Sefwi Wiawso

Last updated

Sefwi Wiawso
District Capital
A glance at the Sefwi Wiawso Town.jpg
Ghana adm location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Sefwi Wiawso
Location in Ghana
Coordinates: 06°12′57″N02°29′06″W / 6.21583°N 2.48500°W / 6.21583; -2.48500
Country Flag of Ghana.svg Ghana
Region Western North Region
District Sefwi-Wiawso District
Elevation
200 ft (60 m)
Time zone GMT
 • Summer (DST) GMT

Sefwi Wiawso is a town in the Sefwi-Wiawso Municipal District in the Western North Region of Ghana. It doubles as the capital of Sefwi-Wiawso Municipal District and Western North Region. [1] [2] [3] Wiawso serves as the traditional seat for the Omanhene of Sefwi-Wiawso traditional area. The settlement of Wiawso began on hilltop with Sefwi-Dwenase settlement occupying the lowlands. Overtime, Wiawso and Sefwi-Dwenase have conurbated with almost all the financial institutions, governmental agency-offices, lorry terminals and the main market all located in Sefwi Dwenase. Wiawso is known for producing timber, cocoa and cashew.[ citation needed ] One of Ghana's 261 Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), Sefwi Wiawso Municipal is a member of the 22 MMDAs in the Western North Region. Legislative Instrument (L.I) 1386, which was passed on November 23, 1988, formed the Municipality and designated Wiawso as its official capital. [4] Based on the 2021 population and residential census, there are 151,220 people living in the Municipality, including 75,905 men and 75,315 women. [4]

Contents

History

Just like any other township or village in Ghana that has a name, there is a special story and a history behind the name, Sefwi Wiawso. The lands on which Sefwi Wiawso is located in the moment was once a thicket of forest with abundance of game and fertile soil. Through hunting the people came to discover the potential of the lands that has now become the Wiawso township. Over time, the then farmers realized the fertility of the soil and took advantage of it by starting cocoa farms there. Amongst the early settlers were the family of the then king, Nana Kwasipanin Bumankama and his wife Kooko Adwoa. [5]

The first woman of the land was believed to have established a groundnut farm on top of the hill so they received much sunlight in most times of the day. She(the first lady) later named the place of her groundnut farm “Eyia wo so” which literally meant there is abundance of sunlight here. This place is what has now become known as Sefwi Wiawso as the people came to build their homes there. It is believed that Nana Kwasipanin Bumankama came to kill an elephant at where Sefwi Wiawso highlands and raised a high platform for preparing and drying the game. The king later come to realize that the highlands is very suitable place for settlements and very strategic in view of the rampant battles during those times. That would help them see oncoming enemies in the lowlands. [5]

The people therefore moved and made their new settlement at the Sefwi Wiawso highlands under Nana Bumankama, the sixth king of the Sefwi area. This is the settlement that has developed to become Sefwi Wiawso of today, a land with people especially with passion for Agriculture. [5]

Jewish community

Sefwi Wiawso is home to a Jewish community known as the House of Israel. The community maintains the Sefwi Wiawso Synagogue. [6]

Traditional Council

The Paramount Chief of Sefwi Wiawso is Katakyire Kwasi Bumangamah II. The chief of Sefwi Nsuasua is Nana Elluo Payin who doubles as Kyidomhene of the Sefwi Wiawso Traditional Council. The Chief of Sefwi Boinzan and Kontihene of Sefwi Wiawso Traditional Council is Nana Ofori Ahenkan II. [7]

Economy

Agriculture is the major economic activity in Wiawso, thus in terms of employment and income generation, with about 80% of the working population engaged in this sector which constitutes the main source of household income. There are three prominent types of farming activities in this area are livestock farming, food and cash crop farming. The most predominant amongst these cash crop productions is cocoa which constitute a greater percentage of the farmers in Wiawso and surrounding communities. [8]

Education

Prominent among the educational institutions in Wiawso are Wiawso College of Education, Sefwi Wiawso Senior High School, Sefwi Wiawso Senior High Technical School and Sefwi Wiawso College of Health. [9]

Tourism

The Tree of God (Nyame Dua). The tree of God is located at Nyamebekyere, a distance of about 5 km from Sefwi Wiawso. It is said that about 150 years ago, a farmer struck a machete into the stump of the tree and this is still visible in the trunk of the tree. The tree has continuously been growing ever since, and today the trunk of the tree completely surrounds the machete. [10]

Abombirim sacred tortoise forest. It is a sacred forest preserve in which a giant tortoise lives. When one sees the tortoise and picks it, there turn to be total darkness in the forest. Until such a time that the tortoise is left for light to re-appear, one will not be able to find a way out of the forest. It is located at Sefwi Boako, a 21 km distance from Sefwi Wiawso. [10]

Ancestral hole. The ancestral hole is at Sefwi Bosomoiso, about 4 km from Sefwi Wiawso, the capital. It is believed that the royal family of Bosomoiso community originated from this hole. It is believed to be a bottomless hole surrounded by trees but no leaves fall into it. The hole is alleged to have healing powers (Western region: Human development report 2013 by UNDP). [10] [8]

Festival

The chiefs and people of Sefwi-Wiawso traditional area celebrate the Alluolue Festival (Yam, Eluo). This festival is celebrated to mark an event that took place in the past. [11] The festival is claimed to bring together people for the planning of development and sew bonds of unity and friendship. During the festival, visitors are welcomed to share food and drinks. The people put on traditional clothes and there is durbar of chiefs. There is also dancing and drumming. [12] [13] To commemorate a historic occurrence, the occasion is held. The event aims to bring people together in order for planning for growth and to forge ties of brotherhood and solidarity. The chiefs settle disputes prior to the festive commemoration to guarantee a trouble-free occasion. [14]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Regions of Ghana</span> 16 principal administrative areas of the republic in West Africa

The regions of Ghana are the first level of subnational government administration within the Republic of Ghana. As of 2020, there are 16 regions, which are further divided for administrative purposes into 260 local metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Otumfuo Nana Osei Tutu II</span> Ghanaian monarch of Asante

Osei Tutu II is the 16th Asantehene, enstooled on 26 April 1999. By name, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II is in direct succession to the 17th-century founder of the Ashanti Empire, Otumfuo Osei Tutu I. He is also the Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. Otumfuo Osei Tutu II is the Grand Patron of the Grand Lodge of Ghana and the Sword Bearer of the United Grand Lodge of England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Districts of Ghana</span> Second-level administrative subdivisions of Ghana

The Districts of Ghana are second-level administrative subdivisions of Ghana, below the level of region. There are currently 261 local metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Upper West Region</span> Region of Ghana

The Upper West Region of Ghana is located in the north-western corner of Ghana and is bordered by Upper East Region to the east, Northern Region to the south, and Burkina Faso to the west and north. The Upper West regional capital and largest settlement is Wa. The Upper West was created by the then Head of State, Flight-Lieutenant Jerry Rawlings in 1983 under the Provisional National Defense Council (PNDC) military regime. The area was carved out of the former Upper Region, which is now the Upper East Region. For about thirty-five years, it remained the youngest region of Ghana until 2018 when six more regions were created by the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo government; hence increasing the total number of administrative regions in the country to sixteen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bawku</span> Town and district capital in Upper East Region, Ghana

Bawku is a town and is the capital of the Bawku Municipal District, district in the Upper East region of north Ghana, adjacent to the border with Burkina Faso. It is located approximately between latitudes 11o 111 and 100 401 North and longitude 0o 181w and 0o 61 E in the north-eastern corner of the region. The municipality has a total land area of about 257 sq km. The Municipality was established by Legislative Instrument (L.I) 2103. The municipality has a total land area of about 257 sq km. Bawku has a 2021 settlement population of 119,458 people. Hon. Ayariga Mahama is the Member of Parliament for Bawku Central Constituency.

Ejisu is a city in Greater Kumasi located along the Kumasi-Accra highway about 20 km from Kumasi. It is the capital of Ejisu Municipal Assembly, a municipality of the Ashanti Region, Ghana. This municipal is one of the 30 administrative and political Districts in the Ashanti Region of Ghana and it was established by Legislative Instrument (L.I) 1890. In 2020, the Nkosuohene of Ejisu was Nana Kofi Poku. In 2022, the Chief of Ejisu was Nana Afrane Okese. As at 2024. the Municipal Chief Executive of the town was Mr Samuel Oduro Frimpong.

In several Akan nations of Ghana, the Omanhene is the title of the supreme traditional ruler ('king') in a region or a larger town. The omanhene is the central figure and institution of the nation. Officially, he has no function in the current Ghanaian political setup, but, has enormous influence on the people that constitute it. Today 'Hene' can be found in titles of other rulers in Ghanaian nations. For example, the chief of the Dagomba in the north of Ghana is known as the 'Dagombahene'.

The Sefwi are an Akan people.

Asunafo North Municipal District is one of the six districts in Ahafo Region, Ghana. It was formerly part of the then-larger Asunafo District from 1988 until the southern part of the district was split off by a decree of president John Agyekum Kufuor on 12 November 2003 to become Asunafo South District. The remaining northern part was renamed as Asunafo North District which was later elevated to municipal status on 29 February 2008 to become Asunafo North Municipal District. The municipality is located in the western part of Ahafo Region and has Goaso as its capital town.

Kwawkrom is a community in the Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai Western Region of Ghana. It is a rain forest reserve situated near the Boin Tano Nature Reserve. It is approximately 20 kilometers South West of Bibiani.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kwaku Afriyie</span> Ghanaian politician

Kwaku Afriyie is a Ghanaian politician, farmer and a member of the New Patriotic Party in Ghana. He was the Western Regional minister of Ghana from 2017 to 2018. He was appointed by President Nana Addo Danquah Akuffo-Addo in January 2017 and was approved by the Members of Parliament in February 2017. He is the member of Parliament for Sefwi Wiawso constituency in the Western North Region of Ghana in 7th and Eighth Parliament of the Fourth Republic of Ghana.

The Sefwi Wiawso Senior High School is co-ed second cycle educational institution in Sefwi Wiaso in the Western North Region of Ghana.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Juaboso (district)</span> District in Western North Region, Ghana

Juaboso District is one of the nine districts in Western North Region, Ghana. Originally it was formerly part of the then-larger Juaboso-Bodi District in August 2004, which was created from the former Sefwi-Bibiani District Council, until the southeast part of the district was split off to create Bodi District on 28 June 2012; thus the remaining part has been renamed as Juaboso District. The district assembly is located in the northwest part of Western North Region and has Juaboso as its capital town.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">North East Region, Ghana</span> Region of Ghana

The North East Region is one of the sixteen regions of Ghana. It is located in the north of the country and was created in December 2018 after a referendum was voted upon to break it off of the Northern region. The region's capital is Nalerigu.

Okogyeabour Nkuah Okomdom II was a traditional ruler and Paramount chief of the Sefwi Wiawso Traditional Area in the Western Region of Ghana from 1997 to 2011.

Alluolue Festival is a Ghanaian annual festival celebrated by the chiefs and people of Sefwi Wiawso and Sefwi Bekwai in the Western North region, formally Western region of Ghana. It is usually celebrated in the month of July. Others also claim it is celebrated in November/December.

Sefwi Debiso is a town in the Bia West District in the Western North Region of Ghana. It is a central town located between three major towns: Essam, Sefwi Adabokrom and Adwuofua. Because of rapid expansion, Debiso has conurbated with the nearby Community Essam. Presently, Sefwi Debiso & Essam serve as co-capitals of the Bia West District. There are direct distant routes from Debiso to major towns such as Kumasi, Berekum, Mim Ahafo, Sefwi-Wiawso and republic of Ivory Coast. Debiso is known for producing cocoa and timber. Debiso is also noted for the Bia National Park.

Adabokrom is a town in Western North Region of Ghana. It is the capital of Bia East. Adabokrom was named the District capital after Bia East District split from Bia District in 2012. Adabokrom is about 250 km west of Kumasi. The town is noted for cocoa production.

Sefwi Bodi is a town in the Western North Region of Ghana. The people in this community are mainly Sefwi people. In June 2012, Sefwi Bodi wa elevated as the capital of the then newly created Bodi (district). Bodi is 60 km west of Sefwi Wiawso the regional capital. Bodi is considered one of the breadbaskets of Ghana. Greater percentage of foodstuffs sent to major cities like Kumasi and Accra come from Sefwi Bodi. Sefwi Bodi is noted for the Bodi Senior High School which is the only second cycle institution in that area of the country.

HRH Oheneba Nana Kwame Obeng II is the recognized traditional sovereign leader of the Sefwi Obeng-Mim stool lands and Chief of the Royal House of Sefwi Obeng-Mim in the Republic of Ghana. He is the ruler, and Toufohene of the dynastic orders, of Sefwi Obeng-Mim stool lands, a subnational kingdom in the Sefwi Wiawso Traditional Territory of Ghana. He was appointed by the Paramount Chief as a Divisional Chief, overseeing other local chieftaincies.

References

  1. ↑ "Sefwi Wiawso named capital of Western North region". 15 February 2019.
  2. ↑ "Google Chrome – Download the fast, secure browser from Google". sefwiwiawso.ghanadistricts.gov.gh. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  3. ↑ Touring Ghana - Western Region
  4. 1 2 "Ghana Districts: A repository of all Local Assemblies in Ghana". www.ghanadistricts.com. Retrieved 2023-09-07.
  5. 1 2 3 Khaxtro, Castro (2015-02-26). "Sefwi Wiawso, The Sunshine Town". The Sefwi People. Retrieved 2023-08-29.
  6. ↑ "Ghana's deep spirituality points some, joyfully, back to Judaism". The Times of Israel . Retrieved 2022-04-03.
  7. ↑ "Sefwi Wiawso Traditional Council launches 2023 Eluo festival". www.myjoyonline.com. Retrieved 2023-08-29.
  8. 1 2 "THE COMPOSITE BUDGET OF THE SEFWI WIAWSO DISTRICT ASSEMBLY FOR THE 2015 FISCAL YEAR" (PDF). March 14, 2015.
  9. ↑ GNA (2023-07-31). "Sefwi-Asafo college of health holds maiden congregation for 308 graduates". Ghana News Agency. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  10. 1 2 3 "Ghana Districts: A repository of all Local Assemblies in Ghana". www.ghanadistricts.com. Retrieved 2023-08-29.
  11. ↑ "The Consulate General Of The Republic of GHANA in The United Arab Emirates (Dubai)". www.ghanaconsulatedubai.com. Retrieved 2020-08-21.
  12. ↑ "Sefwi Wiawso Traditional Council launches 2023 Eluo festival". www.myjoyonline.com. Retrieved 2023-08-29.
  13. ↑ "Major Festivals". www.ghanaembassyiran.com. Retrieved 2020-08-21.
  14. ↑ "Sefwi Wiawso Traditional Council launches 2023 Eluo festival". www.myjoyonline.com. Retrieved 2023-09-07.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.