BACKGROUND INFORMATION
New Juaben is one of the three municipalities of the Eastern Region, and has estimated population of 152,858. It covers a land size of 98.8 square kilometers with a population density of 1,507.
The Municipality shares boundaries on the North with East Akim district, on the South with Akwapim North, Yilo Krobo district on the East. Suhum Kraboa Coaltar district on the West. It lies between latitude 60ON and 70ON.
The Municipality has been demarcated into four (4) sub districts with 150 communities.
DEMOGRAPHY
The population is typical of the situation in a developing country. In other words, there is a high dependency ratio; and a pyramidal population structure tapering to the top. There are a number of ethnic groups in the Municipality. The major ethnic group is Akan. Other ethnic groups found in significant numbers in the Municipality are the Ga Adangbes, Ewes and the Northern group (from both within and outside Ghana). The common language spoken in the Municipality is Twi.
MUNICIPAL POPULATION - 152,858
a. OYOKO/JUMAPO POP. - 17,710
b. EFFIDUASE/AKWADUM POP. - 29,572
c. KOFORIDUA/ZONGO POP. - 51,229
d. MEDICAL VILLAGE/OLD EST. POP - 54,347
• Children 0 - 11 mths (4.0%) - 6,114
• Children 12- 23 mths (2.7%) - 4,127
• Children 24- 59 mths (8.8%) - 13,452
• Expected Pregnancy (4.0%) - 6,114
WIFA (23.1.0%) - 35,310
POPULATION DENSITY - 1,507
LAND SIZE - 98.8 sq. km.
TOPOGRAPHY:
The relief of the municipality is characterized by the continuation of the Kintampo-Mampong – Kwahu Scarp. The rest of the district is relatively flat with isolated hills dotted across the plains. The municipality is traversed by a number of rivers and streams; notable among these is the river Densu and river Nsukwao. The vegetation is characteristically tropical rain forest with many big tress of economic importance.
CLIMATE:
The municipality falls within the equatorial rain forest zone. Rainfall is therefore abundant throughout the year with the peak between June and August. Temperatures range from 200C – 290C throughout the year. The hottest months are February and March while the coolest months are July and August. Humidity is high throughout the year.
INFRASTRUCTURE:
The inhabitants seek health services through the following network of health facilities:
Regional Hospital - 1
Mission Hospital - 2
Health Centres - 2
Private Clinics - 11
Private Maternity Homes - 2
RCH Centres - 8
Trained TBAs - 58
CHPS Centres - 11
Pharmaceutical Shops - 22
Chemical License Shops - 146
WATER:
The New Juaben Municipality is noted for its perennial water shortages. Access to potable water is therefore irregular and seasonal in nature. During the dry season, the river and streams dry up and water supply becomes a problem. Portable water coverage is about 80%. This is in the form of pipe-borne water, boreholes and hand-dug wells. The rest of the people depend on the rivers / streams traversing the municipality. During the dry season, the situation changes and the coverage of portable water supply drops drastically with perennial water crises occurring.
TRANSPORTATION/ ROAD NETWORK:
The municipality has a very good road network, which facilitates socio-economic activities. Koforidua is located at the junction of the major trunk roads in the Eastern Region. The major trunk roads traversing the municipality are:
Kumasi - Koforidua
Accra - Koforidua
Suhum - Koforidua
Somanya - Koforidua
The bulk of transportation is provided by the private sector. It is fairly easy to travel from the district capital Koforidua to other parts of the municipality and beyond. All parts of the municipality are accessible by road.
The Koforidua railway station is now non-functional and therefore people cannot travel to other parts of the country notably Accra and Kumasi by rail.
Telecommunication system in the municipality is good; one could call any part of the world from Koforidua and other urban towns by phone.
All the major towns in the municipality have been connected to the national electricity grid. Over 80% of the population therefore enjoys electric power.
SOCIO-ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES:
There are four major occupations in the municipality, namely;
a. Agriculture
b. Wood/ Timber processing
c. Commerce
d. Civil / public service
Farming is the main Agricultural activities of most inhabitants in the municipality. The main produce is cash crops – Cocoa, palm oil, citrus and food crops – plantain, cassava and maize.
The major factory in the municipality is the Intravenous Infusion Limited at Koforidua that produces intravenous fluids for distribution throughout the country.
Koforidua market is the biggest market in the municipality, and the Eastern region as a whole. It has two market days namely, Mondays and Thursdays. People travel from all parts of the region and beyond to use the market in the municipality thereby enhancing revenue mobilization for development.
HUMAN RESOURCE POSITION:
Nurses (Public) - 330
Nurses (Private) - 2
Doctors (public sector) - 50
Doctors (private sector) - 4
Pharmacists (public sector) - 13
Pharmacists (private sector) - 8
Trained TBAs - 58
Doctor Patient Ratio - 1:2753
Nurse Patient Radio - 1: 446
SOCIAL SERVICES:
• No. of Pre-Schools Public/Private - 114
• No. of Basic Schools Public/Private- 128
• No. of JSS Public/Private - 90
• No. of SSS Public/Private - 10
• No. of Vocational Schools - 3
• No. of Teacher Training School - 1
• No. of Polytechnic School - 1
• No. of University - 1
• Technical School Public - 1
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