower.

151
 The proportion of renting is higher in urban areas than in rural areas except for eight districts.
Rent free holding is higher in rural areas than urban areas in all districts except Sekondi
Takoradi metro where rent-free is about 20% in urban areas and 0.5% in rural areas.

Table 12.2: Type of dwelling by district and type of locality

Nzema Sekondi Tarkwa
East Takoradi Mpohor- Nsuaem
Western Western Muni- Ahanta Metro- Wassa Muni-
Type of Dwelling/Locality 2000 2010 Jomoro Ellembelle cipal West polis Shama East cipal

Number 430,182 594,292 36,299 19,664 14,784 29,278 149,121 21,069 33,595 22,425
All localities
Total 99.6++ 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
Separate house 25.5 35.4 28.8 31.4 52.3 40.2 16.8 41.2 45.9 36.7
Semi-detached house 10.0 8.6 7.5 6.1 11.0 8.6 9.5 9.0 9.9 10.5
Flat/Apartment 4.7 6.1 2.9 3.7 4.8 5.7 13.7 3.6 5.9 5.4
Compound house (rooms) 41.8 44.4 53.1 51.8 27.0 41.4 54.2 41.0 30.6 44.2
Huts/Buildings (same
compound) 4.6+ 2.5 4.8 5.4 2.8 1.0 0.6 1.7 5.1 1.9
Huts/Buildings (different
compound) * 0.5 1.1 0.5 0.4 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.5
Tent 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2
Improvised home
(kiosk/containeretc) 1.0 0.8 0.5 0.2 0.6 0.9 2.1 0.6 0.4 0.2
Living quarters attached to
office/shop 0.5 0.3 0.4 0.2 0.3 0.1 0.4 1.4 0.8 0.2
Uncompleted building * 1.0 0.6 0.3 0.3 1.6 1.9 1.0 0.7 0.2
Other 5.2 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.1 0.4 0.2 0.1 0.0
Urban
Total 43.8 37.1 20.5 34.8 27.4 96.0 53.9 14.9 29.0
Separate house 8.6 6.2 3.8 8.4 6.2 15.5 17.9 3.9 9.4
Semi-detached house 4.1 3.2 0.9 4.6 2.3 9.2 5.0 1.5 2.9
Flat/Apartment 4.6 1.8 0.9 3.6 1.9 13.3 2.0 1.4 2.2
Compound house (rooms) 24.3 23.2 13.5 15.9 15.7 52.4 26.8 7.5 13.6
Huts/Buildings (same
compound) 0.4 1.6 1.0 1.0 0.4 0.6 0.6 0.4 0.4
Huts/Buildings (different
compound) 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.1
Tent 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.1
Improvised home
(kiosk/containeretc) 0.6 0.3 0.1 0.5 0.2 2.1 0.5 0.1 0.1
Living quarters attached to
office/shop 0.2 0.3 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.4 0.1 0.0 0.0
Uncompleted building 0.6 0.3 0.0 0.1 0.4 1.7 0.6 0.0 0.2
Other 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.3 0.2 0.0 0.0
Rural
Total 56.2 62.9 79.5 65.2 72.6 4.0 46.1 85.1 71.0
Separate house 26.8 22.5 27.7 43.9 34.0 1.2 23.3 42.0 27.3
Semi-detached house 4.5 4.3 5.2 6.4 6.3 0.3 3.9 8.5 7.6
Flat/Apartment 1.5 1.1 2.8 1.2 3.8 0.4 1.6 4.5 3.2
Compound house (rooms) 20.1 29.9 38.2 11.1 25.7 1.8 14.2 23.1 30.5
Huts/Buildings (same
compound) 2.0 3.2 4.4 1.8 0.5 0.0 1.2 4.7 1.5
Huts/Buildings (different
compound) 0.4 1.0 0.4 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.3
Tent 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.2
Improvised home
(kiosk/containeretc) 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.7 0.0 0.1 0.3 0.2
Living quarters attached to
office/shop 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0 1.3 0.8 0.2
Uncompleted building 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.2 1.2 0.2 0.4 0.7 0.1
Other 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.0
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

152
Table 12.2: Type of dwelling by district and type of locality (Cont’d)
Sefwi
Prestea/ Wassa Wassa Bibiani-
Huni Amenfi Amenfi Aowin/ Sefwi Sefwi Ahwiaso
Type of Dwelling/Locality Valley East West Suaman Akontombra Wiawso Bekwai Juabeso Bia
Number 43,177 20,567 37,800 32,658 19,587 32,403 28,671 25,870 27,324
All localities
Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
Separate house 43.7 47.0 50.3 49.0 53.8 38.1 32.5 42.0 37.0
Semi-detached house 7.6 7.6 11.1 6.3 13.0 6.6 9.4 4.6 6.7
Flat/Apartment 5.5 1.7 3.4 1.4 1.3 3.6 3.0 2.5 0.8
Compound house (rooms) 38.9 39.4 31.0 35.4 27.1 45.4 53.1 47.3 48.4
Huts/Buildings (same compound) 2.3 2.9 1.8 5.6 3.1 2.6 0.7 1.5 6.1
Huts/Buildings (different compound) 0.4 0.4 0.9 1.1 0.3 1.5 0.1 0.2 0.4
Tent 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.4 0.2 0.2
Improvised home (kiosk/containeretc) 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.2 0.5 0.2 0.4 0.1
Living quarters attached to office/shop 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.4 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2
Uncompleted building 0.6 0.3 0.7 0.2 0.8 1.1 0.3 0.6 0.1
Other 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.4 0.0
Urban
Total 36.7 7.9 29.8 15.4 8.5 37.6 30.3 9.1 18.1
Separate house 9.9 2.2 6.1 2.0 2.0 8.1 6.5 2.7 5.2
Semi-detached house 3.1 0.3 4.4 0.5 1.5 2.7 3.8 0.2 1.4
Flat/Apartment 4.2 0.2 2.3 0.8 0.0 2.4 1.1 0.4 0.1
Compound house (rooms) 18.8 5.0 16.0 11.6 4.5 23.2 18.3 5.6 11.2
Huts/Buildings (same compound) 0.0 0.1 0.3 0.2 0.0 0.3 0.1 0.0 0.0
Huts/Buildings (different compound) 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 - 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0
Tent 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0
Improvised home (kiosk/containeretc) 0.2 0.0 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.0
Living quarters attached to office/shop 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0
Uncompleted building 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.3 0.5 0.2 0.1 0.0
Other 0.0 - 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 - 0.0
Rural
Total 63.3 92.1 70.2 84.6 91.5 62.4 69.7 90.9 81.9
Separate house 33.8 44.7 44.2 47.1 51.8 30.0 26.0 39.4 31.8
Semi-detached house 4.5 7.3 6.7 5.8 11.4 3.9 5.6 4.4 5.3
Flat/Apartment 1.4 1.5 1.1 0.6 1.3 1.2 1.9 2.1 0.7
Compound house (rooms) 20.1 34.4 15.0 23.8 22.6 22.2 34.7 41.7 37.2
Huts/Buildings (same compound) 2.2 2.8 1.5 5.4 3.1 2.3 0.6 1.5 6.1
Huts/Buildings (different compound) 0.4 0.3 0.7 1.1 0.3 1.5 0.1 0.2 0.4
Tent 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.2
Improvised home (kiosk/containeretc) 0.1 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.1 0.3 0.1
Living quarters attached to office/shop 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1
Uncompleted building 0.4 0.2 0.6 0.2 0.5 0.6 0.1 0.6 0.1
Other 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.4 0.0
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

153
 Table 12.3: Ownership of dwelling by district and type of locality
Nzema Sekondi
East Takoradi Mpohor-
Western Western Muni- Ahanta Metro- Wassa
Type of Ownership/Locality 2000 2010 Jomoro Ellembelle cipal West polis Shama East

Total 409,282 553,634 34,502 18,682 13,509 26,095 142,560 19,291 30,196

All Localities 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0

Owned by household member 57.2 56.6 65.9 68.6 69.2 62.8 32.8 59.0 66.1
Being purchased (e.g.
mortgage) 1.2 0.9 0.9 0.8 1.6 0.5 1.3 0.4 0.9
Relative not a household
member 10.5 13.0 14.2 16.3 13.9 16.0 12.7 21.0 14.1

Other private individual 18.5 22.3 16.4 11.9 11.8 18.1 41.8 18.2 12.4

Private employer 5.6 2.8 0.8 0.8 1.3 0.9 1.4 0.4 4.1

Other private agency 0.5 0.5 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.7 0.1 0.4

Public/Government ownership 2.6 3.5 1.3 1.1 1.9 1.2 9.1 0.7 1.4

Other 3.9 0.4 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.6
Urban

Total 45.0 37.9 20.9 37.0 29.3 96.1 55.7 15.4

Owned by household member 18.1 19.5 10.8 20.3 16.0 30.7 29.0 7.7
Being purchased (e.g.
mortgage) 0.5 0.2 0.2 1.3 0.3 1.3 0.2 0.3
Relative not a household
member 6.2 6.3 3.7 6.8 4.0 12.4 13.7 3.2

Other private individual 15.9 10.5 5.6 7.1 8.3 40.4 11.9 3.4

Private employer 0.8 0.5 0.2 0.5 0.2 1.4 0.2 0.2

Other private agency 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.6 0.0 0.3

Public/Government ownership 2.8 0.8 0.2 0.9 0.4 9.0 0.4 0.3

Other 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.4 0.3 0.1

Rural

Total 55.0 62.1 79.1 63.0 70.7 3.9 44.3 84.6

Owned by household member 38.5 46.4 57.8 48.9 46.8 2.1 29.9 58.4
Being purchased (e.g.
mortgage) 0.4 0.8 0.6 0.3 0.2 0.0 0.2 0.6
Relative not a household
member 6.7 7.9 12.6 7.2 12.0 0.2 7.4 10.9

Other private individual 6.3 5.9 6.3 4.6 9.8 1.4 6.3 9.0

Private employer 2.0 0.3 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.0 0.2 3.9

Other private agency 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.2

Public/Government ownership 0.7 0.6 0.9 0.9 0.8 0.1 0.3 1.0

Other 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.0 0.1 0.5

Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

154
 Table 12.3: Ownership of dwelling by district and type of locality (Cont’d)
Tarkwa Sefwi
Nsuaem Prestea Wassa Wassa Sefwi Bibiani-
Type of Muni- / Huni Amenfi Amenfi Aowin/ Akon- Sefwi Ahwiaso
Ownership/Locality cipal Valley East West Suaman tombra Wiawso Bekwai Juabeso Bia

Total 21,713 38,295 18,620 34,469 30,658 17,592 30,074 27,961 23,639 25,778
All localities

Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
Owned by household
member 56.0 57.9 69.8 73.1 72.3 73.2 65.6 57.6 67.5 57.8
Being purchased (e.g.
mortgage) 0.4 0.8 0.5 0.5 0.9 1.2 1.1 1.0 0.5 0.7
Relative not a household
member 11.7 11.2 12.2 7.2 10.0 10.1 12.1 19.0 12.9 11.4

Other private individual 24.9 22.2 15.0 11.9 9.8 9.4 15.7 18.1 11.5 17.4

Private employer 3.5 2.0 1.3 4.5 4.9 4.7 3.0 1.6 5.7 11.3

Other private agency 0.5 1.1 0.2 1.0 0.3 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.5 0.4
Public/Government
ownership 2.5 4.6 0.8 1.1 1.3 0.7 1.7 1.0 1.0 0.8

Other 0.5 0.2 0.1 0.7 0.6 0.5 0.5 1.4 0.5 0.2
Urban

Total 29.4 38.6 7.6 30.5 16.2 9.1 38.6 30.2 9.6 18.8
Owned by household
member 16.0 16.3 3.5 16.3 8.6 4.6 21.0 12.7 5.8 9.5
Being purchased (e.g.
mortgage) 0.1 0.3 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.5 0.3 0.0 0.1
Relative not a household
member 2.7 5.0 0.9 2.5 2.6 2.1 4.7 5.1 1.1 2.3

Other private individual 8.4 13.3 2.8 7.2 4.0 2.1 9.8 10.5 2.4 6.3

Private employer 0.8 0.6 0.1 2.8 0.2 0.2 1.2 0.3 0.1 0.2

Other private agency 0.1 0.8 0.1 0.6 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1
Public/Government
ownership 0.9 2.2 0.2 0.7 0.4 0.1 1.1 0.6 0.2 0.3

Other 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.2 0.2 0.0 0.2 0.8 0.0 0.1
Rural

Total 70.6 61.4 92.4 69.5 83.8 90.9 61.4 69.8 90.4 81.2
Owned by household
member 40.0 41.5 66.3 56.8 63.6 68.6 44.6 45.0 61.7 48.2
Being purchased (e.g.
mortgage) 0.3 0.6 0.4 0.3 0.8 1.2 0.6 0.7 0.5 0.6
Relative not a household
member 9.0 6.1 11.3 4.7 7.4 8.0 7.4 13.9 11.8 9.0

Other private individual 16.4 9.0 12.3 4.7 5.8 7.3 5.9 7.6 9.1 11.1
Private employer 2.7 1.4 1.2 1.7 4.6 4.5 1.7 1.4 5.6 11.2

Other private agency 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.5 0.4
Public/Government
ownership 1.5 2.4 0.7 0.4 0.9 0.7 0.6 0.4 0.8 0.5
Other 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.3 0.6 0.4 0.1
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

155
Table12.4: Present holding/tenancy arrangement by district and type of locality
Nzema Sekondi Mpohor-
Western Western East Ahanta Takoradi Wassa
Holding/Tenancy 2000 2010 Jomoro Ellembelle Municipal West Metropolis Shama East

Number 409,282 553,634 34,502 18,682 13,509 26,095 142,560 19,291 30,196
All localities

Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0

Owner occupied 57.2 48.9 56.5 58.2 60.3 56.0 24.8 54.6 59.9

Renting 22.0 28.6 23.0 18.8 18.7 23.5 54.1 21.9 15.3

Rent-free 19.8 21.7 19.4 22.7 20.1 20.1 20.2 22.6 24.0

Perching 1.0 0.4 0.8 0.2 0.5 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.4

Squatting * 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.3 0.1 0.1

Other * 0.2 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.3 0.3

Urban

Total 45.0 37.9 20.9 37.0 29.3 96.1 55.7 15.4

Owner occupied 14.1 14.4 8.2 15.0 13.1 23.3 26.0 5.8

Renting 21.1 15.2 7.6 12.4 10.7 52.3 14.1 5.0

Rent-free 9.4 7.8 5.0 9.3 5.3 19.7 15.1 4.5

Perching 0.2 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.4 0.2 0.1

Squatting 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.3 0.1 0.0

Other 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1

Rural

Total 55.0 62.1 79.1 63.0 70.7 3.9 44.3 84.6

Owner occupied 34.8 42.1 50.0 45.3 42.9 1.5 28.5 54.1

Renting 7.5 7.9 11.2 6.3 12.8 1.8 7.8 10.4

Rent-free 12.3 11.5 17.7 10.8 14.7 0.5 7.5 19.5

Perching 0.2 0.5 0.2 0.4 0.2 0.0 0.2 0.3

Squatting 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0

Other 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.2 0.2

Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

156
Table12.4: Present holding/tenancy arrangement by district and type of locality
(Cont’d)
Sefwi
Tarkwa Prestea/ Wassa Wassa Bibiani-
Nsuaem Huni Amenfi Amenfi Aowin/ Sefwi Sefwi Ahwiaso
Holding/Tenancy Municipal Valley East West Suaman Akontombra Wiawso Bekwai Juabeso Bia

Number 21,713 38,295 18,620 34,469 30,658 17,592 30,074 27,961 23,639 25,778
All localities

Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0

Owner occupied 47.8 50.0 61.4 64.7 65.0 67.6 58.5 46.5 61.4 53.0

Renting 32.7 32.0 16.5 15.3 11.4 7.2 22.3 24.8 11.2 13.5

Rent-free 18.7 17.5 21.6 19.3 22.4 24.4 18.5 28.1 26.9 32.9

Perching 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.8 0.3 0.4 0.2 0.3 0.4

Squatting 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.3 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.1

Other 0.3 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.1 0.0
Urban

Total 29.4 38.6 7.6 30.5 16.2 9.1 38.6 30.2 9.6 18.8

Owner occupied 13.1 12.6 2.7 12.3 5.8 3.9 17.4 9.3 5.2 8.9

Renting 11.0 19.2 3.5 9.9 5.8 2.5 14.9 14.1 2.7 6.2

Rent-free 5.0 6.5 1.2 8.1 4.4 2.6 6.1 6.7 1.7 3.7

Perching 0.2 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0

Squatting 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0

Other 0.1 0.0 - 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1 - 0.0

Rural

Total 70.6 61.4 92.4 69.5 83.8 90.9 61.4 69.8 90.4 81.2

Owner occupied 34.7 37.3 58.7 52.5 59.2 63.7 41.1 37.3 56.2 44.1

Renting 21.7 12.8 13.0 5.4 5.6 4.8 7.4 10.7 8.5 7.4

Rent-free 13.7 11.0 20.4 11.2 18.0 21.8 12.5 21.4 25.2 29.2

Perching 0.2 0.2 0.4 0.3 0.8 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.3 0.4

Squatting 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.3 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1

Other 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.0
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

157
12.4 Room Occupancy
12.4.1 Rooms
In all districts as well as in urban and rural areas the proportion of households that occupy
rooms decrease with increasing number of rooms. And in the entire region, 48% of
households occupy one room.
In urban areas, Sekondi Takoradi Metro has the highest percentage (48%) of households in
single rooms, followed by Shama with 33%. Seven districts have over 10% in single rooms in
urban areas while three districts (Sefwi Akontombra, Wassa Amenfi East and Juabeso)
recorded 5% or less.
Percentages occupying all numbers of rooms are higher in rural areas than in urban areas
across districts except Sekondi Takoradi Metro and Shama where the percentages are higher
in urban areas than rural areas.

Table 12.5: Rooms households occupy

Nzema Sekondi Mpohor-
Western Western East Ahanta Takoradi Wassa
Number of Rooms 2000 2010 Jomoro Ellembelle Municipal West Metropolis Shama East
Number 409,282 553,634 34,502 18,682 13,509 26,095 142,560 19,291 30,196
All localities
Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
One room 56.9 48.0 46.5 45.7 46.1 59.3 49.8 54.3 55.1
Two rooms 23.1 26.5 27.7 27.8 29.2 23.1 26.4 25.3 24.8
Three rooms 9.5 11.9 11.5 12.3 12.6 8.9 10.5 10.5 10.1
Four rooms 4.5 6.2 6.0 5.8 6.0 4.3 6.4 4.7 4.8
Five rooms 2.2 3.0 3.1 3.0 2.7 2.0 3.1 2.3 2.3
Six rooms 1.3 1.8 1.9 2.1 1.4 1.1 1.6 1.4 1.1
Seven rooms 0.9 1.1 1.4 1.1 0.9 0.6 1.0 0.8 0.7
Eight rooms 1.6+ 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.5 0.3 0.5 0.4 0.5
Nine rooms or more * 0.9 1.2 1.4 0.6 0.4 0.5 0.3 0.6
Urban
Total 45.0 37.9 20.9 37.0 29.3 96.1 55.7 15.4
One room 23.9 22.1 10.3 22.1 16.6 48.0 33.0 10.6
Two rooms 10.9 8.3 5.2 8.3 6.7 25.3 13.6 2.8
Three rooms 4.5 3.3 2.6 2.6 2.8 10.2 4.7 1.2
Four rooms 2.6 1.7 1.3 1.5 1.4 6.1 2.1 0.4
Five rooms 1.3 0.9 0.7 1.0 0.8 3.0 1.0 0.2
Six rooms 0.7 0.6 0.4 0.6 0.4 1.6 0.6 0.1
Seven rooms 0.5 0.5 0.2 0.5 0.3 1.0 0.4 0.1
Eight rooms 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.5 0.2 0.0
Nine rooms or more 0.3 0.4 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.5 0.1 0.1
Rural
Total 55.0 62.1 79.1 63.0 70.7 3.9 44.3 84.6
One room 24.1 24.4 35.4 24.0 42.7 1.8 21.3 44.5
Two rooms 15.5 19.4 22.6 20.9 16.4 1.1 11.7 22.1
Three rooms 7.5 8.2 9.7 10.0 6.1 0.4 5.8 8.9
Four rooms 3.6 4.3 4.6 4.6 2.8 0.3 2.6 4.4
Five rooms 1.7 2.2 2.3 1.7 1.2 0.1 1.2 2.0
Six rooms 1.0 1.3 1.7 0.8 0.7 0.1 0.8 1.0
Seven rooms 0.6 0.9 0.9 0.4 0.4 0.1 0.4 0.6
Eight rooms 0.4 0.5 0.7 0.3 0.2 0.0 0.2 0.4
Nine rooms or more 0.6 0.8 1.2 0.3 0.2 0.0 0.2 0.6
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

158
Table 12.5: Rooms households occupy (Cont’d)
Sefwi
Tarkwa Prestea/ Wassa Wassa Sefwi Bibiani-
Nsuaem Huni Amenfi Amenfi Aowin/ Akon- Sefwi Ahwiaso
Number of Rooms Municipal Valley East West Suaman tombra Wiawso Bekwai Juabeso Bia
Number 21,713 38,295 18,620 34,469 30,658 17,592 30,074 27,961 23,639 25,778
All localities
Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
One room 52.8 52.2 48.6 43.1 39.5 33.4 46.8 53.1 37.7 39.6
Two rooms 26.2 25.4 25.3 28.5 30.4 31.6 23.5 21.4 28.9 27.1
Three rooms 10.2 10.9 12.8 14.4 15.5 17.3 12.5 10.3 15.1 15.3
Four rooms 5.8 5.5 6.4 6.8 6.8 7.9 7.0 5.8 7.3 7.6
Five rooms 2.0 2.5 3.0 2.9 2.9 3.7 3.5 3.5 4.0 3.6
Six rooms 1.2 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.9 2.3 2.4 2.1 2.6 2.4
Seven rooms 0.8 0.8 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.5 1.5 1.3 1.7 1.7
Eight rooms 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.4 0.7 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.2 1.0
Nine rooms or more 0.6 0.7 0.8 1.1 1.1 1.4 1.7 1.5 1.5 1.6
Urban
Total 29.4 38.6 7.6 30.5 16.2 9.1 38.6 30.2 9.6 18.8
One room 15.5 22.4 4.7 17.2 10.1 5.0 21.5 17.8 4.0 9.9
Two rooms 7.4 9.1 1.6 6.4 3.2 1.7 7.4 6.4 1.9 3.7
Three rooms 3.1 3.0 0.6 3.1 1.2 0.9 3.8 2.7 1.0 2.0
Four rooms 1.8 1.8 0.2 1.5 0.7 0.5 2.2 1.7 0.9 1.2
Five rooms 0.7 0.8 0.2 0.9 0.4 0.4 1.3 0.6 0.5 0.7
Six rooms 0.4 0.6 0.1 0.5 0.2 0.2 0.8 0.5 0.4 0.4
Seven rooms 0.3 0.3 0.0 0.4 0.1 0.1 0.5 0.4 0.3 0.4
Eight rooms 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.3 0.1 0.2 0.2
Nine rooms or more 0.2 0.3 0.0 0.5 0.2 0.1 0.7 0.1 0.4 0.3
Rural
Total 0.6 61.4 92.4 69.5 83.8 90.9 61.4 69.8 90.4 81.2
One room 37.4 29.8 44.0 25.9 29.3 28.3 25.3 35.3 33.7 29.7
Two rooms 18.8 16.3 23.7 22.1 27.2 29.9 16.1 15.1 26.9 23.5
Three rooms 7.1 7.9 12.2 11.3 14.2 16.3 8.7 7.7 14.1 13.3
Four rooms 3.9 3.7 6.1 5.3 6.1 7.4 4.8 4.1 6.3 6.4
Five rooms 1.3 1.7 2.8 2.1 2.5 3.3 2.2 2.9 3.5 2.9
Six rooms 0.8 0.9 1.5 1.2 1.7 2.1 1.6 1.6 2.2 2.0
Seven rooms 0.5 0.5 1.0 0.7 1.1 1.4 1.0 1.0 1.4 1.3
Eight rooms 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.3 0.7 0.9 0.7 0.8 1.0 0.8
Nine rooms or more 0.4 0.4 0.7 0.6 0.9 1.3 1.0 1.4 1.1 1.3
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

12.4.2 Sleeping Rooms

For the entire region, 58.3 percent of households have one sleeping room. Six districts have
over 60 percent, seven have over 50 percent and four have over 40 percent in single sleeping
rooms. In all districts, at least 1 in 5 households has two sleeping rooms. Sefwi Akontombra
recorded the highest of 1 in 3 for these rooms.

The general decline in percentage with increase in number of rooms is indicative of

availability of sleeping rooms across all localities. Rural urban differences are also
maintained.

159
Table 12.6: Sleeping rooms household occupy by district and type of locality
Nzema Sekondi Mpohor-
East Ahanta Takoradi Wassa
Sleeping rooms Western Jomoro Ellembelle Municipal West Metropolis Shama East
Number 553,634 34,502 18,682 13,509 26,095 142,560 19,291 30,196
All localities
Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
One room 58.3 53.9 52.2 55.7 68.4 63.5 64.1 67.8
Two rooms 24.9 26.9 27.4 27.7 20.8 22.8 23.1 20.3
Three rooms 9.1 9.7 10.0 10.0 6.4 7.8 7.7 6.6
Four rooms 4.1 4.7 5.1 3.9 2.8 3.6 3.0 2.9
Five rooms 1.7 2.2 2.0 1.6 0.9 1.3 1.0 1.1
Six rooms 0.9 1.3 1.4 0.5 0.4 0.6 0.7 0.5
Seven rooms 0.4 0.6 0.7 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.3
Eight rooms 0.2 0.4 0.4 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.2
Nine rooms or more 0.4 0.4 0.7 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.2

Urban
Total 45.0 37.9 20.9 37.0 29.3 96.1 55.7 15.4
One room 28.7 24.6 11.5 25.2 19.2 61.3 38.2 11.9
Two rooms 9.8 7.7 5.2 7.5 6.2 21.8 11.4 2.4
Three rooms 3.5 2.7 2.1 2.4 2.2 7.4 3.7 0.7
Four rooms 1.7 1.3 1.2 1.0 1.0 3.4 1.5 0.2
Five rooms 0.7 0.7 0.4 0.6 0.4 1.2 0.4 0.1
Six rooms 0.3 0.4 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.5 0.3 0.0
Seven rooms 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.0
Eight rooms 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0
Nine rooms or more 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0

Rural
Total 55.0 62.1 79.1 63.0 70.7 3.9 44.3 84.6
One room 29.6 29.3 40.8 30.6 49.2 2.2 25.9 55.9
Two rooms 15.1 19.2 22.2 20.2 14.6 1.0 11.7 17.9
Three rooms 5.7 6.9 7.9 7.6 4.2 0.3 4.0 5.9
Four rooms 2.5 3.4 3.9 2.9 1.8 0.2 1.6 2.8
Five rooms 1.0 1.5 1.6 1.0 0.5 0.1 0.6 1.0
Six rooms 0.6 0.9 1.2 0.4 0.2 0.0 0.3 0.5
Seven rooms 0.3 0.3 0.6 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.3
Eight rooms 0.2 0.2 0.4 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2
Nine rooms or more 0.2 0.3 0.6 0.1 0.1 - 0.1 0.2
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

160
Table 12.6: Sleeping rooms household occupy by district and type of locality (Cont’d)
Tarkwa Sefwi
Nsuaem Prestea/ Wassa Wassa Sefwi Bibiani-
Muni- Huni Amenfi Amenfi Aowin/ Akon- Sefwi Ahwiaso
Sleeping rooms cipal Valley East West Suaman tombra Wiawso Bekwai Juabeso Bia
Number 21,713 38,295 18,620 34,469 30,658 17,592 30,074 27,961 23,639 25,778
All localities
Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
One room 61.6 62.2 56.9 51.8 49.2 44.5 55.4 58.9 48.4 48.8
Two rooms 24.4 23.8 25.7 29.1 29.8 30.9 23.8 22.1 28.3 28.4
Three rooms 8.0 8.2 10.1 11.1 11.9 13.2 10.1 9.1 11.5 11.3
Four rooms 3.5 3.3 4.0 4.2 4.8 6.0 5.2 4.7 5.5 5.4
Five rooms 1.1 1.3 1.6 1.6 2.1 2.4 2.5 2.2 2.6 2.4
Six rooms 0.6 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.0 1.4 1.3 1.4 1.4 1.4
Seven rooms 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.3 0.4 0.7 0.7 0.6 0.9 0.8
Eight rooms 0.2 0.1 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.3 0.4 0.3 0.5 0.5
Nine rooms or more 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.6 0.5 0.5 0.6 0.6 0.7 0.9

Urban

Total 29.4 38.6 7.6 30.5 16.2 9.1 38.6 30.2 9.6 18.8
One room 17.6 25.6 5.0 18.7 11.0 5.4 23.7 19.4 4.3 10.7
Two rooms 7.2 7.9 1.6 6.5 2.9 1.9 7.4 6.4 2.1 3.7
Three rooms 2.5 2.6 0.5 2.7 1.1 0.8 3.5 2.4 1.1 1.8
Four rooms 1.2 1.3 0.2 1.2 0.6 0.6 1.8 1.1 0.9 1.2
Five rooms 0.4 0.5 0.1 0.6 0.3 0.2 1.0 0.4 0.4 0.6
Six rooms 0.2 0.3 0.1 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.5 0.3 0.3 0.3
Seven rooms 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.2
Eight rooms 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1
Nine rooms or more 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.3 0.1 0.0 0.3 0.1 0.3 0.2

Rural
Total 70.6 61.4 92.4 69.5 83.8 90.9 61.4 69.8 90.4 81.2
One room 44.0 36.5 52.0 33.1 38.2 39.2 31.7 39.5 44.1 38.1
Two rooms 17.2 15.9 24.1 22.7 26.9 29.0 16.4 15.8 26.2 24.7
Three rooms 5.5 5.6 9.6 8.4 10.8 12.4 6.6 6.7 10.4 9.5
Four rooms 2.3 2.0 3.8 3.0 4.1 5.4 3.4 3.6 4.6 4.2
Five rooms 0.7 0.8 1.4 1.0 1.8 2.2 1.5 1.8 2.3 1.8
Six rooms 0.4 0.3 0.7 0.7 0.9 1.3 0.8 1.1 1.1 1.0
Seven rooms 0.2 0.1 0.4 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.4 0.5 0.7 0.7
Eight rooms 0.1 0.1 0.3 0.2 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.5
Nine rooms or more 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.3 0.5 0.5 0.7
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

161
12.4.3 Sharing of Sleeping Rooms with other Households
In all districts except Nzema East, less than 2% of households had one sleeping room shared
with another/other household(s). Most districts (13) recorded over 50% of their households
having one sleeping room which was not shared. Four other districts (Aowin Suaman, Sefwi
Akontombra, Juabeso and Bia) have less than 50% in one room which was not shared. Other
districts have over 50% of households with more than one sleeping room.

Percentage of households in rural areas with more than one sleeping room is higher than
percentages in urban areas in all districts with the exception of Sekondi Takoradi Metro.
Proportions with one sleeping room but not sharing are also higher in rural than in urban
areas and across districts except Sekondi Takoradi Metro and Shama.

Table 12.7: Sharing of sleeping rooms with other households

Sekondi Tarkwa
Nzema Takoradi Mpohor- Nsuaem
East Ahanta Metro- Wassa Muni-
Sleeping rooms shared Western Jomoro Ellembelle Municipal West polis Shama East cipal
Number 553,634 34,502 18,682 13,509 26,095 142,560 19,291 30,196 21,713
All localities
Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
Yes one sleeping
room and sharing 1.3 1.4 1.4 2.0 1.1 1.6 1.4 1.7 1.5
No one sleeping room
but not sharing 57.0 52.5 50.8 53.7 67.3 61.9 62.7 66.1 60.2
More than one
sleeping room 41.7 46.1 47.8 44.3 31.6 36.5 35.9 32.2 38.4

Urban
Total 45.0 37.9 20.9 37.0 29.3 96.1 55.7 15.4 29.4
Yes one sleeping
room and sharing 0.7 0.8 0.3 1.2 0.4 1.6 1.0 0.2 0.5
No one sleeping room
but not sharing 28.0 23.9 11.1 23.9 18.8 59.7 37.2 11.7 17.1
More than one
sleeping room 16.3 13.3 9.5 11.9 10.1 34.9 17.5 3.6 11.8

Rural

Total 55.0 62.1 79.1 63.0 70.7 3.9 44.3 84.6 70.6
Yes one sleeping
room and sharing 0.6 0.6 1.1 0.8 0.7 0.0 0.4 1.5 1.0
No one sleeping room
but not sharing 29.0 28.6 39.7 29.8 48.5 2.2 25.5 54.4 43.0
More than one
sleeping room 25.5 32.8 38.3 32.4 21.5 1.6 18.4 28.6 26.6
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

162
Table 12.7: Sharing of sleeping rooms with other households (Cont’d)
Sefwi
Prestea/ Wassa Wassa Sefwi Bibiani-
Huni Amenfi Amenfi Aowin/ Akon- Sefwi Ahwiaso
Sleeping rooms shared Valley East West Suaman tombra Wiawso Bekwai Juabeso Bia
Number 38,295 18,620 34,469 30,658 17,592 30,074 27,961 23,639 25,778
All localities
Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
Yes one sleeping
room and sharing 1.9 1.1 1.2 0.6 0.7 1.2 0.6 1.0 0.8
No one sleeping
room but not sharing 60.2 55.8 50.6 48.6 43.8 54.1 58.2 47.4 48.1
More than one
sleeping room 37.8 43.1 48.2 50.8 55.5 44.6 41.1 51.6 51.2

Urban
Total 38.6 7.6 30.5 16.2 9.1 38.6 30.2 9.6 18.8
Yes one sleeping
room and sharing 1.1 0.1 0.6 0.1 0.1 0.6 0.2 0.1 0.1
No one sleeping
room but not sharing 24.5 4.9 18.1 10.9 5.3 23.1 19.1 4.2 10.6
More than one
sleeping room 12.9 2.6 11.8 5.2 3.7 14.9 10.9 5.4 8.1

Rural
Total 61.4 92.4 69.5 83.8 90.9 61.4 69.8 90.4 81.2
Yes one sleeping
room and sharing 0.8 1.0 0.6 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.4 0.9 0.6
No one sleeping
room but not sharing 35.7 50.9 32.5 37.7 38.6 31.0 39.1 43.2 37.4
More than one
sleeping room 24.9 40.5 36.4 45.6 51.8 29.7 30.3 46.2 43.1
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

12.4.4 Households sharing Sleeping Room

In all districts, over 96.4 percent of households with one sleeping room did not share sleeping
room. Nzema East has the highest percentage sharing (3.6%) while Sefwi-Bibiani-Ahwiaso-
Bekwai recorded the lowest (1.1%). In all districts, of the households sharing more than more
sleeping room, over 50 percent did so with only one other household. This was also the trend
in both rural and urban areas.

163
 Table 12.8: Households sharing sleeping rooms
Nzema Sekondi Mpohor-
East Ahanta Takoradi Wassa
Sleeping rooms shared Western Jomoro Ellembelle Municipal West Metropolis Shama East
Number 322,739 18,588 9,761 7,529 17,854 90,489 12,370 20,479
All localities
Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
One sleeping room not sharing 97.7 97.4 97.3 96.4 98.4 97.5 97.8 97.5
2 households sharing 1.5 1.6 1.8 2.5 1.1 1.8 1.6 1.8
3 households sharing 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.5
4 households sharing 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.2
5 or more households sharing 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0
Urban
Total 49.2 45.7 21.9 45.1 28.1 96.5 59.5 17.5
One sleeping room not sharing 48.0 44.3 21.3 42.9 27.5 94.0 58.0 17.3
2 households sharing 0.9 0.8 0.4 1.6 0.4 1.8 1.2 0.2
3 households sharing 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.5 0.3 0.1
4 households sharing 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.2 - 0.0
5 or more households sharing 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.1 - 0.1 0.0 -
Rural
Total 50.8 54.3 78.1 54.9 71.9 3.5 40.5 82.5
One sleeping room not sharing 49.8 53.1 76.0 53.5 70.8 3.5 39.8 80.2
2 households sharing 0.7 0.9 1.4 0.9 0.7 0.0 0.4 1.6
3 households sharing 0.2 0.1 0.4 0.3 0.2 - 0.2 0.4
4 households sharing 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.2
5 or more households sharing 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 - 0.0 0.0

Tarkwa Sefwi
Nsuaem Prestea/ Wassa Wassa Sefwi Bibiani-
Muni- Huni Amenfi Amenfi Aowin/ Akon- Sefwi Ahwiaso
Sleeping rooms shared cipal Valley East West Suaman tombra Wiawso Bekwai Juabeso Bia
Number 13,379 23,802 10,602 17,839 15,069 7,836 16,647 16,468 11,444 12,583
All localities
Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
One sleeping room not sharing 97.6 96.9 98.0 97.7 98.8 98.4 97.8 98.9 98.0 98.5
2 households sharing 1.5 1.6 1.1 1.3 0.9 1.2 1.3 1.0 1.2 1.1
3 households sharing 0.5 0.7 0.6 0.7 0.1 0.1 0.5 0.1 0.4 0.2
4 households sharing 0.4 0.5 0.2 0.3 0.2 - 0.2 0.0 0.4 0.1
5 or more households sharing 0.0 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.1
Urban
Total 28.6 41.2 8.7 36.1 22.3 12.0 42.7 32.9 8.9 22.0
One sleeping room not sharing 27.8 39.4 8.6 35.0 22.1 11.8 41.7 32.5 8.7 21.8
2 households sharing 0.5 0.8 0.1 0.6 0.2 0.2 0.6 0.4 0.1 0.2
3 households sharing 0.1 0.4 0.0 0.4 - - 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0
4 households sharing 0.2 0.4 0.0 0.1 0.0 - 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0
5 or more households sharing 0.0 0.2 - 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 - 0.0
Rural
Total 71.4 58.8 91.3 63.9 77.7 88.0 57.3 67.1 91.1 78.0
One sleeping room not sharing 69.9 57.5 89.5 62.7 76.7 86.6 56.1 66.4 89.3 76.7
2 households sharing 1.0 0.8 1.0 0.7 0.7 1.0 0.7 0.6 1.1 0.9
3 households sharing 0.3 0.3 0.6 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.3 0.0 0.3 0.2
4 households sharing 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.2 - 0.1 0.0 0.3 0.1
5 or more households sharing 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

164
12.5 Construction Materials
12.5.1 Outer Wall
Table 12.9 shows the main construction material for outer wall. Cement/concrete blocks
(50.1%) and mud bricks/earth (40.6%) constitute the main construction material for outer
walls in the region. In eight districts cement blocks are predominantly used while in other
nine districts mud bricks are referred. Sekondi Takoradi Metro and Shama recorded the
highest proportions of over 70% using cement while Wassa Amenfi East and Bia reported the
lowest (less than 20%). Mud bricks are used predominantly in Bia (79.1%) and Juabeso
(72.3%).
In urban areas, cement blocks are the most common in all districts except Bia where mud
brick are commonly used. Mud brick is the most popular material for outer walls in 13
districts. Rural areas of Jomoro, Ahanta West, Sekondi Takoradi Metro and Tarkwa Nsuaem
cement blocks are the most popular material for outer walls of dwelling units.

12.5.2 Floor
Cement floors are the most common in all districts as well as urban and rural areas. At the
regional level it accounts for over 80% while earth/mud floors constitute only 14.1%.

12.5.3 Roof
At the regional level, the main materials used for roofing are metal sheet (63.2%),
slate/asbestos (15.3%), thatch/palm leaf or raffia (7.4%), and cement/concrete (6.0%). Eleven
districts have over 70% of dwelling units with metal sheets, while two others, Sefwi-Bibiani-
Ahwiaso-Bekwai and Sefwi Wiawso have 90% of dwelling units roofed with metal sheets.
Jomoro and Shama have the lowest proportions of roofs with about about 30% metal sheets.
In urban areas metal sheet, slate/asbestos and cement /concrete constitute 41.2 percent. In
rural areas the main materials are metal sheet, thatch/palm leaf or raffia, bamboo and
slate/asbestos with metal sheet alone accounting for about 68% of roofing material.

165
 Table 12.9: Main construction material for outer wall
Nzema Sekondi Mpohor-
Main construction material Western Western East Ahanta Takoradi Wassa
for outer wall 2000 2010 Jomoro Ellembelle Municipal West Metropolis Shama East
Number 430,182 553,634 34,502 18,682 13,509 26,095 142,560 19,291 30,196
All localities
Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
Mud brick/Earth 56.8 40.6 26.6 30.3 48.8 38.8 9.0 24.8 61.2
Wood 4.8 3.2 1.4 1.9 1.7 2.4 4.2 1.2 2.6
Metal sheet/Slate/Asbestos 0.3 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.4 0.6 0.3 0.6
Stone 0.2 0.1 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.1
Burnt bricks 1.6 0.9 0.8 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.5 0.4 1.4
Cement blocks/Concrete 29.6 50.1 44.3 51.4 42.2 55.9 84.1 71.2 30.8
Landcrete 2.2 1.6 1.5 1.9 4.0 1.2 0.6 0.8 2.7
Bamboo 0.8 0.3 1.4 1.0 1.7 0.2 0.1 0.6 0.2
Palm leaf/Thatch
(grass)/Raffia 2.1 2.0 22.1 12.2 0.4 0.2 0.0 0.4 0.3
Other 2.1 0.6 1.1 0.3 0.5 0.5 0.7 0.2 0.2

Urban
Total 43.8 37.1 20.5 34.8 27.4 96.0 53.9 14.9
Mud brick/Earth 7.2 6.9 2.6 6.5 7.2 8.7 7.0 3.6
Wood 1.5 0.5 0.3 0.8 0.4 4.1 0.9 0.2
Metal sheet/Slate/Asbestos 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.6 0.2 0.2
Stone 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.1
Burnt bricks 0.3 0.4 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.5 0.1 0.5
Cement blocks/Concrete 33.2 21.3 15.1 23.8 19.2 80.7 45.0 10.2
Landcrete 0.4 0.7 0.3 1.8 0.1 0.5 0.0 0.2
Bamboo 0.1 0.3 0.0 1.2 0.1 0.1 0.3 0.0
Palm leaf/Thatch
(grass)/Raffia 0.5 6.0 1.8 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0
Other 0.3 0.6 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.6 0.1 0.0

Rural
Total 56.2 62.9 79.5 65.2 72.6 4.0 46.1 85.1
Mud brick/Earth 33.4 19.7 27.7 42.2 31.6 0.4 17.8 57.6
Wood 1.8 0.9 1.6 0.9 2.0 0.1 0.2 2.3
Metal sheet/Slate/Asbestos 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.4
Stone 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1
Burnt bricks 0.5 0.4 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.3 1.0
Cement blocks/Concrete 16.9 23.0 36.3 18.4 36.7 3.3 26.2 20.6
Landcrete 1.2 0.9 1.5 2.3 1.1 0.1 0.7 2.5
Bamboo 0.2 1.1 1.0 0.5 0.1 0.0 0.2 0.1
Palm leaf/Thatch
(grass)/Raffia 1.5 16.1 10.4 0.2 0.2 - 0.3 0.3
Other 0.3 0.5 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.0 0.1 0.2
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

166
 Table 12.9: Main construction material for outer wall (Cont’d)
Tarkwa Sefwi
Nsuaem Prestea/ Wassa Wassa Sefwi Bibiani-
Main construction material Muni- Huni Amenfi Amenfi Aowin/ Akon- Sefwi Ahwiaso
for outer wall cipal Valley East West Suaman tombra Wiawso Bekwai Juabeso Bia
Number 21,713 38,295 18,620 34,469 30,658 17,592 30,074 27,961 23,639 25,778
All localities
Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
Mud brick/Earth 43.0 43.9 68.0 56.9 66.5 67.1 51.5 42.0 72.3 79.1
Wood 1.9 3.1 5.9 4.8 3.9 5.2 2.5 1.0 3.9 3.0
Metal sheet/Slate/Asbestos 0.6 0.9 0.5 0.4 0.6 0.4 0.7 0.5 0.4 0.4
Stone 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2
Burnt bricks 0.6 0.6 1.6 1.5 1.3 1.6 1.3 2.3 1.2 0.1
Cement blocks/Concrete 50.0 48.8 19.4 34.9 21.8 24.5 41.8 50.3 20.3 13.9
Landcrete 3.2 1.5 3.3 0.7 3.8 0.5 1.2 1.6 1.3 2.9
Bamboo 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.3 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.1
Palm leaf/Thatch
(grass)/Raffia 0.1 0.5 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.4 0.8 0.2 0.1
Other 0.2 0.3 0.7 0.4 1.6 0.3 0.4 1.2 0.3 0.2
Urban
Total 29.0 36.7 7.9 29.8 15.4 8.5 37.6 30.3 9.1 8.1
Mud brick/Earth 10.8 7.4 3.3 6.0 4.7 2.0 13.6 6.1 3.7 12.3
Wood 0.7 0.8 0.3 1.7 0.3 0.1 0.7 0.2 0.1 0.2
Metal sheet/Slate/Asbestos 0.2 0.4 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.3 0.2 0.0 0.0
Stone 0.0 0.0 - 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Burnt bricks 0.2 0.3 0.0 0.3 0.3 0.1 0.7 0.9 0.0 0.0
Cement blocks/Concrete 14.8 26.8 4.2 20.9 9.6 6.1 21.8 21.9 5.1 5.3
Landcrete 2.1 0.6 0.0 0.4 0.2 0.1 0.4 0.4 0.1 0.1
Bamboo 0.1 0.2 - 0.1 0.0 - 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Palm leaf/Thatch
(grass)/Raffia 0.0 0.0 - 0.0 0.0 - 0.0 0.3 0.0 0.0
Other 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1
Rural
Total 71.0 63.3 92.1 70.2 84.6 91.5 62.4 69.7 90.9 81.9
Mud brick/Earth 32.2 36.4 64.7 50.9 61.8 65.1 37.9 35.9 68.6 66.8
Wood 1.2 2.3 5.6 3.1 3.6 5.1 1.8 0.8 3.8 2.8
Metal sheet/Slate/Asbestos 0.4 0.5 0.4 0.2 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.3
Stone 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1
Burnt bricks 0.4 0.3 1.6 1.3 0.9 1.5 0.7 1.4 1.2 0.1
Cement blocks/Concrete 35.2 22.0 15.2 14.0 12.3 18.5 20.0 28.4 15.1 8.6
Landcrete 1.1 0.8 3.3 0.3 3.6 0.5 0.7 1.2 1.3 2.8
Bamboo 0.3 0.2 0.3 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0
Palm leaf/Thatch
(grass)/Raffia 0.1 0.5 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.4 0.5 0.2 0.1
Other 0.2 0.2 0.7 0.2 1.4 0.3 0.2 1.0 0.2 0.2
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

167
Table 12.10: Main construction material for floor of dwelling by district and
type of locality
Nzema Sekondi Mpohor-
Main construction material Western Western East Ahanta Takoradi Wassa
for floor 2000 2010 Jomoro Ellembelle Municipal West Metropolis Shama East
Number 409,282 553,634 34,502 18,682 13,509 26,095 142,560 19,291 30,196
All localities
Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
Earth/Mud 22.1 14.1 12.8 7.5 13.2 4.2 1.8 5.4 15.6
Cement/Concrete 73.8 81.3 83.1 89.7 84.1 93.1 87.8 91.4 82.5
Stone 0.4 0.4 0.2 0.2 0.6 0.3 0.4 0.3 0.4
Burnt brick 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.3 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.2
Wood 0.8 0.5 1.0 0.3 0.4 0.2 1.2 0.2 0.1
Vinyl tiles 0.3 0.8 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.5 1.8 0.9 0.2
Ceramic/Porcelain/Granite/
Marble tiles 0.1 1.2 0.6 0.8 0.5 1.0 2.5 0.7 0.6
Terrazzo/Terrazzo tiles 0.6 1.3 0.5 0.4 0.5 0.5 4.2 0.6 0.1
Other 1.8 0.3 1.3 0.8 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.2

Urban
Total 45.0 37.9 20.9 37.0 29.3 96.1 55.7 15.4
Earth/Mud 1.7 2.9 0.7 2.9 0.9 1.7 2.0 0.6
Cement/Concrete 40.0 33.9 19.6 32.5 27.1 84.3 51.5 14.4

Stone 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.3 0.1 0.4 0.3 0.1

Burnt brick 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0
Wood 0.4 0.1 0.1 0.3 0.0 1.2 0.2 0.0
Vinyl tiles 0.6 0.3 0.0 0.1 0.2 1.7 0.5 0.0
Ceramic/Porcelain/Granite/
Marble tiles 0.8 0.3 0.2 0.3 0.5 2.5 0.5 0.1
Terrazzo/Terrazzo tiles 1.2 0.3 0.1 0.4 0.3 4.1 0.4 0.1
Other 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.0

Rural
Total 55.0 62.1 79.1 63.0 70.7 3.9 44.3 84.6
Earth/Mud 12.4 10.0 6.8 10.3 3.4 0.1 3.5 15.0
Cement/Concrete 41.4 49.3 70.1 51.7 65.9 3.5 39.9 68.1
Stone 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.3
Burnt brick 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.2
Wood 0.1 0.8 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1
Vinyl tiles 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.3 0.1 0.3 0.1
Ceramic/Porcelain/Granite/
Marble tiles 0.4 0.3 0.6 0.3 0.5 0.1 0.2 0.4
Terrazzo/Terrazzo tiles 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.1
Other 0.2 1.2 0.8 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.2
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

168
 Table 12.10: Main construction material for floor of dwelling by district and
type of locality (Cont’d)
Sefwi
Tarkwa Prestea/ Wassa Wassa Sefwi Bibiani-
Main construction Nsuaem Huni Amenfi Amenfi Aowin/ Akon- Sefwi Ahwiaso
material for floor Municipal Valley East West Suaman tombra Wiawso Bekwai Juabeso Bia
Number 21,713 38,295 18,620 34,469 30,658 17,592 30,074 27,961 23,639 25,778

All localities
Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
Earth/Mud 12.2 16.9 17.1 26.2 40.2 34.6 14.9 10.0 24.2 31.5
Cement/Concrete 82.9 80.2 81.1 71.4 57.9 63.9 82.8 87.4 74.3 66.7
Stone 0.5 0.6 0.5 0.6 0.6 0.4 0.6 0.5 0.4 0.3
Burnt brick 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1
Wood 0.1 0.3 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.4
Vinyl tiles 2.1 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.1 0.1
Ceramic/Porcelain/Gran
ite/Marble tiles 1.1 1.0 0.5 0.8 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.1 0.6 0.6
Terrazzo/Terrazzo tiles 0.7 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.1
Other 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.4 0.2 0.3

Urban
Total 29.4 38.6 7.6 30.5 16.2 9.1 38.6 30.2 9.6 18.8
Earth/Mud 3.1 2.1 0.2 1.9 1.2 0.4 3.3 2.6 0.4 0.4
Cement/Concrete 24.1 35.0 7.1 27.4 14.4 8.5 34.3 26.9 9.1 18.1
Stone 0.3 0.4 0.0 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.3 0.1 0.0 0.1
Burnt brick 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 - 0.0 - - 0.0
Wood 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Vinyl tiles 1.0 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.1 - 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.0
Ceramic/Porcelain/Gran
ite/Marble tiles 0.5 0.5 0.1 0.4 0.1 0.0 0.4 0.3 0.1 0.1
Terrazzo/Terrazzo tiles 0.3 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1 - 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.0
Other 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1

Rural
Total 70.6 61.4 92.4 69.5 83.8 90.9 61.4 69.8 90.4 81.2

Earth/Mud 9.1 14.8 17.0 24.4 39.0 34.2 11.6 7.4 23.8 31.1
Cement/Concrete 58.8 45.3 73.9 44.0 43.4 55.4 48.5 60.5 65.2 48.6
Stone 0.3 0.2 0.5 0.3 0.5 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.2
Burnt brick 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1
Wood 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.4
Vinyl tiles 1.1 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.1
Ceramic/Porcelain/Gran
ite/Marble tiles 0.7 0.6 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.5 0.4 0.8 0.5 0.5
Terrazzo/Terrazzo tiles 0.4 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.0
Other 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.2
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

169
Table12.11: Main material used for the roof by district and type of locality
Nzema Sekondi Mpohor-
Western Western East Ahanta Takoradi Wassa
Main material for roof 2000 2010 Jomoro Ellembelle Municipal West Metropolis Shama East
Number 430,182 553,634 34,502 18,682 13,509 26,095 142,560 19,291 30,196

All localities
Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
Mud/Mud bricks/Earth 0.2 0.8 0.3 0.5 0.7 0.4 0.2 0.2 0.7
Wood 0.8 0.7 0.4 0.5 0.4 1.0 0.6 0.3 0.7
Metal sheet 50.6 63.2 30.3 36.8 39.8 50.5 45.2 30.1 70.4
Slate/Asbestos 11.6 15.3 25.5 27.4 12.7 24.3 33.5 55.3 3.1
Cement/Concrete 5.4 6.0 3.5 4.6 4.0 2.5 18.2 3.7 0.8
Roofing tile 0.3 0.4 0.2 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.9 1.0 0.1
Bamboo 8.1 5.4 2.9 5.1 37.9 15.1 0.3 1.8 12.6
Thatch/Palm leaf or
Raffia 22.4 7.4 35.6 23.8 3.8 3.9 0.4 6.8 10.9
Other 0.6 0.7 1.2 0.9 0.5 2.0 0.6 0.7 0.7

Urban
Total 43.8 37.1 20.5 34.8 27.4 96.0 53.9 14.9
Mud/Mud bricks/Earth 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.1
Wood 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.6 0.2 0.1
Metal sheet 24.9 15.3 6.8 10.8 17.9 43.1 12.7 12.4
Slate/Asbestos 11.0 9.5 8.5 9.8 5.2 32.1 35.7 0.8
Cement/Concrete 5.3 2.3 1.8 3.2 1.3 17.9 2.9 0.3
Roofing tile 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.3 0.1 0.9 0.3 0.0
Bamboo 0.7 0.6 0.5 8.5 2.0 0.3 0.5 0.7
Thatch/Palm leaf or
Raffia 1.0 8.5 2.5 1.9 0.1 0.4 1.2 0.4
Other 0.3 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.7 0.6 0.4 0.1

Rural
Total 56.2 62.9 79.5 65.2 72.6 4.0 46.1 85.1
Mud/Mud bricks/Earth 0.7 0.2 0.5 0.6 0.3 0.0 0.1 0.6
Wood 0.5 0.2 0.4 0.3 0.9 0.0 0.1 0.7
Metal sheet 38.3 15.1 30.0 29.0 32.6 2.1 17.3 58.0
Slate/Asbestos 4.3 16.1 19.0 2.9 19.1 1.4 19.6 2.3
Cement/Concrete 0.7 1.2 2.8 0.8 1.3 0.4 0.8 0.4
Roofing tile 0.2 0.1 0.4 0.1 0.3 0.0 0.7 0.1
Bamboo 4.8 2.3 4.6 29.4 13.1 0.0 1.3 11.9
Thatch/Palm leaf or
Raffia 6.4 27.1 21.3 1.8 3.8 0.0 5.6 10.5
Other 0.4 0.7 0.6 0.3 1.2 0.0 0.4 0.6
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

170
 Table12.11: Main material used for the roof by district and type of locality (Cont’d)
Sefwi
Tarkwa Prestea/ Wassa Wassa Sefwi Bibiani-
Nsuaem Huni Amenfi Amenfi Aowin/ Akon- Sefwi Ahwiaso
Main material for roof Municipal Valley East West Suaman tombra Wiawso Bekwai Juabeso Bia
Number 21,713 38,295 18,620 34,469 30,658 17,592 30,074 27,961 23,639 25,778

All localities
Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
Mud/Mud bricks/Earth 0.8 0.8 1.4 2.9 1.8 1.6 0.6 0.6 1.3 0.8
Wood 0.7 0.8 1.3 0.6 1.1 0.7 0.8 0.8 0.7 1.5
Metal sheet 78.3 78.9 85.0 71.8 73.6 79.2 90.7 92.6 89.5 89.3
Slate/Asbestos 2.6 1.9 0.2 5.7 0.3 0.5 0.2 1.5 0.1 0.1
Cement/Concrete 1.5 4.8 0.3 0.7 1.7 0.4 0.5 0.8 0.5 0.4

Roofing tile 0.2 0.1 0.7 0.5 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1
Bamboo 12.8 7.4 7.0 7.7 5.3 4.7 1.8 0.8 2.3 2.7
Thatch/Palm leaf or
Raffia 2.5 4.7 3.8 9.3 15.3 12.3 4.6 2.0 4.8 4.4
Other 0.6 0.6 0.4 0.6 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.8 0.8 0.6

Urban
Total 29.0 36.7 7.9 29.8 15.4 8.5 37.6 30.3 9.1 18.1
Mud/Mud bricks/Earth 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1
Wood 0.2 0.2 0.0 0.3 0.1 0.0 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.1
Metal sheet 24.5 30.8 7.4 26.0 14.3 7.5 36.1 27.8 8.8 17.5
Slate/Asbestos 0.3 0.8 0.0 2.1 0.1 0.4 0.1 1.0 0.0 0.0
Cement/Concrete 0.5 4.0 0.0 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.3 0.3 0.1 0.1
Roofing tile 0.1 0.1 - 0.0 - - 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Bamboo 2.5 0.3 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.0 0.1
Thatch/Palm leaf or
Raffia 0.6 0.3 - 0.6 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.5 0.1 0.2
Other 0.2 0.2 0.0 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.1

Rural
Total 71.0 63.3 92.1 70.2 84.6 91.5 62.4 69.7 90.9 81.9
Mud/Mud bricks/Earth 0.6 0.7 1.4 2.9 1.7 1.6 0.5 0.5 1.3 0.8
Wood 0.5 0.5 1.2 0.3 1.1 0.6 0.5 0.6 0.6 1.5
Metal sheet 53.8 48.1 77.6 45.9 59.3 71.6 54.6 64.8 80.7 71.8
Slate/Asbestos 2.3 1.2 0.1 3.6 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.6 0.1 0.0
Cement/Concrete 1.0 0.7 0.3 0.5 1.4 0.3 0.3 0.5 0.4 0.3
Roofing tile 0.2 0.0 0.7 0.5 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1
Bamboo 10.3 7.1 6.6 7.4 5.1 4.5 1.5 0.7 2.3 2.7
Thatch/Palm leaf or
Raffia 1.9 4.5 3.8 8.8 15.0 12.0 4.4 1.5 4.8 4.2
Other 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.4
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

171
12.6 Lighting and Cooking Facilities
12.6.1 Main Source of Lighting
The most important sources of light are electricity (65.0%), torch (20.7%) and kerosene
(12.2%). In 2010, these three sources provided for 97.9 percent of the needs for the region.
There has been about 22 percent increase in the proportion of households using electricity
over the past decade, while usage of kerosene dropped by 43.7 percent. Another significant
change is the use of flashlight/torch by about one third of all rural households. Indeed, in
2000, electricity and kerosene provided 98.8% of households needs for lighting (GSS, 2005).

Table 12.12: Main source of lighting for the dwelling by district and type of locality
Nzema Sekondi Mpohor-
Main source of Western Western East Ahanta Takoradi Wassa
lighting 2000 2010 Jomoro Ellembelle Municipal West Metropolis Shama East
Number 409,282 553,634 34,502 18,682 13,509 26,095 142,560 19,291 30,196
All localities
Total 99.5+ 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
Electricity (mains) 43.1 65.0 70.9 77.9 51.1 70.2 93.1 71.4 45.1
Electricity (private
generator) * 0.9 1.2 0.8 0.6 0.7 0.6 0.7 0.5
Kerosene lamp 55.7 12.2 17.4 13.3 21.0 20.6 3.2 23.0 16.5
Gas lamp 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2
Solar energy 0.2 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1
Candle * 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.4 0.7 0.4 0.3
Flashlight/Torch * 20.7 9.6 7.2 26.3 7.4 2.1 4.0 36.8
Firewood * 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.2
Crop residue * 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1
Other 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.4 0.2 0.1 0.2

Urban
Total 45.0 37.9 20.9 37.0 29.3 96.1 55.7 15.4
Electricity (mains) 39.8 33.0 19.2 27.6 23.8 89.7 42.4 11.8
Electricity (private
generator) 0.4 0.6 0.1 0.3 0.2 0.5 0.3 0.1
Kerosene lamp 2.8 3.4 1.1 8.0 4.2 3.0 11.1 2.6
Gas lamp 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0
Solar energy 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0
Candle 0.2 0.3 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.7 0.3 0.1
Flashlight/Torch 1.5 0.5 0.3 0.8 0.8 2.0 1.2 0.7
Firewood 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0
Crop residue 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Other 0.1 0.0 - 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0

Rural
Total 55.0 62.1 79.1 63.0 70.7 3.9 44.3 84.6
Electricity (mains) 25.3 37.9 58.7 23.5 46.4 3.4 29.0 33.3
Electricity (private
generator) 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.4 0.5 0.0 0.4 0.5
Kerosene lamp 9.5 14.0 12.2 13.0 16.4 0.2 11.9 13.8
Gas lamp 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.2
Solar energy 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1
Candle 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.2 0.2
Flashlight/Torch 19.2 9.0 6.9 25.5 6.6 0.2 2.7 36.0
Firewood 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.2
Crop residue 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1
Other 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.2
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

172
Table 12.12: Main source of lighting for the dwelling by district and
type of locality (Cont’d)
Sefwi
Tarkwa Wassa Wassa Sefwi Bibiani-
Main source of Nsuaem Prestea/Huni Amenfi Amenfi Aowin/ Akon- Sefwi Ahwiaso
lighting Municipal Valley East West Suaman tombra Wiawso Bekwai Juabeso Bia
Number 21,713 38,295 18,620 34,469 30,658 17,592 30,074 27,961 23,639 25,778
All localities
Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
Electricity (mains) 73.4 64.6 45.2 44.3 41.2 22.2 59.0 72.0 38.0 31.1
Electricity (private
generator) 1.3 0.8 1.4 3.0 0.8 0.5 0.7 0.8 0.9 0.5
Kerosene lamp 9.1 10.5 12.6 16.3 18.3 14.1 18.7 13.4 10.9 11.8
Gas lamp 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.5 0.2 0.1 0.2
Solar energy 0.1 0.4 0.5 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.6 0.1 0.3 0.1
Candle 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.1 0.1
Flashlight/Torch 15.2 23.2 39.6 34.6 38.0 61.5 19.6 13.0 49.2 55.8
Firewood 0.2 0.1 0.1 1.0 0.2 0.1 0.5 0.2 0.2 0.1
Crop residue 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.1
Other 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.8 0.8 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.1

Urban
Total 29.4 38.6 7.6 30.5 16.2 9.1 38.6 30.2 9.6 18.8
Electricity (mains) 22.8 35.7 5.9 24.2 14.4 6.9 30.6 23.7 8.2 16.5
Electricity (private
generator) 0.5 0.2 0.6 2.0 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.1 0.1
Kerosene lamp 2.5 1.0 0.3 2.1 0.7 0.6 4.1 3.3 0.5 0.9
Gas lamp 0.1 0.0 - 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.0
Solar energy 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 - 0.1 0.0 - 0.0
Candle 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0
Flashlight/Torch 3.3 1.4 0.6 1.5 0.8 1.4 3.1 2.6 0.8 1.2
Firewood 0.0 0.0 - 0.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0
Crop residue - 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 - 0.0 0.0 - -
Other 0.0 0.0 - 0.1 0.0 - 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0

Rural
Total 70.6 61.4 92.4 69.5 83.8 90.9 61.4 69.8 90.4 81.2
Electricity (mains) 50.6 28.9 39.3 20.1 26.8 15.3 28.4 48.3 29.8 14.5
Electricity (private
generator) 0.8 0.6 0.8 0.9 0.6 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.8 0.4
Kerosene lamp 6.6 9.5 12.2 14.3 17.6 13.5 14.7 10.0 10.4 10.9
Gas lamp 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.2
Solar energy 0.1 0.3 0.4 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.5 0.1 0.3 0.1
Candle 0.3 0.1 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.1
Flashlight/Torch 11.9 21.8 39.0 33.2 37.1 60.0 16.5 10.4 48.4 54.7
Firewood 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.4 0.2 0.1 0.4 0.1 0.2 0.1
Crop residue 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1
Other 0.1 0.0 0.2 0.1 0.8 0.8 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.1
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

173
12.6.2 Main Source of Fuel for Cooking
In 2010, wood, charcoal and gas provided 93.1 percent of the cooking fuel needs of the
region compared to 92.1 percent in 2000 (GSS, 2005). Although, the change over the decade
is marginal, there has been significant changes for the components: a 14.5 percent decline for
wood, 4.6 percent decline for charcoal and almost 11 percent increase for gas.

Table 12.13: Main source of cooking fuel for household by district and type of locality
Nzema Sekondi Mpohor-
Main source of Western Western East Ahanta Takoradi Wassa
cooking fuel 2000 2010 Jomoro Ellembelle Municipal West Metropolis Shama East
Number 409,282 553,634 34,502 18,682 13,509 26,095 142,560 19,291 30,196
All localities
Total 99.0+ 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
None no cooking 3.3 5.3 6.2 5.9 4.1 5.9 5.8 5.3 6.0
Wood 62.9 48.4 59.8 56.8 61.6 49.5 5.5 34.5 71.4
Gas 4.1 15.0 10.0 9.6 4.4 8.8 37.1 9.1 5.0
Electricity 1.3 0.6 0.1 0.3 0.2 0.2 1.4 0.1 0.2
Kerosene 1.5 0.4 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.8 0.5 0.3
Charcoal 25.1 29.7 23.1 26.3 28.8 34.6 48.9 50.1 16.6
Crop residue * 0.3 0.3 0.6 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.4
Saw dust * 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.1
Animal waste * 0.0 0.0 0.0 - 0.0 0.1 - 0.0
Other 0.7 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.0

Urban
Total 45.0 37.9 20.9 37.0 29.3 96.1 55.7 15.4
None no cooking 2.9 3.1 1.4 1.9 1.5 5.6 3.1 1.4
Wood 7.3 11.9 5.6 8.6 5.9 5.2 9.8 5.7
Gas 12.5 6.9 3.8 3.2 5.3 36.0 6.0 1.7
Electricity 0.4 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.1 1.3 0.1 0.1
Kerosene 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.3 0.2 0.8 0.4 0.1
Charcoal 21.4 15.6 9.9 22.7 16.2 46.6 36.2 6.5
Crop residue 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0
Saw dust 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.0
Animal waste 0.0 0.0 0.0 - 0.0 0.1 - 0.0
Other 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.2 - 0.0

Rural
Total 55.0 62.1 79.1 63.0 70.7 3.9 44.3 84.6
None no cooking 2.4 3.1 4.5 2.2 4.4 0.2 2.2 4.6
Wood 41.1 47.9 51.3 53.0 43.5 0.3 24.8 65.7
Gas 2.5 3.1 5.8 1.3 3.6 1.1 3.1 3.3
Electricity 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.1
Kerosene 0.1 0.1 0.3 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.2
Charcoal 8.3 7.4 16.4 6.1 18.4 2.2 13.9 10.2
Crop residue 0.3 0.2 0.5 0.2 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.3
Saw dust 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Animal waste 0.0 0.0 - - 0.0 0.0 - 0.0
Other 0.0 0.0 - 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.0
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

174
Table 12.13: Main source of cooking fuel for household by district and type of locality
(Cont’d)
Sefwi
Tarkwa Prestea/ Wassa Wassa Sefwi Bibiani-
Main source of Nsuaem Huni Amenfi Amenfi Aowin/ Akon- Sefwi Ahwiaso
cooking fuel Municipal Valley East West Suaman tombra Wiawso Bekwai Juabeso Bia
Number 21,713 38,295 18,620 34,469 30,658 17,592 30,074 27,961 23,639 25,778
All localities
Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
None no cooking 7.2 7.2 5.6 3.8 3.6 2.8 4.0 5.7 3.3 3.3
Wood 36.8 43.3 73.1 70.3 78.4 86.6 66.5 64.4 81.8 79.5
Gas 19.2 9.2 4.3 5.6 3.9 1.9 8.3 9.6 3.3 2.6
Electricity 1.3 0.9 0.1 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.3 0.3 0.1 0.1
Kerosene 0.3 0.4 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.2 0.2
Charcoal 34.7 38.5 16.1 19.1 13.0 7.7 19.9 18.9 10.6 13.4
Crop residue 0.2 0.3 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.6 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.7
Saw dust 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1
Animal waste 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Other 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0

Urban
Total 29.4 38.6 7.6 30.5 16.2 9.1 38.6 30.2 9.6 18.8
None no cooking 2.1 3.6 0.6 1.9 1.7 0.8 2.1 1.9 0.3 1.1
Wood 8.2 5.8 1.9 10.9 4.2 3.8 15.8 10.8 4.8 9.4
Gas 7.5 6.3 1.7 4.5 2.8 0.9 5.9 5.9 1.5 1.3
Electricity 0.3 0.5 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.0
Kerosene 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.1
Charcoal 11.1 22.1 3.2 12.7 7.2 3.6 14.2 11.1 3.0 6.8
Crop residue 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.2 0.0 - 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1
Saw dust 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 - 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0
Animal waste 0.0 0.0 - 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Other 0.0 0.0 - 0.0 0.1 - 0.1 - - 0.0

Rural
Total 70.6 61.4 92.4 69.5 83.8 90.9 61.4 69.8 90.4 81.2
None no cooking 5.1 3.6 5.0 1.9 1.9 2.0 1.9 3.8 3.0 2.2
Wood 28.6 37.5 71.1 59.4 74.2 82.8 50.7 53.6 77.0 70.0
Gas 11.6 2.9 2.5 1.1 1.1 1.0 2.4 3.7 1.8 1.3
Electricity 1.0 0.5 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.1
Kerosene 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.2
Charcoal 23.7 16.4 13.0 6.4 5.8 4.1 5.7 7.8 7.6 6.7
Crop residue 0.2 0.2 0.5 0.3 0.5 0.6 0.4 0.5 0.7 0.6
Saw dust 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.1
Animal waste 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 - 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Other 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

175
There are marked differences by place of locality, that is, rural urban differentials. For every
100 dwelling units in urban areas, the numbers using wood, charcoal and gas are 16, 28 and
48 respectively. The figures for rural areas were 75, 4.5 and 15 respectively. Thus, gas was
used by 48 percent of urban households compared to only 15 percent by their rural
counterparts; wood is used by 75 percent of dwelling units in rural areas as against 16 percent
in urban areas, and charcoal is used by 28 percent of dwelling units in urban areas compared
to 4.5 percent of rural units.

12.6.3 Cooking Space

Separate room for exclusive use of household, veranda and open space in compound are the
three most common cooking spaces reported in the region and across urban and rural
localities.

Table 12.14: Cooking space used by household by district and type of locality
Sekondi Mpohor-
Nzema East Ahanta Takoradi Wassa
Cooking space Western Jomoro Ellembelle Municipal West Metropolis Shama East
Number 553,634 34,502 18,682 13,509 26,095 142,560 19,291 30,196
All localities
Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
No cooking space 7.0 7.6 7.5 5.8 7.3 7.2 6.7 7.6
Separate room for
exclusive use of
household 46.6 47.9 49.6 58.6 48.1 35.3 37.4 55.3
Separate room
shared with other
household(s) 7.9 11.9 11.7 10.5 7.9 9.0 7.0 7.5
Enclosure without
roof 1.1 1.1 0.6 0.6 1.0 0.8 1.6 1.4
Structure with roof
but without walls 4.7 6.6 4.6 2.4 2.4 1.6 6.8 4.4
Bedroom/Hall/Living
room) 0.7 0.4 0.6 0.6 0.6 1.4 1.4 0.6
Verandah 20.8 17.5 19.2 15.3 21.4 28.2 18.0 16.9
Open space in
compound 10.8 6.7 6.0 5.7 11.2 16.0 20.2 6.1
Other 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.5 0.2 0.3 0.8 0.2
Urban
Total 45.0 37.9 20.9 37.0 29.3 96.1 55.7 15.4
No cooking space 3.5 3.4 1.6 2.4 1.8 7.0 4.1 1.5
Separate room for
exclusive use of
household 15.9 13.1 7.9 14.1 9.8 33.9 14.0 5.7
Separate room shared
with other
household(s) 3.9 4.0 2.0 4.7 2.2 8.8 3.8 1.1
Enclosure without
roof 0.4 0.3 0.1 0.3 0.5 0.8 1.0 0.4
Structure with roof
but without walls 1.1 1.8 0.6 0.8 1.1 1.6 4.0 0.2
Bedroom/Hall/Living
room) 0.5 0.2 0.2 0.5 0.2 1.3 1.0 0.1
Verandah 13.3 11.4 7.2 10.2 9.2 26.9 13.5 4.7
Open space in
compound 6.2 3.6 1.4 3.7 4.6 15.5 13.5 1.6
Other 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.4 0.0 0.3 0.8 0.0

176
Table 12.14: Cooking space used by household by district and type of locality (Cont’d)
Sekondi Mpohor-
Nzema East Ahanta Takoradi Wassa
Cooking space Western Jomoro Ellembelle Municipal West Metropolis Shama East
Rural
Total 55.0 62.1 79.1 63.0 70.7 3.9 44.3 84.6
No cooking space 3.5 4.2 5.9 3.5 5.5 0.2 2.6 6.0
Separate room for
exclusive use of
household 30.7 34.8 41.8 44.5 38.4 1.4 23.4 49.6
Separate room shared
with other
household(s) 4.0 7.9 9.7 5.8 5.7 0.2 3.2 6.4
Enclosure without
roof 0.7 0.8 0.5 0.3 0.5 0.0 0.6 1.0
Structure with roof
but without walls 3.6 4.8 4.0 1.6 1.3 0.1 2.8 4.2
Bedroom/Hall/Living
room) 0.2 0.2 0.4 0.1 0.4 0.1 0.4 0.5
Verandah 7.5 6.2 12.0 5.1 12.2 1.3 4.5 12.2
Open space in
compound 4.7 3.1 4.6 2.0 6.6 0.6 6.8 4.5
Other 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.2

Sefwi
Tarkwa Prestea/ Wassa Wassa Sefwi Bibiani-
Nsuaem Huni Amenfi Amenfi Aowin/ Akon- Sefwi Ahwiaso
Cooking space Municipal Valley East West Suaman tombra Wiawso Bekwai Juabeso Bia
Number 21,713 38,295 18,620 34,469 30,658 17,592 30,074 27,961 23,639 25,778
All localities
Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
No cooking space 8.3 9.1 7.8 5.5 5.7 5.5 6.6 7.5 5.5 5.7
Separate room for
exclusive use of
household 39.2 41.8 55.0 57.0 54.4 61.4 49.3 50.5 57.5 50.9
Separate room shared
with other
household(s) 8.5 6.4 6.8 5.4 6.2 5.0 7.2 7.1 6.8 7.3
Enclosure without
roof 1.2 1.0 0.7 1.1 1.8 0.9 1.5 1.7 1.4 1.5
Structure with roof
but without walls 4.0 3.6 4.9 5.9 8.6 9.4 7.1 4.5 7.5 9.4
Bedroom/Hall/Living
room) 0.6 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.1
Verandah 29.7 29.3 15.6 17.7 15.8 10.7 17.1 17.7 10.9 11.3
Open space in
compound 8.4 7.9 8.9 7.1 7.0 6.8 10.6 10.5 10.0 13.7
Other 0.2 0.5 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.2
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

177
Table 12.14: Cooking space used by household by district and type of locality (Cont’d)
Sefwi
Tarkwa Prestea/ Wassa Wassa Sefwi Bibiani-
Nsuaem Huni Amenfi Amenfi Aowin/ Akon- Sefwi Ahwiaso
Cooking space Municipal Valley East West Suaman tombra Wiawso Bekwai Juabeso Bia
Urban
Total 29.4 38.6 7.6 30.5 16.2 9.1 38.6 30.2 9.6 18.8
No cooking space 2.3 4.2 0.6 2.2 1.8 0.9 3.0 2.3 0.8 1.4
Separate room for
exclusive use of
household 11.3 11.9 2.8 11.9 5.8 3.9 15.3 11.8 4.2 7.4
Separate room shared
with other
household(s) 2.2 2.4 0.5 2.3 1.4 0.6 3.5 2.2 0.8 1.3
Enclosure without
roof 0.3 0.3 0.0 0.4 0.1 0.0 0.6 0.5 0.1 0.2
Structure with roof
but without walls 1.0 0.9 0.1 1.2 0.3 0.3 1.1 1.0 0.2 1.3
Bedroom/Hall/Living
room) 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.1 - 0.0
Verandah 9.5 15.8 2.9 10.1 5.6 2.6 10.7 9.5 2.8 4.4
Open space in
compound 2.6 2.5 0.4 2.3 1.2 0.6 4.2 2.7 0.8 2.8
Other 0.1 0.3 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0

Rural
Total 70.6 61.4 92.4 69.5 83.8 90.9 61.4 69.8 90.4 81.2
No cooking space 6.0 4.9 7.2 3.3 3.9 4.6 3.7 5.2 4.7 4.3
Separate room for
exclusive use of
household 27.9 29.9 52.1 45.1 48.6 57.5 34.0 38.7 53.3 43.5
Separate room shared
with other
household(s) 6.2 4.0 6.2 3.0 4.8 4.3 3.6 4.9 6.0 5.9
Enclosure without
roof 1.0 0.7 0.7 0.7 1.7 0.9 0.9 1.2 1.4 1.4
Structure with roof
but without walls 3.0 2.7 4.8 4.7 8.3 9.1 6.0 3.4 7.3 8.1
Bedroom/Hall/Living
room) 0.4 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1
Verandah 20.2 13.5 12.7 7.5 10.2 8.0 6.4 8.2 8.1 6.9
Open space in
compound 5.7 5.3 8.5 4.8 5.9 6.2 6.5 7.8 9.2 10.9
Other 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.1
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

178
12.7 Sources of Water
12.7.1 Main Source of Drinking Water
Table 12.15 shows that the major sources of drinking water for households in the region were
pipe borne water outside the dwelling (19.6%), bore-hole/pump/tube well (18.2%), public
tap/stand pipe (16.3%), river/stream (16.3%), pipe-borne water inside dwelling (10.5%) and
protected well (7.0%). Together, these sources provide for about 88 percent of households
water sources.
There are sharp differences in sourecs of drinking water by districts. In Sekondi Takoradi
metro 1 in 3 households has pipe-borne water inside the dwelling and is the only district with
a value higher than the regional proportion of 1 in 10. Indeed, in this metro, the three main
sources of drinking water which account for about 87% of household needs are pipe-borne
inside or outside dwelling and public tap / standpipe. That is, majority of households have
access to treated water. Shama is the other district with over 80% of households having
access to pipe borne water. However, unlike Sekondi Takoradi, Shama has only 10.3% of
households with pipe-borne water inside the dwelling, while 44.3% had to settle for public
tap/standpipe compared to 24.6% in Sekondi Takoradi.
Two other districts Jomoro (58.6%) and Sefwi Bibiani/Ahwiaso/Bekwai (47.0%) have over
40 percent of households with access to pipe borne water. All the remaining 13 districts have
less than 40 percent. Four districts Bia (17.0%), Juabeso (16.9%), Aowin Suaman (15.7%)
and Sefwi Akontombra (11.7%) have less than 20 percent of households with access to pipe
borne water.
For the poorly endowed districts their major source of drinking water is bore-hole/pump/tube
well or river/stream, with the latter being the most important in five districts- Sefwi
Akontombra (46.5%), Aowin Suaman (45.0%), Wassa Amenfi West (37.4%), Wassa Amenfi
East (35.2%) and Prestea Huni Valley (25.1%).

12.7.2 Main Source of Water for other Domestic Use

The sources of water have not changed much except for the exclusion of satchet water and
bottled water. The major sources of water for other domestic use by households in the region
are bore-hole/pump/tube well (18.9%), pipe borne water outside of dwelling (18.2%),
river/stream (17.5%), public tap/stand pipe (15.4%), pipe-borne water inside dwelling
(11.1%) and protected well (11.0%). These sources provide for the needs of about 92 percent
of households.
Bore-hole/pump/tube well is the most important source in eight districts, while river/stream is
the important source of water for domestic use in six districts; - Sefwi Akontombra, Aowin
Suaman, Wassa Amenfi West, Wassa Amenfi East, Prestea Huni Valley and Bia.
The use of water from a protected well has increased in all but five districts.

179
Table 12.15: Main source of drinking water for household by district and
type of locality
Nzema Sekondi Mpohor-
East Ahanta Takoradi Wassa
Main source of drinking water Western Jomoro Ellembelle Municipal West Metropolis Shama East
Number 553,634 34,502 18,682 13,509 26,095 142,560 19,291 30,196
All localities
Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
Pipe-borne inside dwelling 10.5 4.0 2.0 6.8 2.9 31.4 10.3 1.3
Pipe-borne outside dwelling 19.6 27.6 17.0 10.3 16.2 30.3 34.2 9.9
Public tap/Standpipe 16.3 27.0 10.8 4.4 6.6 24.6 44.3 9.7
Bore-hole/Pump/Tube well 18.2 11.6 25.3 30.1 32.0 1.9 2.3 37.9
Protected well 7.0 6.3 9.2 12.3 12.1 1.4 0.6 6.3
Rain water 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.3 0.0 0.3 0.1
Protected spring 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.2
Bottled water 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.6 0.2 0.2
Satchet water 5.4 4.8 12.6 5.6 10.4 7.7 0.8 4.5
Tanker supply/Vendor
provided 0.6 1.1 0.1 - 7.3 0.5 0.1 0.0
Unprotected well 4.2 6.2 9.1 2.6 1.9 0.1 4.7 2.3
Unprotected spring 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0 - 0.2
River/Stream 16.3 10.3 13.1 26.7 9.1 1.1 1.2 27.2
Dugout/Pond/Lake/Dam/Canal 0.6 0.3 0.1 0.8 0.8 0.1 0.0 0.1
Other 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.6 0.0
Urban
Total 45.0 37.9 20.9 37.0 29.3 96.1 55.7 15.4
Pipe-borne inside dwelling 9.4 3.2 1.0 5.6 2.3 30.7 6.9 0.7
Pipe-borne outside dwelling 13.1 16.3 7.1 7.3 9.8 28.7 22.5 1.8
Public tap/Standpipe 10.5 10.6 3.6 1.0 3.7 23.9 24.7 2.4
Bore-hole/Pump/Tube well 2.9 2.5 1.5 5.3 2.2 1.4 0.0 3.0
Protected well 3.2 1.5 1.4 10.8 5.7 1.2 0.0 4.4
Rain water 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 - 0.0
Protected spring 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.0
Bottled water 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.6 0.1 0.1
Satchet water 3.7 1.6 4.4 5.2 4.9 7.5 0.5 2.7
Tanker supply/Vendor
provided 0.1 0.2 0.0 - 0.0 0.4 0.0 -
Unprotected well 0.4 0.5 1.6 0.8 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.1
Unprotected spring 0.0 0.0 0.0 - 0.0 0.0 - -
River/Stream 1.1 1.1 0.0 0.4 0.3 1.1 0.0 0.2
Dugout/Pond/Lake/Dam/Canal 0.1 0.1 - 0.5 - 0.1 - -
Other 0.1 0.0 - - 0.0 0.1 0.6 0.0
Rural
Total 55.0 62.1 79.1 63.0 70.7 3.9 44.3 84.6
Pipe-borne inside dwelling 1.1 0.7 1.0 1.1 0.6 0.7 3.5 0.6
Pipe-borne outside dwelling 6.4 11.3 9.9 3.0 6.4 1.5 11.6 8.1
Public tap/Standpipe 5.8 16.4 7.2 3.4 2.9 0.7 19.6 7.3
Bore-hole/Pump/Tube well 15.3 9.1 23.9 24.8 29.8 0.4 2.2 34.9
Protected well 3.9 4.8 7.8 1.6 6.4 0.2 0.6 1.9
Rain water 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.3 0.1
Protected spring 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1
Bottled water 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1
Satchet water 1.7 3.2 8.2 0.4 5.6 0.2 0.3 1.8
Tanker supply/Vendor
provided 0.5 0.9 0.1 - 7.3 0.1 0.1 0.0
Unprotected well 3.8 5.8 7.5 1.8 1.7 0.0 4.7 2.2
Unprotected spring 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 - - 0.2
River/Stream 15.2 9.2 13.1 26.3 8.8 - 1.2 27.0
Dugout/Pond/Lake/Dam/Canal 0.5 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.8 - 0.0 0.1
Other 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.0 - - 0.0
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

180
 Table 12.15: Main source of drinking water for household by district and
type of locality (Cont’d)
Tarkwa Sefwi
Nsuaem Prestea/ Wassa Wassa Sefwi Bibiani-
Muni- Huni Amenfi Amenfi Aowin/ Akon- Sefwi Ahwiaso
Main source of drinking water cipal Valley East West Suaman tombra Wiawso Bekwai Juabeso Bia
Number 21,713 38,295 18,620 34,469 30,658 17,592 30,074 27,961 23,639 25,778
All localities
Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
Pipe-borne inside dwelling 7.7 4.0 1.8 3.3 1.9 0.3 2.5 4.5 0.8 0.7
Pipe-borne outside dwelling 19.7 21.3 17.7 9.1 8.6 6.8 15.0 23.8 7.3 6.7
Public tap/Standpipe 11.8 10.7 10.5 10.6 5.2 4.6 18.6 18.7 8.8 9.6
Bore-hole/Pump/Tube well 24.0 19.1 23.4 21.3 19.2 25.0 32.8 31.7 29.6 19.3
Protected well 9.8 7.1 1.9 12.2 8.3 4.7 11.0 9.8 11.0 19.1
Rain water 0.2 0.1 0.3 0.3 0.1 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.2
Protected spring 0.5 0.6 0.1 1.0 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.7 0.3 0.4
Bottled water 0.3 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.2
Satchet water 10.7 7.8 5.0 1.6 2.7 1.1 2.4 1.2 3.2 1.6
Tanker supply/Vendor
provided 0.1 0.8 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 - 0.0
Unprotected well 1.2 1.5 3.1 1.9 6.8 8.5 3.6 1.3 18.7 19.3
Unprotected spring 0.1 0.2 0.5 0.7 0.5 0.8 0.2 0.5 0.4 2.5
River/Stream 13.4 25.1 35.2 37.4 45.0 46.5 12.3 7.2 16.6 18.9
Dugout/Pond/Lake/Dam/Canal 0.4 1.4 0.3 0.4 1.2 1.4 0.7 0.5 3.1 1.5
Other 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1
Urban
Total 29.4 38.6 7.6 30.5 16.2 9.1 38.6 30.2 9.6 18.8
Pipe-borne inside dwelling 3.4 2.8 0.5 2.2 1.3 0.1 1.8 1.9 0.4 0.2
Pipe-borne outside dwelling 5.3 13.5 3.4 4.6 3.3 0.3 8.9 9.9 1.9 3.9
Public tap/Standpipe 2.5 7.4 1.6 6.1 0.7 0.1 10.7 7.4 0.7 6.3
Bore-hole/Pump/Tube well 7.6 2.7 0.2 6.1 3.1 1.8 5.9 3.9 1.7 4.7
Protected well 3.4 3.6 0.2 7.3 3.8 1.1 7.3 4.8 2.4 2.3
Rain water 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Protected spring 0.1 0.4 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1
Bottled water 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.1
Satchet water 3.1 4.9 1.4 1.3 2.1 0.8 2.0 0.8 1.7 0.9
Tanker supply/Vendor
provided 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 - 0.0 0.0 - 0.0
Unprotected well 0.5 0.2 0.0 0.4 1.2 0.3 0.4 0.4 .3 0.4
Unprotected spring 0.0 0.0 - 0.0 0.0 - 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
River/Stream 3.0 2.5 0.1 2.0 0.5 4.5 1.2 1.0 0.4 0.0
Dugout/Pond/Lake/Dam/Canal 0.3 0.3 0.0 0.1 0.0 - 0.0 0.1 - 0.0
Other 0.0 0.0 - 0.1 0.0 - 0.0 - 0.0 -
Rural
Total 70.6 61.4 92.4 69.5 83.8 90.9 61.4 69.8 90.4 81.2
Pipe-borne inside dwelling 4.3 1.2 1.3 1.1 0.5 0.2 0.7 2.6 0.4 0.5
Pipe-borne outside dwelling 14.4 7.8 14.3 4.6 5.3 6.5 6.1 13.9 5.4 2.8
Public tap/Standpipe 9.3 3.3 8.9 4.5 4.5 4.5 7.9 11.3 8.1 3.3
Bore-hole/Pump/Tube well 16.5 16.3 23.2 15.2 16.1 23.2 27.0 27.8 28.0 14.6
Protected well 6.4 3.5 1.7 4.9 4.5 3.6 3.7 5.0 8.6 16.8
Rain water 0.1 0.1 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.2
Protected spring 0.4 0.2 0.1 0.9 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.6 0.2 0.3
Bottled water 0.2 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1
Satchet water 7.6 2.9 3.6 0.4 0.6 0.2 0.4 0.5 1.4 0.7
Tanker supply/Vendor
provided 0.1 0.6 0.0 - 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 - 0.0
Unprotected well 0.7 1.4 3.1 1.4 5.6 8.2 3.2 0.9 18.5 18.9
Unprotected spring 0.1 0.1 0.5 0.7 0.5 0.8 0.2 0.5 0.4 2.5
River/Stream 10.4 22.7 35.1 35.4 44.5 42.0 11.1 6.2 16.1 18.9
Dugout/Pond/Lake/Dam/Canal 0.1 1.1 0.3 0.4 1.1 1.4 0.7 0.4 3.1 1.5
Other 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

181
 Table 12.16: Main source of water for other domestic use of household by district and type of locality
Nzema Sekondi Tarkwa Sefwi
Main source of East Takoradi Mpohor- Nsuaem Prestea/ Wassa Wassa Sefwi Bibiani-
water for other Muni- Ahanta Metro- Wassa Muni- Huni Amenfi Amenfi Aowin/ Akon- Sefwi Ahwiaso
domestic use Western Jomoro Ellembelle cipal West polis Shama East cipal Valley East West Suaman tombra Wiawso Bekwai Juabeso Bia
Number 553,634 34,502 18,682 13,509 26,095 142,560 19,291 30,196 21,713 38,295 18,620 34,469 30,658 17,592 30,074 27,961 23,639 25,778
All localities
Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
Pipe-borne inside
dwelling 11.1 3.8 2.4 7.0 3.0 33.3 10.2 1.5 8.3 4.3 2.0 3.7 2.3 0.4 2.6 4.0 1.0 0.9
Pipe-borne outside
dwelling 18.2 23.8 16.0 7.5 13.9 28.8 31.7 9.2 18.5 20.6 18.7 8.9 8.0 6.0 12.8 21.5 6.4 6.4
Public tap/Standpipe 15.4 23.3 9.4 5.0 6.0 24.2 43.0 7.4 10.6 10.9 11.2 10.1 3.8 3.0 17.5 16.9 8.1 9.8
Bore-
hole/Pump/Tube
well 18.9 13.6 24.2 29.8 34.7 3.7 3.3 38.6 24.7 20.1 22.6 20.4 18.5 20.8 33.2 32.0 30.7 18.9
Protected well 11.0 12.1 13.3 17.9 22.6 6.7 1.4 9.1 18.6 10.9 3.3 13.3 10.7 5.7 13.2 13.3 12.7 19.7
Rain water 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.7 0.4 0.3 0.1 0.3
Protected spring 0.3 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.6 0.5 0.2 0.9 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.5 0.3 0.5
Tanker
supply/Vendor
provided 0.6 1.2 0.2 0.1 4.3 0.8 0.2 0.1 0.1 1.2 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.1
Unprotected well 5.5 10.3 18.3 4.0 3.8 0.8 6.8 3.3 3.6 2.7 4.1 2.1 7.2 8.1 4.8 2.1 19.1 19.8
Unprotected spring 0.3 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.1 0.2 0.5 0.6 0.5 0.8 0.3 0.4 0.5 2.2
River/Stream 17.5 11.0 15.0 27.0 10.1 1.1 2.3 29.6 14.2 26.1 36.1 38.7 47.1 52.5 14.0 8.2 18.0 19.9
Dugout/Pond/Lake/
Dam/Canal 0.7 0.3 0.1 1.1 0.8 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.4 1.7 0.3 0.4 1.1 1.4 0.7 0.5 3.1 1.5
Other 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.7 0.4 0.2 0.5 0.6 0.5 0.3 0.4 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1

Urban
Total 45.0 37.9 20.9 37.0 29.3 96.1 55.7 15.4 29.4 38.6 7.6 30.5 16.2 9.1 38.6 30.2 9.6 18.8
Pipe-borne inside
dwelling 10.0 3.2 1.3 5.7 2.4 32.5 6.7 0.8 3.6 3.0 0.6 2.5 1.5 0.1 1.8 1.8 0.5 0.1
Pipe-borne outside
dwelling 12.3 14.5 6.7 4.8 8.2 27.4 22.6 1.5 4.9 13.2 3.3 4.5 3.0 0.3 7.0 8.6 1.4 3.6
Public
tap/Standpipe 10.1 9.4 2.9 0.9 3.1 23.5 25.0 1.2 2.5 7.6 2.1 5.9 0.3 0.1 10.2 6.2 0.4 6.4
Bore-
hole/Pump/Tube
well 3.9 3.2 1.8 6.1 3.7 3.2 0.1 4.8 7.4 4.1 0.3 6.3 3.3 1.5 7.1 5.1 2.9 4.8
Protected well 5.8 3.7 3.1 16.0 10.7 6.2 0.1 6.3 5.8 6.0 0.9 7.9 5.8 1.2 9.3 6.4 3.4 2.5
Rain water 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0

182
 Table 12.16: Main source of water for other domestic use of household by district and type of locality (Cont’d)

Nzema Sekondi Tarkwa Sefwi

Main source of East Takoradi Mpohor- Nsuaem Prestea/ Wassa Wassa Sefwi Bibiani-
water for other Muni- Ahanta Metro- Wassa Muni- Huni Amenfi Amenfi Aowin/ Akon- Sefwi Ahwiaso
domestic use Western Jomoro Ellembelle cipal West polis Shama East cipal Valley East West Suaman tombra Wiawso Bekwai Juabeso Bia
Protected spring 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.3 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1
Tanker
supply/Vendor
provided 0.2 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.7 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1 - 0.0 0.0 - 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0
Unprotected well 1.0 2.1 4.6 1.9 0.4 0.8 0.2 0.5 1.6 1.1 0.1 0.9 1.2 0.4 1.4 0.6 0.5 1.1
Unprotected spring 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 - 0.0 0.0 0.1 - 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0
River/Stream 1.2 1.3 0.1 0.4 0.4 1.1 0.0 0.2 3.0 2.7 0.2 2.1 0.9 5.4 1.4 1.1 0.5 0.1
Dugout/Pond/Lake/
Dam/Canal 0.1 0.1 - 0.9 0.0 0.1 - 0.0 0.3 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 - 0.0 0.1 - 0.0
Other 0.1 0.0 - - 0.0 0.1 0.7 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 -

Rural
Total 55.0 62.1 79.1 63.0 70.7 3.9 44.3 84.6 70.6 61.4 92.4 69.5 83.8 90.9 61.4 69.8 90.4 81.2
Pipe-borne inside
dwelling 1.1 0.6 1.1 1.3 0.6 0.7 3.5 0.7 4.6 1.4 1.4 1.2 0.7 0.3 0.8 2.2 0.5 0.8
Pipe-borne outside
dwelling 5.9 9.3 9.3 2.7 5.7 1.4 9.1 7.7 13.5 7.4 15.4 4.5 5.0 5.7 5.7 12.9 4.9 2.7
Public
tap/Standpipe 5.3 13.9 6.5 4.1 2.9 0.6 17.9 6.2 8.1 3.3 9.1 4.1 3.5 2.9 7.3 10.7 7.7 3.4
Bore-
hole/Pump/Tube
well 15.0 10.3 22.4 23.7 31.1 0.5 3.2 33.8 17.3 16.0 22.3 14.1 15.2 19.3 26.1 26.9 27.8 14.0
Protected well 5.2 8.4 10.2 1.8 11.9 0.5 1.3 2.9 12.8 4.9 2.5 5.4 4.9 4.4 3.9 6.9 9.3 17.1
Rain water 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.7 0.2 0.2 0.0 0.2
Protected spring 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.5 0.2 0.2 0.8 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.4 0.3 0.4
Tanker
supply/Vendor
provided 0.4 1.0 0.1 0.1 4.2 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0
Unprotected well 4.5 8.2 13.8 2.1 3.3 0.0 6.7 2.8 2.0 1.6 4.0 1.2 5.9 7.7 3.4 1.4 18.6 18.7
Unprotected spring 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 - 0.0 0.3 0.1 0.2 0.5 0.5 0.4 0.8 0.2 0.4 0.5 2.2
River/Stream 16.2 9.7 14.9 26.6 9.7 0.0 2.3 29.4 11.2 23.4 35.9 36.6 46.3 47.2 12.7 7.1 17.5 19.9
Dugout/Pond/Lake/
Dam/Canal 0.6 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.8 - 0.0 0.1 0.1 1.4 0.3 0.3 1.1 1.4 0.7 0.4 3.1 1.5
Other 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.2 0.3 0.6 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.1
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

183
12.8 Bathing and Toilet Facilities
12.8.1 Bathing Facilities
The main types of bathing facilities used by households are shown in Table 12.17. The three
leading types are shared separate bathroom in the same house (33.3%), own bathroom for
exclusive use (31.1%), shared open cubicle (14.7%) and open space around house (6.3%).
This pattern is maintained in urban areas. In rural areas, however, own bathroom for
exclusive use is more common.
Wassa Amenfi East, Wassa Amenfi West, Aowin/Suaman, Sefwi Akontombra, Sefwi
Wiawso and Juabeso recorded a pattern similar to that for rural areas, while all other districts
followed the urban pattern.

12.8.2 Toilet Facilities

The most popular toilet faciliries are public toilet (37.4%), pit latrine (30.1%), WC (13.4%)
and bush/beach/field (11.9%). In urban areas public toilet is commonly used especially in
Nzema East (19.6%), Sekondi Takoradi Metro (42.1%) and Shama (25.1%) and
Prestea/HuniValley (26.8%) (Table 12.18). In rural areas on the other hand, pit latrine is most
common (23.3%) except Jomoro, Ellembelle and Ahanta West where “free range” was
common.

12.9 Waste Disposal

12.9.1 Solid Waste
The majority of households (81.4%) dump their refuse either in an open space (1 in 2),
container (1 in 5) or indiscriminately (1 in 10). Rubbish is collected in only 8.2 percent of
households. The rest are either burned or buried. In urban areas, most households dump their
rubbish in a public container while in rural areas most do so in the open space.

12.9.2 Liquid Waste

Liquid waste is usually thrown onto the compound, street/outside or into the gutter and these
accounts for about 84 percent of households. Only 11 percent of households dispose of liquid
waste through the drainage system into a gutter. In urban areas, liguid waste is mainly
disposed off into a gutter, onto compound and through drainage system into a gutter, while in
rural areas it is mainly thrown onto compound or street/outside.

184
 Table 12.17: Bathing facility used by household by district and type of locality
Nzema Sekondi Mpohor
East Ahanta Takoradi -Wassa
Bathing facility 2000 2010 Jomoro Ellembelle Municipal West Metropolis Shama East
Number 553,634 34,502 18,682 13,509 26,095 142,560 19,291 30,196
All localities
Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
Own bathroom for
exclusive use 23.1 31.1 29.9 27.1 30.1 19.4 28.7 22.0 25.4
Shared separate
bathroom in the same
house 31.5 33.3 37.7 40.4 28.4 33.9 40.8 25.1 25.8
Private open cubicle 9.9 5.3 5.4 4.7 6.3 4.5 3.7 5.6 8.1
Shared open cubicle 16.7 14.7 13.8 13.4 13.5 21.6 19.4 21.2 21.2
Public bath house 3.0 2.3 1.0 0.5 2.8 3.4 2.6 12.0 2.9
Bathroom in another
house 6.0 5.9 2.0 3.9 9.7 8.4 2.1 8.7 9.9
Open space around
house 7.1 6.3 8.0 9.2 6.4 5.8 2.2 3.9 4.8
River/Pond/Lake/Dam 2.2 0.8 2.3 0.6 2.7 2.8 0.1 1.1 1.7
Other 0.5 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.4 0.3
Urban
Total 45.0 37.9 20.9 37.0 29.3 96.1 55.7 15.4
Own bathroom for
exclusive use 11.7 8.6 5.4 9.1 5.6 27.6 8.2 2.4
Shared separate
bathroom in the same
house 18.7 17.0 10.6 13.4 13.1 39.7 16.4 6.3
Private open cubicle 1.7 1.2 0.6 1.7 1.2 3.5 2.7 0.6
Shared open cubicle 8.2 6.3 2.7 5.5 7.2 18.4 12.1 4.1
Public bath house 1.3 0.8 0.1 1.9 0.1 2.4 9.9 0.4
Bathroom in another
house 1.6 0.8 0.4 3.4 0.9 2.1 3.8 1.3
Open space around
house 1.5 2.9 1.1 1.9 1.1 2.1 1.9 0.4
River/Pond/Lake/Dam 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.3 0.0
Other 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.2 0.4 0.0
Rural
Total 55.0 62.1 79.1 63.0 70.7 3.9 44.3 84.6
Own bathroom for
exclusive use 19.5 21.3 21.7 21.1 13.8 1.1 13.9 23.0
Shared separate
bathroom in the same
house 14.6 20.7 29.8 15.0 20.8 1.1 8.7 19.6
Private open cubicle 3.6 4.2 4.1 4.5 3.3 0.2 2.9 7.5
Shared open cubicle 6.5 7.4 10.7 8.0 14.4 1.0 9.1 17.0
Public bath house 1.0 0.1 0.4 0.9 3.3 0.2 2.1 2.6
Bathroom in another
house 4.3 1.2 3.5 6.4 7.5 0.0 4.9 8.6
Open space around
house 4.7 5.1 8.1 4.5 4.7 0.1 2.0 4.3
River/Pond/Lake/Dam 0.7 2.0 0.6 2.6 2.7 - 0.7 1.7
Other 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.3
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

185
Table 12.17: Bathing facility used by household by district and type of locality (Cont’d)
Sefwi
Tarkwa Prestea/ Wassa Wassa Sefwi Bibiani-
Nsuaem Huni Amenfi Amenfi Aowin/ Akon- Sefwi Ahwiaso
Bathing facility Municipal Valley East West Suaman tombra Wiawso Bekwai Juabeso Bia
Number 21,713 38,295 18,620 34,469 30,658 17,592 30,074 27,961 23,639 25,778
All localities
Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
Own bathroom for
exclusive use 22.3 28.8 36.7 35.6 42.7 48.5 38.4 30.4 39.9 34.7
Shared separate
bathroom in the same
house 32.3 31.0 30.7 25.3 26.3 22.3 31.6 36.8 27.2 34.2
Private open cubicle 6.6 5.5 5.0 6.6 5.8 4.3 5.1 7.2 7.0 5.3
Shared open cubicle 15.3 17.0 0.9 11.4 7.8 4.4 9.2 9.9 9.2 8.0
Public bath house 3.3 2.7 0.6 3.4 1.4 0.2 0.5 1.2 0.2 1.1
Bathroom in another
house 12.6 8.1 8.4 6.9 3.4 8.1 5.1 6.8 9.6 7.5
Open space around
house 6.4 5.7 7.2 9.1 11.5 11.9 9.5 7.4 6.7 8.9
River/Pond/Lake/Dam 1.2 0.9 0.4 0.7 0.7 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1
Other 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.9 0.3 0.1 0.4 0.2 0.1 0.2
Urban
Total 29.4 38.6 7.6 30.5 16.2 9.1 38.6 30.2 9.6 18.8
Own bathroom for
exclusive use 7.2 8.5 1.3 7.2 4.0 1.6 10.8 6.3 3.0 6.1
Shared separate
bathroom in the same
house 11.0 14.5 4.1 11.6 7.9 4.0 18.2 14.6 4.7 8.3
Private open cubicle 1.4 1.6 0.2 1.4 0.5 0.4 1.5 1.6 0.3 1.1
Shared open cubicle 4.0 9.7 1.6 5.0 2.5 1.5 3.4 4.2 0.9 1.0
Public bath house 0.3 0.8 0.0 2.0 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.7 0.0 0.4
Bathroom in another
house 3.5 2.2 0.2 1.5 0.5 0.9 1.2 1.0 0.5 1.2
Open space around
house 1.6 1.2 0.2 1.6 0.6 0.4 3.2 1.9 0.3 0.6
River/Pond/Lake/Dam 0.3 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 - 0.0
Other 0.0 0.1 - 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0
Rural
Total 70.6 61.4 92.4 69.5 83.8 90.9 61.4 69.8 90.4 81.2
Own bathroom for
exclusive use 15.1 20.3 35.4 28.4 38.8 46.8 27.6 24.1 36.9 28.6
Shared separate
bathroom in the same
house 21.3 16.5 26.6 13.7 18.5 18.3 13.4 22.3 22.5 25.9
Private open cubicle 5.3 4.0 4.8 5.2 5.2 3.9 3.7 5.6 6.7 4.2
Shared open cubicle 11.2 7.4 9.3 6.4 5.3 2.9 5.9 5.8 8.3 7.0
Public bath house 3.0 2.0 0.6 1.4 1.3 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.2 0.7
Bathroom in another
house 9.0 5.9 8.2 5.4 2.9 7.2 3.9 5.8 9.1 6.3
Open space around
house 4.8 4.6 7.1 7.5 11.0 11.5 6.4 5.5 6.5 8.3
River/Pond/Lake/Dam 1.0 0.7 0.4 0.6 0.6 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.1
Other 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.9 0.3 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.1
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

186
 Table 12.18a: Toilet facility used by household by district and type of locality
Nzema Sekondi Mpohor-
East Ahanta Takoradi Wassa
Toilet facility 2000 2010 Jomoro Ellembelle Municipal West Metropolis Shama East
Total 553,634 34,502 18,682 13,509 26,095 142,560 19,291 30,196
All localities
Total 92.5+ 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
No facilities
(bush/beach/field) 12.0 11.9 36.5 30.0 13.2 30.6 3.0 22.6 9.4
W.C. 7.2 13.4 6.9 7.3 6.7 6.3 38.7 9.6 2.7
Pit latrine 30.4 30.1 21.1 24.3 26.1 14.0 6.8 11.2 35.1
KVIP 5.7 6.3 10.3 5.9 7.2 11.9 6.7 9.4 5.5
Bucket/Pan 2.7 0.4 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.3 0.5 0.3 0.7
Public toilet
(WC/KVIP/Pit/Pan etc) 34.2 37.4 24.3 31.9 46.0 36.3 43.9 46.6 46.3
Other 0.3 0.5 0.8 0.3 0.3 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.2

Urban
Total 45.0 37.9 20.9 37.0 29.3 96.1 55.7 15.4
No facilities
(bush/beach/field) 3.2 7.7 2.6 3.1 2.6 2.9 15.5 1.3
W.C. 11.8 4.9 2.6 5.5 4.0 37.9 6.7 1.3
Pit latrine 6.8 6.2 3.7 3.0 4.2 6.2 3.5 3.1
KVIP 3.4 5.3 1.9 5.3 4.2 6.2 4.5 1.2
Bucket/Pan 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.3 0.1 0.5 0.2 0.4
Public toilet
(WC/KVIP/Pit/Pan etc) 19.4 13.6 10.0 19.6 14.0 42.1 25.0 8.2
Other 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.4 0.2 0.0

Rural
Total 55.0 62.1 79.1 63.0 70.7 3.9 44.3 84.6
No facilities
(bush/beach/field) 8.7 28.8 27.4 10.1 28.0 0.1 7.1 8.2
W.C. 1.6 2.0 4.8 1.3 2.4 0.8 2.8 1.5
Pit latrine 23.3 14.9 20.7 23.0 9.8 0.7 7.7 32.0
KVIP 2.9 5.0 4.0 1.9 7.7 0.5 4.9 4.3
Bucket/Pan 0.2 0.0 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.3
Public toilet
(WC/KVIP/Pit/Pan etc) 18.0 10.7 21.8 26.4 22.3 1.7 21.6 38.1
Other 0.3 0.6 0.2 0.1 0.3 0.0 0.2 0.2
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

187
Table 12.18a: Toilet facility used by household by district and type of locality (Cont’d)

Tarkwa Sefwi
Nsuaem Prestea/ Wassa Wassa Sefwi Bibiani-
Muni- Huni Amenfi Amenfi Aowin/ Akon- Sefwi Ahwiaso
Toilet facility cipal Valley East West Suaman tombra Wiawso Bekwai Juabeso Bia
Total 21,713 38,295 18,620 34,469 30,658 17,592 30,074 27,961 23,639 25,778

All localities
Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
No facilities
(bush/beach/field) 7.0 5.7 13.6 6.5 14.9 5.0 14.6 13.3 7.8 9.3
W.C. 10.8 5.1 1.7 3.2 3.0 0.9 3.9 4.5 2.1 1.1
Pit latrine 22.6 28.8 48.4 45.1 51.3 61.4 52.6 36.1 61.0 68.4
KVIP 7.0 4.7 4.7 4.2 5.9 2.1 4.9 7.7 4.3 2.1
Bucket/Pan 0.3 0.6 0.1 0.2 0.9 0.2 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.2
Public toilet
(WC/KVIP/Pit/Pan etc) 51.9 54.8 31.0 40.1 22.7 30.2 22.7 37.6 23.2 18.5
Other 0.4 0.3 0.5 0.8 1.2 0.2 1.1 0.4 0.9 0.3

Urban
Total 29.4 38.6 7.6 30.5 16.2 9.1 38.6 30.2 9.6 18.8
No facilities
(bush/beach/field) 2.5 0.9 0.8 2.4 2.4 0.6 4.6 2.6 0.6 3.2
W.C. 4.6 3.2 0.5 2.5 2.1 0.4 2.7 2.0 0.5 0.4
Pit latrine 7.0 5.0 3.3 9.4 3.7 3.7 20.5 10.6 5.2 12.9
KVIP 1.6 2.1 0.7 2.5 1.2 0.9 2.8 2.8 0.5 0.8
Bucket/Pan 0.1 0.4 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0
Public toilet
(WC/KVIP/Pit/Pan etc) 13.4 26.8 2.2 13.5 6.5 7.4 12.0 2.8 1.4
Other 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.5 0.1 0.0 0.1

Rural
Total 70.6 61.4 92.4 69.5 83.8 90.9 61.4 69.8 90.4 81.2
No facilities
(bush/beach/field) 4.5 4.8 12.7 4.1 12.5 4.4 10.0 10.7 7.2 6.1
W.C. 6.2 1.9 1.2 0.6 1.0 0.5 1.2 2.4 1.6 0.7
Pit latrine 15.6 23.8 45.1 35.7 47.6 57.7 32.1 25.5 55.8 55.5
KVIP 5.4 2.6 4.0 1.7 4.8 1.2 2.1 5.0 3.8 1.3
Bucket/Pan 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.8 0.2 0.1 0.3 0.6 0.2
Public toilet
(WC/KVIP/Pit/Pan etc) 38.5 28.0 28.8 26.5 16.2 26.8 15.3 25.6 20.4 17.1
Other 0.2 0.1 0.5 0.7 1.0 0.2 0.5 0.3 0.9 0.2
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

188
Table 12.18b: Sharing of toilet facility with other households by district and
type of locality
Nzema Sekondi Mpohor
East Ahanta Takoradi -Wassa
Sharing of toilet facility Western Jomoro Ellembelle Municipal West Metropolis Shama East
Number 553,634 34,502 18,682 13,509 26,095 142,560 19,291 30,196

All localities
Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
Yes with other household(s)
in same house 20.4 18.0 16.7 12.9 14.1 25.4 11.8 16.0
Yes with other household(s)
in different house 5.9 4.5 5.2 6.1 2.8 1.9 4.2 9.5
Yes with other household(s)
and located in different
house 4.2 3.3 3.6 7.9 4.2 2.2 4.0 6.8
No 20.3 13.4 12.7 13.8 12.0 23.6 10.9 12.1
Homeless households 49.3 60.9 61.9 59.3 66.9 46.9 69.1 55.7

Urban
Total 45.0 37.9 20.9 37.0 29.3 96.1 55.7 15.4
Yes with other household(s)
in same house 11.3 8.8 4.6 8.4 6.4 24.4 7.4 2.9
Yes with other household(s)
in different house 1.3 1.4 0.7 1.1 0.6 1.8 1.6 1.1
Yes with other household(s)
and located in different
house 1.1 1.6 0.5 1.5 0.8 2.1 0.9 0.3
No 8.6 4.8 2.6 3.2 4.9 22.8 5.4 1.6
Homeless households 22.6 21.3 12.6 22.7 16.6 45.0 40.4 9.4

Rural
Total 55.0 62.1 79.1 63.0 70.7 3.9 44.3 84.6
Yes with other household(s)
in same house 9.0 9.2 12.0 4.5 7.6 1.0 4.4 13.0
Yes with other household(s)
in different house 4.6 3.1 4.5 5.0 2.2 0.1 2.6 8.3
Yes with other household(s)
and located in different
house 3.0 1.7 3.1 6.4 3.4 0.1 3.1 6.5
No 11.7 8.6 10.1 10.6 7.1 0.8 5.5 10.4
Homeless households 26.7 39.5 49.2 36.5 50.3 1.9 28.7 46.3
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

189
 Table 12.18b: Sharing of toilet facility with other households by district and
type of locality (Cont’d)

Sefwi
Tarkwa Prestea/ Wassa Wassa Sefwi Bibiani-
Nsuaem Huni Amenfi Amenfi Aowin/ Akon- Sefwi Ahwiaso
Sharing of toilet facility Municipal Valley East West Suaman tombra Wiawso Bekwai Juabeso Bia
Number 21,713 38,295 18,620 34,469 30,658 17,592 30,074 27,961 23,639 25,778

All localities
Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
Yes with other household(s)
in same house 14.9 10.6 17.9 16.6 20.4 20.0 28.8 22.0 25.2 30.4
Yes with other household(s)
in different house 3.9 7.5 9.9 10.4 6.9 8.0 8.3 6.5 11.6 9.5
Yes with other household(s)
and located in different house 4.4 6.8 6.4 6.3 3.4 2.9 3.6 3.6 4.8 5.0
No 17.9 14.7 21.2 20.2 31.7 33.8 22.1 17.0 27.3 27.2
Homeless households 58.9 60.5 44.6 46.5 37.6 35.3 37.3 51.0 31.1 27.8

Urban
Total 29.4 38.6 7.6 30.5 16.2 9.1 38.6 30.2 9.6 18.8
Yes with other household(s)
in same house 5.3 4.9 3.0 7.8 4.4 2.9 16.3 9.8 3.4 8.5
Yes with other household(s)
in different house 0.9 1.2 0.2 2.1 0.3 0.6 2.4 1.1 0.5 1.4
Yes with other household(s)
and located in different house 0.8 0.9 0.2 0.9 0.4 0.4 1.2 0.7 0.3 0.6
No 6.4 3.9 1.1 3.7 2.2 1.2 6.8 4.0 2.0 3.7
Homeless households 16.0 27.7 3.0 15.9 8.9 4.0 11.9 14.6 3.4 4.6

Rural
Total 70.6 61.4 92.4 69.5 83.8 90.9 61.4 69.8 90.4 81.2
Yes with other household(s)
in same house 9.6 5.6 14.9 8.7 16.0 17.1 12.4 12.2 21.8 21.9
Yes with other household(s)
in different house 3.0 6.3 9.7 8.2 6.6 7.4 5.9 5.4 11.1 8.1
Yes with other household(s)
and located in different house 3.6 5.9 6.2 5.4 3.0 2.6 2.4 2.9 4.5 4.4
No 11.5 10.8 20.1 16.5 29.5 32.6 15.3 13.0 25.3 23.6
Homeless households 42.9 32.8 41.6 30.6 28.7 31.3 25.3 36.3 27.7 23.2
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

190
 Table 12.19: Method of solid waste disposal by household by district and type of locality
Nzema
East Sekondi Mpohor
Muni- Ahanta Takoradi -Wassa
Solid waste disposal 2000 2010 Jomoro Ellembelle cipal West Metropolis Shama East
Number 409,282 553,634 34,502 18,682 13,509 26,095 142,560 19,291 30,196
All localities
Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
Collected 2.2 8.2 2.3 3.6 2.8 1.6 22.6 1.0 2.9
Burned by household 4.6 5.8 7.6 7.2 5.1 9.1 7.9 7.6 5.1
Public dump (container) * 21.1 12.8 16.5 30.3 17.8 47.1 26.1 8.5
Public dump (open space) * 50.6 59.7 59.8 43.3 61.0 18.4 58.2 65.2
Dumped indiscriminately * 9.7 10.7 8.2 14.6 6.8 1.4 3.7 12.2
Buried by household 4.0 3.5 5.6 3.5 2.4 3.1 2.1 1.5 4.2
Other 1.1 0.9 1.3 1.2 1.5 0.7 0.5 1.9 1.9

Urban
Total 45.0 37.9 20.9 37.0 29.3 96.1 55.7 15.4
Collected 6.3 1.1 0.2 0.4 1.0 22.3 0.8 0.2
Burned by household 2.9 2.2 1.3 2.4 3.7 7.2 3.3 0.8
Public dump (container) 18.2 10.3 9.1 27.8 12.5 46.2 19.9 5.3
Public dump (open space) 15.1 19.6 8.0 5.4 9.7 16.8 28.1 7.6
Dumped indiscriminately 1.1 2.5 1.3 0.6 1.0 1.3 1.0 0.6
Buried by household 1.1 2.0 0.7 0.3 1.0 1.9 0.8 0.9
Other 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.2 0.3 0.5 1.8 0.0

Rural
Total 55.0 62.1 79.1 63.0 70.7 3.9 44.3 84.6
Collected 1.9 1.2 3.4 2.5 0.5 0.3 0.3 2.7
Burned by household 2.9 5.4 5.9 2.6 5.3 0.7 4.3 4.3
Public dump (container) 2.9 2.5 7.4 2.4 5.3 0.9 6.1 3.1
Public dump (open space) 35.5 40.2 51.8 38.0 51.2 1.7 30.2 57.6
Dumped indiscriminately 8.6 8.2 6.9 14.0 5.8 0.1 2.7 11.6
Buried by household 2.5 3.6 2.8 2.1 2.0 0.2 0.7 3.4
Other 0.6 1.0 0.8 .4 0.4 0.0 0.1 1.8
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

191
 Table 12.19: Method of solid waste disposal by household by district and
type of locality (Cont’d)

Tarkwa Sefwi
Nsuaem Prestea/ Wassa Wassa Sefwi Bibiani-
Muni- Huni Amenfi Amenfi Aowin/ Akon- Sefwi Ahwiaso
Solid waste disposal cipal Valley East West Suaman tombra Wiawso Bekwai Juabeso Bia
Number 21,713 38,295 18,620 34,469 30,658 17,592 30,074 27,961 23,639 25,778
All localities
Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
Collected 3.1 1.7 0.8 3.8 7.7 3.6 4.6 4.3 4.4 2.6
Burned by household 4.3 3.3 6.7 5.1 6.8 1.7 4.0 3.5 2.6 2.6
Public dump (container) 7.6 14.8 14.9 8.3 6.4 2.8 8.4 11.4 7.3 12.4
Public dump (open space) 69.8 62.4 54.3 65.0 50.1 59.6 71.0 70.6 67.3 58.1
Dumped indiscriminately 8.9 13.0 18.5 13.2 21.2 27.2 8.2 5.9 16.3 16.4
Buried by household 5.8 3.8 4.0 3.9 6.5 4.6 3.2 3.9 1.8 5.0
Other 0.6 1.0 0.8 0.7 1.3 0.6 0.7 0.3 0.3 2.9

Urban
Total 29.4 38.6 7.6 30.5 16.2 9.1 38.6 30.2 9.6 18.8
Collected 1.2 0.7 0.1 1.1 0.4 0.2 1.2 1.7 0.1 0.7
Burned by household 1.8 0.9 0.6 1.7 0.3 0.2 1.4 1.4 0.1 0.9
Public dump (container) 3.5 12.1 5.3 7.1 4.8 1.5 6.3 6.4 3.2 8.3

Public dump (open space) 19.7 22.4 1.1 17.9 9.0 6.5 28.0 19.0 5.7 8.3
Dumped indiscriminately 1.8 1.4 0.3 1.9 0.6 0.2 1.0 0.9 0.3 0.3
Buried by household 1.3 0.9 0.2 0.5 1.1 0.4 0.4 0.7 0.2 0.3
Other 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.0

Rural
Total 70.6 61.4 92.4 69.5 83.8 90.9 61.4 69.8 90.4 81.2
Collected 1.9 1.0 0.8 2.7 7.3 3.3 3.4 2.6 4.3 1.9
Burned by household 2.5 2.4 6.1 3.4 6.4 1.5 2.5 2.1 2.5 1.7
Public dump (container) 4.1 2.7 9.6 1.1 1.6 1.3 2.1 5.0 4.1 4.1
Public dump (open space) 50.1 40.0 53.2 47.0 41.2 53.1 42.9 51.6 61.7 49.8
Dumped indiscriminately 7.1 11.6 18.2 11.3 20.6 27.0 7.2 5.0 16.1 16.1
Buried by household 4.5 2.9 3.9 3.4 5.4 4.2 2.7 3.2 1.5 4.7
Other 0.5 0.8 0.8 0.5 1.2 0.5 0.5 0.2 0.2 2.8
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

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 Table 12.20: Method of liquid waste disposal by household by district and
type of locality
Nzema Sekondi Mpohor-
Liquid waste East Ahanta Takoradi Wassa
disposal 2000 2010 Jomoro Ellembelle Municipal West Metropolis Shama East
Number 409,282 553,634 34,502 18,682 13,509 26,095 142,560 19,291 30,196
All localities
Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
Through the
sewerage system 3.2 2.5 1.5 0.8 4.1 0.6 5.1 2.0 1.1
Through drainage
system into a gutter ** 11.0 2.9 2.3 3.5 4.5 29.2 8.3 2.2
Through drainage
into a pit (soak
away) ** 2.1 2.8 3.7 2.2 2.1 2.9 2.2 2.0
Thrown onto the
street/outside 34.6 23.7 49.5 34.4 30.5 24.9 7.7 24.3 22.9
Thrown into gutter 23.7 21.6 9.0 9.1 18.0 19.3 41.3 30.0 18.0
Thrown onto
compound 36.6 38.3 33.2 49.1 41.0 45.3 13.3 30.1 52.5
Other 2.0 0.9 1.1 0.6 0.6 3.4 0.6 3.1 1.2
Urban
Total 45.0 37.9 20.9 37.0 29.3 96.1 55.7 15.4
Through the
sewerage system 1.7 1.2 0.1 3.5 0.3 5.0 1.8 0.1
Through drainage
system into a gutter 9.2 1.5 0.9 3.1 2.9 28.9 5.1 0.8
Through drainage
into a pit (soak
away) 1.2 1.0 1.1 1.3 1.0 2.9 1.9 0.2
Thrown onto the
street/outside 6.8 17.1 6.9 5.4 4.5 6.8 8.5 3.1
Thrown into gutter 16.0 7.0 3.2 15.0 11.4 40.0 21.4 6.1
Thrown onto
compound 9.7 10.0 8.6 8.4 8.9 12.1 14.0 5.3
Other 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.3 0.3 0.6 3.0 0.0

Rural
Total 55.0 62.1 79.1 63.0 70.7 3.9 44.3 84.6
Through the
sewerage system 0.8 0.3 0.7 0.6 0.3 0.1 0.1 1.1
Through drainage
system into a gutter 1.8 1.4 1.4 0.4 1.7 0.3 3.2 1.4
Through drainage
into a pit (soak
away) 0.9 1.8 2.5 0.9 1.0 0.0 0.4 1.9
Thrown onto the
street/outside 16.9 32.4 27.5 25.1 20.4 0.8 15.8 19.8
Thrown into gutter 5.6 2.0 5.9 3.0 7.9 1.4 8.7 12.0
Thrown onto
compound 28.6 23.2 40.6 32.7 36.4 1.2 16.1 47.2
Other 0.5 1.0 0.5 0.3 3.0 0.0 0.1 1.2
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

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Table 12.20: Method of liquid waste disposal by household by district and
type of locality (Cont’d)
Tarkwa Sefwi
Nsuaem Prestea/ Wassa Wassa Sefwi Bibiani-
Muni- Huni Amenfi Amenfi Aowin/ Akon- Sefwi Ahwiaso
Liquid waste disposal cipal Valley East West Suaman tombra Wiawso Bekwai Juabeso Bia
Number 21,713 38,295 18,620 34,469 30,658 17,592 30,074 27,961 23,639 25,778
All localities
Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
Through the sewerage
system 3.1 1.3 0.6 2.1 1.4 0.7 2.5 2.0 2.9 0.4
Through drainage
system into a gutter 7.4 8.1 3.8 6.7 3.6 2.5 7.2 6.4 2.0 0.6
Through drainage into
a pit (soak away) 1.2 1.6 0.6 2.4 2.3 0.4 1.9 1.0 0.6 1.1
Thrown onto the
street/outside 22.9 22.1 28.4 19.6 25.0 32.7 28.4 43.8 32.9 26.9
Thrown into gutter 21.9 26.4 19.4 10.9 11.7 8.4 12.0 9.8 9.1 6.0
Thrown onto
compound 43.2 40.2 46.4 57.8 54.9 55.4 46.7 36.8 52.2 64.4
Other 0.3 0.3 0.8 0.6 1.1 0.1 1.3 0.2 0.3 0.7

Urban
Total 29.4 38.6 7.6 30.5 16.2 9.1 38.6 30.2 9.6 18.8
Through the sewerage
system 1.0 0.4 0.0 0.3 0.5 0.0 1.0 0.2 0.1 0.1
Through drainage
system into a gutter 3.1 5.3 0.5 4.9 1.7 0.2 3.4 1.5 0.5 0.2
Through drainage into
a pit (soak away) 0.5 0.6 0.1 0.7 0.2 0.1 1.3 0.3 0.1 0.2
Thrown onto the
street/outside 7.4 7.0 1.9 3.9 2.7 3.3 9.2 13.5 3.5 5.3
Thrown into gutter 6.5 17.4 3.1 5.4 5.9 2.5 8.4 5.3 3.2 1.6
Thrown onto
compound 10.7 7.7 1.9 15.1 5.1 3.0 15.0 9.4 2.4 11.5
Other 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0

Rural
Total 70.6 61.4 92.4 69.5 83.8 90.9 61.4 69.8 90.4 81.2
Through the sewerage
system 2.1 0.9 0.5 1.8 0.8 0.6 1.5 1.8 2.8 0.4
Through drainage
system into a gutter 4.3 2.8 3.3 1.8 1.9 2.3 3.8 4.8 1.5 0.4
Through drainage into
a pit (soak away) 0.7 1.0 0.5 1.7 2.1 0.3 0.6 0.7 0.5 0.9
Thrown onto the
street/outside 15.5 15.1 26.6 15.7 22.2 29.5 19.1 30.3 29.5 21.6
Thrown into gutter 15.4 9.0 16.3 5.5 5.9 5.8 3.6 4.6 6.0 4.4
Thrown onto
compound 32.5 32.5 44.4 42.7 49.8 52.4 31.7 27.4 49.8 52.9
Other 0.2 0.2 0.7 0.4 1.0 0.1 1.1 0.1 0.3 0.7
Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010 Population and Housing Census

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 CHAPTER THIRTEEN
SUMMARY FINDINGS AND POLICY
RECOMMENDATIONS

13.1 Summary of Findings

13.1.1 Population Size, Composition and Age-Sex Structure
The enumerated population of the region is 2,376,021 with an inter censal growth rate of 2.0
percent which is below the national average of 2.5 percent; and a population density of 99.3
persons per sq. km.
The population is unevenly spread among the Districts. Nearly a quarter (23.5%) is in the
Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis and about one-fifth in the three districts of Wassa Amenfi West
(6.8%), Prestea HUni Valley (6.7%) and Jomoro (6.3%). Nzema East Municipal has the
lowest share of 2.6 percent.
The Region is 42.4 percent urban. However, Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis is 96.1 percent
while Shama district is 56.2 percent urban. All other Districts have urban proportions below
the Rregional figure with Sefwi Akontombra (8.8%) and Wassa Amenfi East (6.9%) having
the lowest proportions of less than 10 percent urban.
The population of the region is almost equally divided between the sexes with females
exceeding males by 473, thus giving a sex-ratio of 100.0. All coastal Districts have sex ratios
lower than 100.0, indicating an excess of females over males in these Districts. With the
exception of Sefwi Bibiani-Ahiawso Bekwai all the remaining Districts have sex ratios of
over 100.0 indicative of male in-migration for employment in these districts.

The population of the Region has a youthful age structure, with a dependency ratio of 74.8
percent. Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis (58.2%) and Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal (69.7%) are
the only Districts with dependency ratios below the Regional figure 74.8 percent.

13.1.2 Household Size, Structure and Composition

There are 553,635 households in the Region. Single person households constitute 18.2
percent, while the largest recorded household size of 10 and more persons constitutes 4.3
percent. Small households (2 – 4 persons) are the most common (42%) followed by medium
(5 -7 persons) households (28.7%) and large (8 or more person) households (11.2%). The
average household size is about four persons. The distribution by District does not differ
much from the Regional pattern.

About 69 percent of all households in the Region are headed by males, with more male heads
(72.8%) in rural than urban (63.8%) areas.
Household Heads account for 24 percent of members while spouses are just over 10.0
percent. There are large differences in percentage of household members who are spouses of
household head. Similar variations also exist by type of locality although the differences are
not large. Children form the bulk (over 40 percent) of household members in the Region. In
urban areas, there is a higher proportion of children (20.5%) in female headed households

195
than in male headed households (15.8%). However, in rural areas, male headed households
have a higher proportion of children (28.5%) than female headed households (21.4%).

Grandchildren constitute about 7.0 percent of household members. The proportion of

grandchildren in female headed households is about three times the number in male headed
households. Other relatives constitute less than 6.0 percent, siblings less than 4.0 percent and
non-relatives less than 2.0 percent. Female headed households are twice as likely to have
their parents-in-law as part of the household than male headed households.
The nuclear household (41.6%) is the most common household structure in the region.
Extended households constitute 22 percent of all households. One third of all households in
the region are single parent household. Urban areas have a higher proportion (37.5%) of such
households than rural areas (30.8%). Double parent nuclear household is the most common
structure in all districts. The coastal districts have smaller percentages of such households
than the other districts.

13.1.3 Marital Characteristics

Forty-one percent of the population 12 years and older have never married, 45.3 percent are
married, 3.9 percent are in an informal/consensual union, 5.9 percent are separated/divorced
and 3.8 percent are widowed. The proportion of females who have never married is lower
than that of males. Females are more likely to be married, in an informal/consensual union,
divorced and widow than men. Higher proportions of rural dwellers (49.1%) aged 12 years
and older are married as compared to their urban counterparts (40.6%); but the proportions
who have never married is higher (45.8%) in urban than in rural (37.1%) areas.
Marriage rates are high among all religious groups ranging from 43.1 percent (Catholics) to
51.6 percent (Traditionalists). Informal/consensual much is lowest among Moslems (2.6%)
and highest (7.0%) among persons who do not practice any religion. Traditionalists have the
highest separation, divorce and widowhood rates.
The incidence of marriage is high (over 70.0%) among persons with middle school,
secondary and post graduate qualifications. Informal/consensual union is lowest (1.8%)
among persons with post graduate education. The proportion widowed is highest (10.0%)
among the uneducated.
Employed persons reported the highest incidences of marriage, separation, divorce and
widowhood. Generally, there is not much variation in the proportions of persons of different
marital status across districts. The few exceptions are the high proportion of persons in
informal/consensual unions in Nzema East (8.9%) and Bia (8.6%); the low proportion in
informal/consensual union in Sefwi Wiawso (1.6%); the higher proportions (over 50%) of
married persons in Aowin Suaman, Sefwi Akontombra and Juabeso; and the relatively high
widowhood rates (5% and above) in Shama, Ahanta West and Ellembelle.

13.1.4 Information Communication Technology

The Region has 750,227 persons 12 years and older (46.4%) having mobile phones, with
differences by sex (males 52.7% and females 40.2%); type of locality (urban dwellers 59.9%
and rural residents 35.6%) and level of education (proportions increase with level).
Differentials by age group and economic activity status also exist but to a lesser degree.
Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis has the highest ownership rate of 67.3 percent. For the
remaining Districts Nzema East (32.1%) has the lowest and Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal
(51.5%) the highest after the Metropoplis.
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Use of internet in the Region is by only 6.4 percent of the population 12 years and older, with
differences in favour of males. At the District level, the proportion of females using the
internet is about half that of males. Internet use by type of locality exhibits more marked
differences, with the rate in urban areas (11.9%) being more than six times the rate in rural
areas (1.9%). Internet use reaches a peak of 12.6 percent among 20 – 24 year olds and
declines thereafter; but increases gradually by level of education reaching a peak of 65.0
percent for persons with university and higher education. Internet use is highest (17.7%) in
Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis, followed by Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal (7.4%) and Shama
(4.3%). Sefwi Akontombra has the lowest internet use (0.8%) of less than one percent.
Only 6.5 percent of all households in the region own a computer. Sekondi-Takoradi
Metropolis has the highest ownership rate of 16.0 percent, followed by Tarkwa Nsuaem
Municipal with 7.0 percent. All the remaining Districts reported ownership rates far below
the regional average with Sefwi Akontombra having the lowest rate of 1.4 percent.
About 79.0 percent of the 11,574 fixed lines in the region serve the Sekondi-Takoradi
Metropolis alone with the remaining 21.0 percent serving all the other Districts. Even though
there has been a 10 percent decline in fixed line service over the past decade, this service is
now available in all Districts, unlike 2000 where only half of the Districts had fixed line
service.

13.1.5 Education and Literacy

About one in five of the population six years and older (1,978,794) have never attended
school. This proportion shows large variations by district from a low of less than 10 percent
in Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis (9.6%) to a high of over 30 percent in Aowin/Suaman
(33.9%) and Sefwi Akontombra (30.3%). There are also wide differentials by sex with the
proportion for females sometimes more than twice that of males as in Sekondi-Takoradi
Metropolis.
Current school attendance stands at 734,532 persons who are six years or older. The majority
of these (54.1%) are in primary school. JHS/ accounts for 22.1 percent and SHS constitute
10.3 percent. Post- secondary student are 3.3 percent, vocational/technical/commercial and
degree/higher each contributes less than one percent. Pre-primary education which was
introduced less than a decade ago accounts for 8.7 percent. The pattern of enrolment across
districts is similar to the regional pattern. The proportion of females in primary school
exceeds that of males at the region as well as in all districts; however at the JHS level males
have higher proportion in school at the region and in all districts except Sekondi-Takoradi
Metropolis and Shama. At the SHS levels also, males dominate in all districts except
Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis. Beyond SHS level males dominate in all districts.
Past school attendance is considered for persons 15 years and older who number 960,561 in
the region. One in three of these persons have never attended school. Primary school
graduates constitute 10.7 percent, JSS/JHS/Middle school graduates 40.7 percent,
SSS/SHS/secondary graduates 9.2 percent, vocational/technical/commercial graduates 2.4
percent, post-secondary diploma/certificate graduates 4.4 percent and degree or higher
graduates 1.7 percent. These percentages show large differences by sex in favour of males.
Literacy rate for the Region (76.4%) is above the national average (74.1%). Sekondi-
Takoradi Metropolis has the highest literacy rate (89.5%) while Aowin-Suaman recorded the
lowest rate (68.8%).

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13.1.6 Fertility, Mortality and Migration
Three measures of fertility are employed. The crude birth rate (CBR), general fertility rate
(GFR) and the total fertility rate (TFR). The total fertility rate for the region is 5.09 per
woman. Sekondi-Takoradi Metro recorded the lowest rates (CBR 23.3, GFR 81.5, TFR 2.44),
while Mpohor-Wassa East had the highest (CBR 31.02, GFR 131.1, TFR 4.19) on all three
indicators of fertility in the region.

The infant mortality rate and the under-five mortality rate for the Region are 55 and 82 per
1000 respectively. The infant mortality rate ranged between 43 and 64 per 1000. Apart from
Aowin/Suaman, the other districts with low infant mortality rates were all in the hilly
northern parts of the Region. Four districts in the south-eastern part of the Region have IMRs
of over 60 per 1000. Childhood mortality is between 62 and 98 per 1000. Districts located at
the northern part of the region recorded lower childhood mortality rates. These results are
unexpected and may be due to differences in the quality of reporting and coverage.
Using the place of birth classification, the majority (63.1%) of the enumerated population of
the Region are non-migrant, 12.0 percent are intra-regional in-migrants, 23.6 percent Inter-
Regional in-migrants and only 1.2 percent are immigrants. Females tend to move shorter
distances while males move further away from home. For non-migrants the percentage by
duration of residence increases with increasing duration of residence. The reverse is true for
Inter-Regional and intra-regional migrants. Ghanaians by birth constitute 95.5 percent of the
population of the region. This is higher than the national figure of 93.7 percent. Cross
classification of Region of birth by district of enumeration shows that about 25 percent of
enumerated persons are migrants. Ellembelle and Ahanta West have the lowest proportion of
(less than 10 percent) migrants while Bia, Sefwi Akontombra and Aowin/Suaman have the
highest proportion of (over 30 percent) migrants.

13.1.7 Economic Characteristics

There are 2,042,645 persons five years and older of whom 52.4 percent are economically
active. Working children (economically active persons 5 – 14 years old) constitute 4.6
percent of the economically active population of the Region.
Of the 1,449,507 persons 15 years and older, 70.4 percent are economically active. Across
Districts, economic activity rates range from 58.9 percent (in Ellembelle) to 83.8 percent in
Juabeso. Apart from Sekondi-Takoradi, the economic activity rates are slightly higher for
males.
One in 25 persons, 15 years and older is unemployed. Four districts recorded values above
the Regional figure. Sekondi-Takoradi has the highest unemployment rate of 7 percent.
About 82 percent of the unemployed in the Region are first time job seekers; this is also true
across Districts. One in three persons 15 years and older in the Region is not economically
active because they are engaged as students, homemakers and too old/young to work.
Agricultural, forestry and fishery workers are the biggest occupational group (over 70%) in
four Districts. Service and sales workers are second largest group in the Region. Females
dominate the service and sales workers while males dominate plant and machine operators
and assemblers, technicians and associate professionals, and professional groups.

Agriculture is the largest industry in the region and accounts for the highest proportion of
employed persons in all Districts except Sekondi-Takoradi. The distributive trades and repair

198
of motor vehicles and motor cycles is the second largest industry in the Region and in 13
Districts.

The self-employed (without employees) are the biggest (59.3%) in terms of employment
status. The more urbanized parts of the Region have a higher proportion of employees than
the less urbanized areas. Females dominate the self-employed and contributing worker, while
males dominate the employee category.
The private informal sector accounts for over 80.0 percent in all Districts except Sekondi-
Takoradi and Tarkwa Nsuaem where the private formal sector is important contributing 15.3
and 16.7 percent respectively.

13.1.8 Disability
There are 66,016 persons with disability in the region representing 2.8 percent of the
population. Bia has the lowest (1.0%) and Mpohor-Wassa East has the highest (5.3%)
proportion of PWD. In nine Districts the highest proportion of PWD are 65 years and older,
while in seven Districts the highest proportion of such persons are aged 0 – 14 years. All
coastal Districts have a higher proportion of males with disability than females. For the entire
Region, about 40 percent of PWD are married, 26 percent have never married, 14 percent are
widowed and 10 percent are divorced. The distribution of PWD by marital status in the
Districts follows this Regional pattern. The differential by type of locality is not marked.
Sight and physical disabilities are the two most common in all districts in the Region.

13.1.9 Agricultural Activity

About 50 percent of all households in the region are engaged in agriculture. However, there
are large differences in the proportion of households engaged in agriculture among the
Districts. The more urbanized Districts have lower percentages of households engaged in
agriculture than the less urbanized ones.

Over 70 percent of all persons engaged in agriculture are from rural areas with the exception
of Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis. Crop farming (95.1%) and livestock rearing (40.5%) are the
most important agricultural activities in all Districts with a high proportion of households
engaging in these activities.
The leading crops by number of farms are cocoa (37.9%), cassava (23.1%), plantain (15.5%)
and oil palm (6.9%). The total number of farms in the Region is 614,106. Mono-cropping is
practised on 47.5 percent of the farms, mixed cropping (32.2%) and inter cropping (20.3%).
Chicken constitutes 64.0 percent of the 2,690,756 livestock in the Region. Fish from fish
farming (10.0%), goat (9.2%) and sheep (8.2%) all contribute significant numbers to the
livestock. Apart from dove, grass cutter and turkey which are held in nearly equal proportions
in rural and urban areas, over 60 percent of all other livestock are held in rural areas.

13.1.10 Housing Conditions

The housing stock of the Region is 380,104 with 1.6 households per house; and 7.3 persons
per house. The average household size is 4.4. Of the 594, 292 dwelling units in the Region,
the compound house (44.4%) is the most common followed by separate house (35.4%). This
pattern is replicated in all Districts; however, in urban areas the compound house is the most
common type of dwelling unit in all Districts. The majority (56.6%) of dwelling units are
owned by a household member; while 22.3 percent are owned by private individuals. The

199
former type of ownership is more common in rural (38.5%) than in urban (18.1%) areas
while the latter is more common in urban (15.9%) than in rural (6.3%) areas. Almost half of
all dwelling units are owner occupied with the rate reaching close to 70 percent in Sefwi
Akontombra. Owner occupier rates are lower in urban than in rural areas.

Nearly half (48%) of all households in the region occupy one room. With an average
household size of 4.4 persons in the region this suggests that about four persons per room in
about half of all households. More than 58.0 percent of households have one sleeping room.
This is indicative of overcrowding.
Cement/concrete blocks (50.1%) and mud bricks/earth (40.6%) are the most popular
materials for construction of outer walls of dwelling units. Cement floors (80%) are also the
most common in all districts. Metal sheets (63.2%) are the main materials for roof.
Electricity (65.0%), torch (20.7%) and kerosene (12.2%) together provide 97.9 percent of the
lighting needs of the country. Wood, charcoal and gas provided 93.1 percent of the cooking
fuel for the region. For every 100 dwelling units in urban areas the numbers using these fuels
are 16, 28 and 48 respectively. The figures for rural areas are 75, 4.5 and 15 respectively.
Separate room for exclusive use of household (46.6%), veranda (20.8%) and open space in
compound (10.8%) are the leading cooking spaces reported in the region. Rural areas
reported higher proportions with separate room for exclusive use of household than urban
areas.
Pipe-borne water is the main source of drinking water for nearly half (46.4%) of all
households in the region. The pipe-borne water is either outside the dwelling (19.6%), from a
public tap/stand pipe (16.3%) or inside the dwelling (10.5%). Other important sources are
borehole/pump/tube well (18.2%), river/stream (16.3%) and protected well (7.0%). There are
wide variations in sources of drinking water by districts. The major sources of water for other
domestic use are the same as for drinking water but with varying proportions.
Shared separate bathroom in the same house (33.3%) and own bathroom for exclusive use
(31.1%) are the main types. In rural areas, own bathroom for exclusive use is more common.
Public toilet (37.4%) and pit latrine (30.1%), WC (13.4%) and bush/beach/field (11.9%) are
the main toilet facilities used in the Region. Public toilet is the most common in urban areas
while pit latrine is the most common in rural areas.
Over 80 percent of households dump their solid waste in an open space, container or
indiscriminately. Rubbish is collected in only 8.2 percent of households. The rest are either
burned or buried. Most households (84.0%) throw their liquid waste onto the compound,
street or into a gutter. Only 11.0 percent of households dispose of liquid waste through the
drainage system into a gutter.

13.2 Policy Recommendations

Religious Organizations, social institutions such as Department of Social Welfare, Chiefs and
family heads are encouraged to do all in their power to make the family union stable, to
reduce the incidence of single parenting with all its social and economic consequences.

Very few households own a computer; this is reflected in low use of the internet. Government
policy of distributing free computers to school children should be extended to all Districts in
the region. Women should be economically empowered to increase their ownership of mobile
phones and hence the benefits associated with its use.

200
The government policy of free compulsory universal basic education (FCUBE) should be
enforced in the Region and in all Districts to reduce the proportions who have never attended
school. Measures should also be put in place to retain girls in the school system beyond the
primary level. Retention of girls in school would improve and enhance them economically,
and this could help reduce or possibly eliminate the high proportions in informal/consensual
unions.

The fertility rate in the Region does not permit women to achieve their full potential as many
years are spent in child bearing and child care. Infant and under-five mortality rates are proxy
indicators of living standards and development. High levels of mortality indicators as found
in the Region are due to poor environmental conditions; and pointers to the need to improve
environmental conditions in the Districts.
The high proportion of working children is indicative of economic deprivation and the need
for additional income for the household. Empowering men and women financially would
enable them increase incomes from their livelihoods and hence reduce the need for their
under-age children to be economically active.
The fact that over 80 percent of the unemployed are first time job seekers reveals the
unavailability of jobs for fresh entrants into the labour market. Steps must be taken to provide
the infrastructure, start-up capital and other factors needed for the establishment of small
businesses by fresh entrants to the labour market.
The causes of the sight and physical disabilities may be due to poor environmental conditions
and lack of immunization of children during the relevant ages. District assemblies should
intensify their immunization and sanitation campaigns to reach all persons in the desired
ages.
Agriculture should be made attractive by ensuring increased incomes for persons engaged in
the sector. Provision of roads that can be used throughout the year to facilitate evacuation of
farm produce to market centres would reduce post-harvest losses and increase incomes for
farmers. Increased incomes from the sector would also make it an attractive option for new
entrants into the labour market, and thus reduce the unemployment rate.
Environmental and housing conditions can be improved by increasing the housing stock to
eliminate over-crowding, provision of portable water to all communities (rural and urban) can
help eliminate water borne diseases, proper and safe disposal of liquid and solid waste can
also help in reducing the burden of disease.

The Region has abundant natural resources which can be exploited and developed to provide
jobs for the enemployed. Oil and gas exploration in the Region raises hope, expectations and
promises, but the potential oil and gas wealth is also associated with a myriad of challenges
which must be addressed in a comprehensive framework. These must be community oriented
policies and broad national concerns and legislations.

201
 REFERENCES

Afranie S. (2012). Household size, structure and composition. In: 2010 Population and
Housing census, Ghana. National Demographic Report, Ghana Statistical Service

Boateng, E. A. (1960). A geography of Ghana. Cambridge University Press.

Gough (1959)

Dickson, K. B. Benneh, G. (2001). A new geography of Ghana, Revised edition. Longman

Group Ltd, England.

Ghana Statistical Service, (2012). 2010 Population and Housing Census. Summary report of
final results.

Ghana Statistical Service (2005). 2000 Population and Housing Census. Western Region.
Analysis of district data and implications for planning.

Goodenough (1970), Description and comparison in cultural anthropology. Chicago.

Winmat publisher Ltd. (2011). Social studies atlas for basic schools.

www.tullowoil.com/ghana

www.gnpc.com

202
APPENDIX
Table A1: Population by region, district, age and sex, 2010
2010
Both sexes Male Female
All Regions 24,658,823 12,024,845 12,633,978
WESTERN
All ages 2,376,021 1,187,774 1,188,247
0 - 4 years 333,376 170,133 163,243
5 - 9 years 306,005 155,228 150,777
10 - 14 years 287,133 145,176 141,957
15 - 19 years 251,304 127,632 123,672
20 - 24 years 229,255 110,460 118,795
25 - 29 years 200,276 94,918 105,358
30 - 34 years 160,964 79,265 81,699
35 - 39 years 142,132 70,438 71,694
40 - 44 years 116,622 59,435 57,187
45 - 49 years 91,973 47,609 44,364
50 - 54 years 78,627 39,729 38,898
55 - 59 years 47,899 26,127 21,772
60 - 64 years 40,538 21,097 19,441
65 - 69 years 24,682 12,294 12,388
70 - 74 years 27,179 12,206 14,973
75 - 79 years 14,643 6,846 7,797
80 - 84 years 11,394 4,411 6,983
85 - 89 years 6,384 2,632 3,752
90 - 94 years 3,794 1,437 2,357
95+ years 1,841 701 1,140

Table A2: Population by district, age and sex

Both sexes Male Female
All Regions 24,658,823 12,024,845 12,633,978
WESTERN
All ages 2,376,021 1,187,774 1,188,247
0 - 4 years 333,376 170,133 163,243
5 - 9 years 306,005 155,228 150,777
10 - 14 years 287,133 145,176 141,957
15 - 19 years 251,304 127,632 123,672
20 - 24 years 229,255 110,460 118,795
25 - 29 years 200,276 94,918 105,358
30 - 34 years 160,964 79,265 81,699
35 - 39 years 142,132 70,438 71,694
40 - 44 years 116,622 59,435 57,187
45 - 49 years 91,973 47,609 44,364
50 - 54 years 78,627 39,729 38,898
55 - 59 years 47,899 26,127 21,772
60 - 64 years 40,538 21,097 19,441
65 - 69 years 24,682 12,294 12,388
70 - 74 years 27,179 12,206 14,973
75 - 79 years 14,643 6,846 7,797
80 - 84 years 11,394 4,411 6,983
85 - 89 years 6,384 2,632 3,752
90 - 94 years 3,794 1,437 2,357
95+ years 1,841 701 1,140

203
 Both sexes Male Female
JOMORO
All ages 150,107 73,561 76,546
0 - 4 years 21,684 11,143 10,541
5 - 9 years 20,124 10,251 9,873
10 - 14 years 18,238 9,317 8,921
15 - 19 years 16,341 8,146 8,195
20 - 24 years 13,438 6,441 6,997
25 - 29 years 12,253 5,685 6,568
30 - 34 years 10,031 4,804 5,227
35 - 39 years 8,943 4,285 4,658
40 - 44 years 7,025 3,353 3,672
45 - 49 years 5,599 2,771 2,828
50 - 54 years 4,709 2,212 2,497
55 - 59 years 2,652 1,400 1,252
60 - 64 years 2,476 1,153 1,323
65 - 69 years 1,585 763 822
70 - 74 years 2,183 818 1,365
75 - 79 years 1,103 467 636
80 - 84 years 900 286 614
85 - 89 years 436 157 279
90 - 94 years 252 71 181
95+ years 135 38 97

Both sexes Male Female

ELLEMBELLE
All ages 87,501 42,317 45,184
0 - 4 years 11,904 6,014 5,890
5 - 9 years 11,574 5,864 5,710
10 - 14 years 10,987 5,519 5,468
15 - 19 years 10,146 5,190 4,956
20 - 24 years 8,192 3,851 4,341
25 - 29 years 6,910 3,133 3,777
30 - 34 years 5,432 2,627 2,805
35 - 39 years 4,925 2,308 2,617
40 - 44 years 4,006 1,937 2,069
45 - 49 years 3,091 1,508 1,583
50 - 54 years 2,849 1,279 1,570
55 - 59 years 1,612 755 857
60 - 64 years 1,567 713 854
65 - 69 years 1,028 424 604
70 - 74 years 1,371 509 862
75 - 79 years 702 271 431
80 - 84 years 628 213 415
85 - 89 years 302 117 185
90 - 94 years 190 52 138
95+ years 85 33 52

204
 Both sexes Male Female
NZEMA EAST
All ages 60,828 29,947 30,881
0 - 4 years 8,864 4,530 4,334
5 - 9 years 8,429 4,246 4,183
10 - 14 years 7,667 4,026 3,641
15 - 19 years 6,654 3,423 3,231
20 - 24 years 5,339 2,491 2,848
25 - 29 years 4,765 2,237 2,528
30 - 34 years 3,882 1,837 2,045
35 - 39 years 3,449 1,675 1,774
40 - 44 years 2,978 1,424 1,554
45 - 49 years 2,364 1,189 1,175
50 - 54 years 1,981 934 1,047
55 - 59 years 1,068 545 523
60 - 64 years 1,095 510 585
65 - 69 years 563 232 331
70 - 74 years 744 292 452
75 - 79 years 390 155 235
80 - 84 years 292 81 211
85 - 89 years 148 62 86
90 - 94 years 113 38 75
95+ years 43 20 23

Both sexes Male Female

AHANTA WEST
All ages 106,215 50,999 55,216
0 - 4 years 16,060 8,122 7,938
5 - 9 years 14,777 7,445 7,332
10 - 14 years 13,177 6,590 6,587
15 - 19 years 11,086 5,692 5,394
20 - 24 years 9,173 4,136 5,037
25 - 29 years 8,233 3,580 4,653
30 - 34 years 6,494 3,070 3,424
35 - 39 years 6,003 2,829 3,174
40 - 44 years 4,876 2,256 2,620
45 - 49 years 3,980 1,926 2,054
50 - 54 years 3,464 1,568 1,896
55 - 59 years 2,160 1,083 1,077
60 - 64 years 2,051 940 1,111
65 - 69 years 1,261 546 715
70 - 74 years 1,403 544 859
75 - 79 years 779 284 495
80 - 84 years 637 175 462
85 - 89 years 321 124 197
90 - 94 years 198 66 132
95+ years 82 23 59

205
 Both sexes Male Female
SEKONDI TAKORADI METROPOLIS
All ages 559,548 273,436 286,112
0 - 4 years 64,387 33,002 31,385
5 - 9 years 57,462 28,887 28,575
10 - 14 years 60,825 29,171 31,654
15 - 19 years 60,712 29,352 31,360
20 - 24 years 65,394 32,674 32,720
25 - 29 years 51,915 25,202 26,713
30 - 34 years 41,399 19,974 21,425
35 - 39 years 35,686 17,021 18,665
40 - 44 years 29,988 14,573 15,415
45 - 49 years 23,406 11,534 11,872
50 - 54 years 20,037 9,527 10,510
55 - 59 years 14,054 7,132 6,922
60 - 64 years 11,071 5,412 5,659
65 - 69 years 7,471 3,501 3,970
70 - 74 years 6,456 2,835 3,621
75 - 79 years 3,894 1,698 2,196
80 - 84 years 2,585 997 1,588
85 - 89 years 1,636 551 1,085
90 - 94 years 771 255 516
95+ years 399 138 261

Both sexes Male Female

KWESIMINTSIM
All ages 232,617 113,726 118,891
0 - 4 years 27,089 13,906 13,183
5 - 9 years 24,088 12,224 11,864
10 - 14 years 25,155 11,992 13,163
15 - 19 years 25,147 12,021 13,126
20 - 24 years 28,588 14,614 13,974
25 - 29 years 21,948 10,287 11,661
30 - 34 years 17,815 8,479 9,336
35 - 39 years 14,828 7,019 7,809
40 - 44 years 12,214 5,885 6,329
45 - 49 years 9,277 4,616 4,661
50 - 54 years 7,842 3,682 4,160
55 - 59 years 5,524 2,844 2,680
60 - 64 years 4,307 2,148 2,159
65 - 69 years 3,097 1,477 1,620
70 - 74 years 2,436 1,133 1,303
75 - 79 years 1,406 667 739
80 - 84 years 922 394 528
85 - 89 years 561 190 371
90 - 94 years 224 96 128
95+ years 149 52 97

206
 Both sexes Male Female
TAKORADI
All ages 97,352 48,470 48,882
0 - 4 years 9,774 5,018 4,756
5 - 9 years 8,470 4,184 4,286
10 - 14 years 9,676 4,530 5,146
15 - 19 years 10,719 5,205 5,514
20 - 24 years 12,121 6,154 5,967
25 - 29 years 9,990 5,330 4,660
30 - 34 years 7,329 3,819 3,510
35 - 39 years 6,229 3,053 3,176
40 - 44 years 5,534 2,756 2,778
45 - 49 years 4,515 2,228 2,287
50 - 54 years 3,939 1,850 2,089
55 - 59 years 2,833 1,467 1,366
60 - 64 years 2,083 1,043 1,040
65 - 69 years 1,305 647 658
70 - 74 years 1,183 517 666
75 - 79 years 722 302 420
80 - 84 years 437 184 253
85 - 89 years 290 121 169
90 - 94 years 147 41 106
95+ years 56 21 35

Both sexes Male Female

SEKONDI
All ages 70,361 33,828 36,533
0 - 4 years 7,452 3,890 3,562
5 - 9 years 7,022 3,550 3,472
10 - 14 years 7,367 3,556 3,811
15 - 19 years 7,562 3,642 3,920
20 - 24 years 7,324 3,528 3,796
25 - 29 years 6,353 3,149 3,204
30 - 34 years 5,203 2,464 2,739
35 - 39 years 4,443 2,045 2,398
40 - 44 years 3,914 1,813 2,101
45 - 49 years 3,293 1,599 1,694
50 - 54 years 2,726 1,275 1,451
55 - 59 years 2,007 948 1,059
60 - 64 years 1,748 793 955
65 - 69 years 1,176 522 654
70 - 74 years 1,056 449 607
75 - 79 years 755 307 448
80 - 84 years 436 151 285
85 - 89 years 295 79 216
90 - 94 years 160 48 112
95+ years 69 20 49

207
 Both sexes Male Female
ESSIKADU-KETAN
All ages 159,218 77,412 81,806
0 - 4 years 20,072 10,188 9,884
5 - 9 years 17,882 8,929 8,953
10 - 14 years 18,627 9,093 9,534
15 - 19 years 17,284 8,484 8,800
20 - 24 years 17,361 8,378 8,983
25 - 29 years 13,624 6,436 7,188
30 - 34 years 11,052 5,212 5,840
35 - 39 years 10,186 4,904 5,282
40 - 44 years 8,326 4,119 4,207
45 - 49 years 6,321 3,091 3,230
50 - 54 years 5,530 2,720 2,810
55 - 59 years 3,690 1,873 1,817
60 - 64 years 2,933 1,428 1,505
65 - 69 years 1,893 855 1,038
70 - 74 years 1,781 736 1,045
75 - 79 years 1,011 422 589
80 - 84 years 790 268 522
85 - 89 years 490 161 329
90 - 94 years 240 70 170
95+ years 125 45 80

Both sexes Male Female

SHAMA
All ages 81,966 38,704 43,262
0 - 4 years 11,739 5,975 5,764
5 - 9 years 11,143 5,583 5,560
10 - 14 years 10,887 5,554 5,333
15 - 19 years 9,169 4,484 4,685
20 - 24 years 7,051 3,246 3,805
25 - 29 years 5,745 2,467 3,278
30 - 34 years 4,796 2,123 2,673
35 - 39 years 4,333 1,916 2,417
40 - 44 years 3,863 1,706 2,157
45 - 49 years 3,135 1,372 1,763
50 - 54 years 2,917 1,308 1,609
55 - 59 years 1,736 842 894
60 - 64 years 1,578 694 884
65 - 69 years 1,101 479 622
70 - 74 years 1,038 389 649
75 - 79 years 676 242 434
80 - 84 years 526 171 355
85 - 89 years 299 90 209
90 - 94 years 156 47 109
95+ years 78 16 62

208
 Both sexes Male Female
MPOHOR-WASSA EAST
All ages 123,996 62,470 61,526
0 - 4 years 19,106 9,651 9,455
5 - 9 years 17,219 8,838 8,381
10 - 14 years 15,467 8,271 7,196
15 - 19 years 12,178 6,407 5,771
20 - 24 years 9,769 4,617 5,152
25 - 29 years 9,166 4,288 4,878
30 - 34 years 7,753 3,817 3,936
35 - 39 years 7,341 3,564 3,777
40 - 44 years 6,231 3,129 3,102
45 - 49 years 4,974 2,549 2,425
50 - 54 years 4,677 2,285 2,392
55 - 59 years 2,771 1,496 1,275
60 - 64 years 2,432 1,249 1,183
65 - 69 years 1,350 701 649
70 - 74 years 1,632 774 858
75 - 79 years 716 361 355
80 - 84 years 614 228 386
85 - 89 years 294 127 167
90 - 94 years 216 85 131
95+ years 90 33 57

Both sexes Male Female

TARKWA NSUAEM MUNICIPAL
All ages 90,477 46,662 43,815
0 - 4 years 13,124 6,841 6,283
5 - 9 years 11,106 5,491 5,615
10 - 14 years 10,234 5,115 5,119
15 - 19 years 9,271 4,762 4,509
20 - 24 years 9,301 4,706 4,595
25 - 29 years 8,336 4,121 4,215
30 - 34 years 6,534 3,447 3,087
35 - 39 years 5,711 3,025 2,686
40 - 44 years 4,729 2,613 2,116
45 - 49 years 3,691 2,047 1,644
50 - 54 years 2,879 1,613 1,266
55 - 59 years 1,577 908 669
60 - 64 years 1,285 687 598
65 - 69 years 733 404 329
70 - 74 years 870 375 495
75 - 79 years 416 197 219
80 - 84 years 325 152 173
85 - 89 years 191 89 102
90 - 94 years 104 43 61
95+ years 60 26 34

209
 Both sexes Male Female
PRESTEA/HUNI VALLEY
All ages 159,304 80,493 78,811
0 - 4 years 24,003 12,038 11,965
5 - 9 years 21,487 10,962 10,525
10 - 14 years 19,475 9,879 9,596
15 - 19 years 15,980 8,184 7,796
20 - 24 years 14,401 6,747 7,654
25 - 29 years 13,474 6,408 7,066
30 - 34 years 10,606 5,358 5,248
35 - 39 years 9,604 4,957 4,647
40 - 44 years 7,864 4,189 3,675
45 - 49 years 6,304 3,355 2,949
50 - 54 years 5,232 2,742 2,490
55 - 59 years 3,128 1,802 1,326
60 - 64 years 2,505 1,369 1,136
65 - 69 years 1,407 733 674
70 - 74 years 1,657 795 862
75 - 79 years 786 392 394
80 - 84 years 655 266 389
85 - 89 years 419 184 235
90 - 94 years 213 95 118
95+ years 104 38 66

Both sexes Male Female

WASSA AMENFI EAST
All ages 83,478 42,896 40,582
0 - 4 years 12,728 6,458 6,270
5 - 9 years 11,559 5,978 5,581
10 - 14 years 10,768 5,679 5,089
15 - 19 years 8,526 4,422 4,104
20 - 24 years 7,329 3,562 3,767
25 - 29 years 6,570 3,223 3,347
30 - 34 years 5,368 2,739 2,629
35 - 39 years 4,692 2,434 2,258
40 - 44 years 3,797 1,985 1,812
45 - 49 years 3,059 1,608 1,451
50 - 54 years 2,806 1,485 1,321
55 - 59 years 1,661 926 735
60 - 64 years 1,489 823 666
65 - 69 years 835 452 383
70 - 74 years 1,009 505 504
75 - 79 years 526 277 249
80 - 84 years 410 178 232
85 - 89 years 186 88 98
90 - 94 years 118 53 65
95+ years 42 21 21

210
 Both sexes Male Female
WASSA AMENFI WEST
All ages 161,166 83,227 77,939
0 - 4 years 24,289 12,546 11,743
5 - 9 years 22,390 11,586 10,804
10 - 14 years 20,873 10,665 10,208
15 - 19 years 17,031 9,118 7,913
20 - 24 years 14,252 6,954 7,298
25 - 29 years 12,813 6,098 6,715
30 - 34 years 10,524 5,162 5,362
35 - 39 years 9,221 4,777 4,444
40 - 44 years 7,664 4,144 3,520
45 - 49 years 6,063 3,324 2,739
50 - 54 years 5,133 2,769 2,364
55 - 59 years 3,143 1,868 1,275
60 - 64 years 2,560 1,518 1,042
65 - 69 years 1,414 765 649
70 - 74 years 1,520 784 736
75 - 79 years 873 498 375
80 - 84 years 689 309 380
85 - 89 years 370 194 176
90 - 94 years 234 95 139
95+ years 110 53 57

Both sexes Male Female

AOWIN/SUAMAN
All ages 138,415 71,908 66,507
0 - 4 years 20,453 10,493 9,960
5 - 9 years 19,015 9,632 9,383
10 - 14 years 16,794 8,640 8,154
15 - 19 years 13,971 7,426 6,545
20 - 24 years 12,792 6,218 6,574
25 - 29 years 11,982 5,700 6,282
30 - 34 years 9,751 5,081 4,670
35 - 39 years 8,579 4,459 4,120
40 - 44 years 6,956 3,795 3,161
45 - 49 years 5,322 3,022 2,300
50 - 54 years 4,354 2,529 1,825
55 - 59 years 2,416 1,485 931
60 - 64 years 1,932 1,197 735
65 - 69 years 1,134 696 438
70 - 74 years 1,134 584 550
75 - 79 years 702 393 309
80 - 84 years 474 216 258
85 - 89 years 319 173 146
90 - 94 years 219 113 106
95+ years 116 56 60

211
 Both sexes Male Female
SEFWI AKONTOMBRA
All ages 82,467 43,603 38,864
0 - 4 years 13,038 6,706 6,332
5 - 9 years 11,700 6,036 5,664
10 - 14 years 10,340 5,478 4,862
15 - 19 years 7,915 4,327 3,588
20 - 24 years 7,087 3,432 3,655
25 - 29 years 6,796 3,340 3,456
30 - 34 years 5,744 2,933 2,811
35 - 39 years 5,187 2,734 2,453
40 - 44 years 4,044 2,314 1,730
45 - 49 years 3,196 1,863 1,333
50 - 54 years 2,597 1,550 1,047
55 - 59 years 1,360 915 445
60 - 64 years 1,180 712 468
65 - 69 years 618 372 246
70 - 74 years 741 390 351
75 - 79 years 354 220 134
80 - 84 years 233 109 124
85 - 89 years 171 94 77
90 - 94 years 99 44 55
95+ years 67 34 33

Both sexes Male Female

SEFWI
WIAWSO
All ages 139,200 69,753 69,447
0 - 4 years 19,513 9,921 9,592
5 - 9 years 19,395 9,792 9,603
10 - 14 years 18,425 9,417 9,008
15 - 19 years 15,461 7,944 7,517
20 - 24 years 12,532 5,734 6,798
25 - 29 years 10,842 4,971 5,871
30 - 34 years 9,041 4,375 4,666
35 - 39 years 8,154 4,106 4,048
40 - 44 years 6,556 3,440 3,116
45 - 49 years 4,965 2,575 2,390
50 - 54 years 4,333 2,296 2,037
55 - 59 years 2,665 1,542 1,123
60 - 64 years 2,136 1,178 958
65 - 69 years 1,286 660 626
70 - 74 years 1,648 775 873
75 - 79 years 897 460 437
80 - 84 years 654 283 371
85 - 89 years 350 160 190
90 - 94 years 221 74 147
95+ years 126 50 76

212
 Both sexes Male Female
SEFWI BIBIANI-AHWIASO BEKWAI
All ages 123,272 60,855 62,417
0 - 4 years 16,999 8,565 8,434
5 - 9 years 16,410 8,291 8,119
10 - 14 years 15,715 7,854 7,861
15 - 19 years 14,114 7,190 6,924
20 - 24 years 11,574 5,451 6,123
25 - 29 years 9,758 4,433 5,325
30 - 34 years 7,908 3,878 4,030
35 - 39 years 6,829 3,342 3,487
40 - 44 years 5,694 2,943 2,751
45 - 49 years 4,583 2,379 2,204
50 - 54 years 3,830 1,856 1,974
55 - 59 years 2,234 1,219 1,015
60 - 64 years 2,128 1,101 1,027
65 - 69 years 1,176 562 614
70 - 74 years 1,723 733 990
75 - 79 years 847 401 446
80 - 84 years 861 341 520
85 - 89 years 477 166 311
90 - 94 years 288 115 173
95+ years 124 35 89

Both sexes Male Female

JUABESO
All ages 111,749 56,853 54,896
0 - 4 years 17,325 8,800 8,525
5 - 9 years 15,846 8,033 7,813
10 - 14 years 13,412 6,793 6,619
15 - 19 years 11,198 5,700 5,498
20 - 24 years 10,490 5,028 5,462
25 - 29 years 10,006 4,786 5,220
30 - 34 years 7,763 3,989 3,774
35 - 39 years 6,626 3,406 3,220
40 - 44 years 4,884 2,609 2,275
45 - 49 years 3,961 2,181 1,780
50 - 54 years 3,404 1,809 1,595
55 - 59 years 1,815 1,065 750
60 - 64 years 1,552 913 639
65 - 69 years 875 503 372
70 - 74 years 1,110 567 543
75 - 79 years 488 249 239
80 - 84 years 500 198 302
85 - 89 years 228 121 107
90 - 94 years 192 75 117
95+ years 74 28 46

213
 Both sexes Male Female
BIA
All ages 116,332 60,090 56,242
0 - 4 years 18,160 9,328 8,832
5 - 9 years 16,369 8,313 8,056
10 - 14 years 13,849 7,208 6,641
15 - 19 years 11,551 5,865 5,686
20 - 24 years 11,141 5,172 5,969
25 - 29 years 10,712 5,246 5,466
30 - 34 years 7,938 4,051 3,887
35 - 39 years 6,849 3,600 3,249
40 - 44 years 5,467 3,025 2,442
45 - 49 years 4,280 2,406 1,874
50 - 54 years 3,425 1,967 1,458
55 - 59 years 1,847 1,144 703
60 - 64 years 1,501 928 573
65 - 69 years 845 501 344
70 - 74 years 940 537 403
75 - 79 years 494 281 213
80 - 84 years 411 208 203
85 - 89 years 237 135 102
90 - 94 years 210 116 94
95+ years 106 59 47
Source: 2010 Population and Housing Census, Ghana Statistical Service

214
Table A3: Population by district, sex and broad age groups
Total
All ages 0-14 15-64 65+

All Regions 24,658,823 9,450,398 14,040,893 1,167,532

WESTERN
2,376,021 926,514 1,359,590 89,917
Jomoro
150,107 60,046 83,467 6,594
Ellembelle
87,501 34,465 48,730 4,306
Nzema East
60,828 24,960 33,575 2,293
Ahanta West
106,215 44,014 57,520 4,681
Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis
559,548 182,674 353,662 23,212
Kwesimintsim
232,617 76,332 147,490 8,795
Takoradi
97,352 27,920 65,292 4,140
Sekondi
70,361 21,841 44,573 3,947
Essikadu-Ketan
159,218 56,581 96,307 6,330
Shama
81,966 33,769 44,323 3,874
Mpohor-Wassa East
123,996 51,792 67,292 4,912
Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal
90,477 34,464 53,314 2,699
Prestea/Huni Valley
159,304 64,965 89,098 5,241
Wassa Amenfi East
83,478 35,055 45,297 3,126
Wassa Amenfi West
161,166 67,552 88,404 5,210
Aowin/Suaman
138,415 56,262 78,055 4,098
Sefwi Akontombra
82,467 35,078 45,106 2,283
Sefwi Wiawso
139,200 57,333 76,685 5,182
Sefwi Bibiani-Ahwiaso Bekwai
123,272 49,124 68,652 5,496
Juabeso
111,749 46,583 61,699 3,467
Bia
116,332 48,378 64,711 3,243
Source: 2010 Population and Housing Census, Ghana Statistical Service

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