Destination: Awaso, Western Region

Awaso is a village located in the Western Region, as shown on this map of Ghana.

The Awaso Affiliate, which serves the Awaso and Asempaneye communities, is located in the Bibiani Constituency of the Bibiani/Anhwiaso/Bekwai District of Ghana.

History of the Awaso Community

Awaso was named after the Awa Stream, which provided drinking water for a group of hunters who discovered the area over one hundred years ago and thought it would be a pleasant place to settle. They founded the village, started a family, and welcomed other members of their families who settled with them. The village has grown at a moderate pace, and today is composed of both the hunters' descendants and other individuals who have settled there with them. Awaso has developed into two adjacent but distinct villages being Awaso and Asempaneye.

History of the Awaso Affiliate

Mr. Ackah Boampong, the Assembly member for Awaso, was inspired by the on-going Habitat for Humanity Housing Project at Subiri and introduced the idea to the community. Representatives of Awaso sent a letter of interest to the Habitat for Humanity Ghana National Office in Accra, who sent Mr. Ato Nyan, National Partner, to educate the community on the Habitat for Humanity Program. The community was them given an opportunity to take steps towards affiliating with the Habitat for Humanity Ghana program.

A series of educational seminars were attended by approximately 70 people, including many from the neighboring community of Asempaneye. In March, 2001 Mr. Ato Nyan was assigned to the Western Region of Ghana to complete the educational programs and assist the Awaso Affiliate in its desire to become approved. The Awaso and Asempaneye communities have welcomed and accepted the program. An Affiliate committee has been elected and the community has successfully completed the construction of its first Habitat for Humanity home.

The Awaso Affiliate has a valid land Agreement letter covering the land on which to build. The land was donated by the chief of Awaso. The size of the land is approximately 200 acres. A copy of the land agreement letter is included in Part 1 of this report. A comprehensive land indenture is being prepared. Site plans and plot layouts have also been prepared.

Topography, Vegetation and Climate

The Awaso area is largely hilly with a few scattered mountains. Wooded tropical forests surround the relatively few mountains.

There are two seasons in Awaso with dry conditions prevailing from November to February and wet conditions prevailing for the remainder of the year. Excessive rainfall often becomes a climatic concern during the afternoons of June/July and September/ October. The climate in the area is predominantly hot, with temperatures ranging between 75 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Annual rainfall amounts are between 55” and 70”. The harmattan wind blows during the hot dry season when hazy, dusty conditions prevail.

Awaso Population, Demographics, Education and Religion

The population of Awaso is 6,588, approximately 3,388 female and 3,200 are male. Awaso is composed primarily of Sefwi inhabitants who speak Sefwi as their mother tongue.

Most Awaso inhabitants are farmers, and there are also approximately 7 carpenters, 10 masons, 30 teachers, and a number of laborers from a local Bauxite Company. Cassava is the primary crop, but maize tomatoes, okra, beans and several other foodstuffs are also grown. The majority of the women are traders. Average income of the people of Awaso is about 270,000 and 450,000 cedis ($30 - $50) per month.

There are ten Primary Schools in the area, five operated by the Government and five private schools, and four Junior Secondary Schools. At least 2/3 of the residents of Awaso have gone to the Junior Secondary School Level, with some of those going to Senior Secondary and even University Level.

The vast majority of the inhabitants of Awaso are Christians. Denominations include Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Pentecost, Methodist, Anglican, Christ Apostolic, Assemblies of God, Church of Christ and Seventh Day Adventist Church. There are also some people of other religions like Islam and African traditional religions.

Itinerary in Ghana (Tentative)

Our Ghanaian coordinator, Emmanuel, has provided us with our schedule of events for our visit. Highlights for January 22 through February 5 are as follows: