DAVID CURTIS MINTAH

10420660

COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT II
INTRODUCTION
The class arrived at Kweiman at 3:00 pm on the 23rd of September 2015. Upon arrival,
we were informed by the elders that that the chief was called Amartey Laryea. The people
mentioned various things about the community, among which include their history, staple foods,
main occupation, taboos, population, schools, source of water etc. we were also asked various
questions about what we had come there to do. The elders were informed that every member of
the community will be assessed, though our main focus will be on children under 5 years. The
elders also wanted to know the benefits they will gain from the study and Dr. Owusu informed
them that a health post such as that situated at Danfa can be established in Kweiman as a result
of the outcome of our study. We informed them about the groupings that will be done when
visiting houses. The linguist then inquired whether children will be giving food and such to
encourage parents to involve their children. Dr. Vuvor gave the reply that something will surely
be done but as to what and when cannot be promised. A gift was then presented to the elders,
after which we were shown around the community.
Kweiman was established when a man named Kwei from Teshie first came to settle there
in 1829. The people living in the community now are actually the fifth generation. Their family
name Kweitia was coined by the Akuapems because the man Kwei was a short in height.
Kweimans main occupation is farming. Their staple foods are tomatoes, garden eggs, onions etc.
This is because their forefather rests on this day. Their main language is Ga and their main
religion is Christianity. They also celebrate the Homowo festival. Drinking water is obtained

from a borehole located at Ayi Mensah and transported through underground pipes to the
Community. Four years ago, their population was 600 people. People of Kweiman are not
permitted to rear dogs for the reason that dogs are possessed by evil spirits. The people also do
not farm on Fridays. They are surrounded by 5 communities namely, Ayi Mensah, Danfa,
Oyarifa, Manhia, and Adoteiman. They buy their foodstuff from Madina.
There are two main schools in the community. One is a Presbyterian
Primary School,
and the other, a Municipal JSS. We were informed that once a child was of the
right age, they
were encouraged to attend school, and as a result, very few children were
seen upon arrival.
There is no bank in the community. However, field agents from financial institutions
located in other neighboring towns find their way into the community to transact business
including the provision of loans. Also, there is no police station in Kweiman. The police are only
called upon when the need arises.
The land marks in the community includes a chief palace, a community center, a road
which runs through the community and links Madina to Dodowa, a Ghana Water Company
office in the community, agricultural extension office, two boreholes, a football field just by the
community boundary, and a forest.