Overview

Dormaa East District, established in 2007 by Legislative Instrument 1851, is one of three districts created in the Bono Region (formerly Brong Ahafo Region). The district covers an area of 456 square kilometers with Wamfie as its capital, located 14 miles east of Dormaa Ahenkro and 33 miles northwest of Sunyani, the regional capital. It has a population of 73,562.

Dormaa East District is bordered by:

• West: Dormaa Municipal
• North: Berekum
• East: Sunyani
• South: Asunafo North Municipal and Asutifi Districts

Topography and Drainage 

The district features an undulating topography with elevations ranging from 180 to 375 meters above sea level. The drainage pattern is dendritic, with major rivers such as Wam and Asuotia flowing from north to south.

Soil and Geology

The soils are primarily from the Biri formation, supporting both industrial and food crops like cocoa, coffee, oil palm, and maize. The geology is significant for Ghana’s mineral exports, including gold, diamonds, bauxite, and manganese.

Climate and Vegetation

Dormaa East District is located within the equatorial forest zone and has a wet equatorial climate with two farming seasons. The annual rainfall ranges between 124 cm and 175 cm. The district experiences distinct rainy and dry seasons, with vegetation dominated by elephant grass and various timber species.

Transportation and communictation

The road network in the district is predominantly poor, with most roads untarred and dusty, making transportation difficult, especially during the rainy season. Most communities are connected to the national grid, and mobile phone reception is good, facilitated by MTN, Telecel, and AT.

Economic Activities

Agriculture dominates the economy, with major crops including cocoa, maize, plantain, and cassava. Other economic activities include small-scale trading, wood processing, metalwork, construction, livestock, and poultry farming. Approximately 60% of the population are farmers, 25% are traders, and the remaining 15% are involved in various trades and services.

Social Amenities 

The district has daily markets in major towns and a weekly market in Wamfie. Social amenities include one rural bank, a post office, and a police station. Boreholes are the primary water source, with some communities having access to pipe-borne water.

Religion and Education

• The population is predominantly Christian, with Catholics and Protestants being the major groups, alongside a notable Muslim minority. The educational infrastructure includes:
  • Two senior high schools
  • A teacher training college
  • A private nursing and allied health college
  • An agricultural college
  • 33 junior high schools
  • 50 primary schools
  • 44 kindergartens

Health Service Infrastructure/Delivery

The district is divided into four sub-districts, with thirteen functional health facilities. These facilities face several challenges, including inadequate staffing and poor infrastructure.

Collaborations 

The district collaborates with various organizations, including the Dormaa East District Assembly, Presbyterian and Holy Family Hospitals, private and CHAG facilities, and several NGOs such as Mission of Hope, Marie Stopes, Women’s Health to Wealth, and Hope for Future Generation.

Challenges

• Inadequate staffing
• Poor infrastructure
• Poorly resourced laboratories
• Insufficient accommodation for staff
• Poor internet connectivity
• High number of teenage pregnancies
• Bat infestations
• Lack of potable water in some CHPS compounds
• Faulty medical equipment

Way Forward 2024

• Key priorities for 2024 include:
  • Operationalizing a Network of Practices
  • Reducing maternal and neonatal mortality
  • Improving family planning uptake
  • Equitable distribution of health staff
  • Enhancing viral load testing and TB success rates
  • Improving data quality
  • Addressing staffing, accommodation, infrastructure, and water supply issues through collaboration with various stakeholders

Achievements

• Notable achievements include:
  • Zero maternal deaths from 2008-2020
  • Increased ANC registration and skilled deliveries
  • Successful health screenings and treatments in collaboration with NGOs and health organizations
  • Regular stakeholder meetings and supportive supervision to ensure continuous improvement in health service delivery