Ayamé,
is the town where the land has been donated to C.R.E.E.R; population of 16,000, 60% unemployment. Excellent hospital, a lake with ‘tilapia’ fish, an important electricity producing dam & near to the Ghanaian border Cocoa plantations are widespread in this region! Ayamé is situated in the South East of Cote d’Ivoire in the region of the ‘Sud Comoe’, 20km from the Ghana border and 130km from the centre of Abidjan. (1,800CFA/3€ by local taxi) The commune of Ayame is head of the smaller district council (which is comprised of several villages in the surrounding bush area) and is part of the district of Aboisso. This little town stretches along a valley (which is crossed by the Ano-Assue river for about 9km) with 7 hills up to 130m in height. The centre of the town occupies about 77 hectares with a variety of buildings, predominantly residential & typically African on one level. There are 2 motels, Chez Lucas (4,000-8,000CFA) and another at 12000CFA which is often closed but with a beautiful view of the lake. The Climate The town has four seasons : a long dry season (from december to february); a long wet season (from march to july); a short dry season (from mid july to mid september); a short wet season (from mid-september to mid-november) The average temperature is between 26° et 32° with a humidity of 80-90 %. History The first village of Ayame was built around 1885 by the King Brou Dishie, head of the Sanwi, an Agni (ethnic group) who are still the predominant inhabitants of the town. The kingdom of the Sanwi still have an important role in the social life of the community, especially in the legalities of the region. The kingdom is made up of eight ‘cantons’ which are ruled by the chefs of the villages, named by the King of the Sanwi. The King of Ayame (Canton of Djandji) is the head person after the central royal family. The town is governed by a Mayor with a council of 27 members. Society, resources & the economy Ayamé has 14,000 inhabitants, many of which are immigrants (maybe 20% of the total population) who arrived from neighbouring countries in particular, Burkina Faso. In the past there were a number of Malians which became too strong and were ordered to leave Ayame due to a conflict over fishing rights. The economy is based on the hydroelectric dam (which is French property), the economy is also based on agriculture with the principal products being coffee, cocoa, cassava & bananas. Fishing is also important on the lake where there are two types of tilapia fish. The General Hospital of Ayamé (HGA) , the baby orphanage and other initiatives by cooperatives also offer the chance of work for the population. . |