techiman Practicum 2

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Department of Development Studies, Valley View University. Practicum II report
VALLEY VIEW UNIVERSITY
School of Development studies, Education and Health sciences
Department of Development Studies
SEPTEMBER 25TH
, 2014
RESEARCH ON THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL SITUATION
ON GOMOA-DABISO IN THE APAM DISTRICT OF THE CENTRAL
REGION OF GHANA

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TABLE OF CONTENT
Table of contents………………………………
Acknowledgement ……………………………
Executive Summary ………………………
General Introduction ……………………………………
 Purpose
 Methodology
 Research Limitation
1 CHAPTER ONE
1.1 GEO-PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
1.1.1 Location …………………………………………………………………
1.1.2 Geology ………………………………………………………………
1.1.3 Relief …………………………………………………………………
1.1.4 Drainage ……………………………………………………………
1.1.5 Climate ……………………………………………………………
1.1.6 Vegetation ………………………………………………………
1.1.7 Major Environmental/Problems …………………………………
1.1.8 Implication of the above for development and appropriate development interventions …………………………
1.1.9 Recommendation ………………………………………………

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2 CHAPTER TWO
2.2 SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTIC
2.2.1 Population size………………………………………………………
2.2.2 Population distribution…………………………………………
2.2.3 Population Dynamics…………………………………………
2.2.4 Household size…………………………………………………
2.2.5 Occupational distribution ……………………………………
2.2.6 Religion, Ethnicity, kinship, values, and taboos ………………
2.2.7 Property ownership………………………………………
2.2.8 Educational status and attainment……………………………
2.2.9 Housing……………………………………………………
2.2.10 Implication of the above for development and appropriate development intervention….
2.2.11 Major development problems and recommendations for solutions…
3 CHAPTER THREE
3.3 SOCIO-POLITICAL ORGANISATION
3.3.1 Traditional institutions and functions………
3.3.2 Local governance structure, functions and performance……
3.3.3 Interrelationship between modern and traditional institution.
3.3.4 Communication system…………………………………
3.3.5 Decision making process…………………………
3.3.6 Administrative machinery…………………………
3.3.7 Existing institution…………………………………
3.3.8 Institution linkages………………………
3.3.9 Implications of the above findings for development and appropriate development intervention……
3.3.10 Major development problems and recommendations for solution……

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4 CHAPTER FOUR
4.4 AGRICULTURE AND OTHER ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES
4.4.1 Agriculture activities……………………………………………………
4.4.2 Types of crops and livestock………………………………………………
4.4.3 Methods of farming…………………………………………………
4.4.4 Land acquisition and ownership……………………………………
4.4.5 Water and agriculture………………………………………………………
4.4.6 Productivity…………………………………………………………
4.4.7 Financing………………………………………………………
4.4.8 Labour………………………………………………………………
4.4.9 Storage……………………………………………………………
4.4.10 Marketing problems……………………………………
4.4.11 Tools and techniques for production………………
4.4.12 Science, technology and industries…………………………………
4.4.13 Rural industries…………………………………………
4.4.14 Implication of the above findings for development and appropriate development interventions……
4.4.15 Major development problems and recommendations for solutions…………
5 CHAPTER FIVE
5.5 HEALTH AND NUTRITION
5.5.1 Health………………………………………………………
5.5.2 Traditional healers…………………………………………………
5.5.3 Types of medical herbs………………………………………
5.5.4 Chemical sellers………………………………………………
5.5.5 Types of health facility (hospital, clinics, maternity homes)……………
5.5.6 Other related nutrition…………………………………
5.5.7 Implications of the above or development and appropriate development interventions…
5.5.8 Major development problems and recommendations for solutions………

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6 CHAPTER SIX
6.6.1 Population of settlement and list of settlements………………………………………
6.6.2 Spatial distribution of social infrastructure (football pitch, community center, market center)………………
6.6.3 Sanitation……………………………………………………
6.6.4 Social amenities (water, electricity,)……………………………………
6.6.5 Implications of the above findings for development and appropriate development intervention…………………
6.6.6 Major development problems and recommendations for solutions…………………
7 CHAPTER SEVEN
7.7 Conclusion
7.7.1 POCC analysis in a table form (problems, opportunities, constraints and challenges)……………………
7.7.2 Summary of findings and recommendations…………………………………
7.7.3 Reference……………………………………………………………………
1.1 Acknowledgement
Glory be to God Almighty, the creator, sustainer, protector and the preserver of our lives. For in Him we were able to pull out, in spite
of the many teething problems and challenges that confront us in this out-Programme. By His right hand on us we were successful and
more than victorious during our one month stay at Gomoa-Dabiso in the Apam District of the Central Region of Ghana.

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To our precious parents, we are gratefully indebted to your great care, prayers and support granted to us, spiritually, morally and
financially. With our hearts poured out to you, we say ayeekooooooo. For without you we would not have been able to register for this
exciting out-program.
Furthermore the group will also like to cease this opportunity to register our heartfelt, genuine, honest and candid appreciation to our
pulsating head of department, Mr. Amponsah Kodom (DEVELOPMENT STUDIES, V.V.U), faculty and staff, organizers of the
development studies practicum and various coordinators who helped in sundry ways to facilitate the progress of this Programme
principally supervisors namely; Messrs. Akotey, Kodom and Elvis Addo.
Lastly our gratitude proceed to all our new associates, acquaintances in the Gomoa-Dabiso community, who also expends their
energies in manifold ways to the accomplishment of this great feat. Expressly we salute the following people of Gomoa-Dabiso
township; the Principal of the Gomoa-Dabiso J.H.S, Messrs. Emmanuel………………..
1.2 Executive Summary
The Development Studies practicum II which was held in Gomoa-Dabiso community was a field study which is intended to prepare and
furnished student’s understanding of the full degree of the social, political and economic life of deprived communities in Ghana. It
involves living and associating with the dwellers of the community and to also have a broadened opinion of life in the rural areas of
Ghana. The Practicum involves the application of an extensive collection of community mobilization, development communication,
social research and a host of other curricula courses. The research work takes into an account the problems, constraints, solutions as
well as opportunities in Gomoa-Dabiso. It also shows the needs and other many aspects of their daily life which affects the life of the
people in general either negatively or positively.
The report is presented in this order;
 Chapter one of the report reveals the purpose and methodology employed. It also embodied the summary of the
geophysical, the political and the socio-economic physiognomies of the Gomoa-Dabiso community

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 Chapter two, contains the complete information on the geo-physical physiognomy of the Gomoa-Dabiso community.
 Chapter three contains the socio-demographic information of the Gomoa-Dabiso community.
 Chapter four present the fundamental structure of the socio-political organization in the Gomoa-Dabiso Community.
 Chapter five presents issues pertaining to agriculture and other economic activities of the community
 Chapter six presents issues on health and nutrition of the community.
 Chapter seven highlights the spatial organization of the Gomoa-Dabiso community.
 Chapter eight which is the last chapter contains the conclusion and summary of research findings.
Key community demands:
 Healthcare center
 Road network facility
 good toilet facilities
1.3 General Introduction
The research was carried out in Gomoa-Dabiso community, in the Apam district of the Central region of Ghana.
 Purpose
The Purpose of this research include:
 To aid students to relate the academic teaching and couching taught in classroom in the factual world of work in terms of the
methods and techniques to collect relevant data, analyze data and write a comprehensive report.
 To unearth the characteristics of rural and economically deprived communities in Ghana, specifically in the Gomoa-Dabiso
village.
 To discover development potentials and constraints of the Gomoa-Dabiso community and also make recommendations, to the
improvement of the living conditions of the Gomoa-Dabiso community.

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 Methodology
This research is a qualitative research which systematically describes and analyzes the social, economic, and political views and
structure of Gomoa-Dabiso community. So many methods are employed to undertake this research, these are;
 Interviewing; the interviewing method was used to dig for information on the personal and economic conditions of the people.
 Observation; these were information that could have never been gathered by questionnaires etc. so therefore the observation
method was used for this information.
 Questionnaire; Questionnaires were sent around for collecting information on social, economic, cultural and environmental
characteristics of Gomoa-Dabiso.
 Review of secondary data; these were data collected from the district assembly such as the Geology, Climate and Vegetation.
 Focus group discussion; the group used this method to collect information from some targeted groups about the historic
background of the community. (Chiefs, elders, the aged)
 Census; A census was however conducted for this project. This comprised inhabitants in the community.
 Research Limitations
 Unfavourable weather (rain); Heavy downpours were a hindrance in this research work .Because of this, it delayed us in the collection of
data on the field.
 Electricity problems (short period) ; There were no blackout during our stay in the community but our residence had a problem
with the wiring system which gave room for low currents and high currents during certain times but this problem was sort out
by us after consulting an electrician.
 Scarcity of Food (Expensive to buy)

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CHAPTER ONE
1.0 GEO- PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS_____________________________________
Strictly within this report, the Geo-physical characteristics explained herein are for Appia-krom Dabiso in relation with its District
Apam. The Geo-physical physiognomies (the general appearance of something, e.g. the countryside.) of Appia-krom Dabiso includes
the following;
 History of Gomoa-Dabiso
 Location
 geology/relief,
 drainage,
 climate, and
 Vegetation.
1.0 Location
Appia-krom Dabiso is a small town near Gomoah Techiman and Gomoa Kwanyako in the Apam District of the Central Region of
Ghana. On the map of Ghana distinctively this small this small town can be located on-----latitudes.
1.1 Geology /Relief
The Geology of Gomoah Appia-krom Dabiso in this report refers to its Landscape, rocks, soil, and minerals deposits if any. as well
as other distinctive observable topographies.
Landscape/Topography
The landscape of Dabiso generally is a hilly ground with rough and uneven surface which is steep and rocky. It is also ruggy and
undulating in nature as a result of the parent rocks which forms the hills.

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1.2 Drainage __________________________________________________
II. In this report drainage refers to the built systems that transport waste water and drains away surface water from the land.
Includes gutters, sewage systems like cesspit (a pit for the collection and storage of sewage.) and cesspools (a tank, well, etc.
for the collection and storage of sewage and waste water.).
III. In Appia-krom Dabiso there is no drainage system to convey surface water to the right place whenever it rains. As a result
waste water is also not disposed off well in the community.
IV. Figure 1, 2, 3 and 4 are all trenches created by continuous erosion which is now serving as drainage system.
V.

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VI.
VII. Unfortunately this condition has continued for a very long time in the community that there are deep trenches created within
the land as the result of running surface water finding a path to flow through. These trenches created by the force of the surface

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water has now become mini gutters that drain away surface water. It also poses an erosion threat to the community’s built
environment. Furthermore the houses foundations are also substantially exposed due to this long uncontrolled erosion which
can cause the collapse of many houses in the community within a short time to come. The erosion is also fast depleting and
deteriorating land and its form in the environment.
Rocks
The parent rock includes the Birrimain formation and Voltarian metamorphoses sediment, which are generally sedimentary and
metamorphic rocks with their associated rocks such as;
 Phyllis,
 schist and
 Granites.
NB. Most of the hills are covered with hard iron layers, Bauxite and Kaolin.
Soil
Several different soils have developed from these rocks which is rich for agriculture purposes. The soils in the district are made up of
four main groups namely;
 The forest ochrosols,
 forest ochrosols and oxysols intergrades,
 tropical black earth and
 Forest lithosols.
However in Appia-krom Dabiso the soil type is the forest ochrosols. It has a high nutrient value and is suitable for both tree and food
crops such as;
 cocoa,
 coffee,
 citrus,

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 maize,
 cassava,
 pineapple and
 Vegetables.
Mineral
Gold and Bauxite are also embedded within these rocks.
7.0 Climate ___________________________________________
Climate in this report refers to the average weather conditions of Appia-krom Dabiso in relation with the whole Apam district which
was recorded over a long and wide period of years.
Climatic conditions here in Appia-krom Dabiso includes the following;
 Precipitation,
 temperature,
 humidity, and
 Sunshine.
Rainfall
Precipitation in Appia-krom Dabiso is influenced by virtue of the town lying within the wet-semi equatorial region with mean annual
rainfall between 1500mm to about 2000mm. The town also experiences two raining seasons; the major one from March – July which
for a fact we are witnessing as we are doing our research here in Appia-krom Dabiso. And the other from August to October with
slight deviation.
Temperature
The district on the average experiences an annual temperature of 24degrees Celsius with Appia-krom Dabiso inclusive.
Humidity
This is the amount of water vapour in the atmosphere, usually expressed as a percentage. In Appia-krom Dabiso by observation
humidity during the rainy season is high, this is because throughout the rainy season the atmosphere becomes cold and damp therefore
warm moist moving air particles get clouded with this cold dry air thus raising the humidity percentage in the atmosphere whiles in the
dry season’s humidity is rather low for the reversed reason giving for the wet season.
Commented [W1]: Reference district profile
Commented [W2]: Rainfall figure&infos. Ref from the
DISTRICT Assembly PROFILE

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Sunshine
Appia-krom Dabiso in relation with the Apam district in the Central region of Ghana lied within the tropical regions of the world
climate. Therefore no matter how substantial precipitation is in the district and the region as a whole it also experiences an enormous
amount of sunshine.
7.1 Vegetation _____________________________________
Vegetation in this report refers to plant life, (which includes diverse species of plant life depending on climatic conditions and the
nature of the soil) and the ecology (the relationship between living things and their surroundings) of Appia-krom Dabiso in close
relation to that of the district.
The district has two main vegetation zone which stretches to Appia-krom Dabiso; these are;
 the coastal savannah and
 The moist semi-deciduous forest.
NB. However in Dabiso the vegetation is the moist semi-deciduous type .

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The moist semi-deciduous forest
The moist semi-deciduous forest is characterized by the following plant species;
 tall trees, interspaced with grass cover,
 shrubs and
 soft woody plants
 Mahogany,
 Odum,
 Wawa,
 Onyina and
 Emire
7.2 Major Environmental/Problems_______________________________________
 No drainage system
Appia-krom Dabiso has no proper drainage systems to drain surface water away to its right place. For this reason deep channels are
formed naturally by the running surface water to transport itself.

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 Erosion

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Appia-krom Dabiso is on a ticking time bomb as gradual erosion by the force of running surface water causes deep trenches to be
created within the land, and if this is not properly checked and corrected, houses can be drained away anytime a torrential rain arrive.

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 Bad road network
7.3 Implication of the above for development and appropriate development interventions_________________________________
 Absence of drainage has Created deep trenches within the land where built environment is located as a result of flowing surface
water finding its own course to flow
 It has also caused a substantial exposure of the foundations of houses in the communities as a result of the erosion.
 Already a considerable amount of the top soil has been eroded, and if allow to continue the formation of deep trenches will
continue which can cause houses to collapse during the rainy season.
 Dabiso is blessed with a type of soil called the forest ochrosols which is high in nutrients and is good for many food and cash
crops.

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 The moist semi- deciduous forest cover which forms part of the vegetation in Dabiso contains many plant life which when
protected will grow into a big forest reserve for the community.
7.4 Recommendation
 We advise the district to help in constructing a more solid drainage system to allow for free flow of surface running water. This
will not only help solve the bad drainage problem in the town but will also end the incessant erosion that is causing even much
degradation of the town’s landscape and the serious exposure of building foundations.
 We also recommend that the ruggy untarred road bypass connecting Appia-krom Dabiso to its marketing towns be constructed
to enable the town trade their farm produce with other towns.
 We recommend that the district assembly should provide the town with a modern gari processing factory since it’s the only
economic activity that helps them make good use of their cassava produce.
CHAPTER TWO
1.0 SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTIC___________________________________________
Information relating to the Socio-demographic characteristics herein specified within this report exclusively relates to Appia-krom
Dabiso relative to its district Apam. The socio-demographic characteristics of Appia-krom Dabiso focusses on the following;
 population size,
 Population distribution
 Population dynamics
 Household size,
 Occupational distribution,
 Religion,
 Ethnicity,
 kinship,
 values and taboos,
 Property ownership,
 Educational status and attainment,
 Housing

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1.1 Population size __________________________________
Population size as defined in this report is about the people of Appia-krom Dabiso in the Apam district Assembly of the Central region
of Ghana.
It is the actual/total number of individuals living/inhabiting this town. In 2006 the population size of Appia-krom Dabiso was at
1,928. But as at now the population short down to 815 people. A percentage decrease in population size of 57.73. This percentage
decrease in population size was due to the higher rate of emigration from the town to more urbanized towns because of lack of
economic jobs.
1.2 Population distribution_____________________________________
Age limit Figures
14yrs – below 19
15yrs-60yrs 25
61yrs- above 1
Gender Number of people Percentages
Males

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Females
Total
Age cohorts Male female Total
0-4
5-9
10-14
15-19
20-24
25-29
30-34
35-39
40-44
45-49

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50-54
55-59
60-64
65-69
70-74
75+
Total
1.3 Population Dynamics___________________________________________
Population dynamics is the short-term and long-term changes in the size and age composition of a population. Simply it is the study of
how population changes over time. It is largely influenced by biological and environmental processes. Population dynamic requires
population numbers to grow and shrinks as time goes by. It is technically controlled by the following;
 Birth (natality) and immigration rates------input
 Death (mortality) and emigration rates----output
In Dabiso however the population change is only directly linked to one of the elementary features of the factors that determined
changes in population size. This is emigration. As a result of this the population of Dabiso has changed drastically in terms of
shrinkage.

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NB---if the inputs are greater than the output the population will grow. If the outputs are higher than the inputs the population will
shrink. If the two are in balance the population size will not change therefore the population density remain constant or is in
equilibrium.
Community members between the ages of 0 to 14 (child dependent population) ----------------------------,
Members between the ages of 15 to 64 (productive population) --------------------------------------
Members above 65years (Aged dependent population) ---------------------------------------------------.
Sales
Child dependent Pop. (0-14) Productive Pop. (15-64) Aged dependent Pop. (65yrs above)

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AGES NUMBER PERCENTAGES
Child Dependent
Pop.
0-5
6-14
Ages
Child dependent population
Productive population
Aged dependent population

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Productive Pop. 15-19
20-29
30-39
40-49
50-64
Aged Dependent Pop. 65- above
1.4 Household size___________________________________
Number of individuals occupying a housing unit. The people who live together in a house, making up a family and who are fed from
the same pot.
In Appia-krom Dabiso the average number of persons representing household is six.
1.5 Occupational distribution _______________________________
Occupational distribution of population or occupational pattern in Dabiso refers to the proportion of total working population engaged in different
working sectors of the district economy, such as;

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Primary sector;
Agriculture 80%
Mining 0%
Fishing 0%
Animal husbandry 0.5%
Forestry 0%
Secondary sector;
Construction 0%
Electricity 0%
Tertiary sector;
Trade 0.5%
Transport 0%
Communication 0%
Banking 0%
Insurance 0%
Teaching 10%
1.6 Religion, Ethnicity, kinship, values, and taboos ___________________________________________
RELIGION
In respect to religion Dabiso is characterized with;

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 Christianity (Pentecost, Methodist and catholic),
 Islamic religion and
 Traditional worshippers.

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VALUES AND TABOOS
Values and taboos in this report are strictly about the town of Appia-krom Dabiso, a small town near Gomoa Techiman in the Apam
district Assembly of the Central region.
VALUES
Values herein refers to high moral principles, ethics or standards as required from any individual residing here in the above named
town. These includes the following;
 Showing love to your fellow community dwellers and especially to strangers,
 Being charitable to all
 Faithfulness and loyalty to community dwellers and to leaders of the community,
FANTE
1%
ETHNIC DISTRIBUTION IN DABISO
FANTE OTHERS

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 Wickedness is totally abhorred and deterred but goodness is always in their bosom.
TABOOS
Taboos in Appia-krom Dabiso refers to anything which is forbidden or disapproved for religious reasons or as social custom demand
and mandate or any system which prohibits certain actions as being unclean or unholy. It incorporates the following;
 A woman or lady should not sit around or near to the shrine in the community. Implication is that she will end up been barren
for life as the Gods will close her womb.
 Community dwellers are not allowed to breed dogs or bring dogs into the community. Breach of this taboo result in the gods
making the dogs mad and thus devouring its breeder. Implication is that the community gods in the night metamorphoses into
giant dogs which keep watch over the village. And therefore should one see a dog in the night then it’s the gods who are
keeping guard over the community in the night to protect the community.
 Tied fire wood should not be brought into the community. Implication is that it may contain strange bush reptiles that might
end up living and reproducing in the community.
 Palm nut fruit should not be brought into the community with the bunch, it must be removed from the bunch before bringing
into the community.
 Plantain should also not be brought into the community with the bunch, the smaller one under must be cut off before bringing
into the community.
 It’s a taboo to fight in the community. Anyone found breaking this taboo is fined to bring a bag of cement and a bundle of
roofing sheet.
 It’s a taboo to curse someone who steal your property, the stolen item must be announced first and for three days, should the
person fail to return the stolen item you can then curse. Failure to comply with this procedure will otherwise invoke the wrath
of the gods to punish whomever violate this rule.
 It’s a taboo for a woman in menstruation to fetch water in the streams.
 It’s a taboo to have sex in the farm. implication is that the gods will either kill you straight or make you ill- stricken if you are
too lucky

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 Whistling is forbidden in the night. It’s regarded by the community as a form of noise pollution and might disturb someone
who is resting and thinking of life.
 BURAKESI, BURAFOR, BURABENA, SIWEKYIR are lakes respectively in the Dabiso community. Fridays, Sundays
respectively are the days for these water gods. And these days are reserved for them. It is forbidden for anyone to fetch water
from these streams on these days. It is believe that these water gods and their families (children, husbands and wives) often
come out to bath. Therefore to avoid seeing their nakedness no one goes there on these days.
1.7 Property ownership________________________________
Property ownership in Dabiso refers to the line of inheritance in families.
In Dabiso they strictly practiced matrilineal system of property inheritance. They also inherit from their husbands.
1.8 Educational status and attainment___________________________________
Educational status in this report refers to academic achievements, the ability to write, read and understand.
Presently the populace within the Dabiso community are 85% illiterate. This shows that illiteracy is very high in the Dabiso
community.

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1.9 Housing_________________________________________
The act or the process of providing houses and accommodation collectively for the people is referred to as housing. In the Dabiso
Township housing is provided by the people themselves. It is identified that there is no proper housing structure.
1.10 Implication of the above for development and appropriate development intervention _________________________
1.11 Major development problems and recommendations for solution____________________________________
85%
15%
Educational Acheivement in Dabiso
illiteracy litterate

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CHAPTER THREE
SOCIO-POLITICAL ORGANIZATION
The social and political organizational structure as enumerated in this report is about Appia-krom Dabiso of the Apam district of the
Central region of Ghana. In this regard much concentration is laid on the following;
7.8 SOCIO-POLITICAL ORGANISATION
7.9 Traditional institutions and functions
7.10 Local governance structure, functions and performance
7.11 Interrelationship between modern and traditional institution
7.12 Communication system
7.13 Decision making process
7.14 Administrative machinery
7.15 Existing institution
7.16 Institution linkages
7.17 Implications of the above findings for development and appropriate development intervention
7.18 Major development problems and recommendations for solution
 Traditional institutions and functions
The people practice the matrilineal system of inheritance.
In addition to the traditional system of governance, they also practice modern democracy since they find themselves in a democratic
state. Assembly members represent the two electoral areas of the town. Every electoral area has a management committee called the
Unit Committee that assists the Assembly Member to address the problems affecting the area.
The Assembly members act for the community at the district level to initiate and implement policies and plans within the district. They
also raise problems of their specific towns to the attention of the Member of Parliament and the District Chief Executive for solutions.
The following is the hierarchical order of the traditional institutions in the Gomoa-Dabiso community. It consists of the community
Chief, sub chiefs, clan heads and family heads.

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 Local governance structure, functions and performance
The new local government structure is in three-tiers, consisting of regional coordinating councils (RCCs), district assemblies (DAs)
and town area councils and unit committees (TACUCs).
Functions of Regional Coordinating Councils (RCCs),

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 Regional coordinator council;- membership consists of regional ministers, deputy regional ministers, presiding chairmen,
district secretaries. Their functions include;
 The coordination and formulation of the integrated plans and programs of the district assembly, in order to harmonize these
programs with the national development policies approved by the government.
Function of District assembly
 Membership comprises the district chief executive, a government appointee, two thirds of elected members and one third of
members nominated by the government. According to Aryee (1989), the functions of the district assembly include;
 The overall development of the districts, and ensuring the preparation and submission of the development plans and budgets,
for the districts to the government for approval.
 The formulation of programs and strategies for the effective mobilization and utilization of the human, physical and financial
and other resources in the districts.
 The provision and maintenance of public works and services.
 Under the power of legislation the district assembly makes bye-laws.
 They run day-to-day administration at the district level.
 They ensure grass root democracy
Functions of Town, area councils and unit committees
 Unit committees are to establish based on need, section 20 of the PNDC law 207 stipulates that the district assemblies should
make recommendations to the government for the establishment of the sub district structure and their main function is
coordinate projects and programs in their communities and serve as a link between the people and the district assembly.

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 The Assemblyman represents all communities under his electoral area at the district assembly, he takes part in district
assembly discussion in decision making process and he sends views of the people to the district assembly.
 Interrelationship between modern and traditional institutions
There is a cordial relationship between the modern and traditional institutions. The modern institutions which include the
Assemblymen, Unit committee members share ideas with the chiefs and bring fresh ideas which are carried on by the chiefs and
discussed with the representatives of the people for the benefit of all. However, the relationship between the modern and traditional
institutions is sometimes not transparent. There are some issues the traditional institution consider to be confidential and would prefer
no instructions from the modern institutions. This actually impedes a thorough and objective discussion of issues, which, if not
checked, could be a source of possible squabble between both parties. And when two elephants fight, is the grass that suffers; so shall
development suffer huge drawbacks, if these noble institutions are at dispute.
There is a strong bond and a peaceful co-relation between the modern and traditional institution in Mpakadan in terms of functions
and activities. Since there is no unit committee member in Mpakadan, development issues which need to be discussed with chiefs and
elders becomes easier and faster thus decision making is fast. The assemblyman is a neutral person on issues pertaining chieftaincy
issues, developmental issues are exempted or ignored from issues of chieftaincy. Issues affecting the community and discussed by the
chiefs, are sent to the assembly man who later sends it to the DCE to be solved. Also, issues in the modern level are disseminated to
the local level by the assembly man.
 Communication systems
Public announcement is done by beating of the “gonggong”, which is mostly done at dawn to alert indigenes in the village of
occurrences, announcements, and warnings in the community. It also used to pass across meeting schedules for key stakeholders and
authorities to meet and discuss pertinent issues about the community. The one in charge of the “gong gong” is called the “gong
gong” beater, who is a chief in his expertise. This is the primary and only source of disseminating information in the community.

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Communication system involves the means to which information is disseminated to community members. Since information plays an
important role in development. People must have access to information since it is the only way people can take informed decisions to
better their lives. In the Mpakadan community, information from the chief and elders is channelled to the community through the
gong-gong beater. The gong-gong beater moves around the community announcing whatever information to the community members.
Our presence in the community we witnessed various instances where information was disseminated to the people through the gong-
gong beater. During our arrival in the community the first week, we used the gong-gong to clear and reduce the rural sensitivity level
in the community.
 Decision making process
Decision making in the locality is a collective franchise. All the people are involved in the decision making process, and all opinions
are taking seriously into considerations. Decentralization has ensured some level of cordiality between the ordinary person and those
in authority. Chieftaincy disputes have been one main source of flashpoint in the country. So, all chieftaincy related issues in the
community are handled with much care and confidentiality to prevent any uncontrollable situation. This is referred to us
Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) approach. PRA aims at empowering local people by inculcating the habit of sharing among
them; enhance and analyze their knowledge of life and conditions; plan, act, monitor and evaluate their conditions. PRA entails
groups of local people resolved at analyzing their conditions and finding better ways of improving them. The PRA approach is
particularly useful for its ability in enabling vulnerable groups in a community to be heard, and soliciting their views on issues which
they have most often been sidelined. Participation from women, the elderly, disabled and school children, helps researchers paint a
realistic picture of community life. Furthermore, it allows the community to maximize benefit from the limited resource.
Decision making in Mpakadan is not different from others, the people of Mpakadan operate in the jurisdictions of democracy when it
comes to decision making. Although certain decisions are finalized and made personally by the chiefs and his council of elders or with
the assemblyman, most of the decisions is announced to the community at their meetings and community members are invited to
deliberate as well as give concerns and suggestions to the chief and his council of elders.

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 Administrative machinery
The District Assembly is the highest political authority in the district. The District Chief Executive chairs the Executive Committee.
The various sub-committees, which report to the District Chief Executive (DCE), are responsible for performing the executive
functions. Within the community, the assemblymen are the representatives of the community during District Assembly meetings.
In terms of the traditional institution the chief is the highest authority in the community under which other elders follow. The modern
system involves the assemblyman who is accountable to the District assembly. Both systems come together for a smooth administrative
of the community.
 Existing institutions and
Communities are made up of institutions which interrelate with each other in terms of community administration. Mpakadan as a
community is socially stratified or structured into various institutions;basically the existing institutions in Mpakadan are in five forms:
 Political Institutions (Modern and Political)
 Educational Institution
 Marriage and Family Institution
 Religious Institution (Christians and traditionalist)
 Others are

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 Institution linkages
The various institutions in the community work hand-in-hand to overcome series of problems confronting them. They work in synergy
to deliver that good which will inure to the benefit of the community, by improving the living standard of the people. Occasionally,
meetings are organized to raise funds, either cash or kind, to catalyze development in the community.
Every community is composed or made up of families, marriage contracted build up families which form the community. The marriage
and family institution form the basis of all other institutions in the Mpakadan community. The family which is composed of both adult
and children forms the productive population and dependent population; with this the family and marriage institution interrelates with
the economic institution which is composed of farmers, teachers, traders, herbalist and masonry in Mpakadan. Contraction of
marriages, procreation by these families will increase the man power of the Mpakadan community who can work on the farms and
fishing perform further economic activities to help the development of the community. The farming activities will also bring more food
to the families to help in their growth and strength.
The educational institution also interrelates with the family and marriage institution in a sense that the school in Mpakadan is
composed of adult teachers and children who form part of the family. Furthermore, the educational institution entailing the
kindergarten, primary and the JHS School in the community will have to be occupied through procreation by families. The
educational institution will in turn impact knowledge and insight into children who occupy these schools in the community.
The political institution interrelates with the religious institution in various ways. In the Mpakadan community, the religious
institution that’s the Christian and traditional congregations need the permission of the chief and his council of elders who form part
of the political institution, before certain activities of theirs can take place in the community vice versa the political institution also
when in need of spiritual intervention seeks for the help of the religious institution.
CHAPTER FOUR
AGRICULTURE AND OTHER ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES

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The definition of Agriculture and other economic activities in this report is concerned about Appia-krom Dabiso. Agriculture and
Economic activities in Dabiso refers to how land is cultivated in order to grow crops or raise animal livestock as a source of food or
other useful products and other relating industrial or business practices that they engaged in to earn an economic reward.
It includes the following;
 Agriculture activities
 Types of crops and livestock
 Methods of farming
 Land acquisition and ownership
 Water and agriculture
 Productivity
 Financing
 Labour
 Storage
 Marketing problems
 Tools and techniques for production
 Science, technology, and industries
 Rural industries
Agriculture activities/ Types of crops and livestock
Agriculture, formed the largest economic activity of the Dabiso community thus, about 90 percent of the population are farmers. Crop
and livestock production is mainly on subsistence level with an average farm size of 2 hectares. The ecology of the district encourages

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the cultivation of crops such as cocoa, coffee, cola-nut, maize, cassava, coconut, pineapple, citrus and vegetables. On the level of
livestock, farm animals especially goats are reared on a very low scale by few of the people.
Agriculture is the major economic activity in terms of employment and rural income generation in the village. About 75 per cent of the
working population are engaged in this sector which constitutes the main source of household income in the district. There are three
(3) prominent types of farming activities in the village. These are livestock farming, food cropping and cash cropping. The most
predominant of these is crop cropping with more than 78 per cent of the farmers in the village taking to this type. Livestock farming is
carried out on a limited scale employing only about 8 per cent of farmers whiles cash cropping also employs just about 12 per cent of
the farming population.
 Methods of farming
Method of farming refers to the forms of farming practices and techniques use during their crops cultivation. Some of the techniques
includes; mixed-cropping, shifting cultivation and. Because of the land tenure system practiced in Gomoa-Dabiso, it is hard to access
a large hectare of farmland to farm on, therefore these farming techniques actually helps the farmers to cultivate plenty on a small
farm land.
The major food Crops produced in the village is maize, cassava, plantain, yam and vegetable. A large number of these farmers have
smallholdings. Most of the farmers engaged in crop farming are also involved in livestock rearing. The main system of farming is bush
fallowing and inter-cropping
The commonest method of farming is the mixed cropping thus the growing of different types of crops on the same piece of Land. For
the rearingof animals, the semi-intensive system is used where animals are kept in-doors and during sunset they are released to feed
or search for food. The mode of cropping or farming is mainly for subsistence and cash cropping thus mainly for food at home and the
ones left are sold in the market for income.
 Land acquisition and ownership

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Land acquisition refers to how land is acquired for farming by the people. In Gomoa-Dabiso most lands belongs to families and some
individuals especially when you are a son to a father. To obtain and secure a land for farming Dabiso means that you either belong to
a family of which you can be an inheritor partially. Or you align with someone who owns a land so that you can indirectly make an
agreement to lease his/her land for farming. Sons of fathers are also automatically heirs of their father’s lands, therefore through this
pattern a woman who got married to that that son also automatically becomes an heir. She then also have the right to farm on that
land if she so wishes
Land acquisition is through the contact of family heads, the chief or private landlords. The practice of the Abusa and Abunn tenancy
agreement is widespread. The size of farm holdings ranges between 1 and 2.9 acres. There is a lot of land fragmentation, which is
explained by increasing population and the use of rudimentary implements such as cutlasses which discourages large scale farming.
The number of agricultural extension officers in the village is grossly inadequate. The extension officer to farmer ratio in the village is
1:6000.The problem of this over stretched extension workers are compounded the lack of transport and other support materials
rendering their work very arduous. This partly accounts for the low proportion of farmers using hybrid seeds and agro –chemicals in
their farming activities.
Acquisition of Land in Mpakadan is in four (4) different forms thus land owned by the chief and is lend to people (borrowed land from
chief), Personal ownership, Hired land (hiring) and family owned.
 Water and agriculture
Irrigation in the Gomoa-Dabiso community is absent, nonetheless farmers depend heavily on rainfall for the growth of their crops.
This in one way or the other hamper them from growing farm crops all the year round which is on-going now in some farming
communities which depends both on irrigation and on rainfall. As a result of this farmers grow their crops seasonally as they wait for
the season of rain.
Agriculture in this area is mainly rain fed, thus the people solely depend rainfall to water their crops. Rich farmers amongst them use
irrigation methods during dry seasons (September-November) to ensure year round farming. Others use the streams or dig bore holes.
The area is characterised by a double maxima rainfall, which reaches its peak period in May – July, that is, the wet season.

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In Mpakadan, irrigational systems do not exist. Most or all of the farmers depend on rainfall for the growth or survival of their crops.
From our research, we realized that only one cash crop farmer had a pumping machine that he use in pumping water from the Volta
to his farm in the dry season. The distance of most farmlands is not close but far, averagely two and half miles thereby making it
difficult for farmers to carry water to their farms. Their main mode of transport to their farms is by foot.
 Productivity
The level of productivity is very low. Farmers in Mpakadan are small-scale farmers. Thus they farm on small sizes of lands averagely
one and half acres (1½) and uses primitive tools such as hole and cutlasses for farming. The un-reliable nature of rainfall also make
their crops die (when rain don’t fall) and get destroyed (when it over rain and flood the crops). The change in climate also delays the
planting and harvesting of crops. The clear and burn method of land preparation is the dominant method used which affect the soil in
a way that,the soil loses it fertility by killing all the essential micro-organisms in the soil and destroying most of the soil nutrients.
Since most farmers are poor financially, it is very difficult for them to buy farm inputs like fertilizer, weedicides among others. The
only fertilizer applicant in the community is the farmer cultivates cash crops (vegetables) that pump water from the Volta to his farm.
 Financing
The main source of funding for farming activities in the Village is from the individuals (farmers) own savings. There are no financial
institutions in the Village.
There are no credit facilities, Susu savings or micro-finance or financial aid agencies in Mpakadan. The main source of finance for
farmers is through their own personal savings, they find it difficult acquiring financial aid from banks since they have no collateral.
 Labour

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strenuous and prolonged work, especially of the physical kind that is done for payment.Farmers are mostly their own laborers
together with their families,the form of labor intensive thus man-power. Those with enough capital (money) sometimes hire labor or
people to work for them and this very expensive.
 Storage
the act of storing or the state of being stored. 2 space reserved for storing things.Most of the crops are stored using traditional
methods, and this is not always efficient. The most common method of storage is by the use of barns. A sizeable number of farmers
also use spraying as a method of preserving their produce. The lack of storage facilities force farmers to sell off their produce at very
low prices in order to avoid the produce going bad especially so if there is a bumper harvest. The preservation of other crops such as
garden egg and tomatoes constitute a most problem of the farmers in the Village.
The commonest preservative method farmers in Mpakadan use to preserve farm produce like maize is drying and storing them in
bags. Others store them on sheds for it to dry. Perishable crops like vegetables are mostly not stored but sold or consumed
immediately after harvest.
 Marketing problems
10 MARKETING PROBLEMS:
Marketing forms part of farming challenges. Some of the marketing challenges they farmers confront are:

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 Buyers determine prices of produce, which affects the total revenue of farmers, hence poor returns on farm produce.
 Buying on credit; those who buy on credit default in payment. Others also pay very late. Such bad debts incurred by farmers
have really crippled their effort to increase productivity. Attempts to retrieve such debts sometimes lead to quarrel, which is an
affront to peaceful co-existence.
 Low sales; low levels of income in the community does not stimulate demand for farmers produce. This forces them to reduce
their price by selling their produce far below market price. This results in poor revenues to the farmers, which affects their
purchasing power and living standards.
Farmers in Mpakadan face challenges when finding market for their produce. There is no market in Mpakadan; the only market
is at Gyakiti which is also in a bad state. The market day at Gyakiti is on Tuesday and Friday only to find five (5) to ten (10)
women in the market. Finding market for their harvested crops is a major problem. The prices of food crops are not stable, hence
have no ready market. Most buyers from the cities who buy their food stuffs dictates the price at which they will buy the produce,
because of fear of food rot leading to inability to plough back profit or the cost involve in farming. This lives them with no choice
than to sell them to the buyers leaving them with no or less profit. Some farmers preserve and store crops like maize so that in its
shortage, they sell them at a very high or profitable price to gain more income. Transportation is also a major problem hindering
the marketing of farm produce. The bad nature of the road makes drivers charge farmers at a very high price before transporting
their produce to neighboring towns.
4.11 TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES FOR PRODUCTION:
Most of the farmers use primitive farm implements like hoe, cutlass, etc. this doesn’t provide them with much sophistication to
produce on a large scale. Which affects their productivity as it is not effective. Other well to do farmers have some small mechanized
equipment which helps them farm, and also some myopic fragment of the farmers have irrigational systems, tractors, ploughs,
combine harvesters etc. to aid in their farming process.
4.12 SCIENTIFIC PRACTICES:

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The people of Anum-Apenkwa area even with their little scientific knowledge adopt the following scientific methods to curb diseases
and pests on their farms.
 Pesticides
 Herbicides
 Fertilizers
This scientific approach help curtail the incidence of pest wreaking havoc on plants, which can boost productivity.
the techniques or processes by which a product or service is sold, including assessment of its sales potential and responsibility for its
promotion, distribution and development.
 Tools and techniques for production
Basic implements such as; Cutlass, Hoes
 Science, technology, and industries
 Rural industries
4.15 Implication of the above findings for development and appropriate development
Intervention
 Is high time farmers embrace technology or mechanized agriculture and is high time the government make agriculture
look attractive thus mechanize agric. About 60% of the total current population of the country is highly engaged in

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agriculture and Mpakadan is no exception. Almost all or percentage wise 89.25% of the population in Mpakadan are
solidly engage in agriculture which implies that if averagely 3bags of maize are produce by each farmer in Mpakadan
within 4months, then it means that per annum each farmer produces 8bags. With this analyses, if each household in
Mpakadan with an average household size of five (5) is supposed to consume these 8bags in 12months taking the
normal meal in interview of thrice daily then statistically the bags will not be enough or will not be able to sustain them
for four (4) to five (5) months and this very serious because it will bring hunger and unfortunately there is no surplus
left for selling in the market for personal income not even surplus left for sold in foreign countries to earn foreign
exchange for the country. Taking another instance, incase all the bags are collectively collected from each farmer in
Mpakadan thus 108. Therefore the total number of bags to be collected in sum is 864 bags of maize (8bags times
108farmers). If the current price of maize in the market is GH₵100, then the total amount received after selling all the
864bags is GH₵86,400 which implies that averagely each farmer will receive GH₵800 which is the income to sustain
their households thus five in average for a whole year. This statistics will interpret this as an extreme poverty in
Mpakadan when is further broken down. This simple statistics is based on the fact that the level of output in the
farming field in Mpakadan is low and this is as a result of certain factors that encircle the agricultural activity in
Mpakadan which is not helping boost output in the farming business in Mpakadan. This includes:
 Lack of credit and loans
 Farm size (small)
 Lack of inputs, modern equipment
 Poor transportation systems and accessible markets
 Poor storage facilities leading to Pre-harvest losses
 Change in climate thus unreliable rainfall (Lack of irrigation)
 Inadequate labour

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Major development problems and recommendation for solution
 Lack of credit and loans: Accessibility to loans and credits is major factor that contributes to output or productivity in
agriculture. The way farmers get access to loans will determine their output. Farmers in Mpakadan find it very difficult to
access loans from banks, credit institutions among others which will be invested in their business, therefore their main source
of capital is from their own pockets thus personal savings.
 Recommendation: Farmers can form Susu groups, so that they can contribute and purchase a tractor for their own use. The
government, NGOs, private individuals should also come to their aid. Banks should also grant loans on simple negotiations so
that the farmers can comply with such agreements.
 Lack of inputs, modern equipment: Since they lack capital (money) it becomes difficult or impossible for them to purchase
inputs like seeds, fertilizes, etc. Modern equipment’s are then wiped their scene.
 Recommendation: Farmers should properly store some of their harvested crops (seeds) so they can plant them the next season.
 Poor transportation systems and accessible markets: Transportation of farm produce is a major problem facing farmers in
Mpakadan. The bad nature of roads linking farm lands and markets situated in towns makes it difficult transport produce. Cost
of transport becomes high drawing farmer’s profits into losses. Availability and access to markets is also another problem.
Ready markets are not available, the unstable price mechanisms makes buyers buy produce at prices they prefer controlling
producers/farmers power instead.
 Recommendation: Farmers in Mpakadan and other neighboring villages can form associations which will govern their price
negotiations and market strategies.

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 Poor storage facilities leading to Pre-harvest losses: Most farm produce get spoilt after harvest as a result of poor storage of
crops.
 Recommendation: Modernize ways of storage of crops should be created and adopted which seem to less expensive.
 Change in climate thus unreliable rainfall (Lack of irrigation): The change in climate makes it difficult to predict the rain
which is the main source of water for farm produce by most farmers in Mpakadan. This makes it cuts down output and
productivity because without water the crops will not survive and the more the rains the more the crops get rotten in the soil.
 Recommendation: Since most of the farms are situated around or near the VoltaLake, farmers can contribute and buy pumping
machines that will be helpful when there are no or less rains in the dry season.
 Inadequate labour: Since their main source of labour is self- employed labour, they mostly cultivate on small sizes of farms
which will be sufficient for them and their families leading to less production.
 Recommendation: Farmers could help each other on their farms based on their own agreements.
CHAPTER FIVE--------------HEALTH AND NUTRITION
1. Health – how many have registered for NHIS, why others haven’t
2. Traditional healers
3. Types of medical herbs
4. Chemical sellers
5. Types of health facilities (hospital, clinics, maternity homes,etc)

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6. Other related nutrition
7. Implications of the above for development and appropriate development interventions
8. Major development problems and recommendations for solutions
CHAPTER SIX----------------
1. Population of settlement and list of settlements
2. Spatial distribution of social infrastructure (football, community center etc.)
3. Sanitation
4. Social amenities (water, electricity)
5. Market centers
6. Implication of the above findings for development and appropriate development interventions
7. Major development problems and recommendations for solutions.
CHAPTER SEVEN-------------
1. POCC analysis in a table form. (Problems, Opportunities, Cconstraints, and Challenges)

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Key Development
Problems/issues
Potentials
(Strength)
Constraints
(Weakness)
Opportunities
(Opportunities)
Challenges
(Threat)

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Key Development
Problems/issues
Potentials Opportunities Constraints Challenges
Poor attitude towards
environmental
sanitation
Availability of
sanitation Bye-
Law.
Existence of
Environmental
Health office
Unit Committees
in each Electoral
Area
High Communal
labour spirit
Government Policy
of Youth
Employment.
Act 462 to regulate
sanitation
National Policy on
Environmental
Sanitation
Unwillingness to
provide household
toilet
Lack pf capacity to
implement Bye-law
Lack of
environmental
consciousness
High cost of
construction
material
Lack of appropriate
technology for toilet
for coastal area

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POCC Analysis of the Assembly in Relation to the problems identified

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2. Recommendations
3. Reference
POCC Analysis ends

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