Bia is a former district in the Western North Region of Ghana, on the north-western border with Côte d’Ivoire. It was divided in 2012 into Bia West, whose capital is Essam-Debiso, and Bia East, whose capital is Sefwi Adabokrom. Bia West had a population of 115,881 at the 2021 census and Bia East 53,073.
| Region | Western North |
|---|---|
| Successor districts | Bia West; Bia East |
| District capital | Essam-Debiso (Bia West) |
| Status | District |
| Population (2021 census) | 115,881 (Bia West) |
| Population (2010 census) | 88,939 (Bia West) |
Towns and Communities in Bia
This page lists 50 towns and villages recorded across the former Bia district, now shared between Bia West and Bia East.
- Abedensuom
- Adadekrom
- Adeeyepena
- Adonkwanta
- Adwufia
- Ahinasa
- Ajeponu
- Akogyaba
- Akwaekrom
- Amoakrom
- Anoaboye
- Asuentaa
- Atabu
- Awutubreku
- Biano
- Bosumpimkrom
- Camp Number Eleven
- Camp Number Twelve
- Copol Nkwanta
- Debiso
- Diasempa
- Dwenenyameho
- Ekumani
- Eluokrom
- Esikuma
- Essem
- Esuepiri
- Genkobu
- Gliksten Workshop
- Kakowbaw
- Kodwoaba
- Kofiakrom
- Kofikrom
- Kramokrom
- Kumikrom
- Kwabinatunakrom
- Kwamearomekrom
- Kwamebikrom
- Kwametawia Nkwanta
- Kwametawiakrom
- Kwesiaba
- Kwesiamoyawkrom
- Kyianokrom
- Manhuntem
- Manhyia
- Matwemeho
- Mbemu
- Mensakrom
- Meseho
- Mfantiman
Geography
Bia occupies the north-western tip of the Western North Region. The international boundary with Côte d’Ivoire runs along its western side, and the Bia River, which gives the district its name, flows south through it. The terrain is gently rolling forest country under heavy rainfall. Bia National Park and the neighbouring Bia Resource Reserve protect a block of moist evergreen forest in this corner of Ghana. Within the region the former district adjoins Bia East and Juaboso, with Bodi to the south-east.
Economy and Local Life
Cocoa farming dominates. The Bia area sits in the belt that made Western North Ghana’s leading cocoa region, and licensed buying companies keep sheds in the larger communities. Plantain, cocoyam, cassava and maize are intercropped with young cocoa and sold at local markets. Timber has been worked here for decades, and several settlements on the list, such as the numbered camps and the Gliksten workshop site, began as logging company quarters. Essam and Debiso together form the main trading centre, with markets, transport and district services.
Getting There
Essam-Debiso is reached by road from Sefwi Wiawso through Juaboso, the main route into the north-west of the region. From Kumasi, drivers usually travel via Bibiani and Sefwi Wiawso. Roads beyond the district capital are largely untarred and slow in the rains.
FAQ
What is the capital of Bia West?
Essam-Debiso is the capital of Bia West District. Bia East, created in the same 2012 split, is administered from Sefwi Adabokrom.
Which region is Bia in?
Bia lies in the Western North Region of Ghana, on the border with Côte d’Ivoire. The region was created in 2018 from the old Western Region.
What is the population of Bia?
Bia West recorded 115,881 people at the 2021 census, against 88,939 in 2010. Bia East recorded 53,073 in 2021.
How many towns are listed for Bia?
This page lists 50 towns and villages recorded in the former Bia district.