DISTRICT PROFILE
1.1
PHYSICAL AND NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
1.1.1 Location And Size
West Gonja District is located in the Northern Region of Ghana. It lies on longitude 1 0 51 and 20 581
West and Latitude 80 321 and 100 21 North. It shares boundaries in the south in the south with Central
Gonja District, Bole and Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District in the West, Wa East District in the North West,
West Mamprusi in the North, Tolon Kumbungu District in the East.
The District has total land area of 8,352sq.Km. This represents about 12% of the total land area of the
region. The Mole National Park and Kenikeni Forest Reserves occupy 3800sq Km) 30% of the land
area of the District.
1.1.2
Relief and Drainage:
The topography is generally undulating with altitude of between 150-200meters above sea level. The
only high land is the Damongo Escarpment, located north of the District capital. There are a few
outcrops of weathered rocks around Daboya.
The Mole River from the northern boundary joins the White Volta East of Damongo and this joins the
Black Volta around Tuluwe in the Central Gonja District. The White Volta River also passes through
the Eastern boundary of the district.
1.1.3
Climate:
Temperatures are generally high with the maximum occurring in the dry season, between March/April
and are lowest between December/January. The mean monthly temperature is 27oc. The dry season is
characterized by the Harmattan wind, which is dry, dusty and cold in the morning and very hot at
noon. Evapotranspiration is very high causing soil moisture deficiency. Humidity is very low causing
dry skin and cracked lips to human being.
Rainfall is bimodal with the average annual precipitation being 1144mm. The rainfall pattern is
erratic, beginning in late April to late October. The peak of the rainfall is in June/July with prolonged
dry spell in August. The rains are stormy and torrential up to 300mm per hour. Erosion and floods are
common place due to the torrential nature of the rains.
1.1.4
Soil:
The District is situated in an old geological area. The rocks are mainly of Voltaian formation with
isolated Cambrian rocks, which contain valuable minerals such as gold. There are mudstones and
sandstones in the Alluvial Damongo formations. The extreme western part of Damongo is composed
of granitic material of low fertility. Rich alluvial sandy deposits occur around Damongo and the
Kenikeni Forest Reserves.
The soils around Mankarigu, Kotito and Lingbinsi are said to be fertile and suitable for cereals,
legumes, and root crops, including livestock production. Underground water potentials are limited due
to the Voltaian formation.
1.1.5
Vegetation:
The natural vegetation is Guinea Savanna. The Vegetative cover of the district is dictated by the soil
types and human activities, such as shifting cultivation, slash and burn method of land preparation.
The major tree pieces are sheanut, dawadawa, baobab, acacia, nim and few ebony. The trees are
scattered except in most valleys where isolated woodland or forest are found. Most trees are deciduous
shedding their leaves during the dry season in order to conserve water.
Grass grows in tussocks and may reach 2.7m during the rainy season. This indicates that the area is
suitable for crops such as millet, sorghum, maize and groundnuts. The original vegetation in major
settlements such as Damongo, Busunu, Mankarigu and Daboya have been destroyed by human
activities.
1.1.6
Forest and Game Reserves:
The district has two reserves and these are the Mole National Park and Kenikeni Forest Reserve both
having a rich array of flora and fauna. The Mole Park which is located about 30km west of Damongo,
is the largest in the country and one of the best managed game and wildlife parks not only in Ghana
but Africa, south of the Sahara desert. The park covers an estimated area of about 5500 hectares and is
a major tourist attraction in the North. In the year 2004 10,427 people (both Ghanaians and foreigners)
visited the park.
Other minor forest Reserves are: Damongo scarp located north of Damongo (39.36 km2); Nyangbong
located south East of Damongo (4.66km2); Bombi after the Damongo Hospital towards Kotito No. 1
(1.47 km2); Damongo Town Plantation after the Agric Settlement, east of Damongo (0.43km3).
The Mole National Pack attracts both foreign tourists. It also offers employment
to some people in the district. However some communities had to relocate to
make way for the creation of the park the district assembly does not benefit directly for revenue
collected from the park.
The park also contains a variety of flora and fauna and also some trees of medicinal value. However
since the park is a restricted area people are not allowed to go in for these medicinal plants. The Mole
National Park and Kenikeni forest reserve occupy great tracks of farm lands thus denying farmers their
basic source of livelihood, which is farming.
This has led to poaching in some cases Alternative sources of livelihood will have to be made for
people living in the fringe communities.
1.1.7
STATE OF ROADS IN THE DISTRICTS
The district has no single tarred road. Most of the roads are non-engineered and unusable especially in
the rainy season. Below is the state of roads in the district.
TABLE 4: STATE OF ROADS IN THE DISTRICT
ROAD NAME
LENGTH
STATUS
Damongo-Canteen Reset
7km
Engineered
CONDITION SURFACE
TYPE
Good
Bituminous
Laribanga-Murugu
14km
Engineered
Good
Gravel
Canteen-Buachipe
26km
Engineered
Good
Gravel
Canteen-Congo
2.5km
Partially Engineered
Poor
Earth
Partially Engineered
Fair
Earth
Non-Engineered
Poor
Earth
Canteen JH S-Catholic Guest House
Damongo-Bomboto
4.9km
Yazari-Krubeto
12km
Non-Engineered
Poor
Earth
Sori No. 2-Lito
24km
Non-Engineered
Poor
Earth
Sori No. 2-Kojo Kura
10km
Non-Engineered
Poor
Earth
Soalepe-Kebeso-Yipala
22km
Non-Engineered
Poor
Earth
Daboya-Seminsi
16km
Non-Engineered
Poor
Earth
Daboya-Dakurope
13km
Non-Engineered
Poor
Earth
Lingbinsi-Wawato-Donkonpe
32km
Non-Engineered
Poor
Earth
Yazari-Daboya
42km
Non-Engineered
Poor
Earth
Apart from the Damongo town roads, there is no single tarred road in the district. The road from
Fulfulso Junction to Mole National Park is not the best and given the strategic nature of the game
reserve the tarring of the road will open up the district to investors and tourists.
Most of the roads in the district are feeder roads and are often flooded and impassable during the rainy
season. This affects development because development partner
1.2.0 DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS:
1.2.1 Population Size and Density:
According to the 2000 population and Housing Census the district population is 76,702 which give a
density of 8.3 persons per sq. Km. The population density is below the regional density of 25.9
persons per sq Km. The district population growth rate of 3.1% is higher than the national (2.7%) and
the regional (2.8%0 respectively.
1.2.2.
Age and Sex Composition:
The Sex ratio is 103 males to 100 females. This is due to the fact that females are more mobile and
migrate outside the district than their male counterparts. Another factor is that there is enough arable
land for the men who are mainly farmers. Urban population decreased from 18% in 1984 to 14.5% in
2000 due mainly to the ethnic conflicts in 1990 and 1996 respectively. The war between the Gonjas
and Nawuris on the one hand and between the Dagombas and Kokombas on the other hand resulted in
the devastation of several settlements and the exodus of thousands of people outside the district and
region.
The population of the district is concentrated in a few accessible areas. The age structure is typical of
developing countries with over 50% between 15-60 years of age. Age-se structure also follows the
National and Regional Patterns.
1.2.3
Age – Sex Distribution
Table 5. Age-sex Distribution (Largest 20 Settlement)
SETTLEMENT
MALE
FEMALE
TOTAL
/LOCALITY
POPULATION 2000
Northern Region 9071771
913,629
1,820,806
West Gonja
76,702
Damongo
5712
5546
11,258
Daboya
2183
2377
4560
Lingbinsi
1646
1701
3347
Larabanga
1508
1524
3032
Mankarigu
1264
1229
2493
Lukula
1006
978
1984
Busunu
925
959
1884
Yagbum
857
834
1691
Singa
712
767
1479
Achubunyor 596
596
1192
Kotito No.3
621
499
1120
Jonokponto
574
480
1054
Canteen
1130
1120
2250
Tari No.2
676
876
15552
Disa
454
467
921
Mempeasem 452
420
872
Murugu
424
405
829
Sakpala
414
402
816
Gbasumpa
385
413
798
Tari No. 1
402
387
789
PROJECTED POPULATION
FOR 2010?
727,553
99,713
13,521
4847
4020
3642
2994
2383
2219
2031
1776
1432
1434
1266
2702
1864
1106
1047
996
980
958
948
About 14% of the District and 43.8% of the region are urban. Ten (10) major settlements
constitute over 42% of the district population. Settlements are dispersed and inaccessible
especially during the rainy season.
1.2.4. Occupational Distribution
Table 6: Occupational Distribution
NO
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
OCCUPATION
Agriculture, Fishing, Livestock
Retail trade
Professional and Technical work
Services-Food, dressmakers
Hairdressers, Hotels etc
Mining & Quarrying
Construction
Transport & Communication
Manufacturing & Production
Others works
(%MALE)
41.0
7.0
5.0
(%FEMALE)
19.0
8.0
3.0
TOTAL
60.0
15.0
8.0
4.0
0.6
0.6
0.8
0.8
0.5
8.0
0.2
0.4
0.2
0.4
0.5
12.0
0.8
1.0
1.0
1.2
1.0
Apart from retail trade and services, males dominate in the other occupations. This is because
custom and tradition tend regard these occupations as the preserve of males. Agriculture is the
major occupation with over 60% of the labour force. Crops cultivated include maize, sorghum,
groundnuts, cassava, yam, beans and soyabeans. Gari processing and sheabutter processing are
major commercial activities for the women.
1.2.5 Household Characteristics:
Fertility rate which is about (8 children per women) is high in the district compared with the
national average of (4 to 5 children per women) in normal reproductive life. The average
household size is about 8, again larger than the national average of 5 per household. Owing to
polygamy
and accommodation problems some households have separate cooking and feeding
arrangements. The annual average house hold income is estimated at about ¢550,000.00 which
gives an average per capita income of about ¢70,000.00/year. This implies that over 80% of the
population fall below the poverty line as set the UNO to be ¢900,000.00/year.
In terms of housing, about 60% of the super structures are constructed with mud bricks while
over 20% of these buildings are roofed with corrugated iron sheets. The rest are roofed with
thatch (grass). Less than 5% of the settlements have electricity. Over 95% of the population
relies on fuel wood for energy for both domestic and industrial/commercial purposes.
The poor housing condition is a direct reflection of the low-income levels of the people. The
low-income levels are a result of unemployment and low productivity. This situation could be
addressed through investment in education and industry to create jobs for the youth.
Equitable provision of socio-economic facilities in the rural areas will also reduce the migration
of the youth outside the district. This will further increase agricultural production in the district.
1.2.6. Ethnicity and Religion:
There are 22 ethnic groups in the district. The major groups in order of magnitude include,
Gonja, Tampulma, Dagomba, Hanga, Mamprusi and Dagarbas. The Kokombas who have since
the 1994 ethnic conflict left the district used to be a major ethnic group. The lack of ethnic
homogeneity tends to constrain socio-cultural organization and development. However there is
inter-tribal marriages and peaceful co-existence, which provides unity in diversity.
There are four major religious groups. These are as follows, Islam about 70%, Catholic 10%
Protestants 8% and Traditional Worshippers 12% .Relatively there is religious harmony, which is
a pre-requisite for development.
1.2.7 Migration:
Migration outside the district has very serious consequences on the development of the district
i.e loss of productive labour force. By estimates, four (4) out of ten (10) adults in the district stay
or live outside the district for 1 year or more.
Out-migration is mainly by the youth, both literates and illiterates. Major factors that account for
the out-migration are; (push and pull factors)





Search for employment and wealth
Pursue further education
Search for better life in urban centres
Peer group influence
Move away from parental control and traditions.
The major destinations include down south (Kumasi, Accra, Obuasi etc) and Tamale the regional
capital. Most of the young girls migrate to neigbouring Cote de Ivoire for commercial sex.
Apart from the loss of productive labour, the out-migration promotes the spread of the
HIV/AIDS in the district.
In-migration consists of farmers (60%) in search of farmlands and professionals (10%) who
come to work in institutions in the district. About 3% of the in-migrants are tourists who come
to the Mole National Park. The rest of the in-migrants are businessmen and women, students and
religious people.
1.2.8 Environmental Analysis:
Human economic activities have altered the natural environment. Environmental degradation is
reaching alarming stages in some parts of the district such as Damongo, Achubunyor, Kotito No.
2, Daboya areas. In these areas activities such as sand and gravel winning, shifting cultivation,
tree cutting for fuel wood and bush burning are threatening the ecological balance of the
environment. One adverse effect of these activities is loss of soil nutrients leading to very low
productivity, which tend to deepen poverty in the district (See Environmental check list).
Poor sanitation especially in the large towns is becoming a health hazard. The poor sanitation is
due mainly to indiscriminate disposal of solid and liquid waste and lack of proper drainage
systems.
Traditional Energy Unity of the Savanna Resources Management Project (SRMP) conducted a
field study on fuel wood in the district in 2001. The study revealed that an average of 5000 bags
(2.5mT) of charcoal is produced monthly for sale in the district. Another 300mT of firewood is
produced commercially per month in the district. One can imagine the tree cover depletion per
annum.
Measures such as agro-forestry, tree planting and control of bush fires could help reduce the
depletion of the flora and fauna in the district.
Presently a few NGOs including World Vision, Arocha Ghana, OICI, the Catholic Church,
SRMP and MOFA have commenced implementing some of these remedial measure. The
District Assembly has also started campaigns against indiscriminate tree felling and bush fires,
sand and gravel winners as well as contractors whose activities destroy the environment are
charged by law to plant trees to replace the land they destroy.
On sanitation the DA is increasing the provision of KVIP toilets and household toilets in the
major settlements. Refuse container and a tractor have been procure to assist the environmental
health unit o manage the sanitation situation in the District
Table 7: RESOURCE ENVIRONMENTAL CHECK LIST (2010): WEST GONJA
RESOURCE
AND TYPE
LOCATION ENVIRONMENTAL
SITUATION (THREATENED,
PROTECTED, DEGRADED
NATURAL
Damongo
Threatened protected
(Mole)
TYPE OF
THREAT
District wide
Degraded and threatened
3. Housing
Quality and
Quality
Area council
headquarters
(11 towns)
Poor quality of houses over
crowding in rooms
4. Waste
Disposal
Area council
headquarters
(11 towns)
Threatened and degraded
Sand & gravel Minimal
winning,
cutting trees
for fuel wood
Indiscriminate Minimal
building poor
sanitation
facilities
Indiscriminate Substantial
disposal of
refuse of
waste
pollution out
break of
epidemics
1. Mole
National Park
(Reserve
Tourisms)
2. Farm lands
ASSEMBLY
CONTROL
LEVEL
Pouching &
Minimal
Farming, bush
fire
The district is endowed with several tourist attraction centres. The Mole National Park is the
leading tourists centre not only in the region but the northern sector as a whole. The park is
endowed with a wide variety of wildlife. Below are the major tourists attraction centres in the
District.
1.2.9 TOURISTS SITES
TYPE OF ATTRACTION
REMARKS
1. Mole Park
Inter Status
2. Ancient Mosque
Inter Status
3. Mystic Stone
National
4. Konkore Cave
District Status
5. Quranic Festival
District Status
6. Traditional cloth weaving
District Status
7. Slave trade route
Region Status
8. Damba & Fire Festivals
National
9. Lake Kpiri
10. Daboya Crocodile Stone
11. Mognori Com. Eco Tourism (CREMA)
1.3
LOCATION
Mole
EST.VISITORS
4,500
Laribanga
3,000
Laribanga
3,000
Mole
N/A
Laribanga
N/A
Daboya
N/A
Daboya
N/A
District Wide
1,000
Kpiri
Daboya
Mognori/Mole
THE DISTRICT MICRO ECONOMY
This section deals with analysis of the district economic activities (agriculture, industry
manufacturing, tourism and commerce) including economic infrastructure such as transport,
communication, energy and markets among others
1.3.1 Agriculture:
Farming continues to be the major economic activity undertaken by about 60% of the total
labour force. Major crops cultivated are yam, cassava, legumes (beans, groundnuts, Neri,
cowpea and soyabeans) and cereals (millet, sorghum, maize and rice). Vegetables are cultivated
mainly by women. Others are tomatoes okro and pepper.
Agriculture is also mainly rain-fed with limited irrigation. Cropping pattern follows the land
fertility pattern and farmers use either inorganic and organic manure or fertilizer.
Tools/equipment used by farmers include hoes (predominant), cutlass, animal traction and tractor
services are limited. The production situation of situation of some major crops is shown below
TABLE 8 : % INCREASE IN YIELD OF SELECTED CROPS
% increase in
Production Levels (MT)
yield of
2006
2007
2008
selected
Target Achievement Target Achievement Target Achievement
crops,
livestock and
fish
Maize
22.0
4
32
8
34
3
2009
Target Achievement
38
45
Sorghum
3.9
3
7.0
5
7.5
8
7.6
5
Groundnut
4.8
10
5.5
12
5.5
27
7.8
5
Yam
99.0
35
120
7
210
2
220
6
Cassava
215.00
45
310.0
15
360
12
41.2
16
Cowpea
1.1
3
1.2
12
1.5
8
1.8
5
Rice
1.1
17
2.2
18
3.0
6
3.5
12
Millet
20.12
4
0.19
5
1.0
3
1.2
2
Soybeans
0.12
0
0.14
2
0.19
10
1.2
5
Cashew
1.0
7
1.2
8
1.4
25
2.0
17
SOURCE: MOFA-Damongo
EXTENSION – FARMER RATIO
*Farmer population
=
*No. of Extension Officers
=
RATIO
=
12,565
14
1:898
TRACTOR – FARMER RATIO
*Number of Tractors in the District =
*Number of Farmers
=
RATIO
=
73
12,565
1:172
SOURCE: MOFA – Damongo.
1.3.2 Problems in Agriculture:
The major issues confronting the agricultural sector are:










Population pressure on land
Declining soil fertility and erosion etc
Inadequate marketing systems
Weak/inadequate extension services
High cost of inputs (farming, livestock and fishing)
Inadequate credit facilities
Erratic rainfall and over dependence on natural conditions
High incidence of pests and diseases (crops & animals)
Inappropriate farming methods
High post harvest losses.
1.3.3 Industry And Energy:
The industrial sector employs less than 15% of the active labour force. Males continue to
dominate the industrial sector. The industries are the cottages-type using traditional skills,
simple tools and are mainly family business. The cottage industries include handicraft, baskets
and mats weaving,, metal and wood work.
Agro-based industries also abound in the district. Women dominate in the food processing (gari,
starch and konkonte) activities, district wide. Damongo is renowned
For its quality gari in the northern sector. Other industries are textiles and leather works.
Table 9:
Industrial Location In West Gonja
Industry Type
Dominated Location
a. Food processing
(Cassava) and food stuff
trading
b. Sheabutter &
Groundnut Oil Production
c. Textiles, garment and
batik
d. Leather works, mat &
basket weaving
e. Blacksmithing, metal
works and handicrafts
f. Cosmetic
Damongo, Busunu and
Laribanga
g. Commerce and petty
trading
h. Vehicle and
Electronics Repairs
i. Transport and
Mankarigu, Damong and
Busunu
Daboya, Damongo and
Lingbinsi
Damongo, Daboya and
Mankarigu
Damongo, Busunu,
Daaboya and Mankarigu
Damongo, Daboya and
Lingbinsi
Mankarigu, Damongo,
Larabanga, Daboya and
Lingbinsi
Damongo, Daboya and
Mankarigu
Damongo, Daboya and
Estimated Labour
% of Labour
Force
15.0
12.0
3.5
3.0
2.0
2.5
2.0
4
2.5
Communication
j. Energy-wood fuel
k. Mining and Quarrying
(Gold, Limestone, Salt,
Clay, Sand, and Stone)
l. Others Repair works etc.
Laribanga
District wide
Damongo, Daboya
Damongo, Daboya and
Busunu
2.2
1.5
12.0
The industrial production and employment is low in the district due to several factors, including
inadequate skills, low technologies, inappropriate equipment, poor marketing and high cost of
inputs.
In order to increase industrial productivity and employment the youth could undertake skillbased training, and supported materially to establish local industries.
1.3.4 Income And Poverty Analysis:
Currently, it is estimated that 64% of the district population fall below the national poverty line
which is ¢900,000.00 per year. (UNDP standard).
The major cause of poverty in the district are the typical poverty cycle in developing countries ie.
Low productivity, low income, high illiteracy rate, high population growth rate, low savings
(capital) and unemployment.
Although the district has a number of natural and human resources, these are under developed
and underutilized. The district is also one of the least resourced in terms of social services. To
mention few, roads are bad and majority of roads unmotorable during the rainy season, poor
access to health, education, employment potable water and energy (electricity).
Some of the major problems in revenue generation internally are.





Suppression of cash
Short Accounting
Forging Receipts
Improper Recruitment of Collector
Laxity on the part of collectors, supervisors and staff.
1.3.5 HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
This section analyses the human potential, which is both a means and an end to development. It
is concerned with the service and facilities necessary to improve the living conditions of the
human population.
Considering the distance between communities and the increasing number of children of school
going age, access to educational facilities needs, the unbalanced spatial distribution of
educational facilities are being addressed.
It is worthy to know that since 2006 to 2009, educational facilities have increased however; the
facilities are still inadequate in number and are poorly staffed especially at the basic school level.
Table 10. Educational Information: West Gonja (2006/07-2009/10) District Wide
Establishment
2006/2007
Boys Girls
Total
2007/2008
Boys Girls
Day Nursery
-
-
-
1,757 1,806 3,563
Primary
School.
Junior High.
School
Senior High
Schools
DASS
NDESCO
SAGESS
Damongo
Agric College
HACTS
-
-
-
6,811 6,058 12,869 6,599 6,221 12,820 6,741 6500
-
-
-
1,783 1,444 3,227
1,873 1,566 3,439
2,098 1,718 3,816
862
173
37
281
96
105
10
1,143
269
105
47
1,021
218
40
357
94
146
7
1,378
312
146
47
1,116
213
45
432
129
159
12
1,548
342
159
57
1,148
313
50
446
167
143
12
1,594
480
14362
21
43
64
40
62
102
62
71
133
66
68
134
TEACHER-PUPIL RATIO.
Kindergarten:
Primary:
JHS:
SHS:
1:103
1:45
1:53
1:29
Total
2008/2009
Boys Girls
Total
1,778 1,802 3,580
2009/2010
Boys Girls
Total
1848
3772
1924
13,241
TABLE 11: NO. OF TEACHERS
YEAR
TRAINED
UNTRAINED
TOTAL
2006/2007
NA
NA
NA
2007/2008
NA
NA
NA
2008/2009
179
504
683
2009/2010
200
592
792
Total
379
1096
1475
Although these are the figures provided, it had been noted that enrolment at all levels of primary
school, have increased considerably as a result of the Capitation Grant and Ghana Feeding
Programme.
Adult Literacy:
The Non-Formal Education Division of the Ministry of Education, which is concerned with the
adult literacy, trained 1,475 female and 1,115 male adults from 2006 to 2009. The NFED
graduates also acquire skills in income generating activities, formation of cooperative societies,
tree-planting, family planning as well as AIDS control. They therefore become enlightened
partners in the development process in their communities.
The major problems/issues confronting the educational sector in the district are as
follows:
 Poor educational outcomes (poor performance/results at all levels)
 High adult illiteracy leading to conservation towards new ideas.
 Limited financial and geographical access to education
 Inadequate qualified staff and low enrolment in schools
 Inadequate teaching and learning materials at all levels
 Inefficient administration and management especially at the basic and J. H. S levels.
 High drop-out rate in schools.
It is imperative to develop and implement medium and long term programmes to address the
above problems.
HEALTH CARE AND FACILITIES
Health Infrastructure:
The number and location of these health facilities are tabulated below:
Table 12:
Health Facilities, Location and Number:
NO. FACILITY
LOCATION
SUB-DISTRICT
1
West Gonja Hospital
Damongo
Damongo
2
Damongo Health Centre
Damongo
Damongo
3
Achubunyor CHPS
Achubunyor
Damongo
4
Damongo
Damongo
5
6
Health Asst. Training
School
District Health Directorate
Kotito No.3 CHPS
Damongo
Kotito # 3
Damongo
Damongo
7
Mole Health Centre
Mole
Mole
8
9
10
11
12
Grupe CHPS Compound
Laribanga CHPS
Tari Health Centre
Daboya Polyclinic
Bawena CHPS Compound
Grupe
Laribanga
Tari # 1
Daboya
Bawena
Mole
Mole
Daboya
Daboya
Daboya
13
Lingbinsi CHPS Compound
Lingbinsi
Daboya
14
15
16
Busunu Health Centre
Mankarigu Health Centre
Mempeasem CHPS
Compound
Busunu
Mankarigu
Mempeasem
Busunu
Mankarigu
Mankarigu
CURRENT STATE
Part under renovation
Completed
Completed, yet to be furnished
and equipped
Needs classrooms and students
hostels
Needs renovation
Completed, yet to be furnished
and equipped
Renovated by Department of
Game and Wild Life
Completed and occupied
Under construction
Under construction
Under renovation
Needs a GoG structure and Staff
accommodation
Structure build, needs furnishing
and staff accommodation
Needs renovation
Needs renovation
Under Construction
Health facilities are inadequate and unevenly distributed in the district. Although 5 out of the six
(6) area councils have static health facilities (Clinics) the average distance to these facilities is
over 20km. This is because West Gonja District is one of the largest districts in the country and
the settlements are sparsely distributed. The dispersed settlement pattern is due mainly to the
search for farmland.
The facilities experience shortage of drugs, vehicles and other equipment. The district hospital at
Damongo is managed by the Catholic Mission. It is reputed for very good services. Its
catchment’s area reaches far beyond the
district boundaries to Kintampo in the Brong Ahafo Region, Bole District among others. There is
considerable pressure on the limited personnel and facilities.
TABLE 13:
TOP TEN DISEASES DIAGNOSED AT OPD, 2007 - 2009
No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
DISEASE
Malaria
Other ARI (Acute
Respiratory Infection)
Skin Diseases & Ulcers
Diarrhoea Diseases
Rheumatism and Joint
Pains
Pneumonia
Intestinal Worms
Acute Urinary Tract
Infection
Acute Ear Infection
Typhoid/Enteric Fever
(Typhoid)
Total
2007
20998
3342
TOTAL DIAGNOSED
2008
2009
28792
42450
4575
8986
1824
1418
797
2891
2445
1229
3873
2807
1673
753
714
519
1118
1154
1101
1205
1035
890
464
334
651
533
840
796
31163
44489
64555
2010
Most of these diseases could be reduced with improved/better environmental sanitation
and personal hygiene. Improved income and better housing could generally raise the
health status of the people.
GUINEA WORM CASES
As at the year 2009, the district recorded a total number of guinea worm cases
but for the 1st half of the year 2006, the district recorded a total number of 5 cases.
Guinea worm eradication suffered a set back due to the following factors:
 Reduced government support and logistics
 In-migration from guinea worm infested areas
 Inadequate portable water especially during the dry season
Table 14:
Other Statistics at OPD 2007 – 2009
Indicator
2007
Institutional Infant deaths/1000 16
Live Births
Institutional
Maternal 533
deaths/100,000 live births
No of Doctors
2
No of Nurses
32
2008
8
2009
12
243
106
2
45
1
44
Doctor-Population ratio
Nurse-Population ratio
Doctor-Nurse ratio
Patients-Bed ratio
SOURCE: DHMT WGDA 2009
1:40,497
1:2,532
1:16
1:30
1:41,706
1:1,854
1:23
1:31
1:85,831
1:1,951
1:44
1:46
There has been significant improvement in health delivery over the past years. Reports from
DHMT indicate that 65% of the populace seeks medical care at formal health centres. Both
curative and preventive health care services are provided in the district but the focus is on
preventive services.
YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMES
Presently the Governments Youth and Employment Programme have taken off in the District
with youth in Agricultural registering 94 members at the beginning of the programme. 100 acres
of land has been ploughed and crops like maize etc planted. It is expected that the youth
employment programme will go long way to reduce unemployment among the youth in the
District.
The Rural Enterprise Projects which was launched in the district also has plans put in place to
address youth unemployment problem over one thousand youth in the district have so far
registered with youth employment programme. Other social programmes, which support youth
development directly and indirectly are in education, health, agriculture and AIDS control.
The problems of the youth in the district and indeed the country as a whole include the
following:





Lack of information and underemployment
Youth unemployment and underemployment
Lack of appropriate productive skills
Uncoordinated efforts to support the youth
Spread of HIV/AIDS
Programmes/Activities to address the problems could include the following:




Conduct and establish youth profile and analysis
Compile and analyze data on youth unemployment and training needs.
Establish entrepreneurship centres in collaboration with National Youth Council (NYC)
and NGOs.
Organize and support youth groups in income generation.