Birim North District

Hon. Hakeem Antwi Abdul,  District Chief Executive (DCE)- Birim North District

About Birim North District

Birim North District Welcomes New DCE Amidst Ongoing Development and Governance Strengthening

Birim North District, situated in the Eastern Region of Ghana with New Abirem as its administrative capital, continues to make strategic gains in infrastructure and governance under the decentralization policy. Carved from the former Birim District Council in 1988 and later restructured in 2008 following the creation of Akyemansa District, Birim North now spans approximately 566.5 square kilometers and is traversed by the diamond-rich Birim River. According to the 2021 census, the district has a population of 82,669, nearly evenly distributed across gender lines.

Agriculture anchors the district’s economy, employing over 70 percent of the labor force. Cocoa, oil palm, citrus, maize, cassava, and plantain are major crops cultivated across communities. Bordered by Kwahu West, Asante Akim South, Adansi South, Akyemansa, Atiwa East, and Kwaebibirem, the district enjoys a strategic location for regional connectivity and trade.

The governance and development mandate of the Birim North District Assembly draws legitimacy from Section 245 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, Section 103 of Act 936, and Legislative Instrument No. 1418 of 1988. Guided by these legal foundations, the Assembly operates across three interlinked spheres—deliberative, legislative, and executive—ensuring comprehensive and inclusive administration. It is responsible for crafting and submitting development plans and budgets to central government agencies via the Regional Coordinating Council, laying the groundwork for sustainable district advancement.

To implement these plans, the Assembly actively mobilizes financial resources from both internal mechanisms and external channels. It champions innovation, productivity, and social progress, while nurturing human settlements through sound environmental management and urban planning. Working closely with national and local security agencies, the Assembly remains committed to public safety and protection of life and property within the district.

Recent developments have further spotlighted Birim North’s drive for progress. A six-unit classroom block in Asawase has enhanced access to basic education, easing overcrowding and creating a better learning environment for children in Kindergarten through Basic Five. Healthcare delivery received a boost with a new CHPS compound and nurses’ quarters in Old Abirem, financed through mineral royalties from Newmont Akyem mines. Meanwhile, local commerce has flourished through the completion of 64 lockable stores in New Abirem and 32 in Afosu, offering safe and modern spaces for traders and boosting district-generated revenue.

At the helm of these ongoing initiatives is Hon. Hakeem Antwi Abdul, who was recently confirmed as District Chief Executive (DCE) with unanimous endorsement from all 37 Assembly Members. The 100% approval reflects collective confidence in his leadership. Hon. Antwi, also serving as Assistant Secretary of the NDC in the Abirem Constituency, expressed deep gratitude during his acceptance speech and pledged to foster collaboration across all stakeholder levels to accelerate development and service delivery.

His swearing-in was officiated by the Eastern Regional Minister, Hon. Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, who commended him as a nominee selected on the basis of merit, competence, loyalty, and unwavering commitment to public service. As Hon. Antwi takes up his mantle, Birim North District looks ahead with optimism, buoyed by ongoing reforms, grassroots involvement, and targeted development investments.