Sekondi, an older town, was the site of Dutch
Fort Orange (1642) and English
Fort Sekondi (1682). It prospered from a railroad built in 1903 to hinterland
mineral and timber resources. Takoradi was the site of Dutch
Fort Witsen (1665) and has an important
deepwaterseaport,
Ghana's first, built in 1928.[4][6]
During
World War II,
RAF Takoradi was an important staging point for British aircraft destined for
Egypt.[7] Spitfire fighter planes were shipped in crates from
England to Takoradi where they were assembled then flown via
Nigeria and
Sudan to the war in Libya.
26 Squadron SAAF was also based in Takoradi during World War II, flying anti-submarine and convoy protection patrols over the Atlantic. A number of
South African airmen are buried in the
Takoradi European Public cemetery.[8]
The city is currently named (although not officially) as the Oil City of
Ghana due to the massive discovery of oil in the
Western region and has attracted massive migration from people all around the world.[9] For example, of the 248,680 people in the Sekondi-Takoradi metro area in 2010, some 148,000, or well above half, were indigenous
Ahanta people, 30,000 came from the central region of
Ghana, 60,000 are from other regions of
Ghana and 10,000 are foreign nationals.[10]
Demographics
Sekondi-Takoradi's population is overwhelmingly Christian. 35% of the region are Pentecostal/Charismatic, 26% are Protestant and 14% are Catholic with the remaining 12% comprising numerous minor denominations. 9% of the population are Muslim, 3.5% identify as non-religious and 0.2% practice
traditional African religions. The major ethnic group found in Sekondi are the
Fanti people.[11]
Culture and tourism
Sekondi has a rich cultural heritage, and the city is home to several landmarks and tourist attractions. The city's most notable landmark is the Sekondi European Town, which was built by the British during the colonial era. The town features several well-preserved colonial buildings, including the Governor's Residence, the Post Office, and the District Commissioner's Office.
Sekondi is a bustling commercial center with a thriving economy. The city's location on the coast makes it an essential hub for fishing and trading activities. The Sekondi Fishing Harbour is the largest fishing port in
Ghana and provides employment to thousands of people in the region. The city is also a center for the timber and cocoa industries, which are vital to the country's economy. Takoradi houses the
Harbour and has timber, energy and technology industries. Over the years it has attracted a good number of investors, including
miners, as the city is close to the
mining towns in the western part of
Ghana.[6]Ghana's recent discovery of oil gave the Sekondi-Takoradi township to be known as the Oil City.
Transportation
Sekondi is well-connected to other parts of
Ghana and neighboring countries through a network of roads and railways. The city's port is a vital transportation hub, with several shipping lines providing regular services to other
West African countries and
Europe. The Takoradi Airport (TDI), located about 5 km from Sekondi, provides air transportation to other parts of
Ghana and international destinations. There are public transport connections from Takoradi to major cities such as
Accra;
Kumasi;
Mim;
Cape Coast;
Sunyani;
Tamale;
Tema;
Ho;
Wa;
Bolgatanga;
Elubo;
Aflao; and
Techiman.
Tourist attractions
Sekondi-Takoradi has plenty of beaches, however they are not a major tourist attraction. Many of the beaches are found to the west of Takoradi, with small resorts such as Fanta's Folly, The Hideout, Allan Beach and Vienna Beach. It also has an annual
street carnival, which is popular with tourists.[12]
Education
Sekondi-Takoradi city has several secondary schools, colleges, and special schools, ranging from single-sex to coeducational institutions. Among the tertiary institutions are:
Takoradi Technical University (a public institution), Nurses and Midwifery Training College, Holy Child Teachers Training College (now a College of Education).[13] The Sekondi-Takoradi city currently has several secondary schools and Special schools, ranging from single-sex to coeducational institutions. These include:
Takoradi has a well-equipped technical training center (
Takoradi Technical Institute, TTI, 1,400 students in two shifts) assisted by the German government through
GIZ / GOPA. Apart from TTI, Takoradi has a technical university and other renowned secondary schools including
Ghana Secondary Technical School, St. Mary Secondary School,
Bompeh Secondary School, Takoradi Secondary School and many others. Sekondi-Takoradi has many
internet cafés and
computer training centers to encourage familiarity with computers and acquire computer skills.