Wassa Amenfi West Municipal is one of the administrative municipalities in the Western Region of Ghana. It was originally known as the Amenfi West District but was later upgraded to a municipal status to improve local governance and development, with Hon. Eric Afull and Hon Priscilla Yorke as Member of Parliament and Municipal Chief Executive respectively. The municipal capital is Asankrangwa, which serves as the main administrative and commercial centre of the area.
Wassa Amenfi West is in the western part of Ghana and lies within the forest zone of the country. It shares boundaries with Wassa Amenfi Central Municipal, Wassa Amenfi East Municipal, Prestea-Huni
Valley Municipal, and parts of the Western North Region. Its location places it within Ghana’s mineral-rich and agriculturally productive belt.
The municipality is predominantly inhabited by the Wassa people, who are part of the larger Akan ethnic group. Other ethnic groups, including Sefwi and migrant farming communities from different parts of
Ghana, also live in the area. The main local language spoken is Wassa, an Akan dialect, while English is used for official and educational purposes. Traditional authority in the area falls under the Wassa Amenfi
Paramountcy, headed by Omanhene Tetrete Okuamoah Sekyim II.
Wassa Amenfi West Municipal is made up of several towns and rural communities. Some of the notable towns and settlements include:
Asankrangwa (Municipal Capital), Samreboi, Wassa Dunkwa, Wassa Berekum, Bena Nkwanta, Amoamang, Asunafo, Patunso, Kokoase, Sompre and Sompre Junction, Gyaman, Oda, Simpa, Wansema.
In addition to these, there are many smaller villages and farming communities spread across the municipality.
The economy of Wassa Amenfi West is largely agrarian. Farming is the main occupation of the people, with cocoa serving as the principal cash crop. Other crops cultivated include plantain, cassava, cocoyam, maize, oil palm, and rubber. In addition to agriculture, gold mining (both small-scale and large-scale) plays a significant role in the local economy. Trading and commercial activities are also common, especially in towns such as Asankrangwa and Samreboi, which function as major market centres.
The municipality has a network of roads made up of both tarred and feeder roads, connecting it to nearby towns such as Tarkwa and Prestea. However, some roads become difficult to use during the rainy season.
Social amenities include basic and secondary schools, health centres, clinics, and CHPS compounds. For advanced medical care, residents often rely on hospitals in neighboring municipalities.
Wassa Amenfi West lies within the tropical rainforest zone, characterized by high rainfall and dense vegetation. While this environment supports agriculture, it also presents challenges such as deforestation, land degradation, and the negative effects of illegal mining (galamsey). These issues pose threats to both the environment and sustainable development.
Wassa Amenfi West Municipal plays an important role in the agricultural and mineral production of the Western Region of Ghana. With its rich cultural heritage, fertile land, and hardworking population, the municipality remains a key contributor to regional and national development, despite facing environmental and infrastructural challenges.
