BRIEF PROFILE OF THE DANGME WEST DISTRICT
IN RELATION TO DEVELOPMENT INTERVENTION AT
AKWAABA AND BUERKA

Introduction:
The Dangme West district is one of the six districts that together constitute the Greater Accra Region.

According to the 2000 population Census Report, the total population of the district is 96,809. However, projections by the District Planning authorities as at 2007 is 118,500 people. The District Assembly is responsible for the total (Human, economic, cultural, political, etc.) development of its area of jurisdiction.

Administrative and Political Structure:

Seven Area Council administrative structures constitute the Dangme West District Assembly and both elected and appointed Assembly members from the various Area Councils converge at the Assembly to deliberate on legislative, development and other issues to ensure the enhancement of living standards of the citizenry in the district.

The Seven Area Councils are:

* Dodowa Town Council
* Ayikuma Area council
* Ningo Area Council
* Pampram Area Council
* Asutsware Area Council
* Osuwen Area Council
* Dawa Area Council

Akwaaba and Buerko

These are two small communities with populations of approximately 300 and 200 people respectively. The population of smaller communities and hamlets surrounding Akwaaba and Buerkowhen put together raises the population of the area to approximately 700 and therefore satisfies the minimum threshold for the Establishment of a basic school.

Economic Activities:

The major economic activities of the people is agricultural and compromises crop farming and animal husbandry. Crops such as pepper, tomatoes, and okra are cultivated by the majority of people in the area. Cassava and maize are also cultivated on a small crop.

Cattle rearing is another major economic activity but the the economic base is generally low and this calls for various development interventions to uplift their living standards.

Felt Needs:

Among the basic needs of the people, the following were said to be key:

* Educational Infrastructure: it is believed that this facility will enhance access of their children to school and thereby open various future opportunities for them.
* Portable water facility: to ensure that water-borne diseases are eliminated to enable both the old and young to avoid the hazards that such diseases produce.
* A dam or dugout water facility: it is hoped that the availability of this facility will make it possible for agriculture activities to go on throughout the year and reduce the reliance on rain fed which most of the time is erratic in nature and imposes limitation on economic development potentials.

Long term needs:

* These include improvement in the road network to ensure easy accessibility from farms to marketing centers.
*Community clinic to handle basic medical needs.


Possible Contributions from Beneficiary Communities:

The introductions of a good sensitization program will pave the way for mobilization of community resources.

Contribution of District Assembly:

The areas which the Assembly can be supportive of the initiative include the following:

•The Assembly will mainstream the school project to come under the circuit supervisor at Ningo Area Council. Thus it will fall under Ghana Education Service program and activities.
•In the area of infrastructure development, the Assembly can provide a teachers' quarters. Future upgrading program can be supported by the Assembly. For example provision of infrastructure to upgrade the school from primary school to Junior High School.
•In terms of human capacity development, the Assembly does provide scholarship facilities to brilliant but needy pupils at all levels.
•Again scholarship incentives can be given to teachers who are willing to stay in the community. Because the area is a deprived area, it will be necessary to give incentive packages to such teachers.
•A wide range of other complementary facilities can be provided by the Assembly.

1. INTRODUCTION: In November 2005 the Diocese posted the newly ordained Priest Rev. Fr. Samuel Laryea to the Dangme West Missionary Area, for vigorous evangelistic work. The places presented very daunting challenges to me. I put my shoulders to the wheel to continue sailing safely the ship of the Dangme Missionary Area.
2. EVANGELISM: The Diocese of Accra in conjunction with Branches of the Vine, USA organised medical and evangelistic outreach in the Dangme West; New Ningo, Akwaaba, and Buako
3. VILLAGES: A t the moments we are working in three villages namely, Buako, Akwaaba, and Lakpleku.
4. PLANTING OF CHURCH: Through the medical outreach, we were able to plant the church at Buako. Our first service was held on 15th October 2006.
5. MEMBERSHIP STATISTICS

Active Members
Male = 12 Female = 10 Total = 22
Baptized under 12 years
Male = 4 Female = 18 Total = 22
Baptized over 12 years
Male = 10 Female = 7 Total = 17
Totals
Male = 26 Female = 35 Total = 61

6. BAPTISM: During the year under review, the Priest baptized ten (10) adults and twenty and twenty - two (22) children.
7. LAND: The Chief at Buako have given as a free land for schools and church.
8. WORSHIP: Church service on Sunday conduct under a tree.
9. LAY PASTORS: We have only one lay pastor at Buako, she is Olivia Nortey. Abigail Nortey is also doing very well at the children services.
10. WATER: The people of Buako need good water. They don't have any potable water. The water they drink is from a pond; both animals and human beings drink from it, bath and wash from it. They will need polytank to put their water in.
11. THE CHIEF: The name of Buako chief is Nene Daffor Tetteh. He is not yet baptized into the church. But sometimes he comes to service and we believe he will be baptize soon after going through the catechism of the church.
12.PRAYER WARRIOR: We have prayer warrior for the mission work. They are nine (9) in number. They pray for the growth of the church and intercede for other church and intercede for the world.
13. LOGISTIC: They will need a polytank as an interim measure to get supply of potable water. For a long term measure they will need a well that will serve about 3 villages ( Buako, Akwaaba and Lakpleku).
For the meantime the church at Buako, we will need
a) Basic school
b) Place of worship
c) Potable water
These requires funds but the diocesan resources are limited.
14.CONCLUSION: Though they are responding, but at slow pace. But by the grace of God we will make it at Buako.

REV. FR. SAMUEL LARYEA
(PRIEST IN - CHARGE)