Berekum, nicknamed "The Golden City", is a city and the capital of Berekum East Municipal in the Bono Region of Ghana.[3][4] The city has a population of 62,364 as of 2012.[1] The native language of the Berekum people is the Bono Twi. As of 2020, the Omanhene of the city is Daasebre Dr. Amankona Diawuo II.[2][5]
Berekum | |
|---|---|
 View of a highway in Berekum | |
| Nickname: The Golden City | |
  Berekum Location of Berekum in Bono | |
| Coordinates: 7°27′N 2°35′W / 7.450°N 2.583°W | |
| Country |  Ghana |
| Region | Bono |
| District | Berekum East Municipal |
| Government | |
| • Omanhene | Daasebre Dr. Amankona Diawuo II |
| Elevation | 327 m (1,073 ft) |
| Population (2013) | |
• Total | 62,364[1] |
| Time zone | GMT |
| • Summer (DST) | GMT |
| postal code | BB |
| Area code | 035 22 |
| Climate | Aw |
| Website | bema.gov.gh  |
History
editBased on oral tradition, there were three Akan people groups who originally migrated and settled in the area (now known as Berekum). The first branch to arrive, known as the Awasu people, are said to be migrants from Denkyira (now residing in Biadan). The second branch also originated from Denkyira, now residing in Abi (4 km (2.5 mi) from Berekum).[6]
The last branch were Gyaman soldiers from Asokore. After the Gyamans were defeated by the Asante army, some of the soldiers escaped west to Côte d'Ivoire. This resulted in a post being set up in Berekum by the Asantes to be ensure that no resurgence will occur. It is believed that these migrations were led by the leaders of Bɔfoakwa, Bɔfoɔbɛm, and Sefa Antwireboa.[4]
Demographics
editAbout 34% of the population is rural while 66% is urban. Nearly 90% of the population is Christian of which 38.8% is Pentecostal, 23.5% is Protestant, 17% is Catholic, and 8.8% practices other kinds of the religion. This is following by Islam (6.5%), traditional religions (0.4%), and those who are not affiliated with any religion (4.1%).[7]
Economy
editOver 70% of the population, mostly rural, is engaged in agriculture. Plantains, maize, cassavas, yams, and cocoyams have been cultivated in the area since the 18th century. Other sectors in the economy include commerce, services and industry.[8][5]
Culture
editThe town is located in the Berekum Traditional Area[a] in which the paramount chief or the Omanhene is Daasebre Dr. Amankona Diawuo II.[4]
Geography
editBerekum is located in the Berekum East Municipal district which borders to the north-east Tain District, Dormaa East District to the south and to the south-east is the Sunyani West District. The town is situated about 32 km (20 mi) from Sunyani and 437 km (272 mi) from Accra.[4]
Climate
editBerekum has a tropical savanna climate (Köppen climate classification Aw), with a wet season and a dry season and the temperature being hot year-round. The mean annual rainfall ranges from 1,275 to 1,544 mm (50.2 to 60.8 in).[7]
| Climate data for Berekum | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 35.0 (95.0) |
41.0 (105.8) |
38.0 (100.4) |
39.0 (102.2) |
32.5 (90.5) |
31.5 (88.7) |
40.0 (104.0) |
31.9 (89.4) |
29.9 (85.8) |
46.0 (114.8) |
34.4 (93.9) |
34.0 (93.2) |
46.0 (114.8) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 17.8 (64.0) |
18.1 (64.6) |
16.8 (62.2) |
16.8 (62.2) |
14.5 (58.1) |
13.8 (56.8) |
15.9 (60.6) |
15.3 (59.5) |
14.8 (58.6) |
16.3 (61.3) |
16.3 (61.3) |
15.6 (60.1) |
14.5 (58.1) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 7.6 (0.3) |
10 (0.4) |
13 (0.5) |
48 (1.9) |
89 (3.5) |
76 (3.0) |
30 (1.2) |
33 (1.3) |
61 (2.4) |
79 (3.1) |
30 (1.2) |
7.6 (0.3) |
490 (19.1) |
| Source: Meoweather.com[9] | |||||||||||||
Human resources
editEducation
editThe biggest educational institution in the town is the Berekum College of Education. Established in 1953 by then chief Nana Yiadom Owusu II, the college was officially accredited to offer diplomas in 2007.[10][5]
Health
editThe town's major hospital is the Berekum Holy Family hospital (HOFAHO), which is a catholic diocesan hospital that serves as the municipal hospital. It was established in 1948 by the Medical Mission Sisters and became a Diocesan hospital in 1978.[11][12]
Sports
editThe town is home to two stadiums: the Berekum Sports Stadium and the Golden City Park. Professional sports teams based in Berekum are Berekum Chelsea and Berekum Arsenal.[5]
Notable people
edit- Kwadwo Afari-Gyan (born 1945), former chairman of the Electoral Commission of Ghana[13]
- Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu (born 1990), professional footballer[14]
- Samuel Amofa (born 1999), professional footballer[15]
- Kwesi Appiah (born 1990), professional footballer[16]
- George Benneh (1934-2021), geographer, academic and university administrator[17]
- Kofi Adoma Nwanwani (born n/a), journalist[18]
- John Paintsil (born 1981), professional footballer[19]
- Isaac Sackey (born 1994), professional footballer[20]
See also
editReferences
editNotes
edit- ^ In Ghana, the term 'traditional area' is used to describe an area in which all of its community members shared the same culture, and are under the same Omanhene (Paramount Chief)[4]
Citations
edit- ^ a b "World Gazetteer online". World-gazetteer.com. Archived from the original on 11 January 2012.
- ^ a b "Berekum Traditional Council Boycotts Independence Day Parade Over Court Dispute With MCE". Modern Ghana. 7 March 2020. Retrieved 13 January 2024.
- ^ "Parliamentary Select Committee embarks on tour of mosquito breeding grounds in Bono". GhanaWeb. 2 March 2023. Retrieved 13 January 2024.
- ^ a b c d e Awuah-Nyamekye, S. Managing the Environmental Crisis in Ghana: The role of African Traditional Religion and Culture—A case study of Berekum Traditional Area (PDF) (Thesis). University of Leeds. OCLC 883285669. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
- ^ a b c d Composite Budget 2019-2022 (Berekum East Municipal) (PDF) (Report). Republic of Ghana. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
- ^ Awanyo 1999, p. 105.
- ^ a b 2010 population & housing census (Berekum Municipal) (PDF) (Report). Ghana Statistical Service. pp. 16, 33. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
- ^ Awanyo 1999, p. 112.
- ^ "Berekum Weather Averages". Meoweather. 2013. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
- ^ Ndetei, N. "Berekum College of Education courses and admission requirements". yen.gh.com. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
- ^ Walker, B. (2022). Religion in Global Health and Development: The Case of Twentieth-Century Ghana (PDF). McGill-Queen’s University Press. p. 28. ISBN 978-0-2280-1169-9. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
- ^ "About Us". HFH Berekum. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
- ^ "Afari-Gyan Profile". United Action against Corruption and Injustice. Archived from the original on 6 August 2010. Retrieved 20 June 2010.
- ^ "Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu quits Great Olympics after 5 months". GhanaWeb. 17 February 2023. Retrieved 3 July 2023.
- ^ "Samuel Amofa - Soccer player profile & career statistics - Global Sports Archive". globalsportsarchive.com. Retrieved 15 September 2021.
- ^ "Kwesi Appiah excited to get Afcon chance". Ghana Football Association. Retrieved 16 February 2020.
- ^ Ghana, Kobby Asmah / Daily Graphic /. "Prof. Emeritus George Benneh turns 80". Graphic Online. Archived from the original on 27 May 2018. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
- ^ "Kofi Adoma to be honoured at 8th Annual 3G Awards in New York". www.ghanaweb.com. 19 October 2018. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
- ^ "Fulham's John Pantsil reveals secret life playing for Arsenal". People.co.uk. 18 January 2009. Retrieved 27 June 2010.
- ^ "Isaac Sackey Alanyaspor'da" (in Turkish). Eurosport. 8 August 2016. Retrieved 29 April 2019.
Bibliography
edit- Awanyo, L. (April 1999). Unveiling the "hidden" processes under a structural adjustment program in Ghana (PDF). National Library of Canada. OCLC 46571001. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
