Overview
Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem (KEEA) Municipality, carved out of the Cape Coast Municipal Council in 1988 as part of Ghana’s decentralization efforts, comprises four traditional areas: Komenda, Edina, Eguafo, and Abrem. The Municipal capital, Elmina, holds historical significance as the first point of European contact in West Africa, with the Elmina Castle, built by the Portuguese in 1482, serving as a prominent landmark. This history contributes to the rich cultural heritage of the area, which includes the Bakatue Festival, celebrated annually in July by the Elmina Traditional Area.
Governance
The KEEA Municipal Assembly consists of 54 members, including 37 elected and 17 appointed members, a Chief Executive, and one Member of Parliament. It is organized into six Zonal Councils: Komenda, Elmina, Ntranoa, Eguafo, Ayensudo, and Kissi.
Geography And Climate
KEEA is located along the Atlantic Ocean, bordered by Cape Coast Metropolis to the east, Twifo-Hemang-Lower Denkyira and Wassa East Districts to the north, and Shama District to the west. Covering an area of 452.5 square kilometers, the municipality features an undulating topography with batholiths, lagoons, and wetlands supporting a vibrant salt industry. The climate is characterized by high temperatures and variable rainfall, with coastal areas receiving between 750 and 1,000 mm of rainfall annually, and interior areas between 1,200 and 1,500 mm. The district is generally humid, with morning relative humidity between 85% and 99%, decreasing to 50-85% in the afternoons.
Demographic Characteristics
As a projection from the 2021 Population and Housing Census (PHC), KEEA has a population of 177,217 for 2024, with a slight female majority (51.47%). The population pyramid indicates a youthful demographic, with 40.2% under 15 years old. The sex ratio is 92.8, and the age dependency ratio is 86.8, with child dependency notably higher than old age dependency.
Religion And Marital Status
Religious affiliations are diverse, with Pentecostals/Charismatics making up the largest group (28.4%), followed by Catholics (18.2%) and Protestants (17.8%). from 2010 shows that 41% of the population aged 12 and older are married, while 39% have never married.
Economy And Agriculture
In KEEA, 67.6% of the population aged 15 and older are economically active, with 93.6% of this group employed. The primary economic activities are agriculture, forestry, and fishing, engaging 42.2% of the workforce. Subsistence farming dominates, with crops like maize, cassava, plantain, pineapple, and various vegetables being cultivated. Fishing is the main economic activity along the coast, supplemented by related enterprises such as fish smoking and selling.
Commercial Activities
Commercial activities are led by skilled agricultural, forestry, and fishing workers, followed by service and sales workers (20.6%). Manufacturing, wholesale, and retail trade are also significant, with the defunct Cyclus Plastics Recycling Company and GN Companies being notable industrial establishments. The hospitality industry is well-developed, with numerous hotels, guest houses, and resorts catering to tourists.
Health System
The KEEA Municipal Health Directorate, covering 396 square kilometers with a projected 2022 population of 170,001, is divided into five sub-districts: Abrem Agona, Ankaful, Elmina, Kissi, and Komenda. It operates 25 health facilities, including two hospitals, one polyclinic, three health centers, and 16 Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds. The directorate focuses on providing comprehensive health services across these sub-districts, organized around the WHO’s Health System Six Building Blocks to ensure efficient and accessible healthcare delivery.
Conclusion
