Overview
Gomoa East District, established in 2017 through Legislative Instrument L.I. 2340, is located in the southeastern part of the Central Region of Ghana. It shares borders with Awutu Senya, Awutu Senya East, Agona West, Gomoa Central, Ga South in the Greater Accra Region, Effutu, and the Atlantic Ocean. The district experiences two main rainfall seasons, with mean annual temperatures ranging from 29°C to 26°C. Covering 539.69 km², the geography features rolling terrain and notable hills, while vegetation ranges from dry coastal savannah to moist semi-deciduous forests.
Agriculture, Education, and Health Services
Agriculture is the primary economic activity, utilizing 169.25 square meters of agricultural land. The district is home to 194 basic schools and two private universities: Pan African University and KAAF University. Health services are delivered through four health centers, 25 operational Community-Based Health and Planning Services (CHPS) zones, a Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) Unit, two CHAG Hospitals, one private hospital, one polyclinic, and eleven private maternity homes and clinics.
population and demographics
The 2021 Population and Housing Census recorded a population of 308,697, with 50.7% females and 49.3% males, resulting in a sex ratio of 90.4. The dependency ratio stands at 78.5, with rural areas exhibiting a higher ratio (86.9) compared to urban areas (71.5). The district’s population growth rate is approximately 3.1%, with 52.4% residing in urban areas and 47.6% in rural areas. Literacy rates among individuals aged 11 and older show that 81.5% are literate, with the majority proficient in both English and a Ghanaian language.
Economic Activity and Employment
The district’s economic activity rate is 69%, with 92.4% employed and 7.6% unemployed, primarily first-time job seekers. Employment is dominated by services and sales (25.8%), skilled agriculture, forestry, and fishing (25.6%), and craft and related trades (21.0%). Self-employment is common, with 65.5% of workers being self-employed, more so among females (76.3%) than males (53.2%).
Water, Sanitation, and Waste Disposal Practices
Housing statistics indicate 38,924 houses and 52,898 households, with urban areas housing more households and having better access to pipe-borne water and sanitation facilities compared to rural areas. Public taps and pipe-borne water outside homes are the main sources of drinking water, while public toilets are the most common sanitation facilities. Waste disposal practices include dumping in public sites and burning by households, with urban areas more likely to have waste collected compared to rural areas.
