About Us

       Brief Overview of the District

The Nadowli-Kaleo District was carved out of the then Nadowli District in June, 2012 under Legislative Instrument (L.I) 2101 with Nadowli as its capital. 

Location   and Size

The Nadowli-Kaleo District is centrally located in the Upper West region of Ghana. It lies between latitude 100 201 and 110 301 north and longitude 31 101 and 21101 west. It is bordered to the south by Wa Municipal, west by Burkina Faso, north by Jirapa and Lambussie-Karni Districts and to the east by the Daffiama-Bussie-Issa District.

The Nadowli-Kaleo District, with a territorial size of 1,132.02 km2 extends from the Billi Bridge (4km from WA) to the Dapuori Bridge (almost 12km from Jirapa) on the main Wa-Jirapa-Hamile road. From west to east, it extends from the Black Volta to Daffiama. 

Figure: 1Location of District in National Context

Source: Physical Planning Department 2017

Figure 2: District Map of Nadowli Kaleo

Source: Physical Planning Department 2017

1.2. VISION STATEMENT

The vision of the Nadowli-Kaleo District Assembly is to create a just, free, productive and prospective society for sustainable development.

1.3.  MISSION STATEMENT

The Nadowli-Kaleo District Assembly exists to ensure optimum improvement in the quality of life of the people through the efficient, effective mobilization and utilization of resources with the participation of the people on sustainable basis.

1.4. OUR CORE VALUE

Our core values are built to reinforce our vision and mission statements as follows;

Figure 1.1: Core Values of the Nadowli-Kaleo District Assembly

1.5.  FUNCTIONS

The functions of the Nadowli-Kaleo District is derived from the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana, in Article 240, where local government authorities (Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies — MMDAs) are task to plan, initiate, co-ordinate, manage and execute policies in respect of all matters affecting the people within their areas. In view of that mandate, the Local Government Act, 1993— Act 462 and the subsequent amendment Act, Act 936, 2016 defines the functions for the MMDAs as follows but not limited:  

  • To exercise political and administrative authority in the district, provide guidance, give direction to, and supervise the other administrative authorities in the district.  
  • To performs deliberative, legislative, and executive functions.  
  • To be responsible for the overall development of the district and shall ensure the preparation (i) of development plans of the district; Formulation, executing, monitoring of plans and policies.
  • Providing basic socio-economic infrastructure
  • Effective coordination of Assembly departments, Sub- District structures and NonGovernmental Organizations.
  • To harness human and natural resources and revenue mobilization
  • for development 
  • Providing social protection for the poor and vulnerable
  • Maintaining Law and Order.

1.6.Topography and Drainage

The land of the district is generally low lying but gently undulating at altitudes ranging between 150m-300m above sea level though some parts average 600m. There is one major stream, the Bakpong and several ephemeral streams, which flow into the Black Volta.

1.7.Vegetation and Climate

The Nadowli-Kaleo District lies within the tropical continental or guinea savannah woodland characterized by shrubs and grassland with scattered medium sized trees. Some economic trees found in the district are kapok, shea, baobab, mango and dawadawa and these are resistant to both fire and drought.

The District has a mean annual temperature of 32°C and a mean monthly temperature ranging between 36°C in March to 27°C in August. Mean annual rainfall is about 1100mm with its peak in August. Between October and March there is virtually no rain and this long dry season becomes harsh by the dry north-eastern harmattan winds. Relative humidity is between 70 and 90 percent during the rainy season but is as low as 20 percent during the long dry season. 

1.8.Geology and Soils

Three main types of rocks underlie the District. These are Birimian and granite to the west and some parts of the east and basement complex to the east. These rocks hold a considerable quantity of water, which is a good potential for the drilling of boreholes and sinking of wells. 

Current studies have revealed that there are large mineral deposits which has a huge potential for mining activities. Azumah Resources Ltd a mining firm has been prospecting for the past years to ascertain the viability of mining in the District.

The soil types are laterite, sandy and sandy loam (savannah ochrosols). They are generally poor in organic matter and nutrients because of the absence of serious vegetative cover due to bush burning, overgrazing, over cultivation and protracted erosion. Consequently, the soils are heavily leached. Relatively fertile soils (sandy loams) occur to the east of the District around Jang and support crops such as yams, cereals, legumes, and rice. On the hand soils in the west are generally poor and support limited agricultural activity. This situation is responsible for the seasonal migration from the west to east for farming purposes and partly responsible for the skewed distribution of socio-economic services. 

1.9. Population

According to the 2010 population census, the District had a total population of 63,141 and is projected to be 72,828 for the year 2018. This population is made up of 35,792 male (49.4%) and 36,207 female (50.6%) as indicated in the table below together with the corresponding growth rates as well.  A Growth rate of 1.8% per annum as depicted in table 1.2a below.  

Table 1.2a: Population Growth and Trend

YearMale FemaleTotal PopulationGrowth Rate
198430799 3473065,529  1.5%
200039375 4334182,716
201028,746 32,79361,5611.9%
Projected figure   
201129,621 33,79263,4351.9%
201230,524 34,82165,345
201331,453 35,88167,334 
201432,411 36,97469,385
201533,398 38,10071,498
201634,415 39,26073,675
201734955   36207  71,162 
201835792   37036  72,828 
201936639                                            37859  3785944 8  74,498 
202037491   38704  76,1951.8%

Source:  Population and Housing Census, 2010

Note the district growth rate is 1.8% and the regional growth rate is 1.95  

Note: The population figures of 1984 and 2000 includes to the then Nadowli district and 2010-2020 includes the new Nadowli-Kaleo district which intends explains for the reduction of the population figures and this are projected population figures from the Ghana Statistical Service.

1.10. Age and sex Structure

The age structure shows a high percentage of males than females in the age groups from 0-19 years and more females than males for the group 20 -69 years.  In 2000 the male proportion for age group 70-85 years and older was higher than for females.  But for 2010 females continue their domination for the age group 70 -85 years and older

Table 1.2c: Age and Sex Structure (projected from 2010)

AGE GROUPSMALE FEMALE TOTAL  
0-4 5120 4620  9740
5-9 5451 5113  10564
10-14 5272 4342  9614
15-19 4627 4135  8762
20-24 3148 2462  5610
25-29 2296 2197  4493
30-34 1995 2297  4292
35-39 1570 2033  3603
40-44 1350 2213  3563
45-49 1252 1856  3108
50-54 1188 1668  2856
55-59 987 1366  2353
60-64 1090 1458  2548
65-69 753 952  1705
70-74 535 777  1312
75-79 418 646  1064
80+ 439 569  1008
  37491 38704  76195

Source:  Population and Housing Census, 2010 Figure 3: Population Pyramid

Source:   2010 Population and Housing Census Out of the current estimated total population of 74,498 males make up 35,792 male (49.4%) and 36,207 female (50.6%) thus giving male/female ratio is 49.4:50.6. The situation amplifies the need to mainstream gender in the pursuance of development in the District, as they constitute majority of the population.

1.11. Age Dependency Ratio

The dependency ratio for the Nadowli-Kaleo District is 84.99. This is far higher than the national figure of 44.3.   It should be noted that the high dependency ratio observed is partly influenced by out-migration of certain segments of the population (e.g. those within age groups from 15-64 years old) to the south in search of jobs, leaving behind a large number of dependents. Large dependency ratios have negative economic implications such as low savings, reduction in government income from taxation and investment as well as increase in government expenditure. Table 1.3: Age Dependency ratio projected from 2010

Age group/ratioTotal
All ages76195
0-1429918
15-6441188
65+5089
Total dependency ratio84.9932
Child dependency ratio72.63766
Old age dependency ratio12.35554

1.12.    Culture

1.12.1. Traditional setup

The Nadowli Kaleo District has Five (5) Traditional Councils: That is Kaleo, Sankana, Takpo, Nadowli, and Charikpong, Traditional Areas. Amongst the Five, only Sankana and Takpo has a sitting paramount chief. The other three seats are in contest even though the situation is being handled in a peaceful manner. The traditional set up comprises the Paramount Chiefs, The Chiefs, Sub-Chiefs, Divisional Chiefs, and community elders. Traditional knowledge and the participation of traditional authorities in the district’s affairs are highly recognised. Traditional authorities have been involved in decision making process and dispute resolutions in his district. They ae represented in the district planning and coordinating unit, the General Assembly, and other sub-committees.

1.12.2. Festivals

The major festivals celebrated in the Nadowli Kaleo District are the Willaa celebrated by the people of Takpo, Kalibi celebrated by the people of Sankana, Zenbenti Festival by the people of Kaleo traditional area and Bonbiu by the people of Charikpong. Except for the Wilaa and Kalibi the others have been dormant for some time now. The revival of these festivals is very essential since as they create a forum for deliberations on key issues and finding solutions to problems affecting community development

2.0 THE DISTRICT ECONOMY

The District economy is typical for rural regions in Ghana. About 85% of the population is engaged in agriculture. Most of the rest works in manufacturing, agro-processing, welding and fabrication, and handicrafts, usually for micro and small businesses.

2.1    Agriculture Sector

The district economy is typical for rural regions in Ghana. About 85% of the population is engaged in agriculture. Most of the rest works in manufacturing, agro-processing, welding and fabrication, and handicrafts, usually for micro and small businesses.

Even though the District has some limitations, there exist huge potential for agricultural and other non‐agricultural opportunities. This area also has suitable land for plantations such as shea nut production, mango and among others which are still grown in the wild.

As far as agriculture is concerned, large tracts of suitable land are available across the District for the cultivation of crops in commercial quantities. These includes grains, cereals, oilseeds, tiger nut irrigation, cashew, fruits, and cotton. The District also has many opportunities for irrigation using small and medium-size dams, 

2.1.1 Livestock Production

The livestock sub sector which has been at subsistence level over the years plays an important role in the provision of reliable sources of protein as well as income to both males and females in the District.  The vast grazing lands in the District provide the potential for most households and investors to engage in livestock production. The main animals that are reared by most households include cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and poultry 

There exist great opportunities to further increase livestock production in the District. 

Nevertheless there is the need to mobilize and channel resources into ensuring that maximum use is made of such a potential.

The quality of animals (indigenous breeds) kept in the District in terms of size, weight and other physical features leaves much to be desired. This is due to problems such as inadequate improved breeds and improper animal husbandry practices.  Most of the livestock farmers do not have access to Veterinary Service thereby increasing the incidence of diseases among farm animals which often lead to high mortalities.

These problems notwithstanding, the District has a great potential in livestock production.  These potentials include the availability of grazing land, dams, dugouts, and by-products from the crop farming that can be used as feed for the farm animals.

2.1.2 Crop Production 

The major food crops grown in the District are millet, sorghum (guinea corn), maize, cowpea and yam. Cash crops cultivated include groundnuts, cotton, cowpea, soybeans, cassava, tiger nuts and pepper. . The district is also endowed with economically beneficial trees such as shea nut, dawadawa, baobab, cashew, and mango. 

The Economic constitute a major source of income for women, are still wild and prone to destruction by annual bushfires. There are a few acreages of cultivated Cashew and Mango tree plantations that can be seen doted in the district.

2.1.3    Marketing Facilities

About 85% of the products from the small scale industries in the District are sold within the settlements of production usually at the working site. Out of the remaining 15%, 10% are sold 

Outside the settlements but within the District and the remaining 5% are sold outside the District.

The District has three (3) major periodic markets.  These markets centres are located in Nadowli, Sankana and Tangasia. Smaller markets are also found in Jang, Takpo, Sombo, Kaleo, Saan, Nanvilli, and Serekpere however, these markets are not so brisk, as revealed by the volume of endogenous and exogenous inflows of goods to and from the markets. Nadowli, the District capital is the main commercial centre in the District and most of the settlements in the District depend on it for their shopping needs. Besides, the trading activities in the District particularly in the periodic market centres form one of the major sources of revenue to the District

Assembly.  Thus the improvement of market infrastructure has the potential of boosting the District’s revenue generation capacity.

Figure : Market Centres in the District

2.2 Tourism

Tourism has been discovered to be one of the main driving forces of economic growth in less developed economies.  Even though the District has a strong tourism potential, this is yet to be developed to contribute meaningfully to the District’s economy. The following are some of the sites that have been identified and investigated to be viable in the District:

• Rocks and caves at Sankana

These are the remnants of the slave trade which occurred several years ago. History has it that slave during the Samori and Babatu slave raids the rocks and caves were used to as place of refuge where slaves or people go to seek refuge for several months. It is believed that almost everything for survival was there including a well/ spring which never dried up. Oral tradition also has it on account that slave masters Samori and Babatu were finally captured there.

  • Sombo Footprints: These are the footprints of a man and woman on a rock at Sombo. Oral tradition has it that the two were escaping from Samori and Babatu during the slave raids, and when they stepped on the rock to seek refuge in the forest, they left footprints on it.
  • Ombo Wura Rocks: This has a mystery surrounding its present location. The elders of Ombo say that where the rock is now used to be full of water, which the people fetched for their use. One day after a storm, the water disappeared and the rock emerged. Children swimming at the time were buried by the rock. There is a recognized path to the rock, but it is believed that

going to it without the permission of the elders will make one ill. It is also believed that if one cuts himself while on the rock, he will not bleed. The rock is also the highest mountain in the region.

  • Crocodile Pond at Papu: The pond is inhabited by crocodiles, which are noted to be friendly and have never caused harm to humans.
  • Royal Mausoleums: There are two Royal Mausoleums at Kaleo: Na-Mara and Degunii. History has it that the location of the mausoleums was based on the discovery of a necklace of a chief who died on the spot. With time, a tree grew at the chosen spot.
  • Falantan Anthills at Nanvilli: The picturesque anthills were a haven during the SamoriBabatu slave raids. Covering an area of 4 km2, the anthills are shaped like layered mushrooms.

The layers show the age of each anthill.

• Porcupine Sanctuary or Villages at Cure near Sombo

Game and Wildlife Forest Reserve at Vogoni and Zupri: The reserve has naturally formed palm thickets and other tree species. An access road has been constructed to the Palm Thicket at Vogoni and Zupri Forest/Game reserve and more access roads are in the pipe line. Plans are far advanced toward the formation of public/private partnership provide the needed recreational and accommodation facilities. 

• Bone -setters Clinic at Duong 

2.3 Industry and Commerce            

Agriculture is the main stay of the people in the District and as such the private sector of the economy would only assert itself with the existence of an industry that is closely linked to the agricultural potentials of the District. The growth of these industries is therefore intimately linked to the development of the agricultural sector of the District. As a result, more often than not, a lot of these industries in the private economy of the District are agro-based and small in size. The size of these industries can only be explained by the lack of enough human and financial capital in the District to rise and operate industries above this level. These small scaled industries serve as outlets of raw materials from the agricultural sector. 

In addition to this, it absorb surplus labour in the District, help farm-based households to spread risks, offer more remunerative activities to supplement or replace agricultural income, offer income potential during the agricultural off-season and also provide a means to cope or survive when farming fails. All industries in the District are small scale and can be categorized into farm based, agro-based, wood-based, textile-based, metal based, clay and sand based and leather based industries.  This classification was based on the type of raw materials used in production (See Table 12)

Due to this significant role played by this sector, the Nadowli Kaleo District ready to partner and support investors with litigation free land under the One District One Factory initiative to boost the sector for the development of the District.

Table 2.2: Type of Small Scale Industries

TYPEINDUSTRIES%
Agro-Basedcereals, vegetables, seeds, tubers, fish and meat Baking, Milling, pito brewery, chop bars shea butter processing, ,75.5
Wood- BasedCarpentry, Carving, Weaving, Charcoal burning11.5
Traditional Craft Textiles, Leatherworks, handicraft Tailoring, Smock designing and local cloth weaving7.4
Clay and sand BasedBlock making, Pottery, sand winning3.6
Primary Fabrication and Repair Welding & Fabrication, Carpentry & Joinery, auto mechanics, foundry & blacksmithing2.0

Source: Nadowli – Kaleo District Assembly

2.4 Financial Services 

The financial sector has been boosted by the establishment of the GN Bank in Nadowli. The financial institutions now stand at two (2) namely;

1. The Sonzelle Rural Bank 2. The GN Bank

Despite the availability of these two banks, access to credit has always been difficult especially due to lack of collateral.  The banks mostly engage in legal battles to retrieve credit facilities extended to the public. This lack of trust in the private sector is greatly affecting its competitiveness. The presence of these financial facilities provides the opportunity to credible business men and farmers to have access to credit to expand productivity. 

2.5 Energy

Energy especially electricity is one of the main elements that influence the rate of economic development in any locality. It is a key to production and lures investments. The importance of its availability cannot therefore be overemphasized in the development efforts of any given people.

Currently about 65% of communities out 148 in the District are connected to the national electricity grid. This huge gap in access to electricity calls for investment of Solar Energy in this area. Also there is no LPG station in the District and as such formal and informal workers currently obtained LPG gas from Wa, the Regional capital.   This has necessitated the majority of the households in the district to rely on firewood and charcoal for cooking at the expense of the environment. Shea butter oil and kerosene are also predominantly used by households for lighting.

Below is a map depicting the electricity coverage in the District?

2.6 Solar Energy

The use of solar energy in the district has a great potential for the protection of the forest as tree feeling for fuel wood will be substituted with the use of solar energy. The high cost involved in the provision of electricity can be minimized with the provision of solar energy. The reason why solar energy is not widely used in the district is as a result of the costly nature of solar panels and lamps and their unavailability in the local market

2.7 Transportation

The road condition of the District currently is made up of both tarred and feeder roads.   The condition of most feeder roads has slightly improved over the period because of ongoing reshaping and rehabilitation works. The second class roads include the following:

  • Loho Nadowli Road
  • Nadowli Yirizi Road
  • Nadowli Dapouri Road
  • Jang JanguasiNaro Road

Some of the major feeder roads are;

  • Nadowli ↔Tangasia
  • Navilli Charipong
  • Kaleo SankanaTakpo Nanvilli
  • SerekpereGoli Nator Takpo
  • Somdo Duong
  • Kaleo Chang Kanyinguasi
  • Kaleo Ombo Jang

Despite the ongoing works on the feeder roads communities like Kuuri, Zupiri and Toyenpari are still inaccessible especially in the rainy seasons where most feeder roads become unmemorable. There is therefore the need to improve accessibility in these areas by upgrading of some feeder roads into second class status to facilitate easy movement of people, goods and services. The District Assembly is making efforts to open up access roads to link communities to improve accessibility.

2.8 Security  

Good governance thrives on the existence of an effective and efficient security system that enforces rule of law and as well bring perpetrators of the law to justice. This has been one of the cardinal reasons why the present government is seeking to strengthen the police service through recruitment of more staff and provision of equipment.

For a District to attract investment and promote rapid development there is the need to have peaceful and safe environment, where crime rate is low and there is protection for life (people) and property. The District Security Committee (DISEC) with the District Chief Executive being Chairperson has the mandate to oversee the overall security issues in the District. The members of the committee are made up of all heads of security agencies in the district.  To ensure smooth administration of security issues three (3) police stations have been established at Nadowli, Kaleo and Takpo in the district.

3.1. Social Services 

Health 

The District is divided into eight (8) sub-Districts and each sub-District has one health centre.  There are twelve (12) static health delivery outlets in the District; thirty (30) functional CHPS zones with 138 communities.  These health centres provide comprehensive package of health services, however no patients are detained for more than 48 hours in the health centres apart from the hospitals. There are two hospitals, one government (District Hospital) and one private (Ahamadiya Moslem Hospital).The District Hospital has a total bed capacity of 110.

In the District Drug outlets forms a larger part of the private health sector, these outlets include chemical sellers and drug peddlers. There are 10 known registered Chemical sellers and a number of drug peddlers. The Chemical sellers are trained personnel on license to sell over the counter prescriptions.  The drug peddlers are mostly semi- literates and very good sales men. There are three categories of drug peddlers in the District namely: Peddlers of biomedicine, Herbal Medicines and “neo-herbalists”. Peddlers of biomedicine are found in rural areas and move from community to community and market to market on bicycles or motorbikes. The “neo-herbalists” sell both herbal and modern drugs and sometimes use modern instruments along with traditional medicines. The herbalists include bonesetters, circumcisers of male clients, and traditional birth attendants.  There is a recognized bonesetter at Duong who is highly patronized. Spiritualists see bodily ailments as manifestations of the spiritual beings and depend highly on rituals.The District currently has a total of 88 trained Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs). There are 138 Community Based disease Surveillance Volunteers (CBSVs) who assist with surveillance activities at the community level. Both passive and active surveillance types are used in the district. The district has about 232 Community Based Agents (CBAs) who provide first aid to children less than five years in their respective communities with fever, diarrhoea and Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI)

Figure 1.2: Types of health institutions available in the district

Health Facilities

There has been a significant change in the number of health facilities in the District between the periods 2017 till date. There has been an increased in the number of outreach stations also, as at the end of the second quarter of 2019 the number of outreach points stood at 148.Table 2: illustrates the distribution of the health facilities in the District.

Table 1. 23 : Spatial Distributions of Health Facilities.

Type of FacilityLocationNumber
Nadowli District HospitalNadowli1
Health Centre  Jang, Charikpong,  Dapuori,  Nadowli, Sombo,  Nanvilli, Kalsegra, Takpo and Two Health Centres in Kaleo and Sankana (newly approved)11
Community based Health Planning and services (CHPS) with compoundsKpazie, Bamaara, Tangasie, Charisombo, Goli, Sampina, Biire, Kulpieni, Meguo, Penitobo, Nator, Duong, Piree, Gbankor, Loho, Nyimbali, kanyini, Naro, Korinyiri, Kpagadinga, Tibani  21
Community Health based Planning and services (CHPS) without compoundsBoↃmuni/Gourimuni, Konkonpari, Vogonni, Samatigu, Chaangu, Bigu/Kankanzie, Konkonpari, 7    
Community Health based Planning and services (CHPS) with compounds under ConstructionDapuoh, Papu, Ombo-Kaaha3
Community Health based Planning and services (CHPS) yet to be started in the year 2019.Nanga/Wechima, Tanduori/ Vuuyiri, BoↃduori/ Nyguluu, Niiri, Dapopari5
Ahamadiyya Hospital (Private)MoslemKaleo  1
Total   49

Source: District Health Directorate, 2019.

Table 1. 25 : Types of Health Facilities

  Type of facilityYears   Variance
20162019
Hospital22
Health Centre10111
Community based Health planning and services.28346
Total40477

Source: District Health Directorate, 2019.

The staffing situation in the health sector is major challenge in the delivery of quality and accessible health services. There are (4) doctors currently in the District.  The current doctor /patient ratio in the district is 1:17790. Other major personnel’s that are lacking in thedistrict are midwives, PAs, Community Health Nurses and support staff.

As a measure to close the gap, the District assembly could always identify and sponsor committed students to pursue courses in the above areas who intern will serve the District after completion of their course. A number of capacity building trainings are occasionally organized in collaboration with development partners to improve the capacity of nurses in the delivery of services.

3.2. EDUCATION

The Nadowli-Kaleo District Education Directorate is one of the decentralised departments in the district. It was established in 1992 with the mandate of providing accessible and quality education to all children of school going age at pre-tertiary level. The Directorate is headed by a District Director of Education and assisted by four front line Deputy Directors and Assistant Directors. There are also schedule officers who perform specific duties in line with their schedule. There are 23 teaching and 28 non-teaching staff in the central Administration of the Directorate.

Educational institutions

The District has a total of two hundred and one (201) educational institutions as indicated in the table below.  Table 1.37: Educational institutions in the Nadowli Kaleo district

S/NEducation InstitutionOwnershipTotal Number
PublicPrivate
1Kg74579
2Primary73477
3JHS36137
4SHS415
5TVET101
6Special Sch101
7College Of Edu101

  Source; GES, Nadowli 2019

Nevertheless, there is still much to be done in view of the increasing demand for basic education.

Some of the schools seriously lack furniture and textbooks which are crucial for 

Figure 1.3: showing number, type and ownership of educational institutions in the district

There has been a tremendous increase in the number of educational institutions between the periods of 2017 and 2019. KG schools increased by 12% whiles primary schools increased by 16% within the period in the Nadowli -Kaleo District. This is indicative of the District objective of laying a good foundation for successful basic education. Nevertheless there is the need to pay particular attention to provision of classroom infrastructure at the KG level. On the average, most schools are currently in good condition compared to 2016.

Spatial distribution of Educational facilities

The schools in the District are distributed among seven (7) circuits namely Charikpong, Jang, Kaleo,

Nadowli, Nator, Sombo and Takpo.  The aim is to enhance effective monitoring of school activities by circuit supervisors in view of the increase in enrolment in Kindergarten and primary schools and the need to improve upon the quality of teaching and learning.

Figure1.17: Graph showing spatial distribution of educational facilities

Table 1.38: Enrolment and Staffing at basic school level (2018/2019 academic year)

CircuitInstitution NumberEnrolmentStaffing 
MaleFemaleTotalTrainedUntrainedTotal
CharikpongKG1044855510034711
Prim107687861554331245
JHS418118136220424
JangKG14697708140518624
Prim14123411862420583391
JHS8362310672401454
KaleoKG10351375726221032
Prim98538081661592685
JHS427132859942648
NadowliKG116145321146111324
Prim131097107221695654110
JHS6395466861422062
NatorKG102883326206612
Prim106506111261261238
JHS422623746319524
SomboKG632730863510313
Prim66937441437322759
JHS530230660830939
TakpoKG1348746094771017
Prim11111310002113442367
JHS528037565537643
TOTALKG743212327064827855133
Prim736408620712615308187495
JHS3620172203422023064294

Source GES, Nadowli, 2019

School Enrolment

Currently, the gross enrolment rate in Primary schools is 129.3% which is far above the national target of 120%. Girls’ enrolment rate at the primary school level is higher (136.2%) than that of the boys (123.3%). This has been as the result of a number of interventions put in place by government (capitation grant), GPEG and some Developmental Partners to arrest low enrolment and high school dropout rate particularly for girls at the Basic level. The gross enrolment of 84.5% at JHS level is not encouraging when compared to enrolment at the Primary level.  Generally, girls’ enrolment rates at the Basic level are generally higher than boys. This is as a result of sustained community sensitization about the importance of girl child education. However, girls’ performance at this level is not encouraging. There has been a sharp decline in the performance of girls in the BECE over the past years. Public sensitization and financial support is therefore paramount if girl’ performance is to be brought to the desired level at the JHS.  

Staffing in Basic Schools

There has been a significant change in the staffing situation due to the appointment and posting of the newly trained teachers and Community teaching Assistants to our Basic Schools. The current teacher-pupil ratios of 49:1, 25:1 and 14:1 at the KG, primary and JHS respectively are good. In terms of training, 58.8% of KG teachers, 62.2% of primary school teachers and 78.2% of JHS teachers are trained and thus have the requisite qualification to teach. The percentage of trained teachers has reduced at the Kindergarten and Primary levels because of the appointment and posting of Community Teaching Assistants to these levels. There is therefore the need to ensure equitable and fair distribution of these qualified teachers among the KGs, Primary and JHS to improve upon the quality of teaching especially at the KG and Primary levels where trained and competent teachers are most needed. The inequitable distribution of trained teachers across circuits and schools is as a result of the unwillingness of teachers to accept posting to rural communities due to inadequate motivation for teachers serving in deprived areas.

Major Challenges

Generally, the major problems in the educational sector include:

  • Inadequate funds for monitoring and supervision of schools as well as office logistics
  • Weak and unserviceable cars at the District Education Directorate
  • Lack of official vehicles for Headmasters of Takpo SHS, St. Basilides’ Technical and.
  • Vocational Institute and St. Augustine’s Senior High School
  • Inadequate furniture at the Basic level
  • Inadequate accommodation for teachers in rural areas
  • Inadequate office accommodation at the District Education Directorate
  • Inadequate classroom infrastructure at the KG.
  • Inadequate core textbooks 
  • No accommodation for Circuit Supervisors at the Circuit Centres
  • Inadequate infrastructure (Dormitories, laboratories, dining hall, classrooms, sick bay and library) at the SHS.

The Way Forward

Allocation of adequate resources is crucial for the Directorate to deliver on its mandate. In view of this, the Directorate would lobby with the District Assembly, Development Partners and other stakeholders for the provision of infrastructure, logistics and other resources needed to enhance the quality of teaching and learning in the district.

3.3.  Poverty, Inequality and Social Protection

Over the past decades, considerable efforts have been made to improve the policy and institutional environment for the provision of social programme and protection. Among the major initiatives introduced to provide social protection for the vulnerable and excluded are the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), the Capitation Grant, the School Feeding Programme, and the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty Programme (LEAP) and then the disability fund.   Even though there is an increasing awareness about the rights of vulnerable people, persistent social attitudes towards children, gender, ageing and disability and weak enforcement of laws protecting their rights deny them the full benefits of policies and legislative reforms. Children continue to face developmental challenges such as stunting and wasting, physical and psychological abuse, trafficking and sexual exploitation. Youth unemployment remains a major challenge. Even though there has been an improvement in pro-poor policy formulation and programming with a steady rise in pro-poor spending, Ghana still does not have a comprehensive national social policy framework. 

Despite the enactment of several laws and the implementation of various policies and programmes, only about 10% of Ghanaians have access to formal social security in the face of weakening traditional support systems. Although some informal social security schemes exist to serve the needs of informal sector operators, the scope of benefits and extent of coverage are not adequate. Poor households continue to be exposed to multiple shocks without adequate fall-back options to prevent them from slipping into poverty. The intergenerational transmission of poverty lies beneath the veneer of the current social order with both direct and indirect impacts on groups, and individuals across the various ecological zones. Environmental risks such as natural and man-made disasters, socio-cultural, economic and health-related vulnerabilities, and institutional weaknesses persist that render sections of the population vulnerable.