The District is located in the western part of the Upper West Region, approximately between Longitudes 9 40’N and 10 10’ N and between Latitudes 2 20W and 2 50’ W. It shares borders to the South with Savanah Region, North-West by Nadowli District, East by Wa Municipal and to West by Burkina Faso.
The total area of the District is approximately 1,856 square km, representing about 12% of the Region’s total land area. Wechiau is the District capital about 38.0 km away from Wa, the Upper West Regional capital.
The population of the Wa West District is currently estimated at 101,348 using the 2010 Population and Housing Census growth rate data. The district’s population is currently estimated at 92, 894. In terms of sex distribution, females constitute 50.5% of the population (51,181) and male 49.5% (50,167). The spatial distribution of the population of the district shows that, the district is predominately rural. The sex ratio of the district is 97.8%. The population of the district is youthful (45.5%) depicting a broad base population pyramid which tapers off with a small number of elderly persons (5.8%). The total dependency ratio for the district is 105.6, the age dependency ratio for male is higher (118.2) than that of female (94.6%).
The main ethnic groups of the District comprise the Waala who are the indigenous people, Dagaaba and Birforle. Other minority groups are the Sissala, Akans, Ga-Adangme, Hausas, Ewes Guansan and Fulanis.
The main economic activity of the people of Wa West District is agriculture. Indeed, about 80 percent of the people are in the agricultural sector. A small segment of the district’s population is in the rural industry, tourism and petty trade and services sectors.
The topography of the Wa West District is gently rolling with a few hills ranging between 180 and 300 meters above sea level. It is drained by one main river – the Black Volta, to the west marking the boundary between the district and the Republic of Burkina Faso.
The Black Volta and its tributaries are the main drainage system in the district. The river and its several feeders’ tributaries present opportunities for irrigation in the district that can promote all year-round farming. Most of the tributaries streams are seasonal, thus, disrupting communication during the rainy season along all the major roads to the district capital.
Agriculture accounts for about 86% of the district economy. The predominant agriculture activity is subsistent farming. Most farmers undertake a combination of crops and animal production. The main crops grown are maize, millet, cowpea and groundnut. The district has a comparative advantage in groundnuts and cowpea production.
The district is blessed with a number of water bodies including the Black Volta where inland fishing is practiced as an economic activity in the district. The proceeds from sales of fish supplement household income, though in small scale.
There are eight (8) markets outlets in the district. These are located at Dorimon, Dabo, Taanvare, Wechiau, Vieri, Poyentanga, Nyoli and Gurungu.
Agro- products and inputs are readily sold and purchased in these markets. Marketing of food crops and household commodities is mostly done by women. The purchased and sale of livestock is, however, done by men. Physical access to markets is however poor due to poor roads network and condition. The improvement of roads infrastructure has the potential of increasing revenue mobilization in the district.
