The Nkwanta South Municipal District is one of the eight (8) districts in the Oti Region of Ghana. Formerly part of the then-larger Nkwanta District in 1989, until a small portion of the district was split off to become Nkwanta North District on February 29, 2008, which was established by Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 1846; thus, in the remaining, the original part was renamed to become Nkwanta South District.
It was later upgraded to Municipal District Assembly status on November 14, 2017 to become Nkwanta South Municipal District; which was established by Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2283. The municipality is located in the northern part of Oti Region and has Nkwanta as its capital town.
Shiare is one of the villages within Nkwanta South Municipality. The belief in ancestral or traditional worship is the main faith of the people in this community. The only Christian denomination allowed to practice in the community is the Roman Catholic Church. Even that, they have their share of opposition.
It is an ancient town in the Nkwanta South Municipality where no Pentecostal church is allowed to thrive for fear that they would indoctrinate their people to shun away from their belief.
This is also the place where education is said to have started in the whole municipality.
One of the major challenges confronting the community is the lack of health facilities. Health facilities are places that provide health care for the people. Residents walk more than five kilometers to access basic health care services which defy international healthcare standards.
According to World Health Organisation (WHO), nobody should travel more than five kilometers to access basic health services.
The Paramount Chief of Atsodey Traditional Area, Nana Obombo Sewura, Yopowura II, speaking to RET Africa said the absence of Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) Compound at Shiare to cater for the health needs of the people is a big challenge. He called on the Government to intercede to assist them.
Residents said the absence of a health facility in the area has made it difficult for pregnant women to access antenatal services. Currently, residents travel far away to a health post to access healthcare services. According to them, they sometimes depend on the benevolence of other road users for easy transportation to the nearest health centre.
The people also complained about the poor road network in the area which worsened the health conditions of pregnant women and sick people.
Source:Kwabena Frimpong Manso (Journalist, Real Estate Times Africa)
