FIDE represents faith-based organizations from all the regions of Ghana, and Pangaea expects to be working with these organizations throughout the country. As a starting point, because of long-standing relationships in Asante Akim North and South, we are able to begin our work there, establish and develop the church/mosque strategy, set up channels of distribution and technical support, and provide education to customers.

Asante Region

The Asante Region of Ghana is home to an ancient civilization and represents both traditional and modern Ghana. Kumasi, the capital city of Asante, is renowned for wood carving, kente cloth, goldwork, and other crafts exported through Ghana and the world, and also for its vast outdoor market. The region has hundreds of towns and villages, each with its own churches and mosques. For more about the region, please visit GhanaWeb and the official Asante Web Site.

Asante Akim North District measure approximately 100,000 square kilometers. There are 26 towns and villages in the district. Current population is estimated at 140,000, with an annual growth rate of 3.2 percent. The districts have an agrarian economy with 79% of the population working in the agricultural sector, as peasant farmers.    

The Village of Patriensa

Patriensa is one of the 26 villages/towns in the Asante Akim North district. Patriensa, with a population of 4,000, has an agrarian economy, with about three-quarters of the people working on farms and in trading farm produce. The cash incomes of the people are very limited, since most of the crops grown are for local consumption. The illiteracy rate is high, and unemployment rate is very high. Access to health services is very limited at the village.

Pangaea has established a relationship with Patriensa Ebenezer Presbyterian Church and helped to create a partnership with that church and Goleta Presbyterian Church in Goleta, California.

The Asante Akim Multipurpose Community Telecentre

Some years ago the villagers of Patriensa built the Asante Akim Multipurpose Community Telecentre, which serves all of the villages of Asante Akim North and South. The telecentre is located one mile from the village and includes classrooms equipped with computers and an Internet connection; several economic development projects including a craft workshop, a furniture manufacturing operation, and a centre for nonmotorized transport which converts bicycles for use as cargo- and child-carriers; a health clinic; and an 8-bedroom guesthouse.

Dr. Eskow and Ms. Blackmun, principals of the Pangaea Network, serve on the Advisory Board of the AAMCT. The Telecentre is a key node in the Pangaea Network, continuing a relationship that began in 2001.