POPULATION
Population Size and Growth Rates
The district had a population of 36,463 people in 1960 and it has been increasing at an average rate of 2.9% estimated per annum. Currently, the population of the district is estimated at 103,711 for 1997 with growth rates of 3.7% between 1960 and 1970 censal period, 2.5% between 1970 and 1984 and 1998.

There has been steady increase in the population over the past censal years, with the highest growth rate of 3.7% per annum recorded between the period of 1960-1970. This growth rate fell to 2.5% between 1970 and 1984, this is partly due to the fact that the country experienced drought during 1981 and 1983 which compelled the youth to move to the nearby urban areas for employment rather than farming, which was the pre-occupation in the district.

The mass migrating of Ghanaians to Nigeria during the same period could also be a contributory factor. Since 1960, 1970 and 1984 the district’s proportion of the regional population has been increasing steadily from 3.3% inl960 through 4.2% in 1970 to 4.% in 1984. Currently, it forms 4.7% of the regional population.

The population increase between 1984 and 1998 could be attributed to in-migration as there is about 29% of immigrants currently in the district comprising Frafras, Dagartis, Ewes and others. These people move into the district to engage in farming activities as employment source. Though figures for mortality and fertility were not available it could be seen from the population pyramids in figures 2.4 and 2.5 that the base keep on widening signifying a high fertility rate.

Age-Sex Structure
The age-sex composition of the population is of much significance in the planning process. It affords the opportunity to know the proportion of females to males with their respective ages to ascertain which segment of the ages and sexes need much attention and the proportion that has the ability or potential to help in the implementation of development plans and projects.

For the age distribution, the current survey shows a deviation from the past census years for the district, the region and the nation as a whole. It has a very narrow base and a broad middle as compared with a broad base for the nation and the region. The district current figure shows a percentageof31.8% for children between ages of 0-14 years, 63.3% for those in the labour force  (15-64 years) and the aged 4.9% as compared to the national figures of 45.0%, 50.3% and 2.3% respectively.

The vast deviation in these figures may be attributed to sample error or under reporting of lower ages. However, the age and sex structure indicates great potential labour force which must be utilised for development and an anticipated high old age which measures must be put in place to sustain them. The pyramids that are inserted show the age-sex structure for the district over the years and that of the nation compared.

Labour Force and Dependency Ratio
The potential labour force connotes people between the age group of 15-64 years who normally form the active population. It is very necessary for a district to have the desired labour force so as to be able to pursue viable economic activities for the development of the district. The size of the labour force determines the proportion of the age dependency, thus a high potential labour force would reduce the age dependency ratio.

The Fanteakwa District has a potential labour of 63.3% which is higher than the national figure of 50.3%. Dependency is of two types, thus age dependency and economic dependency. The age and economic dependency of the district are 1:0.58 and 1:1.36 respectively, compared with the regional figure of 1:0.95 and 1:05 and national figure of 1:0.96 and 1:1.3 respectively.

From the figures, one can conclude that in terms of age dependency the district is doing better than the region and the nation. Whereas for the economic dependency ratio the district has a high figure. This indicates that, though the district has a high potential labour force the employment levels are not favourable as compared with the region hence a need for a critical look at the economic activities in the district so as to prevent any worsening of the current level of standard  of living.
Population Density
Population density is the number of persons per square kilometre of land. It is used to assess the level of pressure on arable land and facilities available. In farming communities,, of which Fanteakwa District is no exception, it helps to determine whether there is enough land for farming.
 
The population density for the district in 1997 is 90.2 persons per square kilometres. Population density for the district has been increasing steadily over the years. In 1960 it was 31.7 persons per square kilometres, it increased to 46.1 in 1970 and 65.2 in 1984.

These figures show a higher population density in the district compared with that of the nation (21 persons per sq. km) in 1970, 37 persons per square kilometre in 1984 and 72 persons per square kilometre. However, the district figure for 1997 is better than the regional figure of 109,8 persons per square kilometre.

Migration
Migration in the district is not very prominent. The survey indicated that out of the local residents 92.6% are permanent residents whilst only 7.4% are seasonal residents. This indicates that out-migration is very minimal. However, the tribe composition of the population reveals that movements into the district in time past was very great.

Besides the Akans or the Akyems who forms 61,3% other ethnic groups constitute 38.7%. These other ethnic groups in the district are basically engaged in Agriculture whereas the indigenous residents who move out goes to look for other job opportunities other than agriculture.

Ethnicity and Religion
Basically, there are six(6) ethnic groups and others, with the Akans dominating followed by the Ga-Adangbe’s in the district is a result of the boundary the district share with the Krobos. The table 21.3 below shows the distribution.

TABLE 2.3; ETHNICITY

Ethnic Group	%
Akans	61.3
Ga-Adangbes	13.1
Ewe	11.5
Guan	4.7
Dagati	3.4
Frafra	3.5
Others	2.5

With respect to religion, Christians dominates with 86.3% of the population, followed byMoslems 11.2% and traditionalists 2.5%. The presence of Moslems is evident by the Frafra’s Dagati and other tribes present in the district.These two variables are necessary in the planning process since both religion and ethnicity influences development projects and hence their views and characteristics should be inculcated in development planning proposals.

Household Size and Distribution
The average household size for the district is 5.7 as compared with the national average household size of 5.24 persons. The district figure does not compare favourably with the national figure and this influences the living of the people in the district. The household size varies greatly with the lowest being one(l) and the highest being fifteen(15) household heads unless large proportion of the household members are working.

Rural-Urban Split
There has not been any significant change in the rural-urban split of the population. In 1960 itwas 74.6%:25.4%, it increased to 79.2%: 20.8%, then in 1984 it was 77.5%: 22.5% and in 1997 from survey it was 73.3%:26.7%. This indicates that the district is basically a rural community with about 73.3% of the population living in the rural areas. Comparing to the national ratios of 68%:32% in 1984 and currently 64%:36%, it-could be seen that the district is following the national objective of urbanisation.

Out of the estimated 107 settlements only 3 have populations over 4500, these are Begoro, the district capital, Osino and Bosuso as shown in the Table 2.4 below. Until recently, it was only Begoro which had population exceeding 5000 being an urban town by population standards. These three major settlements happens to be along the major trunk road in the district. The rest of the population are fairly distributed within the district among the settlements. The majority of the population are thus living in the rural areas and they must be consciously catered for in the distribution of development interventions.

TABLE 2,4; URBAN SETTLEMENTS IN FANTEAKWA DISTRICT

Settlement	Population
Begoro	23070
Bosuso	5082
Osino	4872

Employment and Gender Issues
Available statistics indicate that the employment situation is not good. About 66.8% of the total working force are employed whilst the remaining 33.2% are unemployed compared with 19%. unemployment rapeat the national level. It is important to note however that most of those who claim to be unemployed at the time of the’ survey could have been underemployed. This is especially so as most of the farmers have little to do during off seasons.

Greater number of people in the district live in poverty. This is due to the low producer prices and low productivity and production levels in most cases in addition to the high unemployment rate.The predominant occupation in the district as already mentioned is agriculture which employs 62% of the population.