Kpassa

{{Use Ghanaian English|date=January 2023}} {{Infobox settlement  | name = Kpassa | native_name = | native_name_lang =  | settlement_type = [[Districts of Ghana|District]] Capital | image_skyline = | image_alt = | image_caption = | image_flag = | flag_alt = | image_seal = | seal_alt = | image_shield = | shield_alt = | nickname = | motto = | image_map = | map_alt = | map_caption = | pushpin_map = Ghana | pushpin_label_position = bottom | pushpin_map_alt = | pushpin_map_caption = Location in Ghana | coordinates = {{coord|8|29|38|N|0|18|27|E|display=inline,title}} | coor_pinpoint = | coordinates_footnotes = | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = [[Image:Flag of Ghana.svg|25px]] [[Ghana]] | subdivision_type1 = [[Regions of Ghana|Region]] | subdivision_name1 = [[Oti Region]] | subdivision_type2 = [[Districts of Ghana|District]] | subdivision_name2 = [[Nkwanta North District]] | subdivision_type3 = | subdivision_name3 = | established_title = | established_date = | founder = | seat_type = | seat = | government_footnotes = | leader_party = | leader_title = | leader_name = | unit_pref = Metric | area_footnotes = | area_total_km2 = | area_land_km2 = | area_water_km2 = | area_water_percent = | area_note = | elevation_footnotes = | elevation_m = 108 | population_footnotes = | population_total = | population_as_of = | population_density_km2 = auto | population_demonym = | population_note = |timezone = [[Greenwich Mean Time|GMT]] |utc_offset = |timezone_DST = [[Greenwich Mean Time|GMT]] | postal_code_type = | postal_code = | area_code_type = | area_code = | iso_code = | website = | footnotes = }}

'''Kpassa''' is the capital of [[Nkwanta North District]], a [[Districts of Ghana|district]] in the [[Oti Region]] of [[Ghana]] . The Oti Region was part of the Volta Region of Ghana until 2019. <ref>{{cite web |url=http://nkwantanorth.ghanadistricts.gov.gh/ |title=Nkwanta North District }}</ref> 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. <ref>{{cite web |url=http://gipcghana.com/11-investment-projects/infrastructure/construction-property/road-construction/118-upgrading-of-eastern-corridor-road-project-lot-7-nakpanduri-bawku-kulungugu-100-0km.html/|access-date=30 May 2017 |title=Upgrading Of Eastern Corridor Road Project[Lot 7: Nakpanduri-Bawku-Kulungugu (100.0km)]}}</ref> In terms of architecture, a returning visitor will easily notice 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 126,096 inhabitants, this is according to 2021 population and housing census.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ghana: Administrative Division (Regions and Districts) - Population Statistics, Charts and Map |url=https://www.citypopulation.de/en/ghana/admin/ |access-date=2025-03-20 |website=www.citypopulation.de}}</ref>

==Education== [[File:Kpassa Senior High.jpg|thumb|left|A building of the Kpassa Senior High School.]] Kpassa is known for the Kpassa Senior High School.<ref name=Scho>{{cite web|title=Educational Institutions|url=http://www.centralregion.gov.gh/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=34&Itemid=57|publisher=www.centralregion.gov.gh|access-date=30 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801035651/http://www.centralregion.gov.gh/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=34&Itemid=57|archive-date=1 August 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=MORESCHO>{{cite web|title=References » Schools/Colleges|url=http://www.modernghana.com/GhanaHome/regions/schools.asp?menu_id=6&sub_menu_id=310&gender=&s=a|publisher=www.modernghana.com|access-date=30 May 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Ghana Education Service, Ministry of Education |url=http://www.ghanaschoolsinfo.org/project/27/|access-date=30 May 2017}}</ref> The school is a [[second cycle]] institution, which runs courses such as General Arts, Agricultural Science, and Technical Skills.<ref name=allschool>{{cite web|title=List of Secondary Schools in Ghana|url=http://www.ghanaschoolsnet.com/page/list-of-senior-secondary|publisher=www.ghanaschoolsnet.com/|access-date=30 May 2017}}</ref>

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.<ref name=kpassa>{{Cite news|title=Upgrade Kpassa Health Centre to a polyclinic |url=https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/health/upgrade-kpassa-health-centre-to-a-polyclinic.html/|location=Accra, Ghana|access-date=17 May 2019|newspaper=[[Daily Graphic (Ghana)|Daily Graphic]]}}</ref>

==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, Ghana|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 F.C.|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 denomination]]s as of 2010 census.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?frd/cstdy:@field(DOCID+gh0059) |title=Archived copy |access-date=2019-02-02 |archive-date=2018-05-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180510183846/http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?frd%2Fcstdy%3A%40field%28DOCID+gh0059%29 |url-status=dead }}</ref> 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.<ref name=rs>Owusu-Ansah (1994), "Religion and Society".</ref>

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.<ref name="stte.gov">{{cite web | url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/irf/2006/71304.htm | title=International Religious Freedom Report 2006 Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor | publisher=USA state.gov | access-date=December 17, 2014}}</ref>

==Climate== {{climate chart | Kpassa (Accra estimates) | 22.8|30.6|15 | 23.8|31.1|33 | 24.4|31.1|56 | 24.4|31.1|81 | 23.8|30.6|142 | 23.3|28.9|178 | 23.3|27.2|46 | 21.7|26.7|15 | 22.8|27.2|36 | 23.3|29.3|64 | 23.8|30.6|36 | 23.8|31.1|23 | float=right | clear=right | source=BBC Weather<ref name="weather1">{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/world/city_guides/results.shtml?tt=TT000240 |title=Average Conditions Accra, Ghana |access-date=9 September 2009 |publisher=BBC Weather |date=May 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061021170025/http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/world/city_guides/results.shtml?tt=TT000240 |archive-date=21 October 2006}}</ref> }}

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 {{convert|25.9|°C|°F|1}} in August (the coolest) to {{convert|29.6|°C|°F|1}} in March (the hottest), with an annual average of {{convert|27.6|°C|°F|1}}. 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 [[thunderstorm]]s, 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 basin]]s with a north–south orientation are not as well ventilated as those oriented east–west.

{{Weather box | location = Kpassa (based on [[Accra]] estimates, 1961–1990), extremes 1936–1997 | metric first = yes | single line = yes | Jan record high C = 35.8 | Feb record high C = 37.1 | Mar record high C = 36.2 | Apr record high C = 35.0 | May record high C = 34.6 | Jun record high C = 31.5 | Jul record high C = 32.3 | Aug record high C = 32.8 | Sep record high C = 33.9 | Oct record high C = 33.6 | Nov record high C = 38.0 | Dec record high C = 36.0 | year record high C = 38.0 | Jan high C = 32.1 | Feb high C = 32.7 | Mar high C = 32.5 | Apr high C = 32.2 | May high C = 31.2 | Jun high C = 29.3 | Jul high C = 28.5 | Aug high C = 28.0 | Sep high C = 29.0 | Oct high C = 30.5 | Nov high C = 31.6 | Dec high C = 31.7 | year high C = 30.8 | Jan mean C = 27.3 | Feb mean C = 27.7 | Mar mean C = 27.7 | Apr mean C = 27.7 | May mean C = 27.2 | Jun mean C = 25.6 | Jul mean C = 24.4 | Aug mean C = 24.3 | Sep mean C = 25.2 | Oct mean C = 26.0 | Nov mean C = 27.0 | Dec mean C = 27.2 | year mean C = 26.4 | Jan low C = 23.4 | Feb low C = 24.1 | Mar low C = 24.1 | Apr low C = 24.2 | May low C = 23.9 | Jun low C = 23.1 | Jul low C = 22.5 | Aug low C = 22.2 | Sep low C = 22.4 | Oct low C = 23.9 | Nov low C = 23.5 | Dec low C = 23.4 | year low C = 23.4 | Jan record low C = 15.0 | Feb record low C = 16.7 | Mar record low C = 18.9 | Apr record low C = 19.4 | May record low C = 18.6 | Jun record low C = 17.8 | Jul record low C = 17.8 | Aug record low C = 17.2 | Sep record low C = 18.3 | Oct record low C = 19.4 | Nov record low C = 17.8 | Dec record low C = 16.7 | year record low C = 15.0 | precipitation colour = green | Jan precipitation mm = 10.9 | Feb precipitation mm = 21.8 | Mar precipitation mm = 57.1 | Apr precipitation mm = 96.8 | May precipitation mm = 131.2 | Jun precipitation mm = 221.0 | Jul precipitation mm = 66.0 | Aug precipitation mm = 28.0 | Sep precipitation mm = 67.8 | Oct precipitation mm = 62.4 | Nov precipitation mm = 27.7 | Dec precipitation mm = 16.1 | year precipitation mm = 806.8 | Jan precipitation days = 1 | Feb precipitation days = 2 | Mar precipitation days = 5 | Apr precipitation days = 6 | May precipitation days = 10 | Jun precipitation days = 15 | Jul precipitation days = 9 | Aug precipitation days = 7 | Sep precipitation days = 8 | Oct precipitation days = 7 | Nov precipitation days = 3 | Dec precipitation days = 2 | year precipitation days = | Jan humidity = 77 | Feb humidity = 78 | Mar humidity = 79 | Apr humidity = 80 | May humidity = 81 | Jun humidity = 85 | Jul humidity = 84 | Aug humidity = 83 | Sep humidity = 81 | Oct humidity = 82 | Nov humidity = 80 | Dec humidity = 80 | year humidity = 81 | Jan sun = 210.8 | Feb sun = 206.2 | Mar sun = 213.9 | Apr sun = 219.0 | May sun = 210.8 | Jun sun = 141.0 | Jul sun = 145.7 | Aug sun = 155.0 | Sep sun = 171.0 | Oct sun = 226.3 | Nov sun = 237.0 | Dec sun = 241.8 | year sun = | Jand sun = 6.8 | Febd sun = 7.3 | Mard sun = 6.9 | Aprd sun = 7.3 | Mayd sun = 6.8 | Jund sun = 4.7 | Juld sun = 4.7 | Augd sun = 5.0 | Sepd sun = 5.7 | Octd sun = 7.3 | Novd sun = 7.9 | Decd sun = 7.8 | yeard sun = 6.5 | source 1 = [[World Meteorological Organization]] (average high, low and precipitation)<ref name=WMO>{{cite web |url=http://worldweather.wmo.int/en/city.html?cityId=921 |title=World Weather Information Service – Accra |publisher=World Meteorological Organization |access-date=17 October 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161018215614/http://worldweather.wmo.int/en/city.html?cityId=921 |archive-date=18 October 2016}}</ref> | source 2 = [[Deutscher Wetterdienst]] (extremes, humidity 1952–1967, mean temperature 1941–1994, and sun)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dwd.de/DWD/klima/beratung/ak/ak_654720_kt.pdf |title=Klimatafel von Accra (Int. Flugh.) / Ghana |work=Baseline climate means (1961–1990) from stations all over the world |publisher=Deutscher Wetterdienst |language=de |access-date=17 October 2016}}</ref> }}

== 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, Ghana|Ho]] (the Regional Capital). The district has a surface area of approximately 1,1510 km<sup>2</sup> 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== {{Reflist}}

==External links== * [https://web.archive.org/web/20110818172632/http://www.ghanadistricts.com/districts/?news&r=7&_=176 Nkwanta North District on GhanaDistricts.com]

[[Category:Populated places in the Oti Region]]