Atebubu Amantin District: A Rich Investment Destination In Brong Ahafo
Introduction
Atebubu Amantin district is located at the eastern end of the Brong Ahafo region. The District covers a land area of 1,996km2. Atebubu-Amantin District is one of the twenty seven (27) districts in the Brong-Ahafo Region and has Atebubu as its administrative capital. It is bordered to the north by East Gonja District (Northern Region) and Pru district (Brong Ahafo Region) and to the south by Ejura- Sekyeredumasi District in the Ashanti Region. To the east, it shares boundaries with the Sene West District and to the west with Kintampo and Nkoranza Districts, all in the Brong-Ahafo Region. The District was established by Legislative Instrument (L.I) 1770. The population of the District according to 2010 population and housing census was 105,938 with 53,674 males 52,264 females.
The economy of Atebubu-Amantin District is dominated by agriculture and its related activities.
The sector acounts for 70 percent of the active labour force compared with 57.0 percent at the national level. The district derives its name from the biggest settlements: Atebubu and Amantin. The district is about 4 hours drive from the regional capital, Sunyani. The road network within the district is not good outside of the major major towns. However, the Kumasi-Yeji highway which passes through the Atebubu and Amantin gives it ready access to the Kumasi market and the rest of the country. Poverty levels are high in the district and its surrounding districts.
Investment opportunities
The area has many investment opportunities. Local and foreign investors will find the district very attractive destination for investment.
- Fertile lands
The district is endowed with fertile land suitable for large scale farming. Out of a total of
22,261 hectares of arable land, only 3, 167.6 hectares is currently utilized. The land is suitable particularly for maize, cassava, mangoes, cashew, and yam farming. Studies done by this researcher have revealed a high potential for the cultivation of non-traditional crops. The vast lands are also very good for vegetable farming. The Volta Lake and small water bodies make the district very suitable for irrigated commercial farming. The Atebubu and Amantin towns have the facilities and infrastructure to host agro processing factories. Land acquisition from the traditional authorities is not difficult.
- The Volta lake
The Volta Lake extends into the district and this throws up some unique investment opportunities. The Volta Lake is ideal for fishing, irrigation, marine tourism and transportation. The serene environment of the district makes it very ideal for vacation and resort investment. Fish processing companies will find the district very suitable as it has year round supply of fishes from the Volta Lake.
- Mineral deposits
The district also has large deposits of minerals which are unexploited. Mining companies will find the gold deposits at Prang, Zabrama, Konkoma, and Fakwasi very profitable. Limestone exists at Benin, Konkoma, and Parambo. The limestone deposits are huge opportunities for investors interested in quarrying, tiles and businesses. The clay deposits at Parambo and Konkoma are major source of raw materials for the brick, ceramics and pottery products. The town of konkoma could be developed into a mining industrial city in the region given its huge deposits of gold, limestone and clay.
- Hospitality
The high population growth rates of the Atebubu and Amanten town have increased the demand for residential and commercial properties. The demand for hospitality facilities ecxceed the demand by a wide margin. Investors interested in hospitality and real estates will find the district very attractive.
Conclusion
the Atebubu Amantin district, like all districts of the Brong Ahafo region, has large investment opportunities but they attract very little investment. The living standards of the over 80,000 residents of the district will be improved if the opportunities are exploited. Investors must consider this area as a profitable investment destination.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
The author of this article is Edward Twum Anane. He is a Management lecturer at the Catholic University of Ghana. He is also a consultant in investment and enterprise development with special expertise in Brong Ahafo Region. He can be reached on 0247471231 or email: ananeedward@gmail.com.
Disclaimer: "The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect ModernGhana official position. ModernGhana will not be responsible or liable for any inaccurate or incorrect statements in the contributions or columns here."