Offinso Municipal District is one of the forty-three districts in Ashanti Region, Ghana.[1][2] Originally created as an ordinary district assembly in 1988 when it was known as Offinso District, which it was created from the former Offinso District Council; until the northern part of the district was later split off to create Offinso North District on 29 February 2008; while the remaining part was elevated to municipal district assembly status on the same year to become Offinso Municipal District. The municipality is located in the northern part of Ashanti Region and has Offinso as its capital town.
Offinso Municipal District | |
|---|---|
Municipal District | |
.svg) Districts of Ashanti Region | |
  Offinso Municipal District Location of Offinso Municipal District within Ashanti | |
| Coordinates: 6°59′N 1°41′W / 6.983°N 1.683°W | |
| Country |  Ghana |
| Region |  Ashanti |
| Capital | Offinso |
| Government | |
| • Municipal Chief Executive | Hon. Solomon Kesse |
| Area | |
• Total | 1,451 km2 (560 sq mi) |
| Population (2002) | |
• Total | 138,190 |
| Time zone | UTC+0 (GMT) |
| ISO 3166 code | GH-AH-OF |
History
editIn the early 18th century, the people of Offinso were regarded as one of the Ashanti Empire’s strongest armies and played a role in the conquering of Denkyira, Akyem and Bono territory. Led by Nana Wiafe Akenten I, the second paramount chief of Offinso, they assisted in the Ashanti Empire’s great expansion over Ghana.[3]
As a reward for Offinso people’s contributions in war, Nana Osei Tutu I granted Nana Wiafe Akenten I, a vast amount of land in the kingdom. The land granted is what makes up the present day Offinso Municipality. [3]
Settlements
edit- Aboasu
- Abofour
- Amowi
- Anyinasuso
- Asuboi
- Asuosu
- Dome
- Kayera
- Aduana
- Koforidua
- Kokote
- Maase
- Mpehi
- Namong
- Oboase
- Dentin
- Ahodwo
- Ampabame
- New Town
- Agyempra
- Obuasi
- Asamankama
- Sakam
- Antoa
- Offinso Old Town
- Sampronso
- Koforidua
- Ayensua
- Bonsua
- Abofour Camp[4]
Education
editIn Offinso District there are:
- 44 kindergartens (teacher-pupil ratio of 1:19)
- 95 primary schools (teacher-pupil ratio of 1:28)
- 48 junior secondary schools (teacher-pupil ratio of 1:16)
- four senior secondary schools
- a polytechnic
- a Bible school
- a teacher training college
- a midwifery training school (Midwifery Training School, Offinso)
- Public schools
There are 52 kindergartens, 94 primary schools, and 52 junior secondary schools.
- Private schools
There are 44 kindergartens, 42 primary schools, and 15 junior secondary schools.
Culture
editThe indigenous people of the Offinso district are Ashanti’s, hence the large cultural presence in the area.[3]
The Municipality has a major festival known as Mmoaninko, which is celebrated every four years. It is an occasion which brings Offinso citizens, home and abroad, together to discuss the development of the Municipality.[5] The festival also remembers the great efforts of Nana Wiafe Akenten I and the Offinso people in the wars for the Ashanti Empire in the early 18th century.[6]
Demographics
editAbout 85% of the population are Asante, while the remaining 15% comprises other ethnic groups, the majority of whom hail from the Northern, Upper West, and Upper East Regions.[5]
Christianity is the main religion practiced in the district, although there is a significant Muslim population in the town of Offinso.
Governance
editThe Municipality has one paramount chief, the Offinsohene, and several sub-chiefs.[5]
Notable people
edit- Most Rev Dr Peter Kwasi Sarpong, Emeritus Archbishop of Kumasi Catholic Archdiocese.
- Dr. Opoku (Executive Director, Seed Production Division (SPD), Ghana Cocoa Board
- Kwame Owusu Achaw – author, Ako Te Brofo English Grammar
- Brother Oppong Addai – retired soldier.
- Dr. Apea – owns a clinic at Bomso
- Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku – politician, hails from the northern part of Offinso
- Adiyiah Dominic – striker, Arsenal Kyiv and the National Team (Black Stars of Ghana)
- Dr. Nyarko – art education, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
- Nana Sir Osei Sarpong, Mpehihene, and President, Offinso Monchengladbach Co-operation for Development
- P. A. Okyere – author
- Rudolf Osei – Librarian, Ghana Education Service and CEO, Holy Uriel Printers, Kwadaso
- The Late Hon. Kwabena Safo – MP Offinso South Constituency, 2001 - 2005
- Dr. K.K Sarpong – chairman of Kumasi Asante Kotoko FC
- Babara Serwa – politician, National Democratic Congress
References
edit- ^ "Two dead in Offinso Asamankama chieftaincy clash". Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana. 2021-05-22. Retrieved 2021-05-22.
- ^ "One more death recorded in Offinso Asamankama chieftaincy dispute - MyJoyOnline.com". www.myjoyonline.com. Retrieved 2021-05-22.
- ^ a b c Kwarteng, Nana K.Owusu (2014). Mmoaninko. Offinso, Ashanti Region, Ghana: Offinso Traditional Council.
- ^ "Towns in this Municipality". Ghana Districts. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 26 July 2012.
- ^ a b c "Cultural Heritage and Customs". Ghana Districts. Archived from the original on 7 March 2016. Retrieved 26 July 2012.
- ^ Kwarteng, Nana.K Owusu (2014). Mmoaninko. Offinso, Ashanti Region, Ghana: Offinso Traditional Council. pp. 29–32.
Sources
edit- "Districts of Ghana". Statoids.
- GhanaDistricts.com