Akim Oda

Akim Oda is a town in the south of Ghana, surrounded by rain forests. It is located in the basin of the Birim River, which is rich in gold and diamonds. Akim Oda is the capital of the Birim Central Municipal District and has a population of about 60,000 people.{{cite web|url=http://www.uga.edu/akimoda/|title=Old Town, Akim Oda|publisher=University of Georgia|access-date=2009-03-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091017063457/http://www.uga.edu/akimoda/|archive-date=2009-10-17|url-status=dead}}

The climate of Akim Oda is semi-equatorial and wet, with significant precipitation during the rainy season from April to June and again from September to November. A dry season is experienced between December and February. During this period, temperatures are also significantly colder.

{{Weather box

| width = auto

| collapsed =

| metric first = yes

| single line = yes

| location = Akim Oda (1991–2020)

| Jan record high C = 36.6

| Feb record high C = 38.7

| Mar record high C = 38.0

| Apr record high C = 36.7

| May record high C = 35.6

| Jun record high C = 34.1

| Jul record high C = 33.2

| Aug record high C = 33.4

| Sep record high C = 33.7

| Oct record high C = 35.4

| Nov record high C = 34.9

| Dec record high C = 34.8

| Jan high C = 32.3

| Feb high C = 34.6

| Mar high C = 34.2

| Apr high C = 33.4

| May high C = 32.5

| Jun high C = 30.7

| Jul high C = 29.4

| Aug high C = 29.0

| Sep high C = 30.4

| Oct high C = 31.8

| Nov high C = 32.6

| Dec high C = 32.2

| year high C = 31.9

| Jan mean C = 26.9

| Feb mean C = 28.8

| Mar mean C = 28.7

| Apr mean C = 28.3

| May mean C = 27.8

| Jun mean C = 26.8

| Jul mean C = 25.9

| Aug mean C = 25.6

| Sep mean C = 26.5

| Oct mean C = 27.2

| Nov mean C = 27.5

| Dec mean C = 27.3

| year mean C = 27.3

| Jan low C = 21.4

| Feb low C = 23.0

| Mar low C = 23.2

| Apr low C = 23.2

| May low C = 23.2

| Jun low C = 22.9

| Jul low C = 22.4

| Aug low C = 22.2

| Sep low C = 22.6

| Oct low C = 22.6

| Nov low C = 22.5

| Dec low C = 22.4

| year low C = 22.6

| Jan record low C = 13.8

| Feb record low C = 15.2

| Mar record low C = 16.5

| Apr record low C = 18.5

| May record low C = 17.4

| Jun record low C = 20.0

| Jul record low C = 19.0

| Aug record low C = 18.8

| Sep record low C = 20.0

| Oct record low C = 18.5

| Nov record low C = 19.0

| Dec record low C = 13.8

| precipitation colour = green

| Jan precipitation mm = 23.5

| Feb precipitation mm = 57.2

| Mar precipitation mm = 119.1

| Apr precipitation mm = 140.3

| May precipitation mm = 164.1

| Jun precipitation mm = 209.6

| Jul precipitation mm = 133.2

| Aug precipitation mm = 72.2

| Sep precipitation mm = 122.5

| Oct precipitation mm = 201.8

| Nov precipitation mm = 130.1

| Dec precipitation mm = 40.2

| year precipitation mm = 1413.8

| unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm

| Jan precipitation days = 1.8

| Feb precipitation days = 3.9

| Mar precipitation days = 8.8

| Apr precipitation days = 9.1

| May precipitation days = 11.9

| Jun precipitation days = 13.4

| Jul precipitation days = 9.8

| Aug precipitation days = 8.1

| Sep precipitation days = 11.8

| Oct precipitation days = 14.8

| Nov precipitation days = 11.1

| Dec precipitation days = 3.8

| year precipitation days = 108.3

| source = NOAA{{cite web

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230928224107/https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/1.1/data/0-data/Region-1-WMO-Normals-9120/Ghana/CSV/AkimOda_65457.csv

| archive-date = 28 September 2023

| url = https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/1.1/data/0-data/Region-1-WMO-Normals-9120/Ghana/CSV/AkimOda_65457.csv

| title = Akim Oda Normals 1991–2020

| work = World Meteorological Organization Climatological Standard Normals (1991–2020)

| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

| access-date = 28 September 2023}}

}}

Akim Oda's economy relies heavily on cocoa, which is grown both on formal and informal plantations, sometimes along the roads. Harvested beans are dried and stored in warehouses until they are ready to be shipped.

The Birim River's northern region hosts a number of palm oil plantations, occupying an area of roughly 6,000 hectares. These plantations are mostly small-scale and independently owned.

The production of palm oil generates various byproducts that can be utilized for other purposes. One of these byproducts is palm kernel cake which is rich in fatty acids and can be used as a raw material for soap-making. Another crop cultivated in Akim Oda is bamboo, which has multiple applications in different sectors. Bamboo can be processed into furniture, flooring, paper, and even building materials, making it a versatile and sustainable resource.

The Birim river, which flows through the town of Akim Oda, is a source of valuable minerals such as gold and diamonds. Local miners use traditional methods to extract these resources from the river bank, often with simple tools and equipment.

The forests near Akim Oda are home to many precious trees, but they are also exploited for timber. Ghana's forest cover has shrunk from 8.2 million hectares in 1900 to 1.6 million hectares in 2000 and is still decreasing rapidly due to the high demand for exports and construction from the growing Ghanaian economy. To counter this trend, forest plantations are being established near Akim Oda (and across the country) under the National Forest Plantation Development Program.{{cite news |date=2008-10-30 |title=Forest Plantation Development Workshop held at Oda |work=The Ghanaian Journal |url=http://www.theghanaianjournal.com/2008/10/30/forest-plantation-development-workshop-held-at-oda/ |access-date=2009-03-21}}

Akim Oda offers visitors a variety of experiences, from exploring the mining operations on dug-out boats to witnessing traditional ceremonies with Akan drumming to admiring the largest tree in West Africa. The tree measures 12 meters in circumference and 66.5 meters in height. The outdoor market is also a lively place to sample Ghanaian food and interact with the locals.{{cite web |date=2007-04-10 |title=Local food festival ends at Akyem |url=http://www.theghanaianjournal.com/2007/04/10/local-food-festival-ends-at-akyem/ |access-date=2009-03-21 |website=The Ghanaian Journal}}

Akim Oda Government Hospital serves the Kotoku traditional area and also acts as a referral point for nearby communities in the Akyem states. There are also other major private clinics in the town, such as the Jubilee Hospital and Oda Community Hospital. They provide health care to the people of Akyem Kotoku, Bosome, and part of the Abuakwa traditional area.

Several educational institutions, both public and private, operate in the Kotoku traditional area. The public sector has more than fifteen primary and junior high schools and three major senior high schools. The private sector has over 20 competitive schools.

Notable people born in Akim Oda include:

• Kuami Eugene, a Ghanaian musician{{Cite web |last=Shem |first=Shemcy |date=2020-10-27 |title=Kuami Eugene biography: girlfriend, siblings, education, home region, parents |url=https://yen.com.gh/106314-kuami-eugene-biography-girlfriend-siblings-education-home-region-parents.html |access-date=2021-06-05 |website=Yen - Ghana news. |language=en}}
• Alexander Akwasi Acquah, politician{{Cite web |title=Parliament of Ghana |url=https://www.parliament.gh/mps?mp=107 |access-date=2023-10-10 |website=Parliament Of Ghana}}
• Benjamin Azamati-Kwaku, a Ghanaian sprinter{{Cite web |date=2022-08-10 |title=Benjamin Azamati: All you need to know about Ghana's sprint king |url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/SportsArchive/Benjamin-Azamati-All-you-need-to-know-about-Ghana-s-sprint-king-1600040 |access-date=2023-10-10 |website=GhanaWeb |language=en}}
• Frederick Asare Bekoe, Chief of Air Staff
• Ursula Owusu, a Ghanaian lawyer and politician{{Cite web |title=Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, Biography |url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/person/Ursula-Owusu-Ekuful-3142 |access-date=2021-06-05 |website=GhanaWeb.}}
• Benny Morgan, a Ghanaian musician{{Cite web|date=2019-11-03|title=Benny Morgan|url=https://www.musicinafrica.net/directory/benny-morgan|access-date=2021-06-05|website=Music In Africa|language=en}}
• Emmanuel Oti Essigba, a Ghanaian footballer
• Justice Joe Appiah, a politician

The Akyem states and the nation benefit from four major radio stations in Akim Oda. These stations influence social, economic and political issues with their broadcasts.

• Akim Oda Constituency

{{Eastern Region, Ghana}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Populated places in the Eastern Region (Ghana)