Abuakwa South Municipal District

Municipal Chief Executive Nana Adu Sarpong Addo-Aikins (MCE)-Abuakwa South Municipal District

Abount Abuakwa South Municipal District

Abuakwa South Municipal: Transforming a Forest-Linked Municipality into a Beacon of Urban Renewal and Resilience

Abuakwa South Municipal, with Kyebi as its capital, is a forest-fringed administrative unit in Ghana's Eastern Region. Encompassing an estimated land area of 210 square kilometers, the municipality lies within the moist semi-deciduous forest zone and includes sections of the ecologically significant Atewa Forest Reserve.

Bordered by Abuakwa North, West Akim, New Juaben North, Suhum, and Atiwa West, the municipality benefits from a west semi-equatorial climate, recording rainfall peaks from May to June and again from September to October, with temperatures ranging from 26°C to 30°C.

Formed originally as part of the East Akim District in 1988 under Legislative Instrument (LI) 1420, Abuakwa South emerged as a distinct municipality in 2018 by LI 2304 after achieving municipal status in 2008 through LI 1878. Its population, currently estimated at around 88,800, relies heavily on farming and artisanal mining, although efforts to diversify into tourism and small-scale enterprise are gradually reshaping the local economy.

Under the stewardship of Municipal Chief Executive Nana Adu Sarpong Addo-Aikins, who is among the youngest MCEs appointed by President John Dramani Mahama in 2025, the municipality is embracing a vision of reform anchored in sanitation, inclusive infrastructure growth, and participatory governance. Noteworthy among these efforts is the decentralized sanitation policy, which positions cleanliness as a core performance indicator while partnering with traditional authorities and civil society in collaborative development.

The municipality has executed a range of transformative projects under the World Bank-supported Ghana Secondary Cities Support Programme (GSCSP).

A standout is the ongoing development of a multi-functional greenery site in Kibi, which includes a 3-storey, 44-room hostel, a 300-seater auditorium, a restaurant, swimming pool, and extensive road infrastructure—all designed to elevate tourism and support economic activity. The construction of a modern commercial centre has added a new dimension to local enterprise development, with additional commercial units valued at over GHS 5.7 million in the pipeline through the Urban Development Grant (UDG) Phase 3.

Abuakwa South’s commitment to resilient infrastructure is evident in successive UDG Phases 4 and 5, each worth over GHS 6 million, focused on storm drainage and urban road surfacing. Equally compelling is its community-driven development framework delivered in partnership with Advocates for Community Alternatives (ACA).

Through microgrants of $9,000 each, communities such as Asikam, Ahwenease, and Abompe have initiated targeted development interventions. Asikam is constructing a maternity block to enhance health delivery, Ahwenease is expanding educational infrastructure with classroom blocks, while Abompe and Bosuso are implementing income-generating ventures like poultry farming and soap production.

Beyond physical infrastructure, the municipality is also fortifying its institutional core. Through the Capacity Support Grant, it has adopted a Local Economic Development plan, introduced automated billing systems, and enhanced disaster preparedness with equipment and training—all reflective of a modernizing assembly ready to meet future challenges.

Together, these initiatives mark Abuakwa South as a model secondary city that deftly integrates ecological stewardship with structured governance, economic empowerment, and inclusive development.