Location and Size
The Birim Central Municipality is one of the thirty-three (33) administrative districts in the Eastern Region. It was carved out of the former Birim South District in 2007 under Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 1863. It covers an estimated area of about 158.099 sq. km. The Municipality shares boundaries with Akyemansa District to the North, Birim South District to the West and Asene-Manso District to the East. There are 31 communities in the Municipality with Akim Oda being the capital.
Population and Distribution
The estimated municipal population stands at 76,666 in 2024. The male population accounts for 47.8% (36,646) and the female population constitutes 52.2% (40,020) of the total population of the municipality. The annual population growth rate for the municipality is 2.4%. The municipality is predominantly urban having 67.7% (51,903) of the population and 32.3% (24,763) living in rural areas.
Age and Structure
There are more males than females from 0-4 years to 10-14 years in the municipality, but the population tends to be female dominated in all age groups from 15-19 years to 85 years and older. Perhaps more males migrate from the municipality than females or more females migrate in for commercial activities; or more males than females die.
Religious Affiliation
The main mode of transport is road. The estimated length of road in the municipality is 131.5km, comprising 16.5km trunk road, 100km urban road and 15km feeder road. Out of these, about 70%, 75% and 50% of the trunk, urban and feeder roads respectively are in bad state which negatively affects movement of humans and goods which is a disincentive for commercial activities in the municipality. Efforts should therefore be stepped up to improve the situation.
Economy of the Municipality
The major activities that support the municipal economy are; agriculture (50.9%) trade and commerce (20.1%), industry (13.1%) and services (hotels, banking, insurance, transport, etc) (15.9%). These figures show that agriculture is the mainstay of the municipal economy.
Energy
The Municipality has over 90% coverage in terms of electricity supply. Other sources of energy are kerosene, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and firewood.
Water
The main sources of drinking water for households in the Municipality are pipe-borne, borehole and wells. Rural water coverage stands at 71.1%, while that of the urban area is 90%. Water resources in the Municipality are polluted through indiscriminate dumping of waste
Sanitation
Solid waste management in the Municipality is carried out through collaboration between the Assembly and private waste management company namely, Zoomlion.
Information and Communication Technology
All the telecommunication networks, namely, MTN, Telecel, Airtel/Tigo and Glo are operating in the Municipality. Among these, MTN has the widest network coverage and highest number of subscribers. The operations of these telecommunication companies have enhanced communication within the municipality and between the municipality and communities outside.
Health
Birim Central Municipal Directorate has zoned the municipality into 5 Sub municipals. These are New Town Sub Municipal, Jamiaca Sub Municipal, Old Town Sub Municipal, Oda Nkwanta Sub Municipal and Aboabo Sub. Each of the Sub Municipals has a Sub Municipal Health Management Team. There are 4 hospitals (1 government and 3 private) all in Akim Oda and 20 CHPS Zones in the Municipality. There are 20 demarcated and functional CHPS zones according to the electoral areas with 6 CHPS compounds. Presently the municipality has one private medical laboratory. There are about 7 pharmacy shops situated in Akim Oda and there are a host of drug stores widely spread across the municipality. There ten (10) prayer camps in the Municipality.
KEY PRIORITIES AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR 2024
• To improve on the skilled delivery rate in the municipality
• Reduce Maternal mortality in the municipal
• To strengthen SDHMT in the district
• Improve on the sub-municipal parenting system.
• Ensure effective collaboration between the Health Directorate and all other key stakeholders including the municipal assembly and other departments.
• To improve communicable disease surveillance and control
• To ensure efficient and sensitive surveillance system
• To ensure good quality data are collected and entered into DHIMS, and communicate feedback to all health facilities
• Ensure 100% reporting rate timeliness and completeness in DHIMS2
• Promote healthy lifestyle through health education and BCC
National Health Insurance Scheme
Reports from the Akim Oda office of the National Health Insurance Scheme indicated that active members under the Scheme stood at 107,690 as at June, 2024. Females constituted 60,170, representing 59.9% while males made up 45,520, also representing 44.1%. The implementation of the scheme has improved access to health care across the municipality.
