Economy Natural Resources
Bekwai Municipal Assembly is an agriculturally endowed municipality that plays a crucial role in the socio-economic transformation of the local economy. The municipality's soils are loamy, supporting the cultivation of tree crops, vegetables, arable crops, and food crops. With an estimated population of 51% engaged in agriculture, the local economy contributes 26% to services and commerce and 23% to industry. The manufacturing sector, dominated by micro and small-scale enterprises, provides job opportunities for the youth. The municipality also has tourist sites• The birth place of Nana Osei-Tutu I (First King and founder of the Ashanti Kingdom) at Kofofu-Anyinam • A sacred hole in the forest at Essumeja-Asantemaso, where it is traditionally believed Asantes come from • Annular drainage pattern formed by River Banko. The municipality also has mineral deposits and rich soil types, which contribute to the agricultural economy of the Ashanti Region.
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Green Economy and Environment
Climate change is now a major hindrance to successful agricultural development and it adversely affects agricultural activity since farming in the Municipality is rain-dependent. Rainfall pattern is changing, the sun heat and intensity is increasing due to the negative effect of human activities on the climate. These negative effects are the indiscriminate felling of trees and other forms of pollution, which have seriously affected the rainfall pattern. The Districts’ Department of Agriculture has been recording low food production, low nutrition and can result to high level of food insecurity. There is the need to protect the remaining trees and embark on tree planting exercise within the plan period as well as educating farmers on the dangers of farming along river banks and improper use of chemicals.
Green Economy aims at reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities for sustainable development without degrading the environment. The Municipality does not face environmental risks of emissions and waste from industries that threaten living organisms as the Municipality does not have industries that emit hazardous waste onto the environment. The few industries whose pre-occupation is oil palm and palm kernel extraction generate waste that are recycled and re-used for soap making. To promote green economy, it is mandatory for factories to undergo Environmental Impact Assessment and permit granted by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) before their establishment in the Municipality.