Bekwai (/bækˈwaɪ/ ) is a town and the capital of the Bekwai Municipal, a municipality in the Ashanti Region of Ghana.[5] Bekwai is the seventy-ninth most populous settlement in Ghana, with a population of 7,267 people as of 2013.[3] Bekwai and Bekwai Municipal are south of Kumasi and north of Obuasi.[4] As of 2021, the mayor of the municipal is Hon. Kwaku Kyei Baffour.[1]
Bekwai | |
|---|---|
  Bekwai Location of Bekwai in Ashanti, Central Ghana  Bekwai Bekwai (Ghana) | |
| Coordinates: 6°27′13″N 1°35′02″W / 6.45361°N 1.58389°W | |
| Country |  Ghana |
| Region |  Ashanti |
| District | Bekwai Municipal |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor–council |
| • Municipal mayor | Hon. Kwaku Kyei Baffour |
| Elevation | 788—984 ft (240—300 m) |
| Population | |
• Total | 7,267 |
| • Ethnicities | |
| • Religions |
|
| Ranked 79th in Ghana | |
| Time zone | GMT |
| • Summer (DST) | GMT |
| Postcode district | AB |
| Area code | 032 24 |
| Climate | Aw |
| Website | bma.gov.gh  |
Geography
editMunicipal area
editBekwai is located in the Bekwai Municipal, which covers a land area of 535.2 km2 (206.6 sq mi). The district bordered the Bosomtwe District to the north, the Adansi North District towards the south, the Bosome Freho District to the east and the Amansie Central District and Amansie West District towards the west.[4]: 1
Topography
editThe town lies within a forestry region along with being relatively flat, with the average elevation between 150 and 300 m (490 and 980 ft) while the town's elevation ranges from 240 to 300 m (790 to 980 ft).[2]
Climate
editBekwai has a tropical savanna climate (Köppen climate classification Aw), experiencing an all-year long rainy season peaking in June, September, and October. Due to this rainfall pattern, farming in the town is characterized by major and minor cropping seasons. The climate is the driest in December and January along with low relative humidity while the rainy season experiences around 85% relative humidity. The average mean temperature is around 32 °C (90 °F).[2]
Demographics
editMost of Bekwai's population subscribes to Christianity, followed by Islam and Traditional African religions. There are many ethnic groups who lived in the town with the majority belonging to the Akan, followed by the Ewe, Guan (Guang), Mandé, Gurma, Gurunsi, Mole-Dagbon.[4]: 31, 4
Administration
editThe municipality has a mayor–council form of government. The mayor (executive chief) is appointed president of Ghana and approved by the municipality council, the Bekwai Municipal Assembly.[6] As of 2021, the current mayor of the municipal is Hon. Kwaku Kyei Baffour.[1]
Economy
editMost of the population is engaged in agriculture, accounted for about 65.5% of all households. The good climate conditions along with the good soil may contribute to the popularity of farming in the area.[4]: xii, 5
Telecommunication
editThere are a total of 27,000 telephone lines that are installed throughout the Bekwai along with the municipality.[4]: 42, 43
Healthcare
editThe town is home to the Bekwai Municipal Hospital, a 120-bed facility which was commissioned in November 2020 after a bunch of delays. Construction started in the early 1970s, coming in at a total of US$25,000,000. The facility contains an outpatient department, emergency unit, and a physiotherapy department.[7][8]
Education
editThe following is a list of secondary schools in Bekwai:[9]
- Seventh Day Adventist Secondary School
- Wesley High Senior Secondary School
- College Of Accountancy
- St. John Senior High School
- Otumfuo Osei Tutu II International School, Bekwai
- Victory International School, Bekwai
- Central International School, Bekwai
- Jehova Nissi Preparatory and JHS
- Milli-Isaac Preparatory Academy Bekwai
- Adventist Preparatory School Bekwai Tunsuom
- Nana Kodom Educational Complex Senfi
Train station
editThere is a train station in Bekwai.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c "Bekwai confirms Hon. Kwaku Kyei Baffour". Bekwai Municipal Assembly. 10 May 2021. Retrieved 30 September 2024.
- ^ a b c Climate Adaptation Plan for Bekwai Municipal Assembly: Ghana (PDF) (Report). Government of Ghana. January 2024. p. 6. Retrieved 30 September 2024.
- ^ a b "World Gazetteer online". World-gazetteer.com. Archived from the original on 11 January 2012.
- ^ a b c d e f 2010 population & housing census (PDF) (Report). Bekwai Municipality: Ghana Statistical Service. 2014. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
- ^ Touring Ghana - Ashanti Region Archived 2012-06-07 at the Wayback Machine. touringghana.com.
- ^ A Guide to District Assemblies in Ghana (PDF). Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Ghana. 2010. pp. 37, 38. ISBN 9988572131. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
- ^ "Akufo-Addo commissions 40-year-old 120-bed Bekwai Municipal Hospital". myjoyonline.com. 8 November 2020. Retrieved 30 September 2024.
- ^ Baidoo, F. (9 May 2020). "Bekwai Hospital nears completion five decades after sod-cutting". Graphic Online. Retrieved 30 September 2024.
- ^ The following is a list of high schools and tertiary institutions in Ghana: "Senior high and technical vocational schools" (PDF). Ghana Education Service. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
External links
edit- Official website
Media related to Bekwai at Wikimedia Commons