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Kpassa
District Capital
KpassaLocation in Ghana
Coordinates: 8°29′38″N 0°18′27″E / 8.49389°N 0.30750°E / 8.49389; 0.30750
Country	Ghana
Region	Oti Region
District	Nkwanta North District
Elevation	108 m (354 ft)
Time zone	GMT
• Summer (DST)	GMT

Kpassa is the capital of Nkwanta North District, a district in the Oti Region of Ghana. The Oti Region was part of the Volta Region of Ghana until 2019. The indigenous inhabitants of Kpassa are mainly Konkombas. In the past, the inhabitants of Kpassa have mainly engaged in farming. This trend has changed during the past two decades. Younger inhabitants are actively pursuing education and small-scale business activities, while the older ones are into governance. As a result, Kpassa has undergone rapid expansion during these past two decades. The town is expected to expand further once the Eastern Corridor Road Project is completed. In terms of architecture, a returning visitor will easily noticed that the town is rapidly shifting from mud buildings or atakpame to modern block buildings. In fact, most people in the town attach this shift to prestige and affluence in the society. At the current rate, one is expected to find fewer atakpame buildings a decade in the future. The economy of Kpassa is critical to the Volta Region, owing to its engagement in the production of valuable agricultural products such as corn, yam, cassava, millet, groundnuts, pepper, soya beans, and beans, among others.

History and Demography

The present population of Kpassa is approximately 45,000. The entire Nkwanta North District has about 76,394 inhabitants. The population of the district according to 2010 population and housing census was 64,553 with 32,394 males and 32,159 females.

Education

Kpassa is known for the Kpassa Senior High School. The school is a second cycle institution, which runs courses such as General Arts, Agricultural Science, and Technical Skills.

The town has a number of primary and junior high schools, including Kpassa L/A Primary and JSS A and B, ECG Primary and JHS, English/Arabic Primary and JHS, and Ago Primary and JHS. Although all these schools have contributed to the development of human capital in the town, most of the better known figures were educated in Kpassa L/A Primary and JHS B.

Healthcare

Kpassa residents are served by two medical facilities, the Kpassa Health Centre and the Pentecost Clinic. Both facilities have experienced medical staff who are able to take care of common illnesses (cold, diarrhea, malaria etc.) and injuries (bruises, cuts, dislocated joints etc.). Severe illnesses and injuries are referred to Nkwanta and Dodi Papase hospitals. The Kpassa Health Centre is likely to be upgraded into a fully-fledged district hospital in the future, as residents continue to demand for it from the government.

Economy

The economy of Kpassa contributes largely to overall business activities in the Volta Region. The town is known for its mass production of valuable agricultural products such as corn, yam, cassava, millet, groundnuts, pepper, soya beans, and beans, among others. Its physical market is the Kpassa Market, which is located closer to the Chief Palace. As in the case of other physical markets in Ghana, the market trades on every six days. That is, if today is the market day, the next will be in five days. There is, however, a smaller market day, which occurs a day before the main market day. On other days, the smaller market located at the Tinjase Junction alongside the main market carry the "everyday" regular transactions. On the market days, participants, both demand and supply sides, consist of residents and non-residents from Nkwanta, Kadjebi, Hohoe, Ho, Accra, among other places. The market undertakes modern day transactions involving cash exchanges, with a limited percentage involving barter trade. Kpassa's economy is a market economy with minor rules coordinated by the Chieftaincy.

Administration

The administration of Kpassa – strategic initiatives, such as the urban transportation project, and local administration – is carried out by local government authorities, which are responsible for most local services, such as local planning, local roads and refuse collection within their area of jurisdiction. The local government, the Nkwanta North District government, was one of the 28 new districts inaugurated officially on 29 February 2008 by the then president of Ghana John Agyekum Kufuor.

Social Activities

The popular social activities in Kpassa are sports and entertainment. The local schools regularly participate in an annual inter-school sports competitions. The town's main football team is the Kpassa Town Team also known as Kpassa Eleven Stoppers. The football team frequently engages in matches against rival teams from Bimbilla, Yendi, Nkwanta, Kadjebi, Papaase, Hohoe, among others. Some of the local footballing heroes are Yaw Nakiu, Akatapore, Awudu Issaka, and Yaw Kejinji. Locals are avid followers of popular Ghanaian football clubs such as Accra Hearts of Oak S.C., Heart of Lions F.C., and Asante Kotoko S.C. The town also boasts of followers of international football clubs such as Barcelona, Manchester United, Chelsea, A.C. Milan, among others.

Administration

Christianity is the largest religion in Kpassa, like all parts of Ghana, with approximately 71.2% of Kpassa's population being member of various Christian denominations as of 2010 census. The religious composition of Kpassa in the first postindependence population census of 1960 was 25 percent Muslim, 23 percent traditionalist, 41 percent Christian, and the rest (about 9 percent) other. A breakdown of the 1960 population according to Christian sects showed that 25 percent were Protestant (non-Pentecostal); 13 percent, Roman Catholic; 2 percent, Protestant (Pentecostal); and 1 percent, Independent African Churches. The 1970 population census did not present figures on the religious composition of the nation.

Religious tolerance in Kpassa is very high. The major Christian celebrations of Christmas and Easter are recognized as national holidays. In the past, vacation periods have been planned around these occasions, thus permitting both Christians and others living away from home to visit friends and family in the rural areas. Ramadan Eid al-Fitr, the Islamic month of fasting, is observed by Muslims in Kpassa and all of parts of Ghana. This is then followed by Eid al-Adha also called the "Festival of the Sacrifice", which is the second of two Islamic holidays celebrated worldwide each year, and considered the holier of the two.

There is no significant link between ethnicity and religion in Kpassa, Ghana.

Climate

Owing to its location in the Dahomey Gap, where the coast runs parallel to the prevailing moist monsoonal winds, Kpassa features a tropical savanna climate (Köppen climate classification Aw) that borders on a hot semi-arid climate (BSh). The average annual rainfall is about 730 mm, which falls primarily during Ghana's two rainy seasons. The chief rainy season begins in April and ends in mid-July, whilst a weaker second rainy season occurs in October. Rain usually falls in short intensive storms and causes local flooding in which drainage channels are obstructed.

Very little variation in temperature occurs throughout the year. The mean monthly temperature ranges from 25.9 °C (78.6 °F) in August (the coolest) to 29.6 °C (85.3 °F) in March (the hottest), with an annual average of 27.6 °C (81.7 °F). The "cooler" months tend to be more humid than the warmer months. As a result, during the warmer months and particularly during the windy harmattan season, the city experiences a breezy "dry heat" that feels less warm than the "cooler" but more humid rainy season.

As Kpassa is close to the equator, the daylight hours are practically uniform during the year. Relative humidity is generally high, varying from 65% in the mid-afternoon to 95% at night. The predominant wind direction in Kpassa is from the WSW to NNE sectors. Wind speeds normally range between 8 and 16 km/h. High wind gusts occur with thunderstorms, which generally pass in squalls along the coast.

The maximum wind speed record in Kpassa is 107.4 km/h (58 knots). Strong winds associated with thunderstorm activity often cause damage to property by removing roofing material. Several areas of Kpassa experience microclimatic effects. Low-profile drainage basins with a north–south orientation are not as well ventilated as those oriented east–west.

Geography and Popular Landmarks

Kpassa is located between Latitude 7°30’N and 8°45’N and Longitude 0°10’W and 045’E and serves as the district capital of Nkwanta North District. Kpassa is located 270 km to the south of Ho (the Regional Capital). The district has a surface area of approximately 1,1510 km thus making it one of the smallest districts in the Volta Region of Ghana. The district shares boundaries with the Nanumba South District to the North, Republic of Togo to the East, Kpandai District to the West, and Nkwanta District to the South.

See also

• Nkwanta North (Ghana parliament constituency)

References

1. "Nkwanta North District".
2. "Upgrading Of Eastern Corridor Road Project[Lot 7: Nakpanduri-Bawku-Kulungugu (100.0km)]". Retrieved 30 May 2017.
3. "Educational Institutions". www.centralregion.gov.gh. Archived from the original on 1 August 2017. Retrieved 30 May 2017.
4. "References » Schools/Colleges". www.modernghana.com. Retrieved 30 May 2017.
5. "Ghana Education Service, Ministry of Education". Retrieved 30 May 2017.
6. "List of Secondary Schools in Ghana". www.ghanaschoolsnet.com/. Retrieved 30 May 2017.
7. "Upgrade Kpassa Health Centre to a polyclinic". Retrieved 17 May 2019.
8. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2018-05-10. Retrieved 2019-02-02.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
9. Owusu-Ansah (1994), "Religion and Society".
10. "International Religious Freedom Report 2006 Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor". USA state.gov. Retrieved December 17, 2014.
11. "Average Conditions Accra, Ghana". BBC Weather. May 2011. Archived from the original on 21 October 2006. Retrieved 9 September 2009.
12. "World Weather Information Service – Accra". World Meteorological Organization. Archived from the original on 18 October 2016. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
13. "Klimatafel von Accra (Int. Flugh.) / Ghana" (PDF). Baseline climate means (1961–1990) from stations all over the world (in German). Deutscher Wetterdienst. Retrieved 17 October 2016.

External links

• Nkwanta North District on GhanaDistricts.com

v t e District capitals in Ghana
Ahafo Region	Bechem Duayaw Nkwanta Goaso Hwidiem Kenyasi Kukuom
Ashanti Region	Adansi Asokwa Adansi Asokwa Adugyama Agogo Agona Akumadan Akrofuom Asiwa Asokore Mampong Asokwa Barekese Bekwai Boamang Drobonso Effiduase Ejisu Ejura Fomena Jacobu Juaben Juaso Kodie Konongo-Odumase Kumasi Kumawu Kuntanase Kwadaso Mampong Mamponteng Mankranso Manso Adubia Manso Nkwanta New Edubiase Nkawie Nsuta Nyinahin Obuasi Offinso New Town Oforikrom Old Tafo Suame Tepa Tutuka Twedie
Bono Region	Banda Ahenkro Berekum Japekrom Dormaa Ahenkro Drobo Jinijini Nkrankwanta Nsawkaw Odumase Sampa Sunyani Wamfie Wenchi
Bono East Region	Atebubu Busunya Jema Kajaji Kintampo Kwame Danso Nkoranza Prang Techiman Tuobodom Yeji
Central Region	Abura-Dunkwa Afransi Agona Swedru Ajumako Apam Assin Bereku Assin Foso Awutu Breku Breman Asikuma Cape Coast Diaso Dunkwa-on-Offin Elmina Essarkyir Hemang Kasoa Nsaba Nsuaem Kyekyewere Potsin Saltpond Twifo Praso Winneba
Eastern Region	Abetifi Aburi Achiasi Adeiso Adukrom Akim Oda Akim Swedru Akropong Akwatia Anyinam Asamankese Asesewa Atimpoku Begoro Coaltar Donkorkrom Effiduase Kade Kibi Koforidua Krobo Odumase Kukurantumi Kwabeng Manso Mpraeso New Abirem Nkawkaw Nsawam Ofoase Osino Somanya Suhum Tease
Greater Accra Region	Abeka Abokobi Accra Accra New Town Ada Foah Adenta Amasaman Ashaiman Dansoman Darkuman Dodowa Dzorwulu Kokomlemle Kpone La Lartebiokoshie Madina Ngleshie Amanfro Nima Ofankor Osu Prampram Sege Sowutuom Tema Tema Community 18 Teshie Weija
North East Region	Bunkpurugu Chereponi Gambaga Nalerigu Walewale Yagaba Yunyoo
Northern Region	Bimbilla Gushegu Karaga Kpandae Kumbungu Nanton Saboba Sagnarigu Sang Savelugu Tamale Tatale Tolon Wulensi Yendi Zabzugu
Oti Region	Chinderi Dambai Jasikan Kadjebi Kete Krachi Kpassa Nkonya Ahenkro Nkwanta
Savannah Region	Bole Buipe Daboia Damongo Kpalbe Salaga Sawla
Upper East Region	Bawku Bolgatanga Binduri Bongo Fumbisi Garu Navrongo Nangodi Paga Pusiga Sandema Tempane Tongo Zebilla Zuarungu
Upper West Region	Funsi Gwollu Issa Jirapa Lambussie Lawra Nadowli Nandom Tumu Wa Wechiau
Volta Region	Adaklu Waya Adidome Akatsi Anfoega Anloga Ave-Dakpa Battor Dugame Denu Dzodze Dzolokpuita Ho Hohoe Keta Kpandu Kpetoe Kpeve Sogakope Ve Golokwati
Western Region	Agona Nkwanta Asankragua Axim Daboase Half Assini Kwesimintsim Manso Amenfi Mpohor Nkroful Prestea Sekondi Shama Takoradi Tarkwa Wassa-Akropong
Western North Region	Adabokrom Akontombra Bibiani Bodi Dadieso Enchi Essam Juaboso Wiawso
Regional capitals in bold Regions of Ghana Districts of Ghana List of Settlements in Ghana

• Populated places in the Oti Region