Traditional Set Up
The people of Asante Akim South are predominantly farmers in both food and cash crops mainly, cocoa. Ideally, almost every ethnic group in the country can be found in the district which the dominants are the Akwapims and the Ewes. The district is peculiar in terms of chieftancy institution. There are as many as six (6) permanent seas and about fifteen (15) Divisional or sub-paramount chiefs (known as Abrempong) in the district.
There are six (6) Traditional Councils at Asankare, Asuboa, Bompata, Gyadam, Obogu and Ofoase headed by Paramount Chiefs who together with several divisional and sub-chiefs exercise traditional authority. There are independent chiefs who are not paramount but report to Asantehene directly. There are other chiefs also who belong to Juaben Kokofu, Kwahu, Oda Paramountcies.
Traditional Practices
The people of Asante Akim are aware and observed the festive days,like Akwasidae, Awukudae, and Fofie and kept these days sacred. It is a known fact that, every traditional area has it’s own ‘taboo’ day, where people do not understake any activity in the farmlands but rather engaged in communal labour.Eg. Juaso and its surroundings observe Tuesdays as such and Fridays at Obogu.
Attitudes
The peoples’ attitude towards the dead is very high and observed with reverence when a corpse is laid in state. They also observe the oaths of the various traditional area with greatest respect. Attendance to funeral sites is one aspect of life that the people participate without reservation.
Ethnic DiversitiesThe district is ethnically homogenous. The people are mainly Akans (i.e.Asantes, Akuapims, Akyems, Kwahus,) who form the majority of the people. Other ethnic groups areEwes,Krobos, Guans, Gas, and the tribes from northern Ghana. In view of these, there is diversity of cultures. Traditions and languages spoken in the district are varied.
Positive District Potentials
Aside the festive days observed by the people of Asante Akim, there exist some years back the following festival, Denkyemenaso by the people of Juaso, Kwakwaduam by Dwendwenase and TUPREYAKOM festival by the Gyadam Community. Adding to this, the only celebrated festival in the district is the Kwadutwum festival by the people of Kyempo.
With respect to Tourism, the district possess some beautiful and historic sites:
These sites are surrounded by virgin forest which also serve as a tourist potential. The Dwendwenase Snake sanctuary and neutral pots gallery are also part of the potentials strictly underdeveloped.
Religious CompositionIn terms of religion, Christianity is the dormant religion. 68.8% of the population are Christians. Islamic and Traditional religion forms 15.9 & 8.5% respectively the people in the district. Other religions are Buddhism and Hinduism.
Positive and Negative Cultural Practices
The District is culturally rich with numerous festivals especially Kwadutown and Ogyeman festivals of Kyempo and Gyadam people. These occasions were used to take stock of the year’s activities and mobilize funds for development. The negative cultural practices observed in some part of the district include early or forced marriages of teenage girls depriving such girls of Education and future survival. The Department of Culture has interacted with the various stakeholders as, Pastors, Queen -mothers, Opinion Leaders and Youth Association Leaders at Bompata, Juaso, Banka, Asankare and Obogu and other communities to create the awareness of some useful Cultural practices that are neglected and how these could be revisited.
Though the people participate fully in their traditional practices but those injurious ones like trokosi and widowhood rite are not observed.
Chieftaincy and Land Disputes
Juaso, the district capital is locked up in protracted chieftaincy disputes which have retarded the development of the town. There is also a land dispute involving Banka ,Amantia, and Gyadam of the ownership of forest lands bordering Eastern Region. In view of this, the stool land revenue and timber royalties due the Assembly has been locked up in government vault denying the district of the needed funds for development.
Situation of Communal Labour
Apart from bigger communities, communal spirit is very high in most Communities. The Chiefs and the community leaders usually mobilize the people for communal labour. The communities normally set aside one day in a week for communal work.
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