Asutifi South Municipal District

Hon. Benjamin Assabil Donkor, District Chief Executive- Asutifi South Municipal District

Leadership Profile

Hon. Benjamin Assabil Donkor is the District Chief Executive for Asutifi South, appointed in 2025. His leadership is rooted in community engagement, inclusive development, and strategic infrastructure planning. At his maiden town hall meeting in Hwidiem, he pledged to prioritize development in the capital to improve living conditions for residents and traditional leaders.

Asutifi South Municipal District

Asutifi South District is located in the southeastern part of Ghana’s Ahafo Region, with Hwidiem as its administrative capital. The district was officially established in 2012 through Legislative Instrument 2054, following the division of the former Asutifi District. It spans approximately 597 square kilometers and shares boundaries with Asutifi North, Asunafo North, Asunafo South, and parts of the Ashanti Region. The population, according to the 2021 census, stands at around 68,394, with a predominantly rural demographic engaged in cocoa farming, oil palm cultivation, maize production, and petty trading. Hwidiem serves as the district’s commercial and administrative hub, hosting a vibrant market and several public institutions.

He highlighted key challenges such as poor road infrastructure, inadequate educational facilities, and the absence of a modern market. His administration has committed to establishing a 24-hour economy market to boost local business activities and enhance economic resilience. Hon. Donkor is known for his hands-on approach, regularly visiting communities like Nkaseim and Konkontreso to assess development needs and interact directly with residents. He emphasizes shared responsibility in governance, encouraging citizens to actively participate in the district’s transformation.

Several key development projects have been initiated. One major intervention is the construction of a maternity block at Dadiesoaba Health Center to improve maternal and child healthcare services. The Assembly has also distributed 1,000 dual desks to schools across the district to address furniture deficits and enhance learning conditions.

In the area of rural electrification, 300 wooden light poles have been supplied to extend electricity to newly developed areas. Additionally, the district has partnered with SAHA Global to expand access to clean water and sanitation in underserved communities. Through the BizBox program, supported by the MasterCard Foundation and Ghana Enterprise Agency, youth have received startup kits and entrepreneurship training to promote local economic development and reduce unemployment.